talon
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Post by talon on Apr 4, 2013 7:16:49 GMT -5
Love On A Tightrope (Like An Animal)
Written by: Roger Taylor
Musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards
Spike Edney - keyboards, vocals
- Issued as the B-Side to Heaven For Everyone and also on a promo of four artists including China Criss, Phil Collins, and Donny Osmond.
- Performed live on the Shove It tour and then discarded.
ALTERNATE VERSION
LIVE IN LONDON
PERSONAL NOTES:
- VERY 80s sounding. Very synth driven with some of Roger's most...silly lyrics.
Next up? Brian helps Roger out (at least in one version...) on Love Lies Bleeding (She Was A Wicked, Wily Waitress)
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 5, 2013 6:19:13 GMT -5
Love Lies Bleeding (She Was A Wicked Wily Waitress)
Written by: Roger Taylor
Musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards
Spike Edney - keyboards, vocals
Brian May - guitar
- Brian adds more guitar to the sound and really makes it work
- Played live throughout the Shove It Tour and sporadically beyond.
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
SINGLE VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- There are some additional vocals and Brian's guitar is meatier.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Get beyond the silly lyrics...or in some cases don't as they are amusing at the very least especially with how serious Roger screams about burgers with his fries on! But in honesty it's a great fun track and a great opener.
Next up? Roger gets some Rough Justice
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 6, 2013 7:19:56 GMT -5
Rough Justice
Written by: Roger Taylor
Musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards
Spike Edney - keyboards, vocals
- Issued on the B-Side of the Shove It single.
- In the UK version of the album the song segues into the Second Shelf mix of Shove It, while the US version of the album has the song end a bit abruptly.
- To my knowledge, not performed live.
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
US VERSION
- NOT ESSENTIAL - just has the absolute ending.
PERSONAL NOTES:
This is a favorite of many Cross fans - I'm not a huge fan of the song. It's filler for me. It's ruined a bit by the cheesy gang chorus.
Next up? The US only track and one of my favorite Cross tracks. Roger taps into his inner Jedi in Feel The Force
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 7, 2013 3:00:56 GMT -5
Feel The Force
Written by: Roger Taylor
Musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards
Spike Edney - keyboards, vocals
- A non-album track in the UK, it was on the US version of Shove It. In the UK it was a B-Side to [b}Shove It[/b]
- Performed live throughout the Shove It tour.
UNRELEASED LIVE VERSION
LIVE IN LONDON - 1987
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Brian is the self professed Star Wars fan but maybe Roger is a fan too...For some reason this track works better than most of the tracks on the album. It has some real rocking moments as well as a nice introspective moment. Worked well live as well!
Next up? The Cross' non-album single from later in the year from a random writing session with a friend -
Manipulator
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 8, 2013 6:30:44 GMT -5
ManipulatorWritten by: Roger Taylor, Spike Edney, and Steve Strange Musicians: Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards Spike Edney - keyboards, vocals  - Released as a single that didn't appear on any album but backed with Stand Up For Love from the Shove It album. It did not chart - Written as a one off with Steve Strange who was the guitarist with a band called Visage. - Played live throughout the Cross' career. - During Queen's I Want It All video, Roger is wearing a leather jacket with Manipulator on the back from this track. ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSION EXTENDED VERSION- NOT ESSENTIAL but nice. - Not extended by much but there are a few nice bursts of guitar that are new UNRELEASED LIVE VERSION LIVE AT MONTREUX 1988- Also includes Heaven For EveryonePERSONAL NOTES: - A big favorite amongst Queen/Cross fans. Personally I'm not as enthralled but it is still a fun track. NEXT? The final Cross track of the year, a demo entitled Celebration
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 11, 2013 6:24:00 GMT -5
Celebration
Written by: Spike Edney
Possible musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, guitars (?), bass guitars (?), drums (?), keyboards (?)
Spike Edney - keyboards (?), vocals (?)
Clayton Moss - guitars (?)
Peter Noone - bass guitar (?), vocals (?)
Joshua J. Macrae - drums (?)
- One of the more mysterious demos as there has never been quite the consensus on where it came from. Initially found on a master reel from Strange Frontier so the demo could technically be from that session. However on YouTube guitarist Clayton Moss stated that it was indeed a Cross song, that keyboardist Spike Edney was the main writer and that bassist Peter Noone was the vocalist on the outro. But how could that be if it was on the Strange Frontier master reel? Although it's quite possible that the track started out as a Roger track and then the Cross demoed it. Which version is this one? It does sound like more of a band version than a Roger solo track but I don't know for certain.
