| steven 35638 25.09.2007 15:29 |
Fellow Queenzoners, For a Speech Communication class I'm taking in college I have to present to the class something of interest to me. Thus, I have decided to take on the topic of Queen and their musical transitions from 1973 up until Freddie Mercury's death in 1991. I'm here to ask of you your perceptions as far as growth goes (music genres, not performances). Also, what do you think were their main influences? Where they lived, or musicians? It would be appreciated a great deal! I'm not trying to steal ideas. Rather, I'm trying to get some feedback and opinions from your everyday Queen fanatic. Thank you very much! Ramirez |
| steven 35638 25.09.2007 22:11 |
I honestly expected some feedback by now, but that's alright. I guess I'll give my interpretation on Queen's transition throughout the years and I'll leave it to you to disagree with or support me. 1973-1976 Queen, especially in their first two albums, had classical influences in their compositions. Of course, it's mainly Freddie Mercury. For example: My Fairy King and Nevermore. In their next three albums they introduced vaudeville into their musical spectrum (ex. Killer Queen and Seaside Rendezvous) along with mock opera (obviously Bohemian Rhapsody). Furthermore they introduced Japanese influence in their song Teo Torriate (some kind of scale, I forget it's name). They also experimented with waltzes (The Millionaire Waltz). All in all I think it's safe to say Queen were rather sophisticated and not afraid to experiment with different genres of music. 1977-1982 Queen, during this time period, sort of lost their more sophisticated approach. Of course, they had My Melancholy Blues and In Only Seven Days going for them, but after mentioning Sheer Heart Attack or even Mustapha I kind of question their geneous persona. They were experimenting, no doubt about it, but was the music better than their previous years? Blah. Who knows. It's a matter of opinion. Then we can go on into how they experimented with disco and funk. That's a huge controversial issue when it comes to Queen. It's just another aspect to their diversity in music. 1984-1991 During this time period Queen kind of returned to their roots in that they revisited the more sophisticated side to them. For example, in It's a Hard Life they went back into mock opera while in Who Wants To Live Forever they introduced an actual symphony. They would also introduce very epic tunes like Innuendo or Was It All Worth It. I could add more to this, but I think that's the basic idea. I welcome any feedback! |
| M.H 26.09.2007 01:15 |
Hmmm, good speech, you've pretty much covered it. But when I think about how their music changed over the years, I look at both time periods and albums, like what you've done. But I would make more emphises on particular changes in albums. Like for example, whilst the change into disco and more pop orientated songs started in earnest with Hot Space, it was The Game where it first started things like that. I cant really think at the momement, when I get home I'll write some more. I'm liking it now though=)) M.H |
| John S Stuart 26.09.2007 05:21 |
As once noted by PG (paraphrased): Isn't it great when a student is allowed to chose their own topic (Queen) - then expect everyone else to write it for them? |
| steven 35638 26.09.2007 09:46 |
John S Stuart wrote: As once noted by PG (paraphrased): Isn't it great when a student is allowed to chose their own topic (Queen) - then expect everyone else to write it for them?Must I repeat myself? I'm not here to 'steal ideas,' nor am I here to have you guys write the damn speech for me. What I'm interested in is reading what everybody else has to say about their musical transitions. It's a compare and contrast situation, nothing more and nothing less. Thus far I appreciate everybody else's input! |
| steven 35638 26.09.2007 09:51 |
.....ASSDUDE...... wrote: 1991 on wards and how there musis is still heard in todays offereings. For the people who dont think much of them, with out Queen certian bands and artists like Ben Folds Five, Boston, Blind Guardian Def Leppard The Darkness, Extreme Foo Fighters, The Germs, The Go Go's, Davey Havok, The Killers,Steve Vai, Green Day, Guns N' Roses,Helloween,Iron Maiden,Judas Priest,Kansas,Metallica,George Michael, Marilyn Manson, Kaiser Chiefs, Muse, Mika,]My Chemical Romance,] Nine Inch Nails, Panic! At The Disco, The Smashing Pumpkins, Switches, Max Cavalera Styx, Sweet, and Cesare Cremonini amongst others.I was definetly thinking about adding that in regards to Queen's legacy beforehand. It really is amazing how influential a band they were. I wonder if it's right to say the band 'inspired' a symphony...hence The Queen Symphony! |
| steven 35638 26.09.2007 10:00 |
