The horn section in Staying Power

Come to think about it, I take back what I wrote earlier: it DOES have a lot to do with the style. But not in a metal > disco way - it's a matter of specialities, IMO.

A lot of people didn't enjoy Michael Jordan's baseball career. Does it mean they hated baseball? For the most part, I don't think so. Does it mean they were rabid anti-White-Socks? For the most part, I don't think so. It simply means they knew he belonged elsewhere. As a baseball player, he was average, as a basketball player, he was arguably the best ever. Soon enough, he also realised that and went back to the NBA.

Same if, say, David Gilmour started a career as a professional drummer: he certainly plays well (and has done so in the studio occasionally), but:

A) He's not as good as those who've devoted their life to that instrument (too many examples to put here).
B) He's already LARGELY proficient at another instrument.

And it doesn't mean guitar > drums. It does mean, though, that David's a way way way better guitarist than drummer.

IMO, it's the same case here: Queen were not at all experts on funk or Motown. They were rock artists. They were not experienced professionals on drum programming and synth-bass; they were a four-piece band with a very professional drummer and an equally skilful bassist who were at their best when playing actual instruments rather than programming cheap samples. Brian was not a proficient funky guitarist (in fact, for that department, even he admitted John Deacon was better), but he is an extraordinary rock performer. They get an 'A for effort' as they dared to try something else, but it's clear (first of all to Queen themselves) that it was not their department. No wonder why they returned to what they knew they did best.

Michael Jackson, marvellous singer that he was, would've faced an epic fail if he tried recording Stone Cold Crazy or Du Hast. He was incomparable, though, on things like Beat It or Man in the Mirror. Likewise, Queen were outstanding for something like Show Must Go On or Killer Queen (two very different pieces, but still part of their 'native tongue', so to speak), but they didn't quite cut the mustard for something like Staying Power (in the studio, that is) or Pain Is So Close to Pleasure.

I think I may be the only one who likes Staying Power's studio version (a bit) more than the live version.
Live is a different beast and it ROCKS big time but it's not "hot and spacey" like the studio version, hehe :).
Also, Freddie's studio vocals are unsurpassable, I think. and he shines on this record.

By the way, I don't care that much for the horns. They are adecquate for that song. It's a great idea but the execution is lacking a bit.

Like Seb said, it was not Queen's specialty... what they did best.
Maybe if they had incorporated a few guest musicians, producers or arrangers who were experts in that genre then it could have been better.

PS: Hopefully, Hot Space's Deluxe Edition will include the 12" remix for Staying Power. It's awesome.

Yea but Radio Ga Ga was in that hot space style and is considered a classic, as is AOBTD.......They did have their moments in that style.  If michael jackson tried hard rock he would make a fool of himself.

Zebonka12 wrote: "but sometimes people think anything that isn't heavy rock or has a great guitar solo means it sucks"

But that's just an assumption on your part.  There are a myriad of other reasons that I don't think Hot Space was an entirely successful experiment.  It doesn't invalidate it as an album - experiments either work or they don't, that's the very idea of them.  I for one love a whole lot of music that isn't heavy rock.  You might want to come up with a more inclusive knee-jerk response to people who don't share your musical taste than "go listen to kiss".  It's very inaccurate.

Oh please,  if it wasn't for arguments this site would be boring as hell.   I seen enough of you're posts to  know you have a wide taste in music.  Usually I pick fights with guys who know more than me, you, "sir"  Sebastian  ECT......I agree as a whole,  hot space was a failed experiment, but did have some good moments.  Much better than Judas priests Turbo Album, and other bands Experiments.

"Oh please,  if it wasn't for arguments this site would be boring as hell."

I don't believe so!  I know for a fact that in my non-internet life, I've had quite a few interesting and rewarding discussions that weren't 'arguments' ... hahaha.

BTW, I was wrong. Action This Day does have a real sax.

I think the only problem with this album is that the four of them wern't in the right place to pull of something like this, they all did their own songs, for the most part, seperate to each other. They hated the studio at this point too.
Imagine what 'Staying Power', 'Cool Cat', 'Action This Day' and 'Back Chat' (4 songs I love regardless) would have sounded like if all 4 of them had worked and performed on them? It's hardly surprising that 'Calling All Girls' and LPDA sound really good is it?

Staying Power, Back Chat and Action do have the four of them.

As for Cool Cat, I honestly think there's no room for Brian there: the funky rhythm guitar fitted John's style far more than it fitted Brian's. And Brian's voice, good as it is, had nothing to add to that particular song.

Sebastian wrote: BTW, I was wrong. Action This Day does have a real sax.

Ok, thank you for the information!

I

On Topic: Horn sections belong in movie scores, classical music and funk and such.. not on a Queen-album. Hot Space was a casualty of the times. But since it's there, might as well enjoy it. If any of the Hot Space songs come on the radio I'll be the first one to turn up the volume.

Off Topic: Arguments spring from discussions that go on too long. Arguing is the point where neither party really listens to the other and when stuff is said just for the sake of being said... or worst.. to hurt the other person. Don't waste time on shenannigans like this. anyone like to discuss?? Just kidding. theres bound to be people who disagree, and thats ok.

I love the horns on Staying Power, and the live version IS better, but always goes astray on the MID 8 section as they always crank up the guitar and turn the keyboard playing the actual melody.

I've never thought the Oberheim was "hot and spacey".