I have just listened to the Newcastle version of Bohemian Rhapsody from 1979-12-04 and compared it to the version from the famous Hammersmith gig from the same year. I must say that his voice sounds very similar if you compare both versions, he reaches all the high notes which are very enjoyable. But most Queen Fans find the Newcastle version far more superior than any other live version. If I had to choose, I would choose the Hammersmith version.
What is your opinion about it?
It's a lot easier to pick out a bad Bo Rhap than it is to pick out a truly great one. When Freddie's voice was off for that song, it was OFF. See Live in Japan '82, Earl's Court '77, or virtually any performance on the Magic Tour for an example of times when he just wasn't hitting the notes.
Then again, when Freddie's voice was on for that song, it was ON. Hammersmith '75, Hammersmith '79, Newcastle '79, Milton Keynes '82 and Chicago '80 are the performances I believe were, vocally, Freddie's strongest. To pick the best one out of that lot would be nearly impossible for me.
Keep in mind that the strongest performance vocally doesn't always equal the best performance of the song. Freddie's vocals throughout the song at Wembley were thoroughly average (but only by his standards!)--he wasn't missing notes, but he wasn't trying for all the hard ones either--but there was a certain magic about that song, that night that keeps it up among my favorite performances of the piece.
Perhaps your opinion would change if Newcastle was in the same quality as Hammy 1979, the quality of a recording DOES make the performance seem better.
Thunderbolt<br><h6>Courtesy of God wrote:
Then again, when Freddie's voice was on for that song, it was ON. Hammersmith '75, Hammersmith '79, Newcastle '79, Milton Keynes '82 and Chicago '80 are the performances I believe were, vocally, Freddie's strongest. To pick the best one out of that lot would be nearly impossible for me.
It's the high note Freddie hits in Newcastle "...and leave me to DIE..." that makes a difference for most people. But in fact at borth shows he has a very clear voice, in Newcastle he hits the highs even a bit more effortless than in London.
But did you listen to BoRap from Leiden 1986? It's amazing, how great it sounds when the audience carries Freddie through the difficult parts. That more than makes up for his slightly forced voice. You can experience the same at the WATC video shoot in London 1977. Freddie lets the audience sing the high parts (almost) alone. Sounds fantastic!
Thunderbolt<br><h6>Courtesy of God wrote:
Then again, when Freddie's voice was on for that song, it was ON. Hammersmith '75, Hammersmith '79, Newcastle '79, Milton Keynes '82 and Chicago '80 are the performances I believe were, vocally, Freddie's strongest. To pick the best one out of that lot would be nearly impossible for me.
Hammersmith '75 was dreadful!
I second that. It wasn't by far he's great performance...
Yeah I actually really enjoy the frst night at Leiden in 1986, its probably the only time bar live aid he went for those high notes on both verses after the hot space tour.
I also really like the version in Edinburgh 82 where he hits the 'carry on' note.
Out Hammy and Newcastle, I'd probably pick Newcastle but both reat versions, though I tend to favor the powerful performances in the latter half of the Europe hot space tour most of all.
