BOC-L Digest - 30 Dec 1996 to 31 Dec 1996

[Stephen Swann]

Ted Jackson jr. EL84 writes:
>
> > of these can be attributed to Eric's recent vocal troubles (he may be
> > better, but the setlist is still very Buck-oriented as far as lead vocals
> > go), but not all.  One has to wonder why with a new album with some
> > very good tunes on it due out in a few months, and a massive catalog of
> > great old material (some of which hasn't been done in years), why do
> > they continue to simply re-cycle the same stuff?
>
> I hear ya.   I think it must be that they think these songs go over
> better with the crowds than others?  Or maybe they're songs that the
> band feels most confident in performing?  The worst thing about a

Well, I gather from listening to Albert and from reading the Goldmine
article and such, that the band has never been much for hanging around
together, except when working on an album.  Apparently, even in the
"old days", they used to only get together to do concerts and to
record.  These days, with all of them having family lives and such,
that seems to be even more true.

In light of this, it seems logical that the reason the setlist stays
constant is because all the band members can play that standard set on
a moment's notice - all they have to do is show up the night of the
concert, and play the same tunes that they've always played.  Working
up new tunes to do in concert would mean getting together to practice
them in their "spare time", i.e. interfering with family life and
private time, etc.

Frankly, I'm guessing that at this stage in their lives and careers,
their family lives are more important to them than the continued
"progress" of the band, and I'll be damned if I'll blame them for
that...  I'm not saying that they don't want to do new tunes or put
out that new album, but that there are obvious limits on their desire
to do so, and other matters that clearly take greater precedence.

I'm speculating here, of course, but I think there's visible evidence
that this is the case.  (i.e. if any of them really had a burning
desire to have that new album out, it would be out by now).

Steve
swann at panix.com