Obviously people here have wildly diverse opinions on how Fancourt turned out. It's either crap or give them a break. I feel that it's early, and they'll find their legs, if Queen were one thing, they were always professional.
However, I really have to question the use of backing tapes. I'm old school, and think that their use is the equivalent of cheating. If they can't sing the harmonies in FBG, they should start with a bass drum kick and pick up with the guitar. Same with Radio Ga Ga. If Roger actually sings to a pre-programmed track, that's karaoke. Nothing more, nothing less. I'd ask Brian how and why these decisions were made (as I think they're the real shame of the concert) but fear being lumped in with the other a-holes in the gallery. What do you fine people think on the use of tapes? Shameful or a non-issue?
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Well, as a fellow old-school'er and a musician, I agree on what you say. Backingtracks should be forbidden at ROCKshows! (The only tape that I tend to forgive was the one Queen always used in BoRhap). I haven't yet heard the full show from Fancourt of course, but I'd rather they bring a couple of backingsingers then use backingtracks for harmonies. Harmonies are an essential element of Queen and using tapes for that is a sign of weakness. (And from what I did see/hear of the South Africa show =apart from all the critical remarks made in various other posts in here= I found the harmony vocals, especially in TYMD awefull. I was amazed to see nobody mentioned them in the hard rain of critical dissmissal of the show.
I agree on lots of credit other fans give the band, I want to hear Brixton first before I comment 'the new Queen', but the live-harmonies being very bad technically sheds a different light on the use of backingtracks for harmonies at other songs...
I agree on lots of credit other fans give the band, I want to hear Brixton first before I comment 'the new Queen', but the live-harmonies being very bad technically sheds a different light on the use of backingtracks for harmonies at other songs...
I am in total agreement with you both. Backing tapes at rock concerts is a cop out and should not be allowed!!! I'm from the "old school" as you call it and don't like the use of too many tapes. It spoils the atmosphere of hearing live music in a way.
It's cheating in a way. Live concerts are all about playing their songs live and giving alternative versions of their recordings. You might just as well pay your money and listen to a CD or something!! Shock horror..why can't they sing harmonies to Fat Bottomed Girls? That has been the main problem with Queen's live shows in the past...their live harmonies. Difficult to pull off on stage as they were highly complicated with many overdubs.
Queen have broken one of their early rules in a way as I remember them saying that they totally hated the idea of playing with backing tapes with the exception of Bo Rhap of course. Maybe they are growing old gracefully and having to depend on backing tapes to perform numbers.
I for one, still love Roger, Bri and Paul to bits and am looking forward to the tour. Some of the shine may have been taken off the excitement but I'm going to enjoy all the same.
It's cheating in a way. Live concerts are all about playing their songs live and giving alternative versions of their recordings. You might just as well pay your money and listen to a CD or something!! Shock horror..why can't they sing harmonies to Fat Bottomed Girls? That has been the main problem with Queen's live shows in the past...their live harmonies. Difficult to pull off on stage as they were highly complicated with many overdubs.
Queen have broken one of their early rules in a way as I remember them saying that they totally hated the idea of playing with backing tapes with the exception of Bo Rhap of course. Maybe they are growing old gracefully and having to depend on backing tapes to perform numbers.
I for one, still love Roger, Bri and Paul to bits and am looking forward to the tour. Some of the shine may have been taken off the excitement but I'm going to enjoy all the same.
No tapes please!!! It was supposed to be soulful, raw-edged rock, for cry out loud!!! (in which case- what the hell Spike is doing there?)
Couldn't agree more. They're suppposed to be a rock band, for God's sake.
To be fair to the boys, the 46664 and its transmission via web broadcast was a total fuck up!! It's a very worthy cause and all that but the feel wasn't right somehow. One post on Queenonline from a front row observer, has suggested that they over indulged with all the free booze available back stage. There's nothing wrong with a quick drink to settle the nerves but this suggestion may be unfounded.
My biggest disappointment is that they only showed 4 songs out of 15. You can't really pass judgement I suppose on the tour based on this webcast. They were obviously rusty and breaking in a new singer who has had to learn the Queen reportoire within a month. I'm sure that Brian, Roger and Paul are reflecting on their perfomance and possibly looking at ways to tighten and polish their act! Musically, they sounded O.K. but adjusting to Paul's singing is the hardest part to swallow. Hope they dispense with the backing tapes though.
Brixton will be the proper start to this tour and I hope that they will blow the roof off!! It is only after Brixton with the real show and lights that we'll have a true picture of how this tour will sound.
My biggest disappointment is that they only showed 4 songs out of 15. You can't really pass judgement I suppose on the tour based on this webcast. They were obviously rusty and breaking in a new singer who has had to learn the Queen reportoire within a month. I'm sure that Brian, Roger and Paul are reflecting on their perfomance and possibly looking at ways to tighten and polish their act! Musically, they sounded O.K. but adjusting to Paul's singing is the hardest part to swallow. Hope they dispense with the backing tapes though.
