Queen Discussion Thread
Jul 22, 2012 7:10:29 GMT -5
Post by talon on Jul 22, 2012 7:10:29 GMT -5
I think I will slowly go through the albums and give some background as I go - this project could keep me here for years! 
Pre-Queen
Roger Taylor was in several bands as a youngster including The Reaction, The New Reaction, Cousin Jacks, the Falcons, and the Bubblingover Boys. Recordings have surfaced from the Reaction sessions with the young boys covering rock and roll tracks.
THE REACTION - 1966 DEMOS
NOTE I Got You (I Feel Good) and In The Midnight Hour are the best as Roger sings lead vocals as well as drums. The rest feature a VERY old time singer - not my cup of tea...BUT it's some good old fashioned rock and roll and shows a very young Roger having some chops! Roger is 17 at the time of these demos! ALL are covers.
I Got You (I Feel Good) (JAMES BROWN COVER)
- Roger on vocals/drums
In The Midnight Hour (WILSON PICKETT COVER)
- Roger on vocals/drums
Buono Sera (LOUIS PRIMA COVER)
- Roger on drums
I'll Go Crazy (JAMES BROWN COVER)
- Roger on drums/backing vocals
Just A Little Bit (THE UNDERTAKERS COVER)
- Roger on drums
What's On Your Mind (SHELBY SMITH COVER)
- Roger on drums
Brian May was also in several bands such as 1984 and worked with others such as Left Handed Marriage. A demo done by 1984 has surfaced as well as a few recordings of Brian with LHM.
1984 DEMOS - 1967
NOTE - All feature 20 year old Brian on guitar.
Hold On I'm Coming (SAM & DAVE COVER)
Knock On Wood (EDDIE FLOYD COVER)
NSU (CREAM COVER)
HOW CAN IT BE (THE BIRDS COVER)
STEP ON ME TAKES 1 & 2 (ORIGINAL - BECAME A SMILE TRACK)
PURPLE HAZE (JIMI HENDRIX COVER)
OUR LOVE IS DRIFTING (PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND COVER)
REMEMBER (JIMI HENDRIX COVER)
SWEET WINE (CREAM COVER)
NOTE - 1984 also did demos of: Get Out Of My Life Woman (a Lee Dorsey cover), (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (a Rolling Stones cover), My Girl (a Temptations cover), Wonderful Land, Apache. FBI, The Rise And Fall of Flingel Blunt (the last 4 are Shadows covers), Bachelor Boy (a Cliff Richard track), Windy and Warm & Ram Bunk Shush (Ventures covers), Bo Diddley (a Buddy Holly version of the Bo Diddley track), Ain't That Peculiar (a Marvin Gaye cover), and Crying In The Rain (an Everly Brothers cover). None of these demos have leaked.
LEFT HANDED MARRIAGE DEMOS - 1967
NOTE - Brian recorded with his friends as a favor - these three tracks were originals by Bill Richards. They were officially released later on as bonus tracks of a Left Handed Marriage compilation. Brian only featured on these demos as he was never really part of the band, just helping to thicken the sound.
I NEED TIME
- Featuring Brian on guitar/backing vocals. He also received a writing credit on this one with Richards.
SHE WAS ONCE MY FRIEND
- Featuring Brian on guitar/backing vocals
APPOINTMENT
Left Handed Marriage also had demos for Give Me Time (Richards?),
Sugar Lump Girl (Richards?), Yours Sincerely (Richards?), and other demos of She Was Once My Friend (Richards) and I Need Time (Richards/May).
John Deacon was in a few bands as well notably, The Opposition, The New Opposition, Art, and a one gig effort with some friends in a band they called...Deacon. No recordings have surfaced from John's Pre-Queen efforts. The acetate that was recorded though was of three songs: Vehicle (an Ides of March cover), Sunny (a Bobby Herb cover), and Transit 3 (an original song - instrumental and named after the band's van).
Freddie Mercury was in a high school band called the Hectics and tried a few others such as Wreckage, Ibex, and Sour Milk Sea. A few bits and pieces have leaked from Wreckage and there is an almost complete concert from Ibex in 1969 which unfortunately cuts off the encore. What makes it double unfortunate is that Brian May and Roger Taylor were there and jumped on stage during said encore - making it the first time an organic version of Queen played together.
The only demos/recordings to leak from Freddie bands besides the Ibex concert to be discussed later were from one Freddie written song.
