Considering they'll be performing in front of a new audience, I think they'll have the brains not to do the funny dance routines that only hardcore fans can appreciate. And song choices are also essential. I can't see them prancing on the stage on Do What You Like :D They'll have to dig out new songs to perform: Don't Say Goodbye, Sleepwalking, 6 in the Morning Fool....and, of course, Will You Be There For Me :P

And I know this is a touchy subject, but I think they should keep Mark's leads on a minimum, at least until they manage to draw the public in. I don't know that many people who are fans of his voice and I don't see that changing any time soon - I actually hate his part on Everyday I Love You Less and Less; I think it's one of his worst moments. He works well on Said It All, Up All Night (although I hate that song), The Garden, Into the Wild. His biggest problem is the diction. The diction is one of the reasons my sister - who is not obsessed with TT like I am :P - likes Gary and may be an important factor in helping him connect with the American audience (something that would have happened in the 90's if Clive Davis hadn't screwed him over like he did with many other artists).

 

Usually, I'd agree with you, Dylandog, that Las Vegas is for artists who can't break the charts anymore, but TT may be the exception to the rule. WE have to consider the fact that they've been given this opportunity not because they're an established act in USA and they have nothing else to do anymore, but because someone was very impressed with their work and wants to break them to a new public. It almost sounds like a new beginning for them, imo, rather than like an end. God only knows if this will turn up to be a good or a bad thing for them, but, since we can't predict the future, we can only keep our fingers crossed for them and wish them the best. To everything there's always a downside, but this is just too big of an opportunity for them to have turned it down. And I don't think we need to worry about them putting on hold new music projects. They're releasing a new album in 2016 and a Greatest Hits album in 2017, which means they can come back with new music in 2018. Maybe Las Vegas will even get them inspired and the new album will be conceived while doing those shows.

 

As for the LV residency being more of a vanity project...everything is possible, but who could blame them? Who in their right mind wouldn't want to try it out? Gary's a musicaholic and he does love success; now that most of his kids are grown up and Dawn is having her own business, it's understandable that he's exploring new avenues and Mark and Howard don't seem opposed to the idea.

 

PS: Does anyone like the demos for Finding Neverland?

Edited December 15, 20159 yr by milly

And I know this is a touchy subject, but I think they should keep Mark's leads on a minimum, at least until they manage to draw the public in. I don't know that many people who are fans of his voice and I don't see that changing any time soon - I actually hate his part on Everyday I Love You Less and Less; I think it's one of his worst moments. He works well on Said It All, Up All Night (although I hate that song), The Garden, Into the Wild. His biggest problem is the diction. The diction is one of the reasons my sister - who is not obsessed with TT like I am :P - likes Gary and may be an important factor in helping him connect with the American audience (something that would have happened in the 90's if Clive Davis hadn't screwed him over like he did with many other artists).

 

For an American audience (or any audience not familiar with the whole story of Take That) I'd agree with you. But if they do that - and presumably keep Howard's leads minimal too, add to that that the naff dance routines will have to go .... what you're basically left with is a showcase for Gary as a solo singer with two friends for back-up. Maybe it'll work with Mark and Howard as backing for him (for morale as much as anything else - because the last time Gary tried to showcase his talents in front of Clive Davis - he fell flat on his arse - I must admit - it made a great chapter in his book).

 

Totally disagree with you on Mark's part of EDILYLAL - that song needs ANGST when its sung - not sung like a slightly speeded up ballad. Mark has loads of angst when he sings.

 

 

You do have a point, Kath, but, in the end, that's how it's always been: Gary as the lead singer. Even during their recent gigs, Gary has the most leads, so that wouldn't be much of a change in the States. They just have to choose carefully the songs for Mark - there could be plenty of moments for him, without making it seem like he shares the leads equally with Gary. The audience needs to know at all times that the best singer is put forward. I don't think that, just because Gary takes most leads, Mark and Howard become backing singers. Their harmonies are some of the best and I don't think some backing singers would pull them off. Besides, Howard and Mark taking leads on The Flood and The Garden, Howard on What is Love or Beautiful World should take care of people not perceiving them as backing singers.

