9.19.16 Q+AL Taipei! First Queen concert in Taiwan
Sept 21, 2016 0:30:34 GMT -5
Post by cassie on Sept 21, 2016 0:30:34 GMT -5
I am a long time DieHard Adam fan but I also love Queen. I just registered because I could not let one comment sit without protest...Brian is the least lazy person in the world!! The man is a workaholic. Amongst his tireless battle for animal rights, in the past few years he's been hanging out with NASA scientists, collecting and publishing and copywriting stereoscopic stuff, publishing books, running for office, touring and recording with Kerry, he also is busy with Queen, which consists of meticulously reworking songs to release albums (Queen Forever and Night at the Odeon) and travelling the globe playing arenas with QAL. I know the die hard Queen fans complain about the lack of deep cuts played but just off the top of my head I can think of 35 different songs that QAL have played, not to mention all the bits and pieces Brian adds in his guitar solos to please those diehards. Not enough? Too lazy?
The thing that Brian and Roger seem to understand is that despite the diehards perceived ownership in the band, they are only a small fraction of their fan base. Just look at those filled arenas. If Queen gave in to the entitlement of these select fans and played a diehards setlist they'd be playing in venues a fraction of the size and without the critical acclaim that keeps this tour alive. That's not laziness and all the other nasty names Queen fans like to call Brian. That's smart.
And it's also love. Brian has worked since Freddie's death to assure that Freddie's legacy lives on through their music. That means remastering, giving and protecting the musical rights, touring and trusting Adam to bring the songs to life so they won't die when Brian and Roger do. I believe Brian has spent a lifetime living, and working, mostly for Freddie.
Anyone (and I do not mean Talon) who wants more from them is wrongly entitled. And in this vein of realness let's admit that in the debate about Marc Martel and Paul Rogers vs Adam, their problem is that only Adam is a threat to Freddie's superiority as a singer and a front man.
As a glambert I understand the insatiable desire and protectionism. I speak with respect. But also with honesty.
I think that QAL work hard to please a broad audience. Roger and Brian have both said in interviews that they HAVE to play the big hits. It is what audiences of all sorts want to hear and can relate to. If they play too many deep cuts, they will lose the casual fans in the audience. To wit, their opening numbers get less response. Then when they start Fat Bottom Girls the audience comes alive.
You have touched on another aspect that is a touchy one, but one I have thought of more and more. It is very possible that, to some veteran Queen fans, QAL is seen as a threat to Freddie's place and his legacy, for a number of reasons. First off, the actual show with the lights, video screens, lasers, pyro, and advanced sound and technical aspects makes the show visually and acoustically superior to the Queen shows 30 years ago. It's bigger and better.
Secondly, Adam has grown into an incredibly compelling stage presence. Freddie was a showman extraordinaire, but he spent a significant amount of time sitting at the piano. For many audience members, that is just not as interesting or engaging to watch as having a frontman who is constantly out front, interacting with the audience. Dare I say it? Adam is probably more camp than Freddie was, and more theatrical. Could that make Freddie fans worried that Adam is "stealing the spotlight" from their guy in retrospect?
And, admit it or not, Adam's voice live has more range in pitch and dynamics, more control, more resonance and ring, more strength and stamina than Freddie's did. Adam's reputation as the best voice of his generation is ever-growing. Even Brian has said Adam has the most extraordinary voice he has ever heard.
Put all that together with the overwhelmingly positive press, acclaim and reviews QAL is getting, and I can understand if Freddie fans feel insecure. At some level, are they afraid that Queen 2.0 is superior to the original Queen?
It shouldn't matter. Queen then, Queen + Adam now, its all great music, great performers, and great entertainment.