Reinvention

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "cult status," David. Do you mean a particular group of devoted fans who have been following their career for years, or do you mean more an institutionalized status, with the proper publications always making sure to give the band their due and a steady stream of relatively hip young people jumping on board the train? The four bands you mentioned do all enjoy something of a cult status, but in very different ways.

At any rate, part of the problem with Fleetwood Mac is indeed the perception of the post-1974 incarnations as "lightweight," but I think it's also the fact that the band has changed so much over the years, it's somewhat difficult for a cult status to emerge. Fleetwood Mac has to settle for a couple mini-cults, then, the largest of which is the Green God fans. There's an ever-growing group of people who recognize just how awesome Fleetwood Mac was under Peter, and the various archival releases over the past few years (come to think of it, there's been an unfortunate paucity of those lately...) have really helped that.

I think there's also a slowly growing cult that is beginning to appreciate the Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and especially Tusk albums in a new light, as kind of the epitome and deconstruction of perfect California 70s pop/rock.

I think the biggest obstacle to Fleetwood Mac achieving more of a cult status, though, is Stevie. She's got quite the cult revolving around just herself, and I think the image that comes out of that (either the airy fairy witchy woman, or the big-haired cokehead, propped up by inscrutable lyrics and relatively generic music) turns off a lot of people who might otherwise give Fleetwood Mac more credit.

Oh I guess what I was trying to say there is that those other bands I mentioned, it seems like they have this beyond rabid following.Does that make sense?

[SteveMacD]

One band that I can immediately think of that had a lot of changes in personnel that resulted in really two or three different bands altogether would be the Byrds. When Gram Parsons joined, their sound immediately changed. When Clarence White joined, it changed again.

It's obviously not as nice a comparison to that of Fleetwood Mac, as Roger McGuinn was the primary singer/songwriter throughout the Byrds. Still, the surrounding cast were also singer/songwriters, so the overall vibe of the band changed. Also, it's obviously not as nice a comparison in that the Byrds didn't have the success of Fleetwood Mac, although their albums still have a large cult following, and they have divisions among fans. The folk rock only fans don't necessarily like the country stuff, and vice versa, AND there are fans who think it's all good (oddly enough, ME).

[elie]

Originally Posted by madformac

It is indeed. Full marks there.. He is one hell of a songwriter isn't he?

I'm hoping to get to see Waters at one of his gigs this summer. Already got my tickets to see Gilmour in May.

This totally off topic and I apologize for that, but since I don't happen to know many Roger Waters fans, I 'm asking this (please feel free to PM me, if it inappropriate to continue this here)- I just found out that he will be in Athens as well and I am very excited about this..Do you know perhaps what to expect of that gig? Older Pink Floyd stuff? Solo work?
By the way, he is a great songwriter -even though a bit too poltical for my taste - and I absolutely loved the Final Cut. *used to be sooooo in loooove with him when I was younger *

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by elie

This totally off topic and I apologize for that, but since I don't happen to know many Roger Waters fans, I 'm asking this (please feel free to PM me, if it inappropriate to continue this here)- I just found out that he will be in Athens as well and I am very excited about this..Do you know perhaps what to expect of that gig? Older Pink Floyd stuff? Solo work?
By the way, he is a great songwriter -even though a bit too poltical for my taste - and I absolutely loved the Final Cut. *used to be sooooo in loooove with him when I was younger *

Roger Waters' MO for this summer seems to be performing Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety (inaddition to a second set of other material, of course)! Not sure if he'll be doing this everywhere, but I know that's his plan for at least a couple of his upcoming European shows.

I saw him back in 2000 on the tour which yielded the live album In the Flesh: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=glance&n=5174

As you can see, it was a pretty good mix of Floyd and solo material, leaning a bit more to the Floyd side of things.

[elie]

Thank you Jyqm!
Actually I am so thrilled about the show, so anything, old or solo material would do for me
I am curious about the whole Dark Side of the Moon thing, though. Maybe that's a naive thing to say, but I am wondering how the songs are goinna sound, sung by him only.

*Sudden idea* Actually, this conversation sort of applies to the initial theme of the topic- I don't know if it's been brought up before, but Pink Floyd is one of the groups that have changed directions a couple of times (when Syd Barrett left, when Waters left). It was certainly not a total reinvention, but as far as I am concerned, the post-Waters Floyd was no Pink Floyd at all..

[madformac]

Originally Posted by elie

Thank you Jyqm!
Actually I am so thrilled about the show, so anything, old or solo material would do for me
I am curious about the whole Dark Side of the Moon thing, though. Maybe that's a naive thing to say, but I am wondering how the songs are goinna sound, sung by him only.

*Sudden idea* Actually, this conversation sort of applies to the initial theme of the topic- I don't know if it's been brought up before, but Pink Floyd is one of the groups that have changed directions a couple of times (when Syd Barrett left, when Waters left). It was certainly not a total reinvention, but as far as I am concerned, the post-Waters Floyd was no Pink Floyd at all..

I think if previous form is anything to go by, Doyle Bramhall II will be performing most of Gilmour's vocal duties. I would expect him to sing some of Dark Side. I just hope he doesn't make such a mess of Comfortably Numb with Snowy White on this tour. You cannot use two guitarists for that solo, it just sounds dreadful......

Some good songs came out of the post Waters Floyd but I would agree it's not the same without Roger.

* I just noticed Doyle is gonna be touring with Eric Clapton for most of this year (I'll see them in May in London. ) so who will sing with Roger is anybodys guess... I'd say Andy Fairweather Low but he's probably with EC too...

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by madformac

* I just noticed Doyle is gonna be touring with Eric Clapton for most of this year (I'll see them in May in London. ) so who will sing with Roger is anybodys guess... I'd say Andy Fairweather Low but he's probably with EC too...

Andy Fairweather-Low hasn't been with Eric's touring band for a couple of years now. (his last performance with Eric was the Concert For George)

Eric's got Allman Bros Band guitarist Derek Trucks touring with him, too. It's going to be "slide guitar heaven" with Eric, Doyle & Derek all together. YIKES!!! Hope the US dates start being finalized soon...gotta start saving $$. I'm NOT going to miss EC this tour. I took a couple of tours off (regrettably, as well).

[madformac]

Originally Posted by chiliD

Andy Fairweather-Low hasn't been with Eric's touring band for a couple of years now. (his last performance with Eric was the Concert For George)

Eric's got Allman Bros Band guitarist Derek Trucks touring with him, too. It's going to be "slide guitar heaven" with Eric, Doyle & Derek all together. YIKES!!! Hope the US dates start being finalized soon...gotta start saving $$. I'm NOT going to miss EC this tour. I took a couple of tours off (regrettably, as well).

Well considering Eric said he had finished with world tours a couple of years back he's not doing too badly. I think he expects to be gigging for two years from what I read... This will (I'm ashamed to say) be the first time I've gotten around to going to a Clapton gig despite him being a major influence on my music and playing style for over 20 years...

* Roger Waters band for his summer tour are confirmed as :

Roger Waters - vocals, bass, guitar
Graham Broad - drums
Andy Fairweather-Low - guitar
Snowy White - guitar
Jon Carin - Keyboards
Harry Waters - keyboards
Katie Kissoon - vocals
PP Arnold - vocals
Carol Kenyon - vocals
Ian Ritchie - sax

* Nick Mason will be playing drums for the Dark Side Of The Moon live performance at Magny Cours on 14th July 2006 as part of the 2006 French F1 Grand Prix meeting.