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Post by nica575 on Nov 15, 2013 19:20:00 GMT -5
Just a quick pop in on one of my days off to say YAY! Roger's new album and box set are out. I got the album and the box set is coming! Unfortunately in the US you'll have to import it...reportedly Hollywood is going to be releasing it at some point in the US but there is nothing firm in place. SO if you order from amazon.co.uk you can get it for relatively cheap still (at least the album - the box set has seen some delays here and there). I'm listening as I type and so far...it's awesome! I won't detail until I get there  but it seems to be quite a mature, reflective, laid back album with an occasional rocker. (The first track aside on maturity - One Night Stand) I am just so excited/happy everything you can think of to be hearing NEW music from a member of the Queen camp! (the Kerry Ellis stuff is not quite the same) The Box Set is a complete collection of all his solo work. All 5 of his solo albums, all 3 of his albums with the Cross, 4 bonus discs of single edits, non album tracks, live pieces, and even a few demos! AND a DVD of all his promo videos, some live pieces, etc. If only we could get a Queen set now... seems you love RT's album and the box set! It must be so exciting for you! What is the reaction among the Queen fans? Are they mostly receptive? Are they excited? Or is there a certain amount of the "usual" resentment that he spent time on his own album vs working on releising FM's old recordings.... |
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 16, 2013 7:51:12 GMT -5
I do love the new RT album! The idea behind the new album and box set were universally loved and receptive by Queen fans. There is NO resentment behind Roger working on his solo stuff - 95% of Queen fandom are happy with it. They are more happy about that than Brian/Kerry for example because it's more...purely Queen I guess. Unfortunately there WERE a TON of errors on the box set that seemed to pass through little to no quality control. Most fans blame the production company, some say with RT's name on it, the buck eventually has to stop with him so there's that BUT the company have made promises to fix the errors: Some noted was on a Life Changes on the Blue Rock album, the track suddenly stops 30 seconds before the end and then it starts up again from the beginning and then fades out. Very strange. There is also talk of some errors in track sequencing, track indexing, and even a wrong mix being used at one point. I have to agree there was some lax proofing. The box itself is also beautiful but there's a lot of typos as well! Sad. I don't even have the box set though yet as amazon ran out and are getting more soon. That's the good news, the demand for the box was MUCH more than anticipated. Even the official site ran out and have a new "release" date of 12/9. SO I'll get it eventually! AND part of me hopes I get the error so then I can eventually have both versions (Obsessed collector here  ) SO if there were at least far fewer errors on the box, than the fans would have been very happy indeed. The mix is good and there's a lot of stuff there. And fans are hoping this will lead to a Brian box and of course a Queen box. AS for RTs album itself...I LOVE it the more I listen to it. It is a quiet album. A lot of somber tunes, but they are magical still and the magic is definitely still there. I think ATOPPERS would probably really enjoy "Smile", "I Don't Care", "One Night Stand", and "Up" the most. I also really like "Be My Spark" and "Quality Street" I can't wait to get to discuss these in the anthology here! |
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 16, 2013 8:14:24 GMT -5
I Was Born To Love YouWritten by: Freddie Mercury Musicians: Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards Brian May - guitars, keyboards John Deacon - bass guitar Roger Taylor - drums, percussion - Issued as a single in Japan where it hit #45. It became more well known later on in abour 2004, after being in an advertisement. - Seems to be a Brian arrangement with a lot of extra guitars. - The ending has a few snippets taken from different tracks such as A Kind Of Magic[/b](Ha ha ha ha it's magic) and Freddie's solo Living On My Own (I get so lonely, lonely, lonely, yeah) ALTERNATIVE VIDEO VERSION- Part of the Made In Heaven Films project where young British filmmakers made short form films out of MIH songs. VINYL EDITPROMO EDITGREATEST HITS 2011 EDIT JAPAN- NO YT Vids. - NOT ESSENTIAL. They all are brief edits at the end of the song just in slightly different spots. FREDDIE'S SOLO VERSIONLIVE QPR IN JAPAN 2005- ESSENTIAL! I wish I could find the official release but it's been taken off YT. You really can't see it here but you hear it at least. - On their