Our good chum on QZ, Benn, made the following point on another thread to me. It is so.... errr.... amusing/startling, that I felt it worthy of a new thread. Wait til you turn around and see this...
If my mum had seen this first, her reaction would probably have been something like... "Ah, bless him." So, Benn, consider your little self blessed at this rather bless-abundant time of year.
REFERRING TO MY 'LAST WORD ON QUEEN SINGLES' THREAD, BENN WROTE.... Greg,
All fine and well put and backs up exactly what you told us in the first place. It begs the question though, if you were so convinced that your work on the ORIGINAL set was so good, why on EARTH did you and Gary agree to work on something so far below your collective standards as archivist and hostorian etc? Haven't you completely compromised yourselves here? Didn't you ever turn around to QPL and say "No - this is not what should be released.
GB: You simply have to love this question! Seriously. This is among the most startlingly incredible things that's ever been suggested to me. But, being the generous, considerate and generally amiable kind of chap I am, and a bit bored at the moment, let me offer these points in response.
Benn: It begs the question though, if you were so convinced that your work on the ORIGINAL set was so good, why on EARTH did you and Gary agree to work on something so far below your collective standards as archivist and hostorian etc?
GB: Well, Benjamin, Gary and I considered writing to the band and saying, words to the effect, "Hey Queen band members, our original ideas were/are FAR better than yourn. What are you thinking of; changing the concept from 10-CDs to something lesser? Good Lord chaps, you should listen to us and abandon this folly." But then Gary and I had a chat and Gary thought that approach might be mildly flawed. I agreed after several hours further debate in the office. Our chat continued into the small hours...
"Gary," I said, "How about I write to Jim Beach and tell him that we shouldn't really be working on 'something so far below our collective standards as archivist and hostorians etc?'"
"Don't be silly, Greg," Gary replied. "Let's just continue to work with the Queen boys and grin and bear it and say nothing and just, kind of, martyr ourselves for this project."
"Good plan," replied I. "Yes, this project might be 'so far below our collective standards as archivist and hostorians etc, and all that 'beneath us' type stuff, but we must stick with it - even if the white and purple colour scheme (that 'clear' on QZ will hate) really looks weird."
BENN then went on, if you can believe it, to add.... 'Didn't you ever turn around to QPL and say "No - this is not what should be released."
GB: Firstly, I seldom feel the need to 'turn around' before I speak. I know that a lot of people in England apparently "turn around" and say things, these days, but I'm not one of them - unless I happen to be in a car going around a roundabout at the time: thus in that instance I might turn around and say something. Generally though, unlike Benn, I don't usually turn around to say things..... oh, unless of course someone is standing behind me when they address me - which is very rare - and then I might turn around to reply.
Anyway.... 'Didn't you ever turn around to QPL and say "No - this is not what should be released."
Errrrrr..... mmmmmm! It's a difficult one. No. It never occurred to me to turn around and say that. But, let's imagine I had......
"Hello Queen band members. And good morning Jim."
"Morning our Archivist."
"You look well today GB."
"Ta very much Brian."
"And you guys all look really well too."
[Collective thanks from all present]
"So what's so urgent that you needed to call us here to your Cotswold weekend cottage at a moment's notice, Greg?"
"Well, Roger, sorry about that, but it's to do with this Queen Singles box set. And it just couldn't wait."
"Box 1 of 4, you mean?"
"Aye lad, that's the one."
"What about it?"
"Well, beloved Queen members..... No - this is not what should be released."
"Pardon."
"I said.... "No - this is not what should be released."
"How dare you tell us what should not be released."
"Mmmmm. I thought you might say that, members of Queen who employ my services merely on a consultancy level."
"Jim, did you here what our archivist just said?"
"Yes. He turned around and said... "No - this is not what should be released."
"How dare he."
"Sorry chaps. I was just thinking ahead to what the Queenzone boys might say."
"The who?"
"The Queenzone boys."
"Boyzone, do you mean? That boy band?"
"No, founder Queen member, I mean the fan site.... Queenzone. What if they turn round and say something bad about the project....?"
[Brian is curious at this]
"You mean that one of them might turn around and say something like.... 'Haven't you completely compromised yourselves here?' and 'Didn't you ever turn around to QPL and say "No - this is not what should be released."
"Yes, Brian, that's exactly what I mean."
"Ok. I see your point. It's a tricky one. Those QZ boys really do provide great food for thought, so let's not be hasty here. Let's meet back here wednesday week and discuss it again. That's what I'm turning round and suggesting."
"Good one, Brian May. I think you turned round and said that in most helpful and understanding fashion. See you then."
[Jim intervenes]
"I think I might turn around now and tell you to turn around and go back to the archive. Do you follow me?"
"Have I spoken out of turn (around)?"
