Melanie C and Brian May

Obviously none of you realize that Mel C. was Freddie's favourite singer.

I've already mentioned that, Fireplace. But still, it's nice of you to bring it up again. You're, after all, Freddie's favourite QZer.

Sebastian wrote: I love the Spice Girls

======

I think it's very brave of you to admit that. I also think it explains why you and I never see eye-to-eye about what is good music and what isn't.

GT wrote: Brian is a world class musician, and like a lot of musicians you get your inspiration and thrill from working with other musicians and singers especially if there is a mutual respect and love of each others music.
In this case Mel C has stated in the past she has always loved Queen, and so when an opportunity arises for her to appear live on stage with one of her heroes, then she is not going to turn it down. Likewise for Brian, if he felt that working with Mel C wasn't going to work then he wouldn't of spent precious hours of his life doing this charity appearance, and for free too.
Just because a particular artist does not appeal to many on here, whether it be Mel C, Lady Ga Ga or McFly, that doesn't mean he shouldn't work with these people. Just because you don't like the particular genre of music they usually produce or have a hatred for that artist or even that you think they don't deserve to have Brian involved, it is not going to change the fact that it is Brian's choice.
Brian's involvement and love of the female voice goes back to the '80's when he worked with the likes of Minako Hondo, Anita Dobson, Fuzzbox and the many artists he collaborated with on the charity singles. The '90's continued with Judie Tzuke and Jennifer Rush and more recently with Claire Sweeney, Lynn Carey Saylor, Annie Crummer, Diana Ross, Eva Maria, Kerry Ellis, Beyonce, Pink, Britney Spears, Anastacia and Catherine Porter. 
Insulting these people and calling them 'sluts' and the like, is very childish and uncalled for.
================================

I'm not sure what kind of reaction you expect to these kinds of threads, posted on a forum for fans who are are knowledgeable and dedicated enough to be discriminating.  As YV noted, I'm sure the audience loved it, but what do you expect from here exactly? You must know some YouTube video will follow, with a serious likelihood of being crap, which this clearly was.   You expect us to be what, riveted? Proud of our guy?  It's just one more thoroughly uninspiring version of an inspiring song made depressingly common by these kind of choices.  Brian can work with whoever he wishes of course.  What is the point of a lecture about "Brian's choice"?  Do you think that's escaped people somehow?  I just don't get it.

I agree with GF. I would like to add that the problems with Brian's choices these days is not so much the female singers he teams up with, but that for whatever reason, he has been creatively limited for quite some time, resulting in the WWRY musical; IMO the lowest point in the history of Queen (or 50% of Queen.)

Brian May, you are a sad person.

[QUOTE]GT wrote:
Just because a particular artist does not appeal to many on here, whether it be Mel C, Lady Ga Ga or McFly, that doesn't mean he shouldn't work with these people. Just because you don't like the particular genre of music they usually produce or have a hatred for that artist or even that you think they don't deserve to have Brian involved, it is not going to change the fact that it is Brian's choice. [/QUOTE]

And just because Brian has CHOSEN to become a schill, doesn't mean that fans can't state their opinion.

You see, what happens to MOST guitarists, when they mature, they start composing and performing mature music.  Guys like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton are recording some of the tastiest stuff they've ever put on tape.  Brian has simply CHOSEN to do the opposite.

And then when people who have SOME kind of musical taste refuse to buy it, he bitches about it on his soapbox.

I guess you're saying that if Brian May takes a dump, we should all go out and buy the limited edition?

I'm brazilian and Mel C is very recognizable here, as in the rest of South America.

Queen fans can be so annoying sometimes.
You gotta have something to complain about.

Micrówave wrote:

You see, what happens to MOST guitarists, when they mature, they start composing and performing mature music.  Guys like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton are recording some of the tastiest stuff they've ever put on tape.  Brian has simply CHOSEN to do the opposite.

=================

True.  But in his defense, he's much more than just a guitar player (not to belittle the brilliance of Beck and Clapton).  He's into stereo photography, animal activism and astrophysics now (he even got his Ph.D. - how many rock stars have done that?).  Most people in this world are one-dimensional when it comes to their profession, but Brian is all over the map.  Music is simply in second or third place for him now, and he just dabbles in it here and there to keep himself busy.  And he's earned it - he's sold 300 million records and toured the world a dozen times, so he just wants to do other things now.

Considering Queen haven't had a hit record in about 20 years, Brian and Roger are pretty busy with Queen-related things.  Most musicians in their position call it quits and rest on their laurels.

>>> But in his defense, he's much more than just a guitar player

All the more reason for some fans (not me) to be outraged. I don't care if he plays with Rebecca Black if he f**king wants to, but I do understand that some people would feel that the CBE PhD could be working with people of a higher musical level. Remember a time when Brian collaborated, jammed or guested with the likes of Michael Kamen, Eddie Van Halen, Phil Chen, Steve Howe, Dave Gilmour, Ian Gillan, etc? At some point he changed that for Britney Spears, a ridiculous musical and showing up on realities... And FTR, there are many guitarists who, while not having a PhD (which does not make them any less valuable, BTW), still delve into many other things.

>>> (he even got his Ph.D.- how many rock stars have done that?).

And that's very good for him, yet he could flaunt his PhD while working with someone like Clapton or Beck instead of McFly and Britney.

>>> Most people in this world are one-dimensional when it comes to their profession, but Brian is all over
the map.

Brian and thousands of others. Brian's a great musician and one of the maaaaaaaaaaaaany people in the world with PhD. Compared to the maaaaaaaaaaaany people who do a looooooooot more for the world in the quiet way, there's no reason to think of Brian as some sort of deity.

>>> And he's earned it - he's sold 300 million records

No, he hasn't. He's been part of a band that's sold millions (FOUR people, not just him). By himself, he's probably been LARGELY outsold by Mrs Starr and Ms Black.

>>> and toured the world a dozen times,

Mmmmmmm sort of same point as before.

>>> so he just wants to do other things now.

And that's great for him. But if somebody wants to criticise his choices (I don't - TBH I don't care) they're more than entitled to. After all, this is a person who twenty five years ago had recorded and co-arranged with none other than Michael Kamen. Now, with all the money, the experience, the musicality, the expertise and the prestige he's got, he opted for pop stars and (other) has-beens.

>>> Most musicians in their position call it quits and rest on their laurels.

And that's also good for them. It's their choice.

Regarding the "other" pursuits of Brian May:

So What?

I don't intend on getting my PHD in astrophysics and I'm sure that I don't know any who have.  Therefore, I could care less about it and will not be posting on www.astrophysics.phd.m-f-ers.com

I wasn't too thrilled when Barbara Streisand came back, sang two songs, and then proceeded to run her parents and family into the ground with dialogue.  So if Brian is going to play two songs and then talk about stars, count me OUT.

Animal Rights?  I think some animals would rather Brian stick to music as well.

This is about Brian May playing with THE SPICE GIRL - Not all that other stuff - and it sucks ass.

If I have upset Spice fans, again, I could care less because I probably wouldn't like them anyways.

Micrówave wrote:

Animal Rights?  I think some animals would rather Brian stick to music as well.

====================

LOL

You know, this really needs it's own thread.  The animals deserve a voice.

I second that.

Some of you are so cynical, it was for charity after all and mel c is a very good singer,

freddiefan91 wrote: Some of you are so cynical, it was for charity after all and mel c is a very good singer, ======

Band Aid 20 was for charity too; that didn't make it good music. Good intentions do not guarantee good artistic judgement.