Barcelona is simply one of my favorite albums of all time. While brians and rogers solo stuff are good for a few listens before they collect dust, barcelona has become one of my favorites ever. is it me or is barcelona treated like queen albums, meaning it gets no respect from critics. it's some of the best work i'v ever heard from anyone, not to far away from Queen 2 or opera/races in excellence. What's your opinion on this?
I love Barcelona, and you're right, it really doesn't get enough attention. For such a unique collaboration, you'd think it'd be more praised by critics, but nobody seemed to care that much. Freddie and Montserrat sounded great together, and the lyrics were amazing. I like Brian and Roger's solo work, but Barcelona was such a departure from the regular Queen sound that it sort of seems more special.
I like it, and some songs in particular (title song, golden boy).
However, I don't really think that the collaboration did work out well. Freddie and Monserrat are mainly doing their own thing, and the interaction isn't all that great.
aren't you forgeting the great Mike Moran that actualy "just" co-wrote, produced and played all the instruments(apart from John's bass on "How Can I Go On")?
I would love if Mike Work again with Brian and Roger. It could give them(or the "new Queen album") a certain "freddie Flavour".
I love Barcelona, I'd put it in my Queen related top 3 along with Queen ll and A Day At The Races.
Had he lived and developed the concept, Freddie could have become a global star the like of which the world has never seen, developing a fan base crossing just about every genre of music conceivable.
Barcelona is a joy. Monserrat seems a bit out of place on certain songs, but who cares? I just wish they'd used a proper, full orchestra - the material and talent deserved it.
it was hard recording this for fred and moran becaues cabelle was in and out of the studio quick so they couldn't get it perfectly the way they wanted it, but still is totally original and the spanish version of exercise in free love" is amazing. acually both of those version are perfect, among my all time favorites from fred. I agree that mike moran did an excellent job on the piano, but i wish fred did a little more piano playing in those later days.
The instrumentals from Barcelona (in the FM solo boxset) sound so amazing without the vocals. The arrangements are incredible. I think if Freddie had lived he would have done another album with Montserrat. They were so good together!
I'm not a big fan of opera, but the album is OK. The best song is How Can I Go On.
deleted user 26.11.2004 17:41
akindofmagic wrote: aren't you forgeting the great Mike Moran that actualy "just" co-wrote, produced and played all the instruments(apart from John's bass on "How Can I Go On")?
I would love if Mike Work again with Brian and Roger. It could give them(or the "new Queen album") a certain "freddie Flavour".
There are more musicians on that album than just Mike Moran and John.
deleted user 26.11.2004 18:27
I dont mind the album. Its not my favorite. The best song on it in my opinion is probably, How Can I Go On.