Queen Extravaganza

I'd love the hell out of it if Brian and Roger would joined the gang at least for couple of the bigger gigs (and hopefully live DVD recorded there) after their Q+AL tour is finished. Let's face it, Jeff is going to push his own solo career now or after the fall tour (he even admitted himself he set few things on hold because of QE). Marc as well, he's not that big of a star by himself, of course, not anywhere near Soto. He'll be back to his tiny-ass Christian rock band and release his own solo EP (heh, good luck with that, pal). He made it clear that QE thing is just for this one year for him. So by the end of 2012 we are left with Yvan and Jennifer?

Dr. Bri, Sir Rog... Fall tour, make it happen... P-p-please?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73Q4XKLs8w&feature=channel_video_title

Skip ahead to 2:15 to hear Marc talk about other opportunities, where he catches himself before saying too much.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73Q4XKLs8w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73Q4XKLs8w[/url] here is the link, better

yes I had noticed that but thought at the time it was his "wishful thinking". All up to Brian and Roger. I think public response to Martel and QE was very positive. Not sure how extensive the advertizing was. Does anyone know how many of the shows were sold out? Any?

[QUOTE]

[b]pipijolk wrote: [/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73Q4XKLs8w&feature=channel_video_title

Skip ahead to 2:15 to hear Marc talk about other opportunities, where he catches himself before saying too much.[/QUOTE]
[b]Marc:[/b] [i]Writing with... [um][/i]

That's just wishful thinking, I guess. Somehow I doubt Roger offered him an opportunity to write together just like that, haha. Now maybe things have changed, after he has been tested by singing his ass off live and being on the road with QE, though, he's not leading the whole time. Now, after a pretty successful summer tour, obviously, he must be totally bonkers to refuse if Roger or Brian would ever ask him to jam around in studio with a few glasses of champagne and occasional grand piano.

In terms of studio collaborations, that Queen + Paul Rodgers album was like a blasphemy for many, if I remember correctly. It could not be much worse if they'd choose younger guy with kinda tenor voice that can handle [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyNK06KyTzI]rock[/url], [url=http://marcmartelmusic.com/]pop[/url] and even some [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlsprPFVXHA]opera[/url]. As for his work as a composer he's heavily influenced by Queen. Quite a few Downhere songs written by him (for example Living the Dream or My Last Amen) sound remotely like a bit more poppy Queen, once you cut off the Christian lyrics. He's fine at powerful hymns (e.g. Let Me Rediscover You) and slower ballads (Surrender, How Many Kings), if you keep him away from writing down religious stuff he's okay. His first solo single "Up in the Air" is completely secular, which say something. As songwriter he's by lightyear not even near Freddie's brilliance and I think he understands that. Still, he was daring enough to rip-off Queen's Bicycle Race and wrote "[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rUHr0KHd3U]Audience[/url]", which his band performs for their listeners. I'd buy the CD, though, just like I bought Q+PR album (and I still play it occasionally), just out of curiosity if nothing else.

"Marc as well, he's not that big of a star by himself, of course, not anywhere near Soto. He'll be back to his tiny-ass Christian rock band and release his own solo EP (heh, good luck with that, pal). He made it clear that QE thing is just for this one year for him."

I posted the YouTube clip to show that Marc is open to broadening his musical chops, which differs a little from your quote. It sounds like he'd love to work with Roger and Brian.

I don't hear a similarity between Audience and Bicycle Race other than they're both quirky songs. Where do you see the similarity?

I took that comment to be wishful thinking too. But from that interview and others, MM seems interested in writing and performing original music, so I don't think he'll stick with QE beyond the year unless there's something more to entice him. (I think I read somewhere that he's putting his wife through college, so if QE pays really well compared to his band, maybe that would be incentive...)

He's written 5 songs for his solo EP and I think they're all secular, so good sign?

I hope he'll still sing with QE or Queen infrequently even if he quits as one of the lead singers because it would be a shame to never hear him sing Queen songs again except for when his band covers STL or WWRY.

Marc and the QE gang having a good time (they're all there) with Marc's brother David on lead.

pipijolk, thank you for posting that vid. I cant help saying that I just bet Freddie would love that one! Fun. I so hope Marc will continue with Queen in some fashion.

[QUOTE]

[b]AdamMethos wrote: [/b] I don't hear a similarity between Audience and Bicycle Race other than they're both quirky songs. Where do you see the similarity?[/QUOTE]
"Audience, Audience" / "Bicycle, Bicycle" ? Haha

Sorry If I was being rude. It's not me, it's Martel himself. In fact someone asked him on radio show (i think it's still on youtube somewhere) if Queen would allow him to sing one of his own songs and what would it be. His answer was like "Since I'm not gonna preach in front of a non-christian crowd I'd probably choose Audience", then he confessed that bits of the little song was made after "that Bicycle Song of Queen" and he with his friends had fun about it, guessing if someone from their audience will notice anything. Apparently it's not blatant enough, which isn't a bad thing.

[QUOTE] [b]pipijolk wrote:[/b]
Marc and the QE gang having a good time (they're all there) with Marc's brother David on lead.[/QUOTE]

Precious frikkin Lord, I love his brother. David's "I want to be Queen" faux-audition tape in a dress is hysterical.

[QUOTE] [b]Man from Zanzibar wrote:[/b]
"Audience, Audience" / "Bicycle, Bicycle" ? Haha Sorry If I was being rude.[/QUOTE]

I didn't think you were rude. I didn't doubt there was a similarity; I just couldn't hear it. But now... DUH!

Love the Queen sing-a-long! I spotted the obvious: Marc, Jeff & Francois. And maybe Tristan at 2:07. Where are the rest???

Came across this surfing YT. MM isn't known for unusual costume choices, so what is this? A military uniform?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJlJM14vir4

And another variation, almost a wifebeater here LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4lrGhMa8Us

[QUOTE] [b]Missreclusive wrote:[/b]
Does anyone know how many of the shows were sold out? Any? [/QUOTE]

Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto (Canada loves Queen!), Chicago and Orlando were sold out. Not sure if there are others. I saw discounted tickets for LA and a few other cities pop up on Groupon.

Worst was Minneapolis which only sold around 50%. Guess they won't be going back there if there's a second tour!

Audience do not sound anything like Bicycle Race. If you think thats similar you can almost find similaries in any song.

Where are the rest???

Jennifer is on the couch, see her when they pan the camera 3:45 or so. Not sure about Brandon, Tyler and Brian, they're probably there somewhere.

As far as sellouts, it is easy to sell out a smaller venue, so you should look at overall attendance numbers. I don't think Minnesota is a large capacity theater, but 50% of 5,000 is still 2,500, which is more than some sellouts at, say 1,500.