 

I agree with you that EDILYLAL needs some angst, but all Mark brought out, from my point of view, were really bad vocals. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Gary suited the song more, his vocals were just better, that's all. I still don't know why they covered that song.

I agree with you that EDILYLAL needs some angst, but all Mark brought out, from my point of view, were really bad vocals. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Gary suited the song more, his vocals were just better, that's all. I still don't know why they covered that song.

 

I think they covered that particular song because it was a song that no-one would expect Take That to cover. I do believe - at the time - they got mainly positive comments. I think they all did well on it - but especially Mark.

If they play around with songs Mark and Howard would be able to contribute more. The Flood is an example of how they've incorporated all three voices and I think this is the way to go.

 

I get really frustrated with them for their lack of adventure and their insistence on keeping to the same songs. The Heart gig is a case to answer. From what I've read they didn't change the song list and it would have been an ideal opportunity to sing the new songs off lll and some B sides- but they didn't. I'm going to the Hyde Park gig next year and I'll be spitting feathers if they keep to the same song list. I would also like some new arrangements for the old classics. I liked the arrangement for AMLS which I think was from the Home Town tour? They all have poor diction at certain times ( although Gary only has the occasional lapse )but Mark is dreadful in this regard as he's northern accent is very flat. It's one of the key reasons I struggle to listen to me, unless it's the right song.

 

Their harmonies are indeed one of their key strengths. I watched X Factor on the weekend for the first time this season and was shocked at how weak ID were harmonizing. TT put them to shame in this regard and performance wise ID were quite poor - confused as to how popular they are in the States and world wide.

 

I haven't heard Gary's demos from FN except for one, as I think they were taken down. Any idea where I can hear the song list, Milly?

Agree with everything you said, Dylandog, especially the setlist part. I could have sworn that they'd do at least a couple of new songs on the Heart gig, instead we got Pray twice because Gary and Mark forgot the lyrics.

 

You can listen to the other 2 demos here: http://milly-gb.tumblr.com/

I'm in love with Stronger.

Edited December 15, 20159 yr by milly

Thanks, Milly. Had a quick listen and I also like Gary singing Stronger. Eliot and Gary have produced a well rounded group of songs for this musical. Not quite sure why it came into so much hate from the critics - I've heard far weaker songs in many, many successful musicals.

Not only in musicals, but in albums in general. The FN album is head and shoulder above Adele's album, yet we can see the difference in reviews. Then again, the critics loved Hey Boy, so who am I to argue with their tastes? As far as I'm concerned, most of the critics are just a bunch of snobs.

 

Play - the ensemble version - and All of London is Here Tonight are so catchy and playful, I just don't see how anyone can hate them.

They have announced a show next year in Singapore which I think is really great as more outside the UK and Europe should have these opportunities.

The Australian boy band Human Nature had a Motown show in Las Vegas which is popular still. It didn't bring them any commercial success but has ran for awhile and got good reviews. The group also only had success in Australia and possibly Asia so didn't the profile TT already have going into Las Vegas.

I agree they should stick to greatest hits which does include a US top 10 as that would stand a better chance. It's also nice for the American fans who have wanted this and never thought it would happen.

Edited December 15, 20159 yr by nirvanamusic

i never thought they'd be playing these types of gigs in these locations, espcially with their family commitments etc.

 

Hopefully Milly will get to see them in her hometown after all!

 

Do we know how the record is doing this week?

It was 41 in the midweeks on Monday, Jay. It's slightly better than last week, which means the physical sales must have increased, cause the Amazon ones have dropped.