GREEN (1969 HOME REHEARSAL)
GREEN (ALTERNATE VERSIONS)
Wreckage did also record a version of Eric Clapton's version of Robert Johnson's Crossroads. They may have also recorded originals entitled, Blag-A-Blues, Boobie (which MAY have been a cover of Jeff Beck's song but it is unknown), Cancer On My Mind and F.E.W.A. (or Feelings Ended, Worn Away). They performed these live in concert certainly.
The last piece of the Pre-Queen cog is the band Smile. Formed from the ashes of 1984, Brian May and bassist/vocalist Tim Staffell wanted to form a new band. After advertising for a Ginger Baker type drummer, Roger auditioned and joined the band. The band had 2 recording sessions and recorded a few tracks. Those sessions have leaked.
The tracks included:
Earth
Written by: Tim Staffell
Produced by: John Anthony
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
unknown (Chris Smith?) - keyboards
- I love this track - there are versions I'll discuss later including one where Brian and Tim revisit it years later with Brian helping out on lead vocals.
Step On Me
Written by: Brian May and Tim Staffell
Produced by: John Anthony
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals, piano
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
- I also have the 1984 demo - PM me if you want to hear that - but I also think that's floating around on YT.
April Lady
Written by: Stanley Lucas
Produced by: Fritz Freyer
Musicians:
Brian May - vocals, guitars
Tim Staffell - bass guitar, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
- A record company request to record this song they didn't write. What's awesome about it though is Brian and Roger share lead vocals :D A great track.
Doin' All Right
SEE QUEEN
Polar Bear
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQa4EbGNMzs
[/youtube]
SEE QUEEN
Blag
Written by: Roger Taylor
Produced by: Fritz Freyer
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
- Less a song and more a jam session. Still some great drum work and the VERY first step towards Brian's iconic Brighton Rock guitar solo.
They also recorded a few unreleased items such as: See What A Fool I've Been (Later recorded by Queen)/If I Were A Carpenter/Silver Salmon (demoed by Queen later on).
Note: In 1992 at The Cross (Roger Taylor sideband) Christmas gig, Smile reunited for a few tracks.
During Smile's time their biggest fan was Tim's roomate. A roomate named Freddie who was never shy about what he would do if he were lead singer, etc. When Tim Staffell left after Smile's lack of success, Freddie stepped in and Queen began their rise. They went through a few bassists during the first year or so such as Mike Grose, Doug Bogie, and Barry Mitchell. Reportedly there is a gig at least partially recorded with Barry on bass but it has not leaked to the general public as of yet.
After a short time, John joined and Queen was solidified.
Now during the recording of Queen the boys were busy...especially Roger.
Roger's girlfriend at the time, Jill Johnson was in a band called The Famous Jug Band who were recording an album. Roger snuck on two tracks
DEEP MINOR RHYTHM
-Features Roger on percussion/backing vocals
WOULD YOU BELIEVE
-Features Roger on backing vocals.
There may be another track involving Roger and Jill but it is not on YT.
Furthermore Roger also guested with percussion/backing vocalsfor Al Stewart on:
ROAD TO MOSCOW
While in the studio, Freddie was approached by Robin Geoffrey Cable who was trying to recreate Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. He brought Brian and Roger in to help him on their cover of the Ronnettes/Beach Boys track:
I CAN HEAR MUSIC
Freddie then recorded a B-Side without Brian and Roger, a cover of Carole King/Dusty Springfields'
GOIN' BACK
- Used again at the end in a clip during Mother Love from the Made In Heaven album. Very innocent track from a still innocent Freddie...
Next time: Queen's first album - 1973 and the first track...Keep Yourself Alive
Pre-Queen
Roger Taylor was in several bands as a youngster including The Reaction, The New Reaction, Cousin Jacks, the Falcons, and the Bubblingover Boys. Recordings have surfaced from the Reaction sessions with the young boys covering rock and roll tracks.
THE REACTION - 1966 DEMOS
NOTE I Got You (I Feel Good) and In The Midnight Hour are the best as Roger sings lead vocals as well as drums. The rest feature a VERY old time singer - not my cup of tea...BUT it's some good old fashioned rock and roll and shows a very young Roger having some chops! Roger is 17 at the time of these demos! ALL are covers.