Benn.... I don't think what you have suggested was quite the most realistic concept ever put forward, but I have to admire your outright fifth dimension thinking. Good on ya. And bless you.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Still need those pictures I worked on 2 days Greg?
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
I'm sorry, I can't resist : http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/forumnew/forum_topic_view.aspx?Q=1157354
Hi Queen Archivist
When will the Hyde Park'76 DVD be released?
greetings
When will the Hyde Park'76 DVD be released?
greetings
[QUOTE]
[b]pittrek wrote: [/b]
I'm sorry, I can't resist : http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/forumnew/forum_topic_view.aspx?Q=1157354
[/QUOTE]
:-)
Or a Live Killers box with much unseen and unheard stuff(or a Cazy tour set, Hammermsith DVD + an audio gig)
In 2009, 30 years since Live Killers was first released...
Time for the bigger and better live release you mention in your book, Greg!
[b]pittrek wrote: [/b]
I'm sorry, I can't resist : http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/forumnew/forum_topic_view.aspx?Q=1157354
[/QUOTE]
:-)
Or a Live Killers box with much unseen and unheard stuff(or a Cazy tour set, Hammermsith DVD + an audio gig)
In 2009, 30 years since Live Killers was first released...
Time for the bigger and better live release you mention in your book, Greg!
[QUOTE]
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
Greg, you seem like such a twat
Just one question: What are the band's objections for releasing a 70s product?
Greg - you've missed the point in not reading between the lines, yet again, and avoided the issue - as you so often do.
The POINT is that, by questioning the band and / or Jim Beach, they are exposed to thoughts and ideas other than their own. They are not - as they would have you and many others seemingly believe - always right or in the best position to decide what is right.
For example. The Who released a re-master of their "A Quick One" album. This was released as being the best quality transfer from the best masters available. What turned up was a complete and UTTER pile of shit where *bonus tracks* were on the release in far better sound quality than the original album was. Turned out that the producers had simply gone to sub-par copies of the masters which were easily available to hand and mastered the opriginal album from there and had been lazy and complacent. *WE* knew of the existance of original stereo master tapes and their EXACT location. After QUESTIONING Trinifold, Pete Townshend and the re-issue programme's producer on their logic and quality control processes, we eventually had them 'do it again' and were then given a TRUE stereo release which (although still flawed in terms of the levels the mastering was completed at) was a significant improvement over what was originally released.
For example. The Who then released a re-master of the 'Face Dances' album which contained a track called 'It's In You'. Immediately it was apparent that a sub-standard master tape had been used which contained a massive skip in the track. Simple questioning - again - of their quality control processes lead to this being re-done and a BETTER product being made available for all and for the betterment of the band's catalogue.
We're now in a position where the band and it's management understand that there is knowledge within the fan base whish is, more often than not, superior to what is within the camp. Therefore, we are getting some really high quality projects under way and, subsequently, high quality product as a result. The Amazing Journey film, the Live at Kilburn film with London Coliseum '69 bonus footage. The fan club-only release of a 2-CD live retrospective set.
The POINT is that questioning people who are supposedly in the know opens them up to all kinds of ideas and suggestions. Too many bands / artists / management types (at all levels) are afraid to hear it as it really is and (as evidenced by Brian's ridiculously closed-shop website) are shielded from negativity to the detriment of both their material and other fans.
Clearly, you never bothered to back yourselves and your work and stand up against a strategy from QPL / Brian / Roger that you already believed to be flawed. If you and Gary HAD gone in and forced the point, it's just possible that we might have all been able to get the benefit of all the great work you both put in on the original set, just as you did with the FM box.
BTW - your conversation scenario was rubbish. One-liners all the way give a bit of an insight into your REAL relationship there. Obviously, they talk to you as opposed to you talking to them and having a two-way thang.
"Yes Mr. May, no Mr. Beach, three bags full Mr. Taylor sir!"
The POINT is that, by questioning the band and / or Jim Beach, they are exposed to thoughts and ideas other than their own. They are not - as they would have you and many others seemingly believe - always right or in the best position to decide what is right.
For example. The Who released a re-master of their "A Quick One" album. This was released as being the best quality transfer from the best masters available. What turned up was a complete and UTTER pile of shit where *bonus tracks* were on the release in far better sound quality than the original album was. Turned out that the producers had simply gone to sub-par copies of the masters which were easily available to hand and mastered the opriginal album from there and had been lazy and complacent. *WE* knew of the existance of original stereo master tapes and their EXACT location. After QUESTIONING Trinifold, Pete Townshend and the re-issue programme's producer on their logic and quality control processes, we eventually had them 'do it again' and were then given a TRUE stereo release which (although still flawed in terms of the levels the mastering was completed at) was a significant improvement over what was originally released.
