Top of the Pops BBC4
- Thread starter idratherjack
- Start date
Personally I think when TOTP stipulated live vocals that most of the performances lost something; if the mixing in the studio wasn't right then the vocals drowned out little production flourishes in the songs which often reduced the uniqueness of the tracks themselves.
I don't think I have ever in my life preferred a 'live' version of a track over a studio version. Live tracks hardly ever replicate the magic made in the studio.
I don't think I have ever in my life preferred a 'live' version of a track over a studio version. Live tracks hardly ever replicate the magic made in the studio.
Exactly.
This is why most live albums suck dd
You tend to find that in most live situations most acts need about 4 songs to hit their groove. That's why all those "live" "credible" "authentic" shows have multiple run-throughs before hand. Later with Jools Holland? Multiple rehearsals and some clever editing to make it look like five acts just played in the same room flawlessly. Album de la semaine (French TV show)? Acts record about 6 or 7 songs then repeat the first three at the end of the set, and again if still ropey. The show picks the best seven takes.
I'd rather have a well filmed, musically edited and mimed performance (with crowd noise and the acoustic reverb from the studio - Pepsi Chart Show was good at this) over a badly mixed, vocals too present, band instruments way down static camera live TV performance with all the energy of my nan slumped in her armchair. It's not like T4 had the budget to pay their studio staff all afternoon, sorry Dannii, you can't do another take, V and The 411 are up next.
I'd rather have a well filmed, musically edited and mimed performance (with crowd noise and the acoustic reverb from the studio - Pepsi Chart Show was good at this) over a badly mixed, vocals too present, band instruments way down static camera live TV performance with all the energy of my nan slumped in her armchair. It's not like T4 had the budget to pay their studio staff all afternoon, sorry Dannii, you can't do another take, V and The 411 are up next.
I've never really considered the no miming rule to be sexist/racist etc but now I'm thinking about it I do think it can be seen as a microaggression. I don't think Appel had that in his mind when he made the rule but as we all know, impact>intent and it did have the impact of putting dance acts into a space where they would likely be mocked and denigrated and maybe suffer sales-wise as a result. So yeah, definitely food for thought.
Live performances in the 80s on totps?
New Order anyone...
New Order anyone...
Agreed – but this is nothing compared to the ridiculous rules TOTP laboured under in the 70s, where the Musicians' Union demanded that all vocals be re-recorded to be mined to (there aren't enough emojis …) and there was a dreadful TOTP orchestra with sub-standard backing vocalists, who ruined many a performance by visiting US soul acts. Exhibit A:
Really enjoyed the second episode tonight with M People's best song Renaissance, Doop which took me back to my student clubbing days (I won a Doop dance off after a few too many sweet sherries), Alison Moyet's fabulous Whispering Your Name and Marcella Detroit's superb I Believe. Shame Mariah Carey blocked Ace of Base from #1, The Sign definitely deserved a week at the top.
I hadn't heard Carter USM's Glam Rock Cops since it was in the charts - and noticed tonight that it sounded quite like Blur's Parklife in parts, which comes later in the year. My initial thought was that Blur quickly copied Carter USM yet my research shows that Parklife was actually recorded before the Carter song was released. Just a coincidence?
I thought the same about the similarities.
What was going on with that pointless added saxophone during Renaissance there though?! Their best song I will indeed agree, the Elegant Slumming singles run was superb.
I'm just watching it now and thought how Parklife-esque this sounded - the first verse and chorus especially.
Doop is a truly hideous record.
Spot on. Just total and utter naff and not even in an enjoyable way.
"The Sign" is fantastic. It definitely felt like it was #1 for ages at the time. I love that it sounds quite dangerous and ominous, contrasting with the dub/reggae parts.
Is there some story about how "Doop" took off? I remember it being out but only as far as this weird song being #1, I don't remember any build up or campaign or buzz about it.
It was huge in the clubs for ages before it charted.