I Got You (I Feel Good) (JAMES BROWN COVER)
- Roger on vocals/drums
In The Midnight Hour (WILSON PICKETT COVER)
- Roger on vocals/drums
Buono Sera (LOUIS PRIMA COVER)
- Roger on drums
I'll Go Crazy (JAMES BROWN COVER)
- Roger on drums/backing vocals
Just A Little Bit (THE UNDERTAKERS COVER)
- Roger on drums
What's On Your Mind (SHELBY SMITH COVER)
- Roger on drums
Brian May was also in several bands such as 1984 and worked with others such as Left Handed Marriage. A demo done by 1984 has surfaced as well as a few recordings of Brian with LHM.
1984 DEMOS - 1967
NOTE - All feature 20 year old Brian on guitar.
Hold On I'm Coming (SAM & DAVE COVER)
Knock On Wood (EDDIE FLOYD COVER)
NSU (CREAM COVER)
HOW CAN IT BE (THE BIRDS COVER)
STEP ON ME TAKES 1 & 2 (ORIGINAL - BECAME A SMILE TRACK)
PURPLE HAZE (JIMI HENDRIX COVER)
OUR LOVE IS DRIFTING (PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND COVER)
REMEMBER (JIMI HENDRIX COVER)
SWEET WINE (CREAM COVER)
NOTE - 1984 also did demos of: Get Out Of My Life Woman (a Lee Dorsey cover), (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (a Rolling Stones cover), My Girl (a Temptations cover), Wonderful Land, Apache. FBI, The Rise And Fall of Flingel Blunt (the last 4 are Shadows covers), Bachelor Boy (a Cliff Richard track), Windy and Warm & Ram Bunk Shush (Ventures covers), Bo Diddley (a Buddy Holly version of the Bo Diddley track), Ain't That Peculiar (a Marvin Gaye cover), and Crying In The Rain (an Everly Brothers cover). None of these demos have leaked.
LEFT HANDED MARRIAGE DEMOS - 1967
NOTE - Brian recorded with his friends as a favor - these three tracks were originals by Bill Richards. They were officially released later on as bonus tracks of a Left Handed Marriage compilation. Brian only featured on these demos as he was never really part of the band, just helping to thicken the sound.
I NEED TIME
- Featuring Brian on guitar/backing vocals. He also received a writing credit on this one with Richards.
SHE WAS ONCE MY FRIEND
- Featuring Brian on guitar/backing vocals
APPOINTMENT
Left Handed Marriage also had demos for Give Me Time (Richards?),
Sugar Lump Girl (Richards?), Yours Sincerely (Richards?), and other demos of She Was Once My Friend (Richards) and I Need Time (Richards/May).
John Deacon was in a few bands as well notably, The Opposition, The New Opposition, Art, and a one gig effort with some friends in a band they called...Deacon. No recordings have surfaced from John's Pre-Queen efforts. The acetate that was recorded though was of three songs: Vehicle (an Ides of March cover), Sunny (a Bobby Herb cover), and Transit 3 (an original song - instrumental and named after the band's van).
Freddie Mercury was in a high school band called the Hectics and tried a few others such as Wreckage, Ibex, and Sour Milk Sea. A few bits and pieces have leaked from Wreckage and there is an almost complete concert from Ibex in 1969 which unfortunately cuts off the encore. What makes it double unfortunate is that Brian May and Roger Taylor were there and jumped on stage during said encore - making it the first time an organic version of Queen played together.
The only demos/recordings to leak from Freddie bands besides the Ibex concert to be discussed later were from one Freddie written song.
GREEN (1969 HOME REHEARSAL)
GREEN (ALTERNATE VERSIONS)
Wreckage did also record a version of Eric Clapton's version of Robert Johnson's Crossroads. They may have also recorded originals entitled, Blag-A-Blues, Boobie (which MAY have been a cover of Jeff Beck's song but it is unknown), Cancer On My Mind and F.E.W.A. (or Feelings Ended, Worn Away). They performed these live in concert certainly.
The last piece of the Pre-Queen cog is the band Smile. Formed from the ashes of 1984, Brian May and bassist/vocalist Tim Staffell wanted to form a new band. After advertising for a Ginger Baker type drummer, Roger auditioned and joined the band. The band had 2 recording sessions and recorded a few tracks. Those sessions have leaked.
