Queen Discussion Thread

Thank you!

OK. I am back in class. Not sure exactly how to say this but in this song while I agree there was a sweetness to those high notes, I felt there was also a little thinness. It is not going to be a practice of mine to say "Oh Freddie was great there but Adam would be better here" but there is a smooth continuity for Adam and a fullness even in head voice and falsetto. I kind of missed that here. My favorite part of this song were the instrumentals. Again, I need to listen a lot more and I will. I want to go back over all the songs we have reviewed so far.

The Night Comes Down

1. Not going to comment on vocals because I have no idea what a "flat" or "thin" voice means. Do I have the desire to learn which is which? Not really because it will still be over my head :D

2. What's important for me is how are the lyrics being delivered and the passion behind the delivery. That's why I can't listen to singers who mumbles or those who I can't understand what they are singing about :D What I admire most about FM and AL ... they can both deliver the lyrics clearly and passionately or fun if need be and I can hear it from their voice/delivery :D

3. Another thing that's important for me is does the music overall transport me someplace if I want to escape, just want to dream, or just enjoy it (or not) /make me happy or sad?

4. So having said all that, this particular song comments: I prefer the first recording you posted, Talon. Could be just be a better audio recording but the instrumentation seems to be more dominant compared to the 2nd one. I agree that FM's voice sounded really young so I assumed this was recorded when he was in late 20's or early 30's? Lyrically, it seems that he is trying to recapture/reminisce the younger/earlier days when he can be free and no inhibitions and now is living with difficulties/issues as an adult (don't know if I'm making sense here :D ) . I understand what he is trying to convey and the harmonies are outstanding. Overall
would this be something I would like to have in my iPod? Not really because the song overall does not seem to grab me but I agree with you that FM's voice sounds angelic . BTW, is the Lucy reference here is from Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds?

5. I may really sound too simplistic for you (music wise)

Today's song...

Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll

written by Roger Taylor

Musicians:
Roger Taylor - vocals, drums
Freddie Mercury - backing vocals, piano
Brian May - guitars
John Deacon - bass guitar
John Anthony - backing vocals





- The first non-Freddie or Brian song on a Queen album AND the first lead vocal by someone other than Freddie.

- Roger's writing, especially at the beginning was never very complex - he was the most likely to do some straight forward rock and roll for rock and roll's sake. That's not a bad thing at all as it makes for a nice break in the complexity.

- In fact this song actually reminds me of punk - years before punk became vogue!

- This was played live, sporadically as closer to the set with Freddie on lead vocals through 1975.

ALTERNATIVE RELEASED VERSIONS:

BBC SESSION #3


- ESSENTIAL listening.

- Released on Queen At The Beeb in 1989 in the UK and Queen At The BBC in 1995 in the US.

- A somewhat faster pace if possible, frenetic backing track with some additional vocals and guitar.

UNRELEASED VERSIONS:

BBC SESSION #4


- ESSENTIAL listening.

- My personal favorite version that is unreleased at this point. It was leaked though obviously A much slower more deliberate pace. There is some great guitar work here and additional Freddie backing vocals at the end.

UNRELEASED AND UNHEARD:

-Rumors of a "Rough Demo" have been bandied about. Not much is known.

LIVE VERSION:

LIVE AT THE RAINBOW - MARCH 1974


LIVE AT THE RAINBOW - NOV 1974


- Not too many great recordings exist, but it's worth a listen as Freddie is on lead vocals when it was done live. Awesome guitar work from Brian as usual.

PERSONAL NOTES:

- Again not one I listen to all the time, but a highly energetic number. Great for driving! Of course it's a very short drive Roger develops as he ages that's for certain but there is a definite youthful innocence here that can't be denied. Rebellious youth at it's best!


Next up, Queen goes bluesy and Brian begins to work out his eventual solo...in Son & Daughter

Thank you ng! Ogre Battle is upcoming soon!

Innuendo :wub: It goes between that, Queen II, and A Night At The Opera for my all time fav Queen album!

As for Tom Chaplin...I only saw him do one song with Queen at The Prince's Trust in 2010, but WOW what a song. I would love to see Tom do a whole show as well. And beyond that I think that after George Michael's performance at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, Tom's performance was the only one that's been unanimously praised by the hardcore fanbase.

I think it helped that they did a more "obscure" greatest hit (yes an oxymoron I know ) in "It's A Hard Life" (one of my favs)

He did perform last September with Queen at the Freddie For A Day tribute and did "It's A Hard Life" again and "The Show Must Go On" but nothing leaked from that show unfortunately.

His version of Under Pressure with Keane was also well done but not quite as jaw dropping