Posted on 02/04/2006 1:06:28 PM PST by sully777
LONDON (Reuters) - After an infamous tiff between Elton John and Madonna over lip-synching, Britain's Musicians' Union has called on performers to come clean -- audiences should be told if they are miming rather than singing.
The union is urging promoters, producers and artists to back its campaign for lip-synching to be clearly labeled during TV shows, in pop arenas and on stage.
"Stand up and be honest about it. We won't knock you for using recordings," said union spokesman Keith Ames, wearied by the sight of bands with miming singers backed by guitarists going through the motions to a recorded track.
"If we are going to sell British music around the world, we cannot go out without a genuine product. You cannot sell artificiality to the Europeans and the Americans. They will see through it immediately."
The union suggested that a lip-synching logo could be flashed up on television or on posters and tickets for shows.
"This campaign is to reward performers who have the talent to perform live and give it a human edge," Ames said. "In a funny sort of way, people like the odd bum note. It gives them a sense of the moment."
He stressed that the union was in no way opposed to the use of technology, especially in smaller theatres where the producers could not afford to pay for a full orchestra.
"This is about consumers knowing what they are buying into," he said.
The issue hit the headlines when British pop veteran Elton John took a swipe at Madonna, saying she cheated her fans by miming on stage.
Collecting a song-writing award in 2004, he suddenly launched into a tirade against Madonna when he discovered she had been nominated for Best Live Act.
"Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay 75 pounds to see them should be shot," John said. Madonna swiftly denied lip-synching and pointedly said she did not spend her time trashing other artists.
The union campaign was launched on BBC Television's "The Culture Show" with a poll showing that 71 percent of those questioned backed its stance.
The campaign has also won backing from singer Beverley Knight who told the program: "What I can't bear more than anything are those who are more than capable of delivering a show live with musicians and the whole thing and who don't."
Malcolm McClaren, former manager of the Sex Pistols, agreed, complaining "There isn't enough authenticity in the pop industry. It is karaoke culture."
But Faye Tozer, a singer with the now disbanded pop group Steps, defended lip-synching that helped them cope with a punishing schedule. "We did it to get our product out," she said.
I see your new wife either has a tremendous sense of humor or she doesn't see your posts on FR.
Bought a new axe today, a solid mahogany small body acoustic, had absolutely no intention of doing so, but had to walk into a shop in town. It was either that or the Fender Newporter he had on the wall.
Been married nearly 17 years now. Wife shakes her head a lot.
Not that I keep up with what claims to music nowadays, but I couldn't recognize an Ashlee Simpson song for a million
dollar prize, let alone name one.
My limited impression is that she's a Joan Jett wannabe.
I saw Elton John in concert just a couple of months ago. There were a LOT of l-o-n-g intros and piano interludes to try to hide the fact that he just doesn't have the endurance he had as a younger man. I'd prefer it that way to a tape.
Heavens no. Joan Jett could actually sing, play the guitar and write her own music (some songs which were actually quite catchy). Simpson plays no instruments, writes none of her own songs and her singing is so computer enhanced that makes her natural voice all but unrecognizable.
No, but there are some times where a band simply can't perform the music from a studio album with their live band. There just aren't enough people there to do it. Peter Gabriel is an example of that. He doesn't lip sync, and his band performs live, but during some songs they're playing along to a tape of prerecorded background music.
Unfortunately, sometimes that's the only way to actually get the feel of the original music. The only time I've ever seen a group add the additional musicians they needed for a live show was Pink Floyd's "The Wall" tour, when I saw them in New York. There were two full bands playing that night.
Mark
Yeah! Like these guys!
The first three sometimes USE overdrive or distortion, but somehow I don't think any could be called "wanna-bes." And certainly, the late Mr. Atkins wouldn't fall into any of those categories, would he? Should I continue? lol
Mark
I hope so! He's had 36 years to practice! lol
Mark
PS, at trivia question... Who was the opening act at the Farewell Concert of Cream? Yes!
I haven't been to a concert in I don't know how long... I really wanted to see Yes when they come to KC some years ago, but I had to work...
The last really great concert I went to was Paul Simon's Graceland tour, at Radio City Music Hall. It was amazing.
Hey, for any Kansas Citians, just a heads up... Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will be playing at the Uptown Theater at the end of March. I'd love to go to that concert. Huge fan of Bela and Victor here!
Mark
And Bill Bruford... Because he's Bill Bruford!
Mark
I totally agree, and he played great, too. I saw Cream in Baltimore in 1968 and I enjoyed Ginger Baker more this time around.
Ball count. They couldn't agree on two, four or none.
For another thing, for "soulful" of "bluesey," the best sound you will get live is one click down from the neck position on the pickup switch. In that position, you are playing the neck and center pickups together. The way strats are wired, in that position, the pickups are connected in what's called "pseudo-humbucking mode." That's right, your favorite live sound on a strat comes from a spread-out humbucker! Single-coils are noisy.
This from a guy who has only ever owned strats or strat-style guitars. Strat body-style and neck are good(all I've ever owned), but they benefit alot from modification.
"PS, at trivia question... Who was the opening act at the Farewell Concert of Cream? Yes!"
Uh... Steve Howe?
Uh... Steve Howe?
No, it was Yes! Steve Howe didn't join Yes until 1971. It was Jon, Chris, Peter, Tony, and Bill back then. In fact, I believe that it was one of their first live shows.
Mark
ron should stayed off the slide
my 14 y/o daughter was cracking up at mick, though "is he wearing a belly shirt?", "does he always dance like that?", "why are they all so ugly?"
out of the mouths of babes ...
too bad the Stones did not lip sync last night.
I stopped watching halftime shows after "THe Sounds of Motown" featured Martha Reeves. IIRC, that show took place when Green Bay played Denver or New England. She was off key the entire performance.
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