M.H wrote: Hmmm, good speech, you've pretty much covered it. But when I think about how their music changed over the years, I look at both time periods and albums, like what you've done. But I would make more emphises on particular changes in albums. Like for example, whilst the change into disco and more pop orientated songs started in earnest with Hot Space, it was The Game where it first started things like that. I cant really think at the momement, when I get home I'll write some more. I'm liking it now though=)) M.HI'd love to make more emphasis on the transitions from album to album. However, I only have about five to ten minutes to do this speech, and even at that I still need to cover other aspects including their legacy and influences. |
| Swamp Dogg 28.09.2007 15:26 |
I would choose another subject. How about Principles of Fractal Geometry? Interesting stuff. |
| Donna13 28.09.2007 18:48 |
<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote:My first reaction is that your topic might be too esoteric. Also, it may be too broad to cover in an interesting way.John S Stuart wrote: As once noted by PG (paraphrased): Isn't it great when a student is allowed to chose their own topic (Queen) - then expect everyone else to write it for them?Must I repeat myself? I'm not here to 'steal ideas,' nor am I here to have you guys write the damn speech for me. What I'm interested in is reading what everybody else has to say about their musical transitions. It's a compare and contrast situation, nothing more and nothing less. Thus far I appreciate everybody else's input! If it is not too late to change, it might be better for you to talk about something that most of your classmates could more easily understand, such as the making of Bohemian Rhapsody, or the life of Freddie Mercury. In other words, take something that interests you, but make it more appropriate for a group of people with other interests. Are you allowed to play music as part of your presentation? That would be essential, I should think. But I wouldn't overdo the music either. Good luck. It always takes courage to get up in front of a class. Edit: For you, maybe Brian May would be a good topic. There are lots of interesting things you could do with that, such as playing his solos, discussing how he built his own guitar and what makes his sound different, his role in Queen, his recent accomplishments. From your perspective as a guitarist, I think people would feel your enthusiasm about the subject. You could even start the presentation with "Who recognizes this guitar solo?" and take it from there. Also, sorry, I did not see your thread in General Discussion until a few minutes ago. |
| steven 35638 29.09.2007 10:04 |
Donna13 wrote: My first reaction is that your topic might be too esoteric. Also, it may be too broad to cover in an interesting way.I did change it. I'm planning on focusing in on just three songs. Each one I want to have a different musical influence, such as Seaside Rendezvous (Vaudeville), It's A Hard Life (Operatic Introduction), and Bohemian Rhapsody (classical). Donna13 wrote: If it is not too late to change, it might be better for you to talk about something that most of your classmates could more easily understand, such as the making of Bohemian Rhapsody, or the life of Freddie Mercury. In other words, take something that interests you, but make it more appropriate for a group of people with other interests.Bohemian Rhapsody would seem like a good idea, but a tad skeptical on it. And Freddie Mercury's life would be way too hard to fit into just 5-7 minutes. None the less they were good ideas! Donna13 wrote: Are you allowed to play music as part of your presentation? That would be essential, I should think. But I wouldn't overdo the music either. Good luck. It always takes courage to get up in front of a class.Yes! We're allowed to play music. I'm thinking of playing maybe 30 seconds of each three songs. Maybe less for It's A Hard Life since the operatic opening is only about 10 seconds long. The hardest to fit into 30 seconds is going to be Bohemian Rhapsody, which I've yet to figure out. Just between you and me, I hate getting up in front of a class! It scares the shit out of me. Donna13 wrote: Edit: For you, maybe Brian May would be a good topic. There are lots of interesting things you could do with that, such as playing his solos, discussing how he built his own guitar and what makes his sound different, his role in Queen, his recent accomplishments. From your perspective as a guitarist, I think people would feel your enthusiasm about the subject. You could even start the presentation with "Who recognizes this guitar solo?" and take it from there. Also, sorry, I did not see your thread in General Discussion until a few minutes ago.That's a fantastic idea, but I'm not a guitarist. I'm not sure where you got that idea. I am a musician, but my instrument is the trumpet and I sometimes screw around on the piano. I must admit, that opening of a speech would be awesome. Maybe I could use that as an opening still? Who knows! Thanks for your help!!! |
| Donna13 29.09.2007 10:50 |
Sorry. I don't know where I got the idea you were a guitarist. I must have gotten mixed up about that a long time ago. Ha. Anyway, it is good that you have narrowed it to a discussion of three songs. That will be easier for your audience to understand and I think that will work well with your theme. Good luck. I think you will do well. |
| steven 35638 29.09.2007 11:34 |
Thank you! |