EDITED IN: According to Roger's box set, The Lot this was a Cross demo recorded during the Jam Studios Sessions.
ALTERNATE VERSION
THE LOT VERSION
- On the box set, the track is edited down by about 40 seconds cutting out a middle section. It is unclear if this is an alternate take or if it was cut down for some reason before inclusion on the box set.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Who cares? It's still a great track. It would have fit any of the Cross albums. A nice mid tempo rocker with thick vocals.
Next up? We begin. One of my favorite Queen related albums...Freddie duets with Spanish diva Montserrat Caballe on Barcelona and the title track is the first one we take a look at!
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 12, 2013 6:49:54 GMT -5
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe - Barcelona (1988) A little background! While recording for Mr. Bad Guy Freddie was introduced to the voice of Montserrat Caballe which he quickly fell in love with. He would stop sessions just to listen to her sing. He became quite obsessed to the point where he just wanted to meet with her. Upon a trip to Spain, his people organized a meeting and the two hit it off splendidly. Freddie thought it would be great to do a song with the diva but the diva surprised him by telling him that they would record an album together! Freddie panicked but worked with Mike Moran, whom he met while recording the Time soundtrack material and the two worked towards a more complete album. It was quite a new way of recording for Freddie. Freddie was used to the rock world of just going in a studio and working something til it was done. Now Freddie had to have everything ready for when Montserrat could pop in, learn her part and record it. The result was something phenomenal - Freddie really pushed himself unlike the very safe and now dated Mr. Bad Guy and the result was something that could fit in a bridge between classical and pop/rock. The only regret was that with the schedule demands and need for perfection, Freddie and Mike used a keyboard orchestra. This was to be rectified in 2012 when Stuart Morley (who worked with Queen on We Will Rock You: The Musical would record a symphony orchestra to be placed behind the work of Freddie and Montserrat. Rufus Taylor would also contribute percussion and Naoko Kikuchi added real koto while David Garrett added violin. The title track was picked as the theme of the 1992 Olympics which Freddie would unfortunately not live to perform at. The two did "perform" a few tracks at festivals celebrating Spain and the Olympics but they would have to be mimed for several reasons...the first lack of time for rehearsing such complicated pieces as well as Freddie's illness making it very sporadic on Freddie's voice. The album was initially released in 1988 in the UK where it hit #25 but a re-release in 1992 was a hit worldwide and it hit #15 in the UK, #6 in the US, #24 in Austria, #41 in Germany, #93 in Japan, #9 in the Netherlands, #13 in New Zealand, #37 in Sweden, and #18 in Switzerland. Tracks on the album1. Barcelona (Mercury/Moran) 2. La Japonaise (Mercury/Moran) 3. The Fallen Priest (Mercury/Moran/Rice) 4. Ensueno (Mercury/Moran/Caballe) 5. The Golden Boy (Mercury/Moran/Rice) 6. Guide Me Home (Mercury/Moran) 7. How Can I Go On (Mercury/Moran) 8. Overture Piccante (Mercury/Moran) Additional released tracks9. Exercises In Free Love (Mercury/Moran) 10. When This Tired Old Body Wants To Sing (Mercury/Moran) First up...the title track Barcelona
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 12, 2013 7:26:59 GMT -5
Barcelona
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Mike Moran
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, arrangements
Montserrat Caballé - vocals
Mike Moran - keyboards, programming, arrangements
Homi Kanga - violin
Laurie Lewis - violin
Deborah Ann Johnston - cello
Barry Castle - horn
Frank Ricotti - percussion
Roger Taylor - backing vocals (?)
- Initially meant to be the only song the two would record.
- Theme of the 1992 Olympics.
- Reportedly Roger Taylor does some uncredited backing vocals.
- Issued as a single backed with ‘Exercises In Free Love’ in October 1987 in the UK (where it hit #8). The same pairing with additional mixes was reissued in July 1992 in the UK (where it hit #2).
- Issued as a single with an unknown B-Side in Australia, The Netherlands (where it hit #34), and Japan (where it did not chart) It was reissued in 1992 with an unknown B-Side in Australia (where it hit #42), and The Netherlands (where it hit #2)
- It was issued as a promo with an unknown B-Side in 1992 in Japan.
- Issued on the B-Side of ‘One Year Of Love’ on a US promo in 1992.
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
2012 ORCHESTRATED VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- It does actually lack some punch from the original but the fluidity makes it well worth it.
