tributehub

Each time I go to an APF gig, I wonder why the backing singers get the longest and loudest ovations.

is it that GGitS is the best thing Floyd have ever done? or

they are truly the best part of the show? or

they are just more talented that those half arsed drummer, keyboardist, saxo' and guitarists (sarcasm smiley here)

or is it just because most of the audience are male and .... ;D:o

Don't get me wrong, they are deserving of praise, but I do feel its slightly out of balance to what the rest of the band get, although I realise they don't seek the limelight.

Debate!

Well I was thinking the exact same thing on Monday at the RAH.

This is my observation....... during the rest of the show, the songs run into each other or pause for a few words from the band. After TGGITS, there is it seems a deliberate pause and the house lights are raised slightly - the audience react at this point with applause. So it's not so much the audience showing more appreciation, it's the fact that the show pauses to allow it?

However, it always moves me and I for one am happy to show my appreciation at this point. Additionally, I have seen this happen at both DG's and RW's shows - so it seems to be the norm. Also on this point, Mica Paris failed to perform it to anywhere near the standard of Amy or Ola, it is a technically difficult thing to do as Clare Torry was improvising, so they have to practice and practice to reproduce her original vocals. A lot of singers don't seem to be able to get this just right, so when an audience hears it faithfully reproduced, it strikes a chord.

So when you add all these things up, you can see (or to me you can) why it happens. It is a very popular and moving piece of music and when performed well reduces many people to tears. It's quite a personal thing too and depends a lot on how much it moves you on an emotional level.

GG

You could also think of it as a 'vocal solo'.

Other rock bands may have a slot for a drum or guitar solo and everyone would give extra applause (mainly because the thing was over). GGITS is a genuine Floyd track that just happens to have an outstanding vocal on it.

You could see Comfy Numb as being the guitar solo slot, as no matter where in the set they played it, it would get a similar standing ovation.

I know this might be a bit of a long shot but do you think the fact that they're girls with short dresses on has anything to do with it?

I never noticed!! 

good point,possibly many reasons,i think its because although some of the audience know a lot of floyd music,many do not and there out of curiosity,recommendation or tagging along with someone,they only know the hits and may never have heard GGITS before,so its a surprise you dont normally get the backing singers stealing the thunder from the band,on this occasion they are supposed to its like the underdog outdoing the main act,or possibly because they are girls in low cut skirts.?