For example. The Who then released a re-master of the 'Face Dances' album which contained a track called 'It's In You'. Immediately it was apparent that a sub-standard master tape had been used which contained a massive skip in the track. Simple questioning - again - of their quality control processes lead to this being re-done and a BETTER product being made available for all and for the betterment of the band's catalogue.
We're now in a position where the band and it's management understand that there is knowledge within the fan base whish is, more often than not, superior to what is within the camp. Therefore, we are getting some really high quality projects under way and, subsequently, high quality product as a result. The Amazing Journey film, the Live at Kilburn film with London Coliseum '69 bonus footage. The fan club-only release of a 2-CD live retrospective set.
The POINT is that questioning people who are supposedly in the know opens them up to all kinds of ideas and suggestions. Too many bands / artists / management types (at all levels) are afraid to hear it as it really is and (as evidenced by Brian's ridiculously closed-shop website) are shielded from negativity to the detriment of both their material and other fans.
Clearly, you never bothered to back yourselves and your work and stand up against a strategy from QPL / Brian / Roger that you already believed to be flawed. If you and Gary HAD gone in and forced the point, it's just possible that we might have all been able to get the benefit of all the great work you both put in on the original set, just as you did with the FM box.
BTW - your conversation scenario was rubbish. One-liners all the way give a bit of an insight into your REAL relationship there. Obviously, they talk to you as opposed to you talking to them and having a two-way thang.
"Yes Mr. May, no Mr. Beach, three bags full Mr. Taylor sir!"
GB, also, re:
>>GB: Firstly, I seldom feel the need to 'turn around' before I speak. I know that a lot of people in England apparently "turn around" and say things, these days, but I'm not one of them - unless I happen to be in a car going around a roundabout at the time: thus in that instance I might turn around and say something. Generally though, unlike Benn, I don't usually turn around to say things..... oh, unless of course someone is standing behind me when they address me - which is very rare - and then I might turn around to reply.
Jumping on that got you stuck didn't it Greggy Boy? You knew exactly what that piece of figurative speech meant and - in focusing on THAT - kept you completely off topic and made you look like a dick.
Give yer mum a kiss from me chap. Tell her I'll be round to fix her plumbing later.
>>GB: Firstly, I seldom feel the need to 'turn around' before I speak. I know that a lot of people in England apparently "turn around" and say things, these days, but I'm not one of them - unless I happen to be in a car going around a roundabout at the time: thus in that instance I might turn around and say something. Generally though, unlike Benn, I don't usually turn around to say things..... oh, unless of course someone is standing behind me when they address me - which is very rare - and then I might turn around to reply.
Jumping on that got you stuck didn't it Greggy Boy? You knew exactly what that piece of figurative speech meant and - in focusing on THAT - kept you completely off topic and made you look like a dick.
Give yer mum a kiss from me chap. Tell her I'll be round to fix her plumbing later.
[QUOTE]
[b]Gerolamo wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
[/QUOTE]
ah gossie... gaat ie?
[b]Gerolamo wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
[/QUOTE]
ah gossie... gaat ie?
Until they start realeasing new material or stuff they have yet to release, I don't give a shit anymore.
Hadrian,
He won't because he can't. Even though he acknowledges in THIS thread that he's been asked a question, he STILL doesn't answer it.
He's never answered questions which call for him to "give something" of himself and he isn't likely to start now.
Are ya Greggy Boy?
He won't because he can't. Even though he acknowledges in THIS thread that he's been asked a question, he STILL doesn't answer it.
He's never answered questions which call for him to "give something" of himself and he isn't likely to start now.
Are ya Greggy Boy?
[QUOTE]
[b]Ducksoup wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Gerolamo wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
[/QUOTE]
ah gossie... gaat ie?
[/QUOTE]
Ik had geen ander antwoord verwacht eerlijk gezegd... Erg zielig, net als dat het gewoon zielig is dat je voor niets moeite doet voor mensen waar om gevraagd word, en dat je dan gewoon genegeerd word... Zelfs jij moet dat wel begrijpen.
[/QUOTE]Maar laat maar ik ga wel weg, het is duidelijk.
[/QUOTE]
[b]Ducksoup wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Gerolamo wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Queen Archivist wrote: [/b]
Sorry, what pics are you meaning????
[/QUOTE]
Ffs exactly what I was expecting! I spend 2 days working on pictures for your book, I sent you samples and been polite and stuff... No responce, and you actually forgot.
Fantastic!
[/QUOTE]
ah gossie... gaat ie?
[/QUOTE]
Ik had geen ander antwoord verwacht eerlijk gezegd... Erg zielig, net als dat het gewoon zielig is dat je voor niets moeite doet voor mensen waar om gevraagd word, en dat je dan gewoon genegeerd word... Zelfs jij moet dat wel begrijpen.
[/QUOTE]Maar laat maar ik ga wel weg, het is duidelijk.
[/QUOTE]