IDEAS - TWO EXTRACTS FROM GARDEN LODGE
- ESSENTIAL
- You get to hear Freddie and Montserrat during their brainstorming sessions!
EARLY VERSION - FREDDIE'S VOCAL SLAVE
- ESSENTIAL - This is Freddie singing to his guide track so well it nearly phases at some points. This will grab your attention almost at once.
EARLY VERSION - FREDDIE'S VOCAL DEMOS
- ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL
- This is Freddie singing both parts of the duet - Freddie as a soprano! Of course this was all just to guide Montserrat alone, so it wasn't meant to be a finished final product but even without Freddie trying it sounds awesome!
LATER VERSION - FREDDIE ONLY
- NOT essential but nice
- This is the finished track, but without Monserrat. It still sounds very nice and you hear some things you wouldn't normally hear.
TRANSLATION DEMO
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- A convention demo which is what Freddie recorded in order to have it translated into Spanish.
SINGLE VERSION
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Basically cuts off the beginning section.
EXTENDED VERSION
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Adds an instrumental passage but is basically a repeat of the verse backing track.
TV EDIT
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- An edit created for television advertisement of the Olympics
INSTRUMENTAL
- NOT essential
BARCELONA GOLD
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- From the Barcelona Gold soundtrack to the 1992 Olympic games. It is fairly close to the single version just slightly more edited.
SPECIAL EDITION INSTRUMENTAL
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- The real orchestrated instrumental
2012 VIDEO VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- A nice new video taken from alternate angles from the original.
2012 SINGLE VERSION
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL - 99.9% the 2012 Video Version.
IBIZIA "PERFORMANCE"
LA NIT "PERFORMANCE"
- ESSENTIAL
- Just to see the two divas perform together even if they aren't singing.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- JUST WOW. That's all there is to say. It's a beautiful fusion of pop/rock and opera and watching these two together is a pure dream. Some of Freddie's best work.
Next up? Freddie's turning Japanese - La Japonaise
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 13, 2013 6:51:26 GMT -5
La Japonaise
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Mike Moran
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, arrangements
Montserrat Caballé - vocals
Mike Moran - keyboards, programming, arrangements
Naoko Kikuch - koto (2012 version)
Stuart Morley - arrangements (2012 version)
- Freddie's ode to his favorite vacation/shopping locale in the world!
- This was not one of the songs Freddie "performed"
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
2012 ORCHESTRATED
- ESSENTIAL
- The real koto adds a depth to the song.
2012 ORCHESTRATED INSTRUMENTAL
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
EARLY VERSION - FREDDIE'S VOCAL ONLY
- ESSENTIAL
- Any time you get to hear more of Freddie is a good thing!
A CAPELLA VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- You hear new things without the backing track.
INSTRUMENTAL
- NOT ESSENTIAL but nice.
- The music shines through nicely showing some very deft arrangement.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Not my favorite on the album but still worth a listen. The backing vocals are sublime!
Next up? Freddie works with Broadway lyricist Tim Rice on The Fallen Priest[/quote]
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talon
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Post by talon on Apr 14, 2013 6:54:01 GMT -5
The Fallen Priest
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Mike Moran/Tim Rice
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, arrangements
Montserrat Caballé - vocals
Mike Moran - keyboards, programming, arrangements
- A dramatic song that has not been heard in the Queen catalogue for some time. A story of a song with lyrics by the great Tim Rice (of Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King, Aladdin, etc.) with whom Freddie became good friends with.
- Originally titled "The Spanish Song" and then “Rachmaninov’s Revenge”
ALTERNTATE RELEASED VERSIONS
2012 ORCHESTRAL
- ESSENTIAL
- A different take and a nice dramatic effect.
SINGLE EDIT
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL but for an edit that cuts out a lot of material it surprisingly still works.
INSTRUMENTAL
- NOT ESSENTIAL but nice to hear the backing track.
THE DUET
- ESSENTIAL
- Nice to hear such an early version of the track as an idea as Freddie and Mike present Montserrat with the idea
RACHMANINOV'S REVENGE (EARLY VERSION)
- ESSENTIAL
- Freddie and Mike working on the idea prior to presenting it to Montserrat.
RACHMANINOV'S REVENGE (LATER VERSION)
- ESSENTIAL
- Freddie's Vocal demo just prior to lyrics written
PERSONAL NOTES:
One of my favorite tracks on the album. Very dramatic, powerful, moving. Just purely amazing!
NEXT UP: Montserrat wants to sing Exercises In Free Love[/u] so she gives it lyrics in Ensueno
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