Brixton will be the proper start to this tour and I hope that they will blow the roof off!! It is only after Brixton with the real show and lights that we'll have a true picture of how this tour will sound.
I agree no backing tapes!
Brian just posted to his soapbox and said that for beginners they weren't bad.
Hopefully they are enjoying the SA sunshine, relaxing, and sorting out issues. These first few gigs are going to be a bit rough..I am glad I am seeing the show at the end of the tour..when hopefully they will be a fine tuned machine.
Brian just posted to his soapbox and said that for beginners they weren't bad.
Hopefully they are enjoying the SA sunshine, relaxing, and sorting out issues. These first few gigs are going to be a bit rough..I am glad I am seeing the show at the end of the tour..when hopefully they will be a fine tuned machine.
I agree no backing tapes!
Brian just posted to his soapbox and said that for beginners they weren't bad.
Hopefully they are enjoying the SA sunshine, relaxing, and sorting out issues. These first few gigs are going to be a bit rough..I am glad I am seeing the show at the end of the tour..when hopefully they will be a fine tuned machine.
By the time they hit the UK in May all "teething problems" would have been cured I'm sure. Brixton will be a different kettle of fish with hopefully any rough edges ironed out.
I'll wait for the reviews from fans. There's bound to be overjoyed and disappointed people.
The set list may be the most contentious issue IMHO. A greatest hits package is very much on the cards dare I say it! There will be some surprises there somewhere....the acoustic duet for one thing should be interesting and a very blusey influenced vocal performance from Paul
on some songs. They're on a hiding to nothing anyway. Critics/doubters are willing to pounce as Queen has been one of the bands they love to hate over the years. I'll reserve judgement as they say although I must admit that on hearing TYMD a second time it's not that bad!!
I'll wait for the reviews from fans. There's bound to be overjoyed and disappointed people.
The set list may be the most contentious issue IMHO. A greatest hits package is very much on the cards dare I say it! There will be some surprises there somewhere....
I don't really see why they need to perform a Greatest Hits package.... most of the fans that will attend the gigs are massive fans of the band and want to hear a fair share of rare stuff... I really hope they pull out some rarities...
Having not heard how backing tapes were used in Queen's performance on Saturday, I can't address that issue. However, one of my other favorite bands, who I would kill to see live this fall, has used backing tracks to augment their shows for years. It's probably more prevalent than we know.
I am in total agreement with you both. Backing tapes at rock concerts is a cop out and should not be allowed!!! I'm from the "old school" as you call it and don't like the use of too many tapes. It spoils the atmosphere of hearing live music in a way.
It's cheating in a way. Live concerts are all about playing their songs live and giving alternative versions of their recordings. You might just as well pay your money and listen to a CD or something!! Shock horror..why can't they sing harmonies to Fat Bottomed Girls? That has been the main problem with Queen's live shows in the past...their live harmonies. Difficult to pull off on stage as they were highly complicated with many overdubs.
Queen have broken one of their early rules in a way as I remember them saying that they totally hated the idea of playing with backing tapes with the exception of Bo Rhap of course. Maybe they are growing old gracefully and having to depend on backing tapes to perform numbers.
I for one, still love Roger, Bri and Paul to bits and am looking forward to the tour. Some of the shine may have been taken off the excitement but I'm going to enjoy all the same.
Pink Floyd on their last tour only used pre-recorded tape effects. However, Pink Floyd use backing vocalists, backing musicians and what not in addition to David Gilmour's guitar and vocals, Nick Mason's drums and Rick Wright's keyboards.
...too bad that nowadays-Pink Floyd is utter shite!
;-)
;-)
i know this is a little off-topic... but were they using those robotic voices on "we are the champions" (like on The Works tour)??
Ps.: I don't know if that were robotic voices, or some keyboard thing ...
Ps.: I don't know if that were robotic voices, or some keyboard thing ...
I agree! NO BACKING TAPES! Only for Bo Rhap, God Save The Queen and an intro at the beginning of the show...
Sing the harmonies yourself or simply don't do them! Backing tapes are wack! It's fake
Sing the harmonies yourself or simply don't do them! Backing tapes are wack! It's fake
i know this is a little off-topic... but were they using those robotic voices on "we are the champions" (like on The Works tour)??
Ps.: I don't know if that were robotic voices, or some keyboard thing ...
I saw 3 gigs on the Works tour and the "robotic" vocals as you call them came from Spike's Roland Jupiter 8/ Fairlight synth during the keyboard solo before Brian goes ballistic with the Brighton Rock solo!! I can't recall any other "voices". Mind you it was 21 years ago!!
Point is Queen shouldn't have to rely on backing tapes IMHO.