Spike on 'big 2013 world tour'

I never liked him either.

BTW, the fact he toured with Queen for three years doesn't necessarily mean Freddie liked him - for all we know, the band members often even didn't like each other, yet they kept together as their professional relationship was still strong.

[QUOTE]

[b]Vocal harmony wrote: [/b] From that short and not ideal recording, how can you tell that the piano's aren't anything special.

Calling a high end piece of equipment not that good is a bit strange. In his position Spike could afford or be able to get his hands on whatever he needs. He is hardly going to settle for something that is anything less than good.[/QUOTE]
Because I've played one.

Yes, I find it interesting that Spike is going with a "new" keyboard for this tour, unless someone has already pre-programmed it for him.  Most high end boards can be figured out in a couple of days, not the length of a tour.  I prefer a piano that doesn't sound as thin in the mid-range area... with a nice beefy low end.  These two pianos simply don't do that... for me.  To each their own.  I still prefer the 128K Piano from the Roland XV-88 to most anything even now, although those new Nord samples are very tasty... especially the Steinway D. 

Plus, he's probably fully endorsed by Korg, so he has to use their boards.  And they want their new Daddy on display for all to see.

In the video he says Q+AL has two of the Korgs and QE has three. Maybe he got a discount in exchange for promo?

The Admin over at QOL says "I really would not read too much into this" in response to Spike's comments. It's hard to tell whether he's shooting down a Q+AL world tour specifically or just the idea of Spike doing a world tour with anyone next year. Here's the thread:
http://discuss.queenonline.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4347

At the venue, on the night from the FOH desk the piano sound was really good. I think when your talking any sizable venue with a large PA sometimes the type of sound generated isn't always what you'd expect until you hear it used in a gig situation.

Spike is a very capable keyboard player, being a good pianist is a different thing, that doesn't mean he can't play. Queen could have hired who ever they wanted. Certainly not someone who wasn't or isn't good.

Being in a band and disagreeing with each other is one thing, and something worth putting up with in a band like Queen. But being a member of a band and not liking a hired session guy you have to work closely with but putting up with them is a little strange.

[QUOTE]I think when your talking any sizable venue with a large PA sometimes the type of sound generated isn't always what you'd expect until you hear it used in a gig situation.[/QUOTE]

Not true.  Spike doesn't listen to what is "generated" in a sizeable venue.  He uses an in-ear monitoring system.  The Piano will sound the same if he's playing in a bathroom or a sizeable venue.

No what I meant was, sometimes an instrument comes to life on a big stage with a big PA. Out front it may sound very different to the raw sound, which maybe not what you'd expect to hear.

'And nobody played synthesizer'... Whatever happened to those days, I wonder?
The Radio Gaga, things he was showing us. Piano with strings, the arpegiator,the bell sound, etc. And the fooking awful vocoder sounds, or the vocal choir sounds. Do we really need all that shite being played at a live gig? Is he still playing synth on LOML? Brian has got rid of the 2nd guitar player now, which is a great thing, IMO. Also, no matter how talented young Rufus is, do we really need him on the tour? Drums, Guitar, Bass and Piano, now wouldn't that be fantastic if they played like that again, live?
I know not everyone will agree on this but remember Extreme at the Freddie Tribute? I am Biased, cos I love Extreme. Remember their version of Radio Gaga? Drums, Bass and Guitar and that was it. But the energy and life they put into that performance. Much better than vocoder, bells and all the other shit Spike puts on the live stuff, isn't it? I reckon Freddie would say that they might as well play the fooking record instead, than all the stuff he puts on it. Keep it live, keep it raw, keep it reel, FFS.

If I remember correctly, Extreme were pretty shite at the Freddie Tribute Concert, particularly without the overdubs from the VHS version. And yes, Spike's keyboard sounds are detrimental to some of the songs, but it's better than not having key accompaniment at all. Radio Ga Ga was written with synths in mind, and it was recorded and performed that way. I don't see how it's anyone else's right to say that it would've been a better Queen song without them.

I was at Hammersmith, LOML was Brian on acoustic guitar only. The drum battle between Rufus and Roger was really fun to see, Roger was having a blast. I thought he was a good addition and not a distraction at all. Let's face it, Roger isn't as young as he once was and whilst he still sounds fantastic, there were times when I'm sure he was glad to have Rufus helping him out a bit.

Agree on the 2nd guitar, Brian still fills the room all by himself. Was a terrific night out.

Spike's latest tweets

@SpikesSASBandTo those of you wondering about my comments about taking the Korg on a world tour next year...

@SpikesSASBandI'm afraid that there are absolutely no plans for this in the pipeline. It was merely a moment of distracted wishful thinking on my part!!

Tomchristie22. I have a nicam vhs version of the tribute concert, recording live on the day. Also a stereo recording on tape from the radio.I have never seen the VHS official 'overdubbed' release of this concert. It is my opinion and therefore I ame entitled to it, as are you.
It is also my right to voice an opinion on how I might like to hear them do live versions of songs. Your voiced opinion on this will fall flat now with my next comment.
Love Of My Live was written with a piano in mind, electric guitars and bass guitar and a harp, however live, Queen played it on an acoustic 12 string guitar and transposed the song to another key. Now get out of that one.
Also I never said the song would have been better without the synths, far from it. It was my opinion on how I would like the live version to sound, without all the shite, Spike puts on it.

I really like Extreme's arrangement of Love of my Life. I really wish Brian would try something similar to what Nuno did instead of just playing the same simple stuff over and over again, concert after concert, year after year.

That said, I could never warm to Extreme's lead singer, Gary Cherone. He wasn't very good and no amount of fab guitar antics by Nuno could paper over that shortcoming.

Holly, we must have similar hearing as I thought Cherone was awful, would rather listen to Brians weak version. I do agree with HF on keeping it simple, raw and real when played live, otherwise might as well play a recording.

Why in the hell are Queen not going to be doing a new studio l.p. and tour next year? At some point no offense to Spike Edney they do need to get a younger keyboard player. (Someone who is skinny and good looking. I'm just saying. What?)

Yeah, Mr Cherone is not the greatest singer in the world. But he is a real Queen fan. They always thanked Queen on their early albums. But wouldn't you rather see him on stage with Brian and Roger, rather than Glambert. Nuno is a fantastic guitar player, though.
When you mention Brian's weak version, Missreclusive are you referring to 'Hammer To Fall', from the Queen set? Cos I mean the medley that Extreme did, which I thought was the best part of that concert, tbh,

[QUOTE] [b]horse feathers wrote:[/b]
'And nobody played synthesizer'... Whatever happened to those days, I wonder?[/QUOTE]
That was over 30 "fooking" years ago. Where you been?
I agree with you about Extreme being awesome... but again, that was 20 years ago.
You can't go back! Paul McCartney has an old man's turkey neck, Queen use keyboards, Brian and Roger are OLD and can't do it like they used to. You've aged too!