4.28.13 AT&T Live Proud -- Tweet to Support Trevor Project

A bit off topic -- from Dr. Brian May's soapbox:

Dr. Brian May
‏@drbrianmay

My thoughts on The Voice - on Bri's Soapbox. brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssbapr13.html#36 … - the dumbest show on TV ?

**Sun 28 Apr 13**

THE VOICE

Direct link
Sorry – hate to be negative – but I have to say this.
In my opinion, "The Voice" is absolutely the
dullest, dumbest, most depressing programme on TV. It's also the
ultimate insult to music and to performers.
Every time I catch a glimpse of young singers
busting their guts trying to win somebody's attention, who is rudely
sitting with their back to the singer … I feel sick.
It brings singing down to the level of a stupid obstacle course on 'It's A Knockout'. This is not – NOT – what music is about.
When we sing, or play, for real, we are NOT
screaming at the top of our lungs trying to persuade someone to notice
us. We have messages, we have subtle emotions, we have beauty, which
can only be shared by a performer in front of an audience whose whole
attention is already freely given. The performance is all about
EVERYTHING the performer gives … in voice, in sound, in body language,
in facial expression, in intimate eye contact. This stupid, stupid idea
that someone can JUDGE a singer by turning his back on him, and missing
out on proper contact, is, to me, a fatuous nonsense. And actually
poisonous to the growth of young performers.
I hate seeing the great Tom Jones shoehorned into this scenario … it seems to deprive everyone who takes part of their dignity.
I hope this vile programme dies a natural death very soon.
Bri

Link: brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssbapr13.html#36

Hmmm.

I see his point, and it's something close to his heart.... but I think he's a bit harsh with the criticisms.  I mean, we're Adam's fans, but not everyone's a good performer AND singer. Not immediately anyway. And when we buy albums, music, we don't see the person singing. Just the singing, the music.  So in that sense, there isn't THAT much of a disconnect between what the show does and reality... right?  And honestly, I don't find it rude that the judges are sitting with their backs facing the singer at first - it's not that they're NOT paying attention, it's just that they're limited to listening only. 

(slinks away to round up the dust bunnies accumulating in the corners)