I find the strategy they are using baffling. UK, their biggest market, suffers huge decline and they now start to work in other countries which they didn't really focus on at the height of their career. Such decisions i would have expected to have happened a few years back and not so much now. Maybe Jason did not want to be working away from home a lot where as the remaining members have no issues with it.

I find the strategy they are using baffling. UK, their biggest market, suffers huge decline and they now start to work in other countries which they didn't really focus on at the height of their career. Such decisions i would have expected to have happened a few years back and not so much now. Maybe Jason did not want to be working away from home a lot where as the remaining members have no issues with it.

 

Maybe the Vegas thing will be good for the FN venture. I honestly can't see it doing Mark and Howard any good in the long run (other that a short fix of HUGE money). And I'm sure any of us would do the same.

Edited December 16, 20159 yr by Kath

This might be a long shot, but here is my view on why TT are suddenly more open to the idea of exploring new countries: it all started with Gary and Howard joining twitter and recently Mark too. It was easier for them, before 2011, to put to rest the idea of doing gigs across the ocean or in Asia, because their fans there did not have faces or names. Since joining twitter, Gary has been assaulted with requests and campaigns from fans all over the world to come to their countries. He even got a book put together by a fan with wishes and requests from fans from everywhere. Goodness knows that their fans from France, South America and Australia have been campaigning relentlessly for years now for TT to perform in their countries. It's harder to ignore these requests when you face them daily. It might also have something to do with Jason leaving, because I always got the feeling he didn't love the performing part of their job too much - he said it himself that he was in TT more for his parents' sake than because he really wanted to.

 

Anyway, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth :) If whatever makes them wanna tour the world brings them to Romania too, I'll be over the moon :)

I'm happy they're finally expanding their horizons, even if they should have done it a long time ago.

Edited December 16, 20159 yr by milly

Agreed! Good to see the album rebound to #39 today. Should be another 10k sales.

Wonder how the DVD is doing on its own...

Twitter may have something to do with it, even so the number of foreign fans is still extremely small. More than ever I'm also coming to the conclusion that Jay held them back. He always appeared to be the least motivated with regard to performing and promotion and their long hiatus was due to Jay's reluctance to continue.

 

It may simply be the three of them believe they've achieved everything in the UK and now is the time for them to experience different things; hence the sudden appearances at festivals. They may simply want to thank their small band of international fans who have remained loyal because I don't believe they think they will achieve international success this late in their careers. They look like they're having the time of their lives, and I guess in many ways that's the most important thing.

They have to try new markets as they have achieved anything in the UK with the fanbase they have and they stick with them. Those do not even buy the new album/DVD.

Aside of this I really wonder how they will do selling wise. They will do good in Singapore I guess and Las Vegas because of the xpats and the holidayers storming their show I am sure.

But in Europe and the European countries they did not have a hit for a decade? It will be interesting. Robbie did very well. But he is far better selling outside the UK than TT. The requests are there. But I know this from Robbie fansom either. They send requests from the Himalaya to perfom there. It has to transfer to the general public. Let's see. I hope it will go well.

Twitter may have something to do with it, even so the number of foreign fans is still extremely small. More than ever I'm also coming to the conclusion that Jay held them back. He always appeared to be the least motivated with regard to performing and promotion and their long hiatus was due to Jay's reluctance to continue.

 

It may simply be the three of them believe they've achieved everything in the UK and now is the time for them to experience different things; hence the sudden appearances at festivals. They may simply want to thank their small band of international fans who have remained loyal because I don't believe they think they will achieve international success this late in their careers. They look like they're having the time of their lives, and I guess in many ways that's the most important thing.

 

 

Very good points here and it makes sense if they are thinking that way.

 

Three is just about top 40, we can hope it stays there officially on Friday, but yes, 10,000 should be the minimum, based on that the new version will have sales to date of around 45,000?

And maybe 10,000 more next week, looks like my hopes of Three going double platinum may be shattered <_<

Does anyone know if any ex-members are re-joining for Vegas or will it just be the 3 of them?