The tracks included:
Earth
Written by: Tim Staffell
Produced by: John Anthony
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
unknown (Chris Smith?) - keyboards
I might be at a table
And suddenly I'll catch
A fleeting vision of her crystal seas
Or I might be standing in a crowded dockyard faraway
Underneath the sun I've never seen
'Cos I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
I might be chasing waves of light
Out towards the rim
Where stars are sparse
And the cold of space seeps in
Or I might be in a bar room
Drinking methylated gin
And thinking of the places I have been
Yes, I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
Cast adrift amongst the stars
I float from sun to sun
Dreaming of the world that gave me birth
All the places I have been
Remind me there is none
To match the cool green rolling hills of earth
'Cos I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
And suddenly I'll catch
A fleeting vision of her crystal seas
Or I might be standing in a crowded dockyard faraway
Underneath the sun I've never seen
'Cos I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
I might be chasing waves of light
Out towards the rim
Where stars are sparse
And the cold of space seeps in
Or I might be in a bar room
Drinking methylated gin
And thinking of the places I have been
Yes, I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
Cast adrift amongst the stars
I float from sun to sun
Dreaming of the world that gave me birth
All the places I have been
Remind me there is none
To match the cool green rolling hills of earth
'Cos I have seen many worlds
For what it's worth
But I'll never see again the planet earth, my earth
- I love this track - there are versions I'll discuss later including one where Brian and Tim revisit it years later with Brian helping out on lead vocals.
Step On Me
Written by: Brian May and Tim Staffell
Produced by: John Anthony
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals, piano
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
Know what I said when I saw you crying
Hang on that's for me
I was weak in the head, I believed your lying
You're just a bad memory
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Well I talked to your friend just the other day
I was lonely, couldn't raise a smile
And she hid a smile and she ain't like you
Been asleep for more than just a little while
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Step on me, step on me, step on me
Now it's so good I won't waste my time
On a two year old picture of you
Oh now that you're gone everything's fine
But you'll probably think that we're through
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Step on me, step on me, step on me
Now it's so good I won't waste my time
On a two year old picture of you
Now that you're gone everything's fine
But you'll probably think that we're through
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Never ever see she'd step on me
Hang on that's for me
I was weak in the head, I believed your lying
You're just a bad memory
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Well I talked to your friend just the other day
I was lonely, couldn't raise a smile
And she hid a smile and she ain't like you
Been asleep for more than just a little while
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Step on me, step on me, step on me
Now it's so good I won't waste my time
On a two year old picture of you
Oh now that you're gone everything's fine
But you'll probably think that we're through
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Step on me, step on me, step on me
Now it's so good I won't waste my time
On a two year old picture of you
Now that you're gone everything's fine
But you'll probably think that we're through
My life was going to be better, oooh
My why could I never ever see she'd step on me
Never ever see she'd step on me
- I also have the 1984 demo - PM me if you want to hear that - but I also think that's floating around on YT.
April Lady
Written by: Stanley Lucas
Produced by: Fritz Freyer
Musicians:
Brian May - vocals, guitars
Tim Staffell - bass guitar, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
She won our hearts, the arts she loved
Was painting pictures for free
When she was done she hung them up
For all the children to see
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
The children learned to read
She strung their beads
It's sorry she was the one
As you can see isn't she good
She don't leave nothing undone
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
She taught them all to love
She was their cream
And we don't want her to go
But we know too well
She fell in love
And there's no stopping her so
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
Goodbye, April lady
Goodbye, April lady
Goodbye
Was painting pictures for free
When she was done she hung them up
For all the children to see
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
The children learned to read
She strung their beads
It's sorry she was the one
As you can see isn't she good
She don't leave nothing undone
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
She taught them all to love
She was their cream
And we don't want her to go
But we know too well
She fell in love
And there's no stopping her so
Goodbye, April lady
It's been good to have you around
Goodbye, April lady
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
Goodbye, April lady
Goodbye, April lady
Goodbye
- A record company request to record this song they didn't write. What's awesome about it though is Brian and Roger share lead vocals :D A great track.
Doin' All Right
SEE QUEEN
Polar Bear
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQa4EbGNMzs
[/youtube]
SEE QUEEN
Blag
Written by: Roger Taylor
Produced by: Fritz Freyer
Musicians:
Tim Staffell - vocals, bass guitar
Brian May - guitars, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, vocals
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Take away my sunshine
You take away my rain
I can see it in your eye
There must be an answer somewhere (there must be a way)
You can find a way
I can see it in your eye
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Take away my sunshine
You take away my rain
I can see it in your eye
There must be an answer somewhere (there must be a way)
You can find a way
I can see it in your eye
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
- Less a song and more a jam session. Still some great drum work and the VERY first step towards Brian's iconic Brighton Rock guitar solo.
