talon
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Post by talon on Feb 11, 2013 7:07:29 GMT -5
Your Kind Of Lover
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer
Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar
Paul Vincent - guitars
Curt Cress - drums
Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
- A bit of dance rock with some unambiguous lyrics. This was the first song I believe Freddie did that admitted his bisexuality with lines like and .
- Not performed live.
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
STEVE BROWN MIX
- ESSENTIAL
- Like Steve's mix of Foolin' Around this is a keeper. It turns into a bit of a rave with some great extra scatting and piano. It works really well with what Freddie had originally created.
VOCAL & PIANO VERSION
- NOT ESSENTIAL but nice.
- Much like the I Was Born To Love You this is a simpler look at the song and you hear things you might have missed.
EARLY VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- Again I like seeing the process and seeing what Freddie got rid of. A ton of extra scattingm and singing with himself (multi-tracked). One of the best demos on the Freddie Box-Set.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Again this one would have benefitted from having the rest of the band on it, as it has a great framework. Excellent song, not so quite on the execution.
Next? Freddie is Mr. Bad Guy
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 12, 2013 10:20:48 GMT -5
Mr. Bad Guy
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer
Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar
Paul Vincent - guitars
Curt Cress - drums
Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
Rainer Pietsch - orchestral arrangement
Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
- Freddie realizes a dream and records with a full orchestra although it is not used to it's full potential. But it's a start to what Freddie would want to do in Barcelonadespite it's pop/rock beginnings.
- Not performed live
QUOTES:
- “There are a lot of musical territories I wanted to explore which I really couldn’t do with Queen. I wanted to cover such things as reggae rhythms and I’ve done a couple of tracks with an orchestra. It will have a very rich sound.” – Freddie Mercury – Record Mirror - 1984
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS:
MALOUF UK & US MIXES
- ESSENTIAL
- Made for the 1992 remixes, Brian Malouf has remixed a few Queen songs and really seems to know his way around them. He eschews the orchestra for the most part to make it a more full on rock song. While not quite as good as the original this is quite listenable. The differences between the UK and US mixes is that the US has less orchestra and a more definitive ending.
ORCHESTRA OUTTAKES
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Just some of the orchestra bits - short snippets really.
INSTRUMENTAL
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
EARLY VERSION
- ESSENTIAL
- Much like the previous early versions, there are many alternate lyrics, vocal takes, and simpler arrangements. Once again great to see the process.
BAD CIRCULATION MIX
- ESSENTIAL
- Basically a demo that is a bit further along than the Early Version but not quite to the final version. Was found after the 2000 Box Set so it was included on the 2006 Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs compilation.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Freddie wrote himself a theme song as he viewed how people saw him. As always it's a bit tongue in cheek and a bit self deprecating in that diva style. It's very fun and I wish I could have seen him do this live.
Next up? Freddie takes us to the most Queen like track on the album in Man Made Paradise
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 13, 2013 9:05:21 GMT -5
Man Made Paradise
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer
Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar
Paul Vincent - guitars
Curt Cress - drums
Jo Burt - Fretless bass
Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
- Initially written for The Works and a Queen version has been confirmed to exist (but not leaked) which would be interesting.
- While it is at home on Mr. Bad Guy it does have an amazing Queen-like outro, the type that seemed to be missing on this project.
UNRELEASED VERSION
DEMO (QUEEN?)
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- About 10 seconds that may be from the Hot Space sessions where the song was first started. It is unclear.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- A real underrated gem because of that ending. Such a sweeping orchestral by voice ending. Beautiful.
Next up? Another beautiful track originally meant for a Queen album, There Must Be More To Life Than This
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 14, 2013 10:43:52 GMT -5
There Must Be More To Life Than ThisWritten by: Freddie Mercury Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar Paul Vincent - guitars Curt Cress - drums Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming - Initially written to close out The Works album until Is This The World We Created ? was written. - It was then demoed with Michael Jackson as the two discussed doing a project together that ultimately was scrapped. - Again never performed live. - Rumors abound that John Deacon did a remix in 1996 that was intended for the 2000 box set. My own personal thought is that perhaps this was a track John had picked to work on for Made In Heaven (as it seems to me I Was Born To Love You was very Mayized while Made In Heaven seemed a very Taylor arrangement but for whatever reason it was not completed or left off... ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS: INSTRUMENTAL- NOT ESSENTIAL - From the solo collection, simply Freddie's instrumental version PIANO OUTTAKES- ESSENTIAL because it is amusing - Freddie having a difficult time with the piano run. UNRELEASED VERSIONS: DEMO WITH MICHAEL JACKSON- Freddie began working with Michael Jackson on a few tracks but eventually they had a falling out of some sorts. Rumors abound that Michael caught Freddie using cocaine and didn't want to be around it although others say that Freddie had a difficult time with Michael's eccentricities like having a llama in the studio. Freddie simply stated that Michael divorced himself from many of his friends and had become quite reclusive. - All in all it is a demo so unfinished but it would have been an interesting duet. - Brian and Roger have worked on this track to make it a Queen + Michael Jackson project and hopefully will be released in some format this year. PERSONAL NOTES: - A beautiful track, very simple, yet moving. I can understand why it was bumped for Is This The World We Created as both were very similar thematically. Next up? It's a big one - Living On My Own a posthumous Freddie #1 with billion remixes...
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 15, 2013 8:11:42 GMT -5
Living On My Own
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer
Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar
Paul Vincent - guitars
Curt Cress - drums
Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming
- A great dancy rock number full of scatting.
- Initially released as a single in 1985 in the US where it did not chart and in the UK where it hit #50.
- In 1993 about a year and a half after his death a remixed version was released in the UK and it hit #1.
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QUOTE:
- "Basically, if you listen to ‘Living On My Own’, that is very me; it’s living on my own but having fun…It can be a very lonely life, but I choose it and so, that song, it’s not dealing with people who are living on their own in sort of basement flats or things like that. It’s me living on my own, and…I’m not complaining. I’m just saying I’m living on my own and I’m having a bogey time. Does that make sense, honey?” – Freddie Mercury – 1985.
ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS
VIDEO/SINGLE EDIT
- ESSENTIAL as the video is funny.
- The video has footage from Freddie's 39th birthday where EVERYONE was supposed to come in drag...except the host. Brian makes an appearance at one point. It looks like quite the party.
EXTENDED
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Just adds some more instrumental bits
US 12" EXTENDED
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Same concept as the previous extended just built a bit differently
HYBRID EDIT
- ESSENTIAL
- Takes the song at two different points in their creation and splices them together for a mix of demos. It is a phenomenal version though with lots of extra scatting and fun.
JULIAN RAYMOND MIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- A dancy remix of the time
- Accidentally put on Queen + Greatest Hits III instead of the mix that actually went to #1.
ROGER S MIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Released as a later B-Side
- Not a good remix - it even has synching issues.
TECHNO MIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Similar to the Raymond mix to be honest
1993 RADIO MIX
- ESSENTIAL
- Remixed by No More Brothers
- This is the version that hit #1 in 1993, A great remix even if definitely early 90s
NO MORE BROTHERS MIX EXTENDED
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Much like the 1985 extended Freddie's original, this does the same extending of some instrumental sections.
CLUB MIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- No More Brothers version integrating steel drums
L.A. MIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Another No More Brothers mix.
DUB MIX
- ESSENTIAL
- Another No More Brothers riffing off their main remix but this is a fun one.
THE EGG REMIX
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- A 2006 dance remix with some additional material thrown in.
THE EGG EXTENDED DISCO DUB
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Just more of the Egg Remix.
ULTRATRAXX
NO YT VID
- NOT ESSENTIAL
- Another dancy remix.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- It's great because it's so personal. Freddie really exposed himself here a bit. But as always in his tongue in cheek fashion. A lot of fun.
NEXT UP: Freddie says My Love Is Dangerous
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 16, 2013 8:20:30 GMT -5
My Love Is DangerousWritten by: Freddie Mercury Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar Paul Vincent - guitars Curt Cress - drums Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming - Freddie cited this as something he wanted to do outside the Queen umbrella - a reggae sounding song. QUOTE: - "I haven’t actually analyzed myself and said, ‘Ok my love is dangerous’. I think after all these years I just feel I’m not a very good partner for anybody and I just think that’s what my love is. I think my love is dangerous. Who wants their love to be safe? Can you imagine writing a song called ‘My Love Is Safe’? It would never sell!” – Freddie Mercury - 1985 ALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS EXTENDED VERSION- NOT ESSENTIAL - Like most of the extended of the album, it merely extends the instrumental sections. EARLY VERSION- NOT ESSSENTIAL but interesting - An early demo with different lyrics and no tempo change. JEFF LORD ALGE MIX- ESSENTIAL - Turns the song from a reggae song to a blistering hard rocker. I don't know who added the guitar but it is smokin' at times. Also adds some Chris Cornell-like backing vocals. I LOVE this mix...actually being blasphmetic, I like it better than Freddie's original! PERSONAL NOTES: - I like the song, although I don't think Freddie's is fully fleshed out...and it isn't served well by his studio musicians but the template is there for a great song as the Alge mix shows. Next up is the end of the album (there are bonus tracks  ) And one of Freddie's most personal ballads ever, Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 17, 2013 7:58:31 GMT -5
Hello...is this thing on? Is there anybody out there? Love Me Like There's No TomorrowWritten by: Freddie Mercury Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, synthesizer Fred Mandel - piano, synthesizer, guitar Paul Vincent - guitars Curt Cress - drums Stephan Wissnet - bass guitar, Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming Mack - Fairlight, Kurzweil, drum programming - Issued as a UK single where it hit #76. - Written for German actress Barbara Valentin with whom Freddie was romantically involved with during this time period. He took the title from a film of hers called Kiss Me Like There's No TomorrowALTERNATE RELEASED VERSIONS EXTENDED VERSION- ESSENTIAL - A nice alternate beginning and a different ending. Does more than just repeat a few instrumental sections. INSTRUMENTAL VERSION- NOT ESSENTIAL - Just without Freddie's vocals. EARLY VERSION #1- ESSENTIAL - Very early on in the process - alternate lyrics, vocals & instruments. EARLY VERSION #2- NOT ESSSENTIAL - A snippet but it's closer to the final product EARLY VERSION #3- NOT ESSENTIAL but nice. - Much closer to final product, a few alternate lyrics and vocal takes. LIVE IN THE STUDIO TAKE- ESSENTIAL! - Instrumental as it is basically Freddie and his session men practicing the final take - the ending though is awesome as they do an impromptu uptempo jam which is quite fun to listen to. PERSONAL NOTES: - I love the track. It is a touch schmaltzy but it does seem very heartfelt. Freddie and Barbara had a very loving if tumultuous relationship. Towards the end of his life he initially shut her out but found he couldn't stay away and showed up one evening at her door. They remained very close. Next? We delve into the B-Sides from this album...the first Stop All The Fighting |
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Post by somedayoneday on Feb 17, 2013 14:54:57 GMT -5
Hello...is this thing on? Is there anybody out there? Hey! I'm still here and I'm always reading and enjoying your posts so much! thanks a lot for your efforts  but I think that this thread worked much better with the comments and the questions of the other users (and your great and exhaustive answers!), so where have all the others gone?? |
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gzkey
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Post by gzkey on Feb 17, 2013 17:36:23 GMT -5
Hello...is this thing on? Is there anybody out there? Hey! I'm still here and I'm always reading and enjoying your posts so much! thanks a lot for your efforts but I think that this thread worked much better with the comments and the questions of the other users (and your great and exhaustive answers!), so where have all the others gone?? I'm also here, but I use to do much more reading than writting. I'm so lazy... But I would like to thank you, Talon, for all the information you post here. It is great to have more information about those songs that I love and to discover some new material. For example, I new nothing about Roger solo work (such a bad fan) and I really like it. About the other users I surmise they are all in the main theads, since Adam have just started his solo tour. |
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talon
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Post by talon on Feb 18, 2013 7:43:57 GMT -5
:D
Thanks you two..good to see! I actually know there are readers as views keep going up but as you say someday it is better with a little more give and take. I can talk a bunch and educate but I love answering questions or getting other people's impressions.
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) And one of Freddie's most personal ballads ever, Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow
