Olympic Closing Ceremony - Page 4

Worm · 15th August 2012, 02:52 AM

I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony.

Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed.

Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue.

I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions

I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific.

Damien Evans · 15th August 2012, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Worm

I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony.

Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed.

Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue.

I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions

I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific.

Tom Waits would have sounded better than a lot of what was on there.

Captain_Swoop · 15th August 2012, 07:18 AM

Well sound for the TV audience was secondary to the party for the Athletes.

I am sure it will be better on the DVD

Vortigern99 · 15th August 2012, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Worm

Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed.

That was "Freedom '90", from George's 22-year-old record, Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1. It's one of my favorite songs, but in this performance I thought the sound was muddy and the production unsuitable to the otherwise excellent songwriting.

Captain_Swoop · 15th August 2012, 08:39 AM

His second song was a new one dealing with his near death experience a couple of months ago when he hwas hospitalised with pneumonia.

he says it's a thankyou song for his fans who wished him well and the Docs who treated him.

Heck, it was his bit of the show he could have sing nursery rhymes if he wanted.

MG1962 · 15th August 2012, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Worm

I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony.

Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed.

Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue.

I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions

I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific.

A lot of it comes down to who you can get. I heard this morning Bowie, the Stones and surviving members of the Sex Pistols all turned down offers to perform.

But your comments about the quality of some of the singing rang true, there was complaints about lip syncing, however listening to songs like Waterloo Sunset I can not see how the claims were justified.

Matthew Best · 15th August 2012, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Vortigern99

Pino Palladino. Entwhistle died 2002.

No, what I meant was Pino Palladino wasn't playing with them. I'm not sure who replaced him.

Matthew Best · 15th August 2012, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Worm

the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered.

I don't recall any bits of the sound that I thought were a hit. It seemed like the BBC stuck a microphone in front of a part of the PA, rather than getting a direct feed from a mixing desk.

Matthew Best · 15th August 2012, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Vortigern99

That was "Freedom '90", from George's 22-year-old record, Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1. I

Yes, he did that one, then he went on to plug his new single which is called "White Lightning" I believe. I don't think it was an appropriate venue to be playing a previously unheard new song but I can understand why he wanted to do it, and I would guess he presented the organisers with an "all or nothing" deal. With so many people refusing to appear, he had them over a barrel, really.

richardm · 15th August 2012, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Matthew Best

No, what I meant was Pino Palladino wasn't playing with them. I'm not sure who replaced him.

Chap called Morgan Nicholls out of Muse, et al.

Matthew Best · 15th August 2012, 11:30 AM

Thank you.

Presumably Pino is still busy with D'Angelo.

albion · 17th August 2012, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Morrigan

Nah, I was commenting on what I did see that was included, and it mostly sucked. Maybe they saved the best for the very end, I don't know, but somehow I doubt it. Were there any old British goth (like Sisters of Mercy), British punk (like The Exploited), British heavy metal (Black Sabbath), British neofolk (Sol Invictus)? I doubt it.

I'm not sure we needed representatives from the NF really.

Jack by the hedge · 17th August 2012, 08:06 AM

On reflection, my favourite part of the closing ceremony was the Dutch team. Seemed like every time the camera cut to them, they were gleefully singing their hearts out, leaping around and plainly having a brilliant time.

Captain_Swoop · 17th August 2012, 08:08 AM

I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair.

Jack by the hedge · 17th August 2012, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair.

Ooooh, yeah. They were great too.

MG1962 · 17th August 2012, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair.

You see that a lot if you go to San Francisco

MG1962 · 17th August 2012, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge

On reflection, my favourite part of the closing ceremony was the Dutch team. Seemed like every time the camera cut to them, they were gleefully singing their hearts out, leaping around and plainly having a brilliant time.

How satisfying must that have been for some of the performers to see people from 200 odd countries singing along to a song you wrote?

Akhenaten · 17th August 2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by MG1962

You see that a lot if you go to San Francisco

I've heard there are some gentle people there.

MG1962 · 17th August 2012, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

I've heard there are some gentle people there.

Gentle people with flowers in their hair, or so I am told

commandlinegamer · 17th August 2012, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by MG1962

How satisfying must that have been for some of the performers to see people from 200 odd countries singing along to a song you wrote?

Which IIRC, was precisely what the event organiser was aiming for.

15th August 2012, 02:52 AM	#121
Worm Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Coldstream, Scotland Posts: 1,086	I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony. Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed. Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue. I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific.
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15th August 2012, 05:59 AM	#122
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,307	Originally Posted by Worm I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony. Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed. Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue. I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific. Tom Waits would have sounded better than a lot of what was on there.
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15th August 2012, 08:18 AM	#124
Vortigern99 Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,021	Originally Posted by Worm Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed. That was "Freedom '90", from George's 22-year-old record, Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1. It's one of my favorite songs, but in this performance I thought the sound was muddy and the production unsuitable to the otherwise excellent songwriting.
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15th August 2012, 09:09 AM	#130
richardm Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,270	Originally Posted by Matthew Best No, what I meant was Pino Palladino wasn't playing with them. I'm not sure who replaced him. Chap called Morgan Nicholls out of Muse, et al.
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17th August 2012, 08:22 AM	#138
Akhenaten Heretic Pharaoh Pither Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pi-Broadford, Australia Posts: 24,682	Originally Posted by MG1962 You see that a lot if you go to San Francisco I've heard there are some gentle people there.
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15th August 2012, 07:18 AM	#123
Captain_Swoop Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3,946	Well sound for the TV audience was secondary to the party for the Athletes. I am sure it will be better on the DVD

15th August 2012, 08:39 AM	#125
Captain_Swoop Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3,946	His second song was a new one dealing with his near death experience a couple of months ago when he hwas hospitalised with pneumonia. he says it's a thankyou song for his fans who wished him well and the Docs who treated him. Heck, it was his bit of the show he could have sing nursery rhymes if he wanted.

