I'm not comfortable with celebrating wild boys. I mean what is a wild boy? Are they untamed boys? Are they trying to find and tame these wild boys?
There's dark stuff on all of the albums but I know what you mean. The B sides from this era - Late Bar/Faster Than Light - are awesome as well
Simon did double track vocals as well as BV, however Andy does indeed sing BV on some songs. One that springs to mind is New Religion although it’s actually a second vocal (the “alter-ego” part) where he sings “Take another chance boy, carry the fight, etc”. Last Chance On The Stairway is possible the whole band chanting at the end, but I’m certain he’s singing the countermelody on Save A Prayer’s chorus. Friends of Mine verses sounds like a processed Nick. Thinking about this last one, they never use BV on the verses when they play it live, which is a shame.
Not to get ahead of myself but this one sounds like an instant classic. I really like it when DD are challenging themselves and bring in some extra twists.
i think 99% of the studio vocals from the early albums are simon, multi-tracking the backing vocals with his lead work--outside of stuff mentioned in this reply--even tho the ego/alter-ego vocals on "new religion" both sound very much like simon to me. but this conversation also leads nicely into one of the biggest changes in the band as they exploded in the early 80s--something i would have liked to have seen evolve differently--the addition of backing vocalists/instrumentalists. i understand the intent--to bring a fuller sound/studio sounds to the stage for fans who expect that kinda thing--but part of me really wishes they hadn't taken that direction. and it still plays itself out in shows today. they were lean and energetic in the early shows and trying to make names for themselves with the first tour. carefully added to the live show and were still very lean and energetic with the "rio" show as they broke worldwide. but the further along they got, the more bloated the live shows seemed to get. and they never dialed it back. for example, why has there been added sax on "hungry like the wolf" and "planet earth?!??" for years?! they are just added parts in such a tightly wound/energetic songs--as if the sax part has been added to give him something to play/do. it's just extra nonsense, and i have always wanted a mix without the sax when it's not needed. and there are other examples, those two songs are just the ones that jump out at me. i wish they had kept the live shows more about the energy of the then-fab-five, instead of trying to perfectly replicate the studio sounds. have john and andy really rehearse the backing vocals and deliver them full-on, not when it might look cool for the crowd or to pose for the cameras--make it duran duran full-stop. if the extra players don't have anything necessary for the song, let them step back or pfft learn how to play enough basic guitar to add to the mix behind the guitarist.
Continuing to trawl the back catalog in the run up to the new album. Todays listen: Seven and the Ragged Tiger
It’s definitely Andy who is singing the alter-ego part on New Religion. It was confirmed some years ago by the band in a “Ask Katy” question on their website. Besides, if you are familiar with Andy’s singing, you’d recognise his voice.
the best two sides of theirs i ever heard - were from their comeback period. ordinary world and come undone. bar none.
Do fans prefer As The Lights Go Down or Arena? There are some weird things going on in the former (sound effects, fade outs) that make me prefer the latter but it needs a DE and full setlist!
Funnily enough, I’ve just put on my vinyl copy on ATLGD. Yes, it does has some funny stuff going on but there are elements of the mix I prefer, such as the percussion. Careless Memories is longer as well. However, it grates me that Roger Taylor’s hi-hat is barely audible. It was always very evident on the studio versions.
