Slash Says Guns N' Roses Purists Take His Music 'Too Seriously'

[FunkyMonkey]

Slash Says Guns N' Roses Purists Take His Music 'Too Seriously'

Apr 27th 2010

When it came time to decide on a bonus track for his eponymous debut album, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash decided to include a slowed-down, hip-hop version of his former band's 1988 Top 10 single 'Paradise City' featuring the unexpected tandem of Cypress Hill and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.

"I've been playing 'Paradise City' with Cypress Hill since 2002 -- I just love the way they do the verses -- and we always have somebody come up and do the chorus," Slash explains to Spinner of the collaboration's genesis. "I always said, 'one of these days, we've got to record this' and here we were, seven years later.

"I had the Cypress Hill guys come down [to the studio] and I'd just done 'Beautiful Dangerous' with Fergie so I said, 'why don't you sing the chorus?' just for the hell of it."

Before releasing the track in North America, the guitar god decided to give it a test run with Japanese audiences.

"I put it out as a B-side of a Japanese single and, of course, it cruised around the internet," he recalls. "I had all the Guns N' Roses purists that were really pissed off about it and I had all these other people that really liked it."

Despite the mixed reaction, the guitarist ultimately decided to include the new 'Paradise City' on the deluxe edition because, as he says with a smirk, "I just figured some people are taking it a little too seriously."

http://www.spinner.com/2010/04/27/slash-guns-n-roses/

[oldgunsfan]

reading the quotes on this board and this quote is poved every day

[faldor]

I don't necessarily have a problem with him re-making Paradise City, but I absolutely HATED the version with Cypress Hill from the first time I heard it 9 years ago.  It's just not my style.  It doesn't quite have the same touch as Run DMC and Aerosmith did with "Walk This Way".  I notice Cypress Hill is playing with some other rock group on some song that's out now.

[svdv22]

I guess I'm one of those people who take that song too serious.
It just sucks.
Ass.

I like the rest of the album though

[chineseblues]

Of course people are going to take it serious when he makes a shitty version of it. Did he really think people would be ok with him re-recording this song with cypress hill and fergie of all people?

[sleeper]

I liked it.

[lynn1961]

I liked it.

Me too.....

[Smoking Guns]

I liked it.

Me too.....

as did i....

[Bodhi]

I liked the Fergie parts, but could have done without Cypress Hill.  I would have preferred it if she sang the whole thing.  YES he is totally right about people taking it too seriously. It was done as a "jam" with a few friends, not as a piece of art that needs to be critiqued. 

[Bridge]

I would've preferred the whole thing with Fergie as well.  But Slash is correct, people will always take it too seriously.  But I can't say I fault everyone for doing that, as I myself hated Axl's 1999 cover of "Sweet Child o Mine" with other musicians.

[AxlsMainMan]

Of course people are going to take it serious when he makes a shitty version of it. Did he really think people would be ok with him re-recording this song with cypress hill and fergie of all people?

Hilariously, the people who actually liked this horrific rendition of a classic also disliked Chinese Democracy. Maybe they took it "too seriously."

[FunkyMonkey]

Some more "comments" here:

SLASH Says GUNS N' ROSES 'Purists' Took 'Paradise City' Re-Recording 'A Little Too Seriously' - Apr. 28, 2010

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=139280

[LunsJail]

It was done as a "jam" with a few friends, not as a piece of art that needs to be critiqued. 

Then play it live all you want instead of recording and releasing it as part of your album.

[svdv22]

It was done as a "jam" with a few friends, not as a piece of art that needs to be critiqued. 

Then play it live all you want instead of recording and releasing it as part of your album.

Exactly.

[Bodhi]

It was done as a "jam" with a few friends, not as a piece of art that needs to be critiqued. 

Then play it live all you want instead of recording and releasing it as part of your album.

Exactly.

couldnt agree more.  I was happy it was not on the U.S release.  Its not a bad idea for a b-side, but I dont like it being attached to the Slash album, cause that brings the whole GNR thing into play and Slash's album really has nothing to do with GNR.  Like I said I didnt mind the Fergie parts but its not something im really going to listen to.  I heard it once or twice and that was about all I need for the rest of my life.

[D]

I dont like it but i do agree with what he said

i mean Paradise city isnt the deepest GNR song ever made.. its been played and commercialized to death anyway


if he redid NR or Estranged or something, yeah, id be leading the pitchforks.. but PC.. who cares.

i think it sucks but i really dont care either way

[One.In.A.Million]

I don't think Slash realised how much a vocal change would affect the song. I think Slash thought as long as his playing the guitar parts, no one will care what's on top.

As someone's already said, in a live environment, it's a bit of fun, like a jam. But I think it was a step too far to think about including it on an official release, especially when the vocals are less than desirable. 

[Bridge]

Hilariously, the people who actually liked this horrific rendition of a classic also disliked Chinese Democracy. Maybe they took it "too seriously."

Really, you studied statistics and determined that ALL (or even most) of those who liked the new version all hated Axl's album?  Quite the researcher there!

I don't care for either the new "Paradise City" or most of Chinese Democracy.  I guess I take it ALL too seriously!

[kukol1978]

im sure that if Slash would hear a bad cover of wild horses(for ex),played with britney spears and keith richars would though WTF?.

We can think this too.

[AxlsMainMan]

Hilariously, the people who actually liked this horrific rendition of a classic also disliked Chinese Democracy. Maybe they took it "too seriously."

Really, you studied statistics and determined that ALL (or even most) of those who liked the new version all hated Axl's album?  Quite the researcher there!

Yeah, checking half a dozen post histories really ate up my evening

I don't care for either the new "Paradise City" or most of Chinese Democracy.  I guess I take it ALL too seriously!

Or maybe have a calendar for 1987 still on the wall