short Japan tour in 2005, it had just been a big hit again so Brian and Roger decided to give the Japanese fans a treat. So during the encore, Brian brought out an acoustic guitar and sings a verse and Roger comes out to sing a verse and it's just awesome. It reminds me of Brian's little dittys at Hammersmith. Fun version. QAL IN JAPAN 2014- ESSENTIAL! - Very nice version by Adam in Korea. The first time it was done live in full band form. PERSONAL NOTES: I LOVE this version more than Freddie's solo. A lot more guitars and it actually seems like they were jamming together when they recorded this (even though obviously they were not). NEXT? Queen dipped into Roger's solo career by remaking Heaven For Everyone[/b][/b]
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 17, 2013 3:43:52 GMT -5
Heaven For EveryoneWritten by: Roger Taylor Musicians: Freddie Mercury - lead vocals Brian May - guitars, backing vocals John Deacon - bass guitar Roger Taylor - drums, keyboards, backing vocals - Reportedly (but not confirmed) initially demoed as a Queen song during the A Kind Of Magic sessions. When it went unused Roger took it to The Cross during the Shove It sessions. Freddie sang a version fro The Cross then as well. - Brian is all over this track now really adding a lot of guitar and some vocals as well - The first single released off the album in the UK where it hit #2 ALTERNATE VERSIONS: THE CROSS VERSIONSSINGLE EDIT- NOT ESSENTIAL - Simply removes some instrumental and vocal adlibs to tighten it up VIDEO VERSION- NOT ESSENTIAL - Additional vocal line and missing drum beat PERSONAL NOTES: Another very nice later years Roger track that Freddie takes and runs with. But it is Brian that elevates this to amazing. Some great guitar work from the doctor and the choir backing vocals are phenomenal! NEXT? Now we dip into Brian's solo catalogue (although Queen DID try it first) with Too Much Love Will Kill You
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 18, 2013 7:44:37 GMT -5
Too Much Love WIll Kill YouWritten by: Brian May/Frank Musker/Elizabeth Lamers Musicians: Freddie Mercury - lead vocals Brian May - guitars, piano, backing vocals John Deacon - bass guitar Roger Taylor - drums David Richards - keyboard programming - Issued as a single in the UK where it hit #15 and in the US where it hit #118 - Initially demoed as a Queen song during The Miracle sessions before being abandoned. Resurrected by Brian for his Back To The Light sessions and then again for the Made In Heaven sessions. - Queen fans are torn on their favored version. Some fans prefer Freddie's more powerful vocals while some prefer Brian's more emotional take (given he lived the lyrics). ALTERNATE VERSIONS: BRIAN MAY VERSIONSVideo Version- A film by a young British director. - Adds more atmospheric sounds than anything. Promo Edit- For the US mainly, this is a bit of a butchering taking out a few lines of a verse so that it no longer even rhymes. Vocal Demo- From 1989 The Miracle sessions, this is one of the Freddie takes - slightly different from final version used. LIVE VERSIONS: QUEEN - APRIL 1992 - THE FREDDIE MERCURY TRIBUTE- The track makes it's debut. It's Brian and Spike. It is piano and vocals only. Brian gets quite emotional during the track however. QUEEN + LUCIANO PAVAROTTI - 2003- From Pavarotti and Friends in 2003, Queen did a short set. Brian performed it solo at a previous P&Friends set and Pavarotti noted how much he enjoyed the song. So he decided to sing it with Brian this time around. A great version even if Brian's voice is a bit dwarfed by the legend...it would have been interesting to see Freddie sing with the big man! QUEEN + KATIE MELUA - 2005- At the 46664 gig, Paul Rodgers took a brief respite while young singer/songwriter Katie Melua took lead on the track, the first and last time it was played on the QPR stage and the last time Queen (or Brian) has performed the song! PERSONAL NOTES: I am one who loves both versions equally for the same reasons Queen fans cite. You can never get better than a Freddie read but this song is so obviously personal for Brian. I'm glad we have both takes. I do however prefer the more organic piano sound of Brian's over the Doogie Howser keyboard on the Queen version. Next? A song with far too many remixes...the dancey You Don't Fool Me
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 21, 2013 7:57:56 GMT -5
You Don't Fool Me
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Brian May/Roger Taylor/John Deacon (with assist from producer David Richards)
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals
Brian May - guitars
John Deacon - bass guitar
Roger Taylor - drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals
- Issued as a single throughout all the clubs especially in Europe where it hit #17.
