Blackie Lawless addresses backing tracks.
The kid that asks him has two ton balls!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrdvhcWcXQA
Man, I am glad he answered it honestly and calmly. His answer is one I've been trying to convey, in how the artists/musicians utilize backing tracks to bring the audience a fantastic musical "PERFORMANCE SHOW".
A fantastic example, which he also used...Queen has never, ever, ever played the most popular section of Bohemian Rhapsody live. That part is always a backing track, and why?....Because it's layered with doubling vocals, and actually doing this live would've been complicated to replicate live.
"To me, that was a treat and I don't care what anyone says. If I'm a fan, that's what I want to hear."
"If somebody is trying to bullshit an audience, No! I don't go along with that at all. You know, you're out there to do a job, do your job. But to supplement it, absolutely, you know, I wanna hear it."
These are two great quotes he gives to address the experience he has when musicians utilize backing tracks, and even playing to a click, to enhance their show production to give the audience the best possible musical experience.
It's why I sometimes wonder why people claim to be fans of music, but complain about so much about what they're getting (not directed at anyone here). Just be grateful you as a fan are witnessing these musicians playing the music, while also trying to present a production and show related to what the band is and the what the albums are about. I personally love seeing stage production that is related to an album theme, I like seeing the many Iron Maiden props, the giant Skeleton King sitting on a Throne. But, I also enjoy seeing four guys just playing music without presenting a show.
It's exactly why I do not give two shits about backing tracks, playing to a click, and all these things that are utilized to create a fantastic musical performance and show to the audience.
Which then brings me to my next thought...How would you feel if these bands that are selling out venues, and ticket prices being in such high demand they're asking for both arms and legs, were to downsize their show production to just them and play the many smaller venues that are in each state? Do you think these musicians are willing to tour consistently every day for a couple of years and play every possible venue to meet that demand of fans that want to see them play their music?
Personally, I would love to see musicians downsize their show production and play to as many people as they can, which includes playing smaller venues, but not every musician wants to tour every day for a couple of years to meet the demand of fans who do want to hear their music, and I respect that. I also do want musicians to present their music as best as they can to the give the fans a fantastic musical experience. Especially, if the album is a concept album, I want them to go all out with how they present the concept, and all out means full on Broadway production with a cast and stage production, mainly if it is narrative with a cast of characters.
Topic: Your Random Musical Thoughts (Read 13381 times)
