(Most will be better served skipping the following. Just the ramblings of a middle-aged fan with too much time on his hands. You’ve been warned…)
To be clear, I’m NOT suggesting they were. It wouldn’t be unheard of it it took place. I do know (and mentioned previously here) that Alain went through many of the songs and provided other backing tracks for songs that were used when they played like when he was in the band. With the new additions, especially under the time constraints to get up to speed, I was just saying it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did it with what he played, too. Again, only to supplement the sound… not talking Milli Vanilli with instruments.
It’s funny about him and Boz… can’t speak for Boz, but Alain is on record as admitting they were a bit ropey early on (and maybe they would have benefited from playing over pre-recorded bits
). To be fair, much of Johnny’s stuff has been butchered over the years by various players lol
The record… you’ve heard as much of it as I have. I’m only familiar with the demos and the songs changed so much from them that I’m not sure I’d recognize them. It is my understanding that M was definitely interested in a shift, musically and had a clear idea of the vibe he wanted. You’re hearing it in the songs that have been played. They apparently do have a very 70’s influence on the final mixes. It wasn’t what Alain was expecting but he says it’s objectively a VERY good record and dissimilar bro anything M has done previously.
Band… I’ve only listened to a handful of tracks via YouTube. They are all talented and accomplished musicians. Definitely no slouches. My opinion and only MY opinion, they’re more than adequate as a backing band at this stage, but not as good (yet) as the previous incarnation. Just felt like a roller coaster to me at times. They’re literally only three shows deep and will obviously get better over time.
The only thing I’d disagree with you on is the fans being there not caring who was backing M. And it’s only on a technicality, maybe. M has shed a good number fans over the years because they lost interest the 10 plus yrs prior to Alain coming back. Many comments here and elsewhere suggested it was the best the band had sounded in years. A lot of fans started coming back to the shows after hearing
said comments and hearing the clips. I was fortunate to attend a lot of shows during AW’s return and talked to a lot of fans here (US) and in the UK primarily. I lost count how many told me they were old school fans like myself that hadn’t seen M for years but we’re excited again. There was a spark again! The San Luis Obispo, CA show was as close to one of the old school M shows from the 90’s as there’s been. It was definitely on an upward trajectory and had tons of momentum. Then Spanner-In-The-Works Management
started mucking about. I digress lol
Seriously, I think you’re right. There is a percentage of the fans that are there to see M and only M. There are some that in a sense do care who is playing, but only care that the sound is great, but M will still be the focus. Definitely a higher percentage that don’t care these days, but I’d speculate that most of that lot are newer fans (the second half of his solo career) as well as taking into account old schoolers dropping out and not being there. Many weren’t there when it all started so there isn’t that emotional attachment. Some didn’t even know Alain wrote many of their favorite songs until he was back. Of course, some of it is pure nostalgia, but (again, personal opinion) with no members from the original line up, something is lacking and it’s more like M and session players (not a slight as they’re VERY talented). Maybe he’s not only ok with that, but prefers it. IIRC, he didn’t even introduce the band, what was it… the last four shows of the previous tour? I personally think he does himself a disservice (not that he asked lol) by not championing the band no matter who is in it. A band the fans are invested in makes him look even better and I’m not sure he sees it that way. As I’ve stated before, he’s done pretty well for 40yrs without my direct input!
Won’t go into the specifics of the set lists a you could ask 100 people and get 100 different lists. I’m totally on board with shaking it up (and they very well may, come South America) and love some of the stuff you chose.
If any of you have read all this, get a life. There are better things you could have done with your time just now