They also recorded a few unreleased items such as: See What A Fool I've Been (Later recorded by Queen)/If I Were A Carpenter/Silver Salmon (demoed by Queen later on).
Note: In 1992 at The Cross (Roger Taylor sideband) Christmas gig, Smile reunited for a few tracks.
During Smile's time their biggest fan was Tim's roomate. A roomate named Freddie who was never shy about what he would do if he were lead singer, etc. When Tim Staffell left after Smile's lack of success, Freddie stepped in and Queen began their rise. They went through a few bassists during the first year or so such as Mike Grose, Doug Bogie, and Barry Mitchell. Reportedly there is a gig at least partially recorded with Barry on bass but it has not leaked to the general public as of yet.
After a short time, John joined and Queen was solidified.
Now during the recording of Queen the boys were busy...especially Roger.
Roger's girlfriend at the time, Jill Johnson was in a band called The Famous Jug Band who were recording an album. Roger snuck on two tracks
DEEP MINOR RHYTHM
-Features Roger on percussion/backing vocals
WOULD YOU BELIEVE
-Features Roger on backing vocals.
There may be another track involving Roger and Jill but it is not on YT.
Furthermore Roger also guested with percussion/backing vocalsfor Al Stewart on:
ROAD TO MOSCOW
While in the studio, Freddie was approached by Robin Geoffrey Cable who was trying to recreate Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. He brought Brian and Roger in to help him on their cover of the Ronnettes/Beach Boys track:
I CAN HEAR MUSIC
This is the way I always dreamed it would be
The way that it is,oh,when you are holding me
I never had a love of my own
Maybe that's why when we're all alone
I can hear music
I can hear music
Sounds of the city baby seem to disappear
Oh well I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
Loving you it keeps me satisfied
And I can't explain,oh no,the way I'm feeling inside
You look at me we kiss and then
I close my eyes and here it comes again
I can hear music
I can hear music
Sounds of the city baby seem to disappear
Oh well I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
The way that it is,oh,when you are holding me
I never had a love of my own
Maybe that's why when we're all alone
I can hear music
I can hear music
Sounds of the city baby seem to disappear
Oh well I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
Loving you it keeps me satisfied
And I can't explain,oh no,the way I'm feeling inside
You look at me we kiss and then
I close my eyes and here it comes again
I can hear music
I can hear music
Sounds of the city baby seem to disappear
Oh well I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
I can hear music
Sweet sweet music
When ever you touch me baby
Whenever you're near
Freddie then recorded a B-Side without Brian and Roger, a cover of Carole King/Dusty Springfields'
GOIN' BACK
I think I'm going back
To the things I learnt so well in my youth
I think I'm returning to
Those days when I was young enough to know the truth
Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more colouring books
No Christmas bells to chime
But thinking young and growing older is no sin
And I can't play the game of life to win
I can recall a time
When I wasn't ashamed to reach out to a friend
And now I think I've got
A lot more than just my toys to lend
Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
And every day can be
My magic carpet ride
And I can play hide and seek with my fears
And live my days instead of counting my years
Then everyone debates
The true reality
I'd rather see the world
The way it used to be
A little bit of freedom's all we lack
So catch me if you can
I'm going back
To the things I learnt so well in my youth
I think I'm returning to
Those days when I was young enough to know the truth
Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more colouring books
No Christmas bells to chime
But thinking young and growing older is no sin
And I can't play the game of life to win
I can recall a time
When I wasn't ashamed to reach out to a friend
And now I think I've got
A lot more than just my toys to lend
Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
And every day can be
My magic carpet ride
And I can play hide and seek with my fears
And live my days instead of counting my years
Then everyone debates
The true reality
I'd rather see the world
The way it used to be
A little bit of freedom's all we lack
So catch me if you can
I'm going back
- Used again at the end in a clip during Mother Love from the Made In Heaven album. Very innocent track from a still innocent Freddie...
Next time: Queen's first album - 1973 and the first track...Keep Yourself Alive
But I want to start with a little background of the whole album first: