I watched some more Queen Extravaganza clips yesterday. Jeff Scott Soto's Dragon Attack is really good, as is his Bowie impression with Marc Martel on Under Pressure - best song of the set overall imo.
Whew...just got home :D Yes we had a great time, thanks for asking!
I saw QE in Boston and it was a helluva show. GREAT set list for the old school Queen fan. I love Jeff Scott Soto. I'll have to find it later but he did a whole Queen set of his own at a fan convention once. It was absolutely brilliant.
My favs from QE was the Lap of the Gods medley, Save Me, Somebody To Love, Under Pressure (agreed there) and Bohemian Rhapsody. REALLY high quality musicians! Hopefully they will tour again...after QAL comes to the US of course
Lynne - :D Excellent ! Almost totally different songs But both excellent!
I actually can't wait to start this project up again...tomorrow morning with the rare eclectic session track that was recorded at the time for the album, but wasn't released until 1991 as a B-Side! - Mad The Swine
I think you have a 50/50 shot of having QE over there. I think it will be awhile still though. I think it would do the South America/Japan runs first. At that point if it still has legs, I wouldn't be shocked although as the place MOST likely to get a real Queen show, it would probably wait until the end of the end
Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals, percussion Brian May - acoustic & electric guitars, backing vocals John Deacon - bass guitar Roger Taylor - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Been here before a long time ago But this time I wear no sandals Ages past I gave all you people Food and water
Three feet tall so very small I'm no trouble I bring thunder lightning sun and the rain For all the people in the land
A message of love I bring you from up above All good children gather around Come join your hands and sing along
They call me mad the swine I guess I'm mad the swine I've come to save you save you Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the Lord
I walk upon the water just as before I'll help the meek and the mild and believers and the blind And all the creatures great and small Let me take you to the river without a fall Oh and then one day you realise You're all the same within His eyes All I've come to say just like before
They call me mad the swine I'm mad the swine I've come to save you save you Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the Lord Oooh
Oh now So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the Lord Don't ever fail me
Mad the swine Mad the swine I've come to save you save you Oh now Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the Lord Hands and praise the Lord Praise the Lord I'll get down on my knees and praise the Lord
- Another of Freddie's religious explorations - perhaps this is one of the reasons it was left off. This though seems to have a few possible meanings. It may be trying to be a first hand account of being around Jesus' time surrounded by disbelievers. Another possibility is that it is Jesus' return and in today's time people just can't believe in a savior or something to that effect. It is very interesting that Freddie ISN'T Christian as he was certainly very interested in the faith at the time.
-This song was recorded in June of 1972 for inclusion on the first album and indeed it was reportedly slated to fall between 'Great King Rat' and 'My Fairy King' in the tracklisting. One of the main reason given for it being axed was Roger hating the drum sound. Supposedly though it began with the final drum roll of 'Great King Rat' which is why in this version it starts so abruptly and cuts off the 'I've" in "(I've) been here before)".
- Initially it would probably still remain in the band's vault (they are a bit stingy) but when Hollywood Records gained the Norhta American rights to the catalogue and remastered it in 1991 the band sent them the masters and on the master tape, this track was included. Hollywood decided to include it as a bonus track and the band decided that if they were going to use it, they should release it first in the UK where the remasters weren't getting released, they issued it on the B-Side of 'Headlong' a current single. If not for the mistake of sending it on, it may still be in the vaults - of course it may still have been released on the 2011 Island Remastering as well.
- Remixed by producer David Richards (who was the band's main producer for the last albums of the band's career) - although polished might be a better choice of word.
- There are no live versions or alternate versions.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- Another rare example of Queen going acoustic! More of a camp singalong type song with some nice vocals by Freddie...Despite the lyrics it has a real upbeat kind of feel to it. It would have added quite an alternative to the rest of the album which was more straight forward as a ROCK album.
- As it was cut, I'm not certain if the band ever did a final version and this demo should probably be considered un-finished and not to their usual level of perfection.
Great to be back! Next up is another demo from the time, Queen tackles the old Smile song, Polar Bear
Love that Freddie decided to include the teaser (stylistically innovative at that time ) although a slower tempo compared to the finalized version. I'm curious to see how the final version came about when you get to the 2nd album and how the song did.
Today we begin the venture into the tracks that have NOT been released from this session that have leaked over time. So obviously far less is KNOWN and more is conjecture. The first (of three posts to close out the Queen Sessions)...
Polar Bear
Written by: Tim Staffell and/or Brian May
Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals Brian May - guitar John Deacon - bass guitar (It is possible although HIGHLY unlikely that this was recorded with Barry Mitchell on bass. He doesn't remember any time they ever recorded but not all memories are perfect.) Roger Taylor - drums, percussion
-- NOTE for these lyrics, I actually added on the dialogue intro that was present during this particular demo as it's...entertaining.
Roger: We can't slow down Freddie: Ha, ha, right, take two Brian: I'm trying to slow it down Roger: Well it doesn't need slowing down, it's, God, it's creeping at the moment Freddie: Ha, ha, alright, try (Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian) Roger: God, it was so slow, and it was getting even slower. You always try to play this like I've never Freddie: Take two Unknown voice: You play the fucking twelve string Freddie: Take two, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha (Unknown dialogue in the background, probably from Brian) Roger: Alright then, all follow you (Some sort of 'hollering' noise in the background) Freddie: Right, take two
In a bright shop window sits a polar bear Makes his eyes light up but I don't see him there Among the tinsel he gives everyone a smile See him as you'd see a star Love her from where you are He's not for, not for, not for sale
Walk around the wild walks a pretty girl Someone like you've seen or by it's hard to tell Oooh, and when you see her light seem around the lie And see her as you'd see a star Love her from where you are Not for, not for, not for sale
And when the lights light up To warn the grasping hand Minor contentment wears a smile Ooohhh-wahh Not for, not for, not for sale Not for sale
- I have to believe Brian had some writing credit in it as the band were very much against having a co-writer outside the band for QUITE awhile (not counting Under Pressure with Bowie). BUT at the same time it is possible since they never released it. Perhaps it was just a rehearsal for a live attempt.
- Never played live.
- It is interesting to compare it to the original Smile Version.
ALTERNATE VERSIONS:
SMILE VERSION
- Very similar to the Queen version except Tim Staffell is on bass and vocals while Brian and Roger do backing vocals on this take.
- There are a few minor lyrical changes.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- I like Tim's voice but it's obviously that Freddie, even at this young untrained state, is out of Tim's league. However I wish we had the B&R backing vocals on the Queen version as well as Brian's guitar solo.
- Otherwise a very nice track, but the album certainly isn't lesser without it.
NEXT UP will be a 2-fer. I will be going into a demo that for the longest time was the most sought after Silver Salmon and as a bonus I will also discuss Feelings which seemed to spawn out of Silver Salmon despite it also being a precursor to a demo from the News Of The World sessions.
Now this one is nice, kind of reminds me of Waterloo Sunset! Is the tape speed too fast? Freddie sounds kinda... more high-pitched than usual. So does Roger but then when doesn't he? ;D
NG Regarding MTS - there is a little bit of a Beach Boys vibe. I'll give you that!
Regarding PB - Oooh...Waterloo Sunset - I never made the connection but now that you mention it! I believe the tape speed was definitely too fast. I've thought about trying to slow it down with some software but I haven't gotten around to it.
Interesting aside - the whole Billy Joel Cold Spring Harbor album was too fast giving us a high pitched Billy!
BTW for all "students" - Extra Credit.
For the sake of completeness - I went back to the PRE QUEEN post and added the Smile demos from YT for your listening pleasure. Feel free to skip but if you are interested - they are there. I could have gone all out and added the Reaction/1984/Wreckage stuff but I figure Smile with Roger/Brian together made a bit of sense as the immediate pre-Queen band.
If you don't want to go back I will highlight two tracks here:
April Lady - featuring Brian and Roger sharing lead vocals!
Blag - first Roger songwriting credit although it is more of a jam - it does show the first step of Brian's evolving Brighton Rock solo.
I also cleaned up the first QUEEN post to detail 2 things:
1. The fact that the band made it clear that they used NO SYNTHESIZERS on the album - a practice that would last until 1980's The Game.
2. I organized the Non- Album Tracks into a more easier to digest list.
Hmm perhaps I am going too fast now? Let me know I prefer to do the one a day type thing but if it's going to intimidate people I could back off? Again I don't mind if you interject comments about something 10 songs back or whatever
Today I'm actually throwing a curveball. In my ever evolving knowledge and placement within my own Queen Anthology, I've decided to move Silver Salmon and Feelings to later on in the sessions. They originated from this era but the leaked demos weren't recorded until 1977. I will update accordingly.
So instead I will END the Queen sessions today with a 2-fer....well more actually a 1 1/2er....
Hangman
Written by: Freddie Mercury/Brian May
Musicians: Freddie Mercury - vocals Brian May - guitars, vocals John Deacon - bass guitar Roger Taylor - drums, percussion, vocals
I know all about you They call you Mr. T You are a barber's son You've got the rope, feel me You use, you use rope that you believe Oh, oh, I tell you
Have you made any more pork pies for me? Hangman, says you make a very nice cup of tea, oh yes you do
Hangman, hangman, waiting for me Hang that rope from the highest tree I don't want to beg for mercy Hangman, hang me, hangman, hang me
I know all about you They call you, they call you Mr. C You did a very good job Oh, you'll go down, you'll go down, go down in history Baby, baby, I'm telling you
Have you made any more pies for me? Hangman, says they're very nice, they're very nice for me, oh yes they are nice
Hangman, hangman, waiting for me Hang that rope from the highest tree I don't want to beg for mercy Hangman, hang me, hang me Oooh
Hey
Hey, why do you keep calling, why do you keep calling Why do you keep calling me, oooh, why You'll go down, you'll go down, down and down in history Baby, baby, I'm telling you, ooooh You say you're afraid of dying You say, you're just tired of living, yeah
Now you say you're tired of living Hangman says he gonna let you go Now you say you're afraid of dying Hangman, he says he won't let you go Hangman, hang me Hangman, hang me Hangman, hang me Hangman Oh, gonna see me die Gonna watch me die Oh, gonna die, gonna die, gonna die, gonna die Gonna see me, see me die
You gonna come and watch me die Hey, ooh yeah Gonna come and watch me die on a Saturday morning Gonna come and watch me die on a Saturday morning Please don't let me go, no, please don't let me go Yeah, oh yeah (unknown lyric) on a Saturday morning Please don't let me go, no, please don't let me go, yeah Oh yeah, oh You'll die tomorrow
One, two, three, four, yeah, yeah Oh, let me die, please don't cry, don't cry Yeah, yeah, yeah Ohhh
- For a long time Queen Productions has denied that a studio version even existed although there are several live versions on bootlegs. The one above comes from 11/26/73 in Manchester.
- Despite the denials a very famous Queen collector has an acetate of a studio recording in his possession. It's not going to leak anytime soon and there is some tension between the collector and some parties at QP (over an issue where said collector loaned QP a copy of an Ibex concert (Freddie's pre-band) for usage on the massive Freddie box set and somehow someway, the tape was "lost".
-This was performed up through 1975 although always sporadically.
- According to another collector who asked Brian about it - Brian confirmed that he wrote the music and Freddie wrote the lyrics.
PERSONAL NOTES
- I love this hard rocking track although it does remind me a bit of Styx's Renegade. I wish I could hear a proper studio version!
--
Ok the other 1/2.
Well it has long been rumored that Queen recorded a rock and roll medley for the first album as well. This is something they closed all of their early gigs with. However it is not known whether the recording happened. More over it is not known if it did happen, which songs would take place. All of the following would be candidates with only 'Jailhouse Rock' being a sure thing as that ALWAYS happened and indeed they performed Jailhouse Rock through 1981:
Jailhouse Rock, Stupid Cupid, Be Bop A Lula, Tutti Frutti, Bama Lama Bama Loo, Big Spender.
The above example is from the famous 1975 Hammersmith gig. This particular incarnation:
Big Spender/Jailhouse Rock/Stupid Cupid/Be Bop A Lula/Jailhouse Rock Reprise (with bits of Shake Rattle and Roll)
PERSONAL NOTES:
- I always loved when the band fooled around like this
Ok next up will be...the beginning of QUEEN II which is probably MY personal favorite Queen album. Theatrical, conceptual, powerful, classical, and just plain good.
vivlite: We should call shoutbox, Atop 2! I didn't know there was a separate thread going on down here..I'll have to visit more often. I see posters here I don't see on the thread. I hope that doesn't mean you feel alienated on the main thread..
May 31, 2013 19:31:04 GMT -5
lorraine: I don't know what PM"d means and OI don't know how to post on the adamtopia thread> I am hopeless!!!
Jun 3, 2013 2:38:11 GMT -5
SophieB: Hi Lorraine!Have just seen your shout out. I'll try to help with my reply on page2 of today's thread.
Jun 3, 2013 5:17:47 GMT -5
lorraine: Thank you SophieB. I hope I have followed your instructions correctly and that you receive this message. I will also have to figure out how to post on the regular thread.
Jun 3, 2013 5:51:59 GMT -5
SophieB: Lorraine I sent you a second PM with those instructions in it...perhaps you didn't see it. It's there somewhere
Jun 3, 2013 9:50:46 GMT -5
vivlite: LOL...I sent Lorraine a PM too..look for a balloon above your messages. Or click on messages and any
Jun 3, 2013 17:53:07 GMT -5
vivlite: new ones will show up as NEW in purple. The balloon doesn't always work.
Jun 3, 2013 17:53:37 GMT -5
QueeenAl: Sometimes I am happy when a day or two on Atop passes me by .... THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM ...
Jun 7, 2013 15:40:44 GMT -5
halogirl: Hi! I just stumbled upon this webpage and registered......Now it's almost 2 a.m. I'm gonna get some shut eye for several hours. Good morning and I will do some shouting later if and when time allows this weekend.... I
Jun 8, 2013 0:41:47 GMT -5
halogirl: I'm watching ET late at night. They are showing Reese Witherspoon getting arrested. Embarrassing!.... I'd be too...only I don't drink. I missed part of it because I was busy writing this....I better get my hiney in bed and to sleep! Next nastiest feuds
Jun 8, 2013 0:47:03 GMT -5
thelambertluvva: Welcome, halogirl!
Jun 8, 2013 0:53:54 GMT -5
Q3: Proboards is aware of and working on the vanishing avatar problem. I will keep you posted.
Jun 9, 2013 9:39:46 GMT -5
vivlite: Q3..I posted on page 8 about Atop freezing this afternoon and I tried again later to log in. Took forever. I posted on the thread in case others are having trouble. Do you want us to PM you?
Jun 9, 2013 17:25:16 GMT -5
Q3: Viv -- I got it from the thread. On the list.
Jun 10, 2013 0:01:17 GMT -5
vivlite: Thanks, Q3!!!
Jun 10, 2013 12:27:22 GMT -5
mszue: I did not want to try editing my earlier post Q3 but I tried again on Safari, just now, and had no problem!! ~shrug....fyi
Jun 11, 2013 14:32:22 GMT -5
mszue: And then, when posting the shout out, I got an error message...with the lined out 'angry bear' message, but the shout posted....call me confused....but they need to seriously revisit their hiring criteria as they are not getting it right, at the moment! :(
Jun 11, 2013 14:35:39 GMT -5
Q3: They are working on the Member Search function -- if you are looking for someone use the page numbers to move thru to the person you want. That is working, database look-up is not working.
Jun 17, 2013 16:16:26 GMT -5