- Reportedly the whole song was taken from a very little bit of snippets and Dave Richards convinced the other three they could make a whole song out of it.
- Remixed...a lot for the clubs.
- Some liner notes for Greatest Hits 3 stated it harkened back to the Hot Space era misleading many Queen fans to think the demo came from those sessions which is not the case.
QUOTE:
"As I remember, the bare bones of this song (and they were VERY Bare!) were put down in the last sessions we did with Freddie in Montreux. When it came to piecing together Made In Heaven, David Richards was keen to make the fragments into a finished song. I wasn’t sure there was enough to work on! He got a long way with weaving textures, around the vocal sections we had, stretching things out a little. I think both Roger and John, who had a lot to do with those original fragments in the beginning, went in and added some ideas. There came a point where finally I got enthusiastic, and I spent a day or so, with Dave, putting down a lot of riffy ideas that came to me while listening to the rough so far. Dave then moved a lot of things around, and worked his magic…and then we all sat around and said, ‘Didn’t we just play that perfectly!’” – Brian May
Alternate:
DANCING DIVAZ MIXES
RHYTHM MIX HAS NO YT VID
- Some Spanish guitar added (not Brian) and a faster tempo
LATE MIX
DUB DANCE SINGLE HAS NO YT VID
- Remixed by David Richards, also contains live snippets from Live Aid
FREDDY BASTONE MIXES
QUEEN FOREVER HAS NO YT VID
- Some clips from Live Aid as well as White Man
- Freddy previously remixed Seven Seas of Rhye for the Queen II Hollywood remaster.
JAM & SPOOON MIXES
- There is also a mis-edit which chopped off the beginning.
DUTCH EDIT
- Chops off a bit of the track but works well as a single edit
FRENCH EDIT/VINYL EDIT
NO YT VID
- A better edit than the Dutch one but similar.
BS PROJECT REMIXES
- A repetitive remix with a lot of droney keyboard/electronic vocals
PERSONAL NOTES:
Well I could certainly do without the remixes. BUT the original version of the song is quite a feat given the lack of actual material and many fans will tell you that this is their favorite Brian solo of latterday Queen and I'd be hard pressed to argue. It's a great burst of energy in the middle of the track. Well done overall. It took a bit to grow on me but now it is one of my favorite tracks on the album! Next? The final song Freddie ever wrote...A Winter's Tale
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 22, 2013 7:52:25 GMT -5
A Winter's Tale
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals, keyboards
Brian May - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
John Deacon - bass guitar
Roger Taylor - drums, backing vocals
OFFICIAL VIDEO
FILMMAKERS VERSION
- Issued as a single that hit #6 in the UK.
- This was the last song that Freddie ever wrote - according to boyfriend Jim Hutton, it was written in the winter of 1990 in Montreux.
QUOTES:
“I love the last song he wrote, ‘A Winter’s Tale’. It doesn’t philosophize, it’s just about how beautiful life is. He wrote it one morning, beside the lake and looking at the mountains.” – Brian May – Daily Mirror – 2002
“Freddie mainly used the piano for songwriting, but there were times when he’d get inspiration when he wasn’t around his instrument. It could be any experience, a skate on the pond. One of the last songs he wrote, ‘A Winter’s Tale,’ was written purely sat looking out on the mountains from the other side of Lake Geneva. He could obviously hear it all in his head, although he didn’t have any musical instruments with him. I remember him coming into the stidup and saying, ‘I’ve got this idea…just give me a few minutes.’ Then he brought it to life. That’s a beautiful track, actually.” – Brian May – Classic Rock - 2011
ALTERNATE VERSIONS
COSY FIRESIDE MIX
- From the 2011 remasters, this is a slight remix that strips down a few of the ambient portions. Not a heckuva difference to be honest - mostly in mix.
PERSONAL NOTES:
What a way to go out! A wonderful, beautiful song from a man dying of AIDS. It amazes me how positive he remained throughout. Some great harmonies, some great guitar work. Just a great song. Next? It's A Beautiful Day (Reprise)
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 23, 2013 8:01:04 GMT -5
It's A Beautiful Day (Reprise)
Written by: Freddie Mercury/John Deacon
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - lead vocals, piano
Brian May - guitars, backing vocals
John Deacon - bass guitar, keyboards
Roger Taylor - drums, backing vocals
- Based on the same spontaneous idea but this one goes off into a far more rocking finale. It includes samples from Queen's first ever hit, Seven Seas Of Rhye and Brian doing an Indian sounding motif.
- The final "Yeah" is given it's own track for some unknown reason. The "Yeah" from all reports is a sample from Action This Day so no idea why it warrant's it's own track.
ALTERNATE VERSION
VINYL EDIT
NO YT VID
- Includes the "Yeah"
DEEP CUTS VERSION
- Also includes the "Yeah" and also trails out a bit slower.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Another nice way to go out and nice to have a bit more thunder at the end. The Seven Seas sample is a nice addition and overall it's a fun track. Next? Well the album tracklisting was done...but what is this hidden 22 minute ambient piece of music? An untitled experiment that has been given the simple monniker of Track 13
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talon
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Post by talon on Nov 24, 2013 19:02:43 GMT -5
Rest In Peace Freddie. Twenty two years and still missed. Tremendously.
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Post by talon on Nov 25, 2013 7:35:22 GMT -5
Track 13
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Brian May/Roger Taylor/John Deacon/David Richards
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - voice
Brian May - keyboards
Roger Taylor - keyboards
David Richards - keyboards
- Reportedly initiated by David Richards playing around with some sonic ambient sequences and Brian and Roger (John?) got a hold of it and added their own touches including some Freddie spoken word. Supposedly about the journey to heaven.
QUOTE:
"This was started by me having fun with the ASR10 sampler. I took the opening chords of ‘It’s A Beautiful Day’ and made them loop forever. Then I added some of Freddie talking through strange echoes. Brian and Roger heard it and came in to add some effects of their own and we thought of it as a surreal Requiem. It was the end of the album and we all were feeling very emotional.” – David Richards - 2001
PERSONAL NOTES: At 22 minutes this isn't a quick listen. BUT if you put the lights low, maybe light some candles and put some headphones on it works as a moving journey. It is very minimalist. Not a lot happens, but yet it works...I will warn you though at one point just when you might be lulled to complete relaxation, a big RT drum crash will shock your system! But the bits of Freddie speaking work well and it is just a nice epilogue...almost as if the band didn't want to leave...
It went unnamed for awhile with various names being bandied about. It never was officially named but it was slightly namechecked as Track 13 so that's what stuck. At the time, I always thought of it as "Transcendence"
NEXT? Brian did do some other studio work in 1995 so let's see what it is!
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but it seems to be quite a mature, reflective, laid back album with an occasional rocker. (The first track aside on maturity - One Night Stand) I am just so excited/happy everything you can think of to be hearing NEW music from a member of the Queen camp! (the Kerry Ellis stuff is not quite the same)
)