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Post by Timeblue on Nov 10, 2020 10:38:38 GMT
I agree with you Timeblue . It wasn't just Hughie that owned the stage - Mik and Mel did as well. They gave the impression of being completely unboring classical musicians. Old videos of them in action are priceless Totally agree, and with Bev as their spokesperson too they were much more animated and fun to watch.
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Post by eloandy on Nov 10, 2020 20:03:53 GMT
I agree with you Timeblue . It wasn't just Hughie that owned the stage - Mik and Mel did as well. They gave the impression of being completely unboring classical musicians. Old videos of them in action are priceless I somehow never thought of them as classical musicians. They had a unique spontaneity within the group. Always loved that bit on the 1978 Wembley gig where Mel' started playing the piano and was merrily shoving Richard out of the way. Jeff strolled over and next Mel's walking back to his mark, cello in hand looking, (to my eyes) a bit pissed off. Quite a telling little passage of play. The group was much the poorer when they left.
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Post by Timeblue on Nov 10, 2020 21:53:48 GMT
Never noticed that, I'll have to check it out again.
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Post by Timeblue on Nov 10, 2020 23:09:39 GMT
I agree with you Timeblue . It wasn't just Hughie that owned the stage - Mik and Mel did as well. They gave the impression of being completely unboring classical musicians. Old videos of them in action are priceless I somehow never thought of them as classical musicians. They had a unique spontaneity within the group. Always loved that bit on the 1978 Wembley gig where Mel' started playing the piano and was merrily shoving Richard out of the way. Jeff strolled over and next Mel's walking back to his mark, cello in hand looking, (to my eyes) a bit pissed off. Quite a telling little passage of play. The group was much the poorer when they left. I assume you mean when the band played Roll Over Beethoven? Unless you have another view of it, It's impossible to see if Jeff is thinking this. All I see is Richard and Mel having a great time on the two pianos with Bev looking on smiling. Back to Hughie, that song at Wembley brought out the showman in him to the fullest.
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Post by fourlittlediamonds on Nov 12, 2020 21:39:12 GMT
Several years ago I worked with some musicians who had recently played with Hugh on a small project. I asked what he was like and they said the biggest problem was that he still expected to be treated like "Hugh McDowell of The Electric Light Orchestra" even though those days were long gone.
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Post by BSJ on Nov 12, 2020 22:58:45 GMT
Sad to read.
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Post by eloandy on Nov 14, 2020 20:51:15 GMT
Never noticed that, I'll have to check it out again. Another detail from that gig I always look for, (BTW, unconnected with this thread) is on 'Standin' In The Rain'. Richard is obviously having 'Technical difficulties' and seems a bit non-plussed. Jeff, ever the producer, leaves his mark and takes a few steps in Richards direction and gives him a "COME ON, COME ON" wave of his hand.....Much to Kelly's amusement.
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Post by Timeblue on Nov 14, 2020 21:01:46 GMT
Never noticed that, I'll have to check it out again. Another detail from that gig I always look for, (BTW, unconnected with this thread) is on 'Standin' In The Rain'. Richard is obviously having 'Technical difficulties' and seems a bit non-plussed. Jeff, ever the producer, leaves his mark and takes a few steps in Richards direction and gives him a "COME ON, COME ON" wave of his hand.....Much to Kelly's amusement. AGAIN, I will have to check it out!
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Post by Timeblue on Nov 14, 2020 21:17:59 GMT
Haha just checked it out and you're right, it's right at the beginning isn't it. interesting to note that (to me anyway) there was no difference in sound quality so if Richard HAD problems at the start and then regained it, then it must have been dubbed in later during the editing...
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Post by janne on Nov 15, 2020 11:16:15 GMT
Several years ago I worked with some musicians who had recently played with Hugh on a small project. I asked what he was like and they said the biggest problem was that he still expected to be treated like "Hugh McDowell of The Electric Light Orchestra" even though those days were long gone. Really? How did that manifest itself? It's my experience some people become jittery around "famous musicians" and read way too much into what they say or do. If they turn down a cup of coffee, everybody thinks it's because they want champagne. Or they had a shitty day and is a bit glum. Could happen to anyone, but if you're famous everyone thinks you're a dick.
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Post by eloandy on Nov 15, 2020 22:01:58 GMT
Haha just checked it out and you're right, it's right at the beginning isn't it. interesting to note that (to me anyway) there was no difference in sound quality so if Richard HAD problems at the start and then regained it, then it must have been dubbed in later during the editing... "You Got It', you're right, I don't know what Jeff was listening to but as you say, there was absolutely no difference when Richard did finally crank those 1978 keyboards into action.
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Post by eloandy on Nov 15, 2020 22:06:39 GMT
I somehow never thought of them as classical musicians. They had a unique spontaneity within the group. Always loved that bit on the 1978 Wembley gig where Mel' started playing the piano and was merrily shoving Richard out of the way. Jeff strolled over and next Mel's walking back to his mark, cello in hand looking, (to my eyes) a bit pissed off. Quite a telling little passage of play. The group was much the poorer when they left. I assume you mean when the band played Roll Over Beethoven? Unless you have another view of it, It's impossible to see if Jeff is thinking this. All I see is Richard and Mel having a great time on the two pianos with Bev looking on smiling. Back to Hughie, that song at Wembley brought out the showman in him to the fullest. You're right that we have no way of knowing what Jeff was thinking or doing. I still maintain that Jeff told Mel' to get back on his 'big fiddle'. It's all conjecture but an interesting little passage of play nonetheless.
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Post by ShardEnder on Nov 16, 2020 4:20:13 GMT
Now I've checked that footage again, I think Jeff was more likely signalling to Jake Commander (who was situated behind Richard's keyboard rig) to turn up the volume of his guitar. Apart from handling background vocal, guitar, keyboard and even vocoder parts, Jake was tasked with handling the live mix, including pushing up a backing tape if the echo got too bad due to the stage design, or if the strings went out of tune because of the heat being generated in such an enclosed environment, as apparently happened in the break of Evil Woman that night.
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Post by eloandy on Nov 16, 2020 19:44:17 GMT
Now I've checked that footage again, I think Jeff was more likely signalling to Jake Commander (who was situated behind Richard's keyboard rig) to turn up the volume of his guitar. Apart from handling background vocal, guitar, keyboard and even vocoder parts, Jake was tasked with handling the live mix, including pushing up a backing tape if the echo got too bad due to the stage design, or if the strings went out of tune because of the heat being generated in such an enclosed environment, as apparently happened in the break of Evil Woman that night. Thanks for that bit of very interesting info. I suppose it does make more sense put like that. it's something I always watch for when I'm viewing the gig. Thanks again ShardEnder.
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