9th September 2007, 04:46
The only song I don't like and am kinda glad has been semi-retired from most of their shows nowadays is "Running Free". I've always felt it was just too much of a typical rock 'n roll cliche kind of song for Maiden.
Anyway, I don't think they should single out tracks to be 'retired', they could maybe do it on a rotation or something. Like the first show they don't play "The Trooper" and "Wrathchild", the next show they don't play "Run to the Hills" and "Can I Play With Madness", and so on and so forth. By taking out just two of their standards, they could make some room for some of their 'alternative hits'. This might seem a little far fetched, after all, bands play whatever they want to play... and many bands who have been around for a long time simply run through their 'classic' material to appease the older or more fair-weather fans... but Maiden always looks out for their fans. I think they know we want to hear stuff like "Alexander the Great" or "To Tame a Land" live, and they know the fans always like random surprises... when's the last time they played "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" for instance?
As for Bruce doing Blaze era stuff... well, I love the idea, because I like those two albums... but my opinion has always been that the singers sound best doing their own material, not someone elses. Most people agree Blaze had a horrible time doing some Bruce songs live, but by the same token, I don't think Bruce does that well with many Blaze AND Di'Anno songs. "Sign of the Cross" sounds okay with Bruce, but I think he butchers "Lord of the Flies" or "Man on the Edge" because they require that deeper, brooding voice that Blaze gives the songs. I've also never ever been happy with Bruce singing "Phantom of the Opera", even though I love the song.
And I'm not Bruce bashing by any means. I love Bruce, he's the man.
Anyway, I don't think they should single out tracks to be 'retired', they could maybe do it on a rotation or something. Like the first show they don't play "The Trooper" and "Wrathchild", the next show they don't play "Run to the Hills" and "Can I Play With Madness", and so on and so forth. By taking out just two of their standards, they could make some room for some of their 'alternative hits'. This might seem a little far fetched, after all, bands play whatever they want to play... and many bands who have been around for a long time simply run through their 'classic' material to appease the older or more fair-weather fans... but Maiden always looks out for their fans. I think they know we want to hear stuff like "Alexander the Great" or "To Tame a Land" live, and they know the fans always like random surprises... when's the last time they played "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" for instance?
As for Bruce doing Blaze era stuff... well, I love the idea, because I like those two albums... but my opinion has always been that the singers sound best doing their own material, not someone elses. Most people agree Blaze had a horrible time doing some Bruce songs live, but by the same token, I don't think Bruce does that well with many Blaze AND Di'Anno songs. "Sign of the Cross" sounds okay with Bruce, but I think he butchers "Lord of the Flies" or "Man on the Edge" because they require that deeper, brooding voice that Blaze gives the songs. I've also never ever been happy with Bruce singing "Phantom of the Opera", even though I love the song.
And I'm not Bruce bashing by any means. I love Bruce, he's the man.