PSB at the BBC

[Kris]

Is it just me or have Neil's vocals been polished in some of the live performances? In the Can you forgive her? TOTP performance his live vocal genuinely sounds like it has been replaced by that in the song itself. Same with the live performance of Opportunities in the Whistle Test.

[leesmapman]

1997-2002 are now online:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 6c3e7a8751

[Patrick Bateman]

Lisa Snowdon was fit. Still weird for me seeing them during this period - the post-Very years when synthpop was out of fashion and they weren't wearing hats and silly costumes - but then they were again, only this time they were even sillier - before the final and most bizarre costume of all: Neil with a guitar, Chris without shades and they've acquired a band, rather than dancers. A strange few years.

[leesmapman]

the final and most bizarre costume of all: Neil with a guitar, Chris without shades

True though. Still, I have fond memories of this period.

[y3potential]

I was hoping for the performance of Philadelphia and also the appearance on the Jools Holland programme. Perhaps they are in the next batch..

[leesmapman]

It's also fun to see Jody Linscott doing the percussion during the Release performances. I recognized her from the Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells 3 gig and later tours.

[Greendrake]

Is it just me or have Neil's vocals been polished in some of the live performances? In the Can you forgive her? TOTP performance his live vocal genuinely sounds like it has been replaced by that in the song itself.

I just compared the YT version with Ultimate DVD and earlier TV rips and could not find any audio difference (apart from quality).
TOTP performances are sung over pre-recorded vocals, aren't they? Moreover, those are the vocals from the released records (as opposed to sung specifically for the show), although the records are often edited to be shorter.

[Sage]

Is it just me or have Neil's vocals been polished in some of the live performances? In the Can you forgive her? TOTP performance his live vocal genuinely sounds like it has been replaced by that in the song itself.

I just compared the YT version with Ultimate DVD and earlier TV rips and could not find any audio difference (apart from quality).
TOTP performances are sung over pre-recorded vocals, aren't they? Moreover, those are the vocals from the released records (as opposed to sung specifically for the show), although the records are often edited to be shorter.

I think Kris is being sarcastic, at least I hope so.
The vocals and indeed the entire songs are just the studio release overdubbed. It must be obvious.
I've put my life into live lip sync. I'm an artist, honey. You gonna get me a drink?

Sometimes they add sound from the audience to make it seem a bit more realistic, but it's totally lip synced.
How about when they did the Bobby O' version of West End girls and Neil mimed the James Brown samples.
I suppose it was standard for TV performances until the noughties, not just for PSB.
To me it can be really astonishing when the audio of the performance is real, such as https://youtu.be/W7SZ8naFjDQ?t=69
Otherwise honestly these videos are barely worth watching. I think they're only good for people who aren't familiar with the music.
But it is nice to see Neil & Chris and their outfits.
How's this for real vocals: https://youtu.be/DDKciZRqhl8?t=13

[Paul]

In the early 90's Top of the pops changed and most vocals were live. Can you forgive her ? and Liberation both had live vocals. Check Neil, he is wearing IEM's (in ear monitors) in both these performances.

[tottenhammattspurs]

Watching the Release era through the prism of 18 years and it was a really unusual period for PSB. A commercial low point, almost “Britpop” six years too late. The melodies and genius were still apparent but it remains the least PSB looking and sounding period.

[spooky]

Watching the Release era through the prism of 18 years and it was a really unusual period for PSB. A commercial low point, almost “Britpop” six years too late. The melodies and genius were still apparent but it remains the least PSB looking and sounding period.

i always considered Release the "guitar" album, and it was refreshing(for me) at the time. that tour was actually the last time i saw the PSBs.

[Sage]

New lot added. (From 17/04/2002)
Lovely real live audio, worth a watch.
Playlist is: West End Girls, I Get Along, New York City Boy, Love Comes Quickly, Go West.
I'd never seen these before.
https://petshopboys.lnk.to/AtTheBBCVol5We

[leesmapman]

Finally, I've been looking for these for ages! I still think this is the most interesting live period for them.
Still, a shame the videos are 360p.

[Greendrake]

Interestingly, the are two TOTP2 I get along plays:
From 17 April 2002
From 26 July 2002
But they are in fact the same one, aren't they? Just slightly different cuts. The July one features Pete Gleadall

[glennjridge]

Thats always been my favorite version of "West end girls". its so smooth and has a nice late night chill vibe