15th August 2012, 08:45 AM	#126
MG1962 Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas (Australia) Posts: 14,750	Originally Posted by Worm I was relatively disappointed in the closing ceremony. There were some nice moments, but also some very odd choices, and it certainly suffered in comparison to the opening ceremony. Whatever genius decided to allow George Michael to plug his new song needs a good slap, and having some sort of theme would have been a good plan - it all felt very disjointed. Emeli Sandé sounded pretty ropey, and Liam Gallagher sounded terrible, but then the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. There were a few acts I simply don't enjoy, but I'm perfectly aware that this is down to personal taste so it's not really an issue. I would maybe have made different artist/song choices but then any gig I organised would basically consist of Springsteen and Tom Waits, so it's probably good that I'm not involved in these decisions I guess I generally came away feeling a bit let down but more due to general 'meh' than anything specific. A lot of it comes down to who you can get. I heard this morning Bowie, the Stones and surviving members of the Sex Pistols all turned down offers to perform. But your comments about the quality of some of the singing rang true, there was complaints about lip syncing, however listening to songs like Waterloo Sunset I can not see how the claims were justified.

15th August 2012, 08:53 AM	#127
Matthew Best Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester Square, London Posts: 4,147	Originally Posted by Vortigern99 Pino Palladino. Entwhistle died 2002. No, what I meant was Pino Palladino wasn't playing with them. I'm not sure who replaced him.

15th August 2012, 08:55 AM	#128
Matthew Best Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester Square, London Posts: 4,147	Originally Posted by Worm the sound in general was very hit and miss - Madness definitely suffered. I don't recall any bits of the sound that I thought were a hit. It seemed like the BBC stuck a microphone in front of a part of the PA, rather than getting a direct feed from a mixing desk.

15th August 2012, 08:57 AM	#129
Matthew Best Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester Square, London Posts: 4,147	Originally Posted by Vortigern99 That was "Freedom '90", from George's 22-year-old record, Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1. I Yes, he did that one, then he went on to plug his new single which is called "White Lightning" I believe. I don't think it was an appropriate venue to be playing a previously unheard new song but I can understand why he wanted to do it, and I would guess he presented the organisers with an "all or nothing" deal. With so many people refusing to appear, he had them over a barrel, really.

15th August 2012, 11:30 AM	#131
Matthew Best Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester Square, London Posts: 4,147	Thank you. Presumably Pino is still busy with D'Angelo.

17th August 2012, 07:39 AM	#132
albion Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NW9 Posts: 320	Originally Posted by Morrigan Nah, I was commenting on what I did see that was included, and it mostly sucked. Maybe they saved the best for the very end, I don't know, but somehow I doubt it. Were there any old British goth (like Sisters of Mercy), British punk (like The Exploited), British heavy metal (Black Sabbath), British neofolk (Sol Invictus)? I doubt it. I'm not sure we needed representatives from the NF really.

17th August 2012, 08:06 AM	#133
Jack by the hedge Safely Ignored Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5,421	On reflection, my favourite part of the closing ceremony was the Dutch team. Seemed like every time the camera cut to them, they were gleefully singing their hearts out, leaping around and plainly having a brilliant time.

17th August 2012, 08:08 AM	#134
Captain_Swoop Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 3,946	I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair.

17th August 2012, 08:14 AM	#135
Jack by the hedge Safely Ignored Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5,421	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair. Ooooh, yeah. They were great too.

17th August 2012, 08:15 AM	#136
MG1962 Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas (Australia) Posts: 14,750	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop I liked the Ukranian girls with all the flowers in their hair. You see that a lot if you go to San Francisco

17th August 2012, 08:18 AM	#137
MG1962 Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas (Australia) Posts: 14,750	Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge On reflection, my favourite part of the closing ceremony was the Dutch team. Seemed like every time the camera cut to them, they were gleefully singing their hearts out, leaping around and plainly having a brilliant time. How satisfying must that have been for some of the performers to see people from 200 odd countries singing along to a song you wrote?

17th August 2012, 08:26 AM	#139
MG1962 Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas (Australia) Posts: 14,750	Originally Posted by Akhenaten I've heard there are some gentle people there. Gentle people with flowers in their hair, or so I am told

17th August 2012, 09:39 AM	#140
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,904	Originally Posted by MG1962 How satisfying must that have been for some of the performers to see people from 200 odd countries singing along to a song you wrote? Which IIRC, was precisely what the event organiser was aiming for.
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