QueenZone discussion #1184635
Innuendo vs hot Space
| mike hunt 08.06.2009 03:58 |
i heard time and time again that freddie's vocals are at it's best on Innuendo, but IMO hot space has better vocal performances. only 3 songs from Innuendo are superb vocally, the title track, don't try so hard and the show must go on. slightly mad is a diffucult track to sing, but hot space his voice is overall stronger. Cool cat, under pressure, action this day, staying power. I'm not saying hot space as an album is better or even close to equal to the great innuendo, I'm Just comparing vocals. The three albums freddie's voice peaked are "opera" "Notw" hot space. Barcelona is also among his best vocals. Then "races" and then Innuendo. |
| Bigfish 08.06.2009 04:42 |
I think Freds voice was very strong on Innuendo. Unfortunately he was singing like there was no tomorrow which obviously, for him, there wasn't. Despite some fine performances I think you can still hear the illness in his voice. Hot Space was a more healthy and youthful Fred close to peak of his powers. If I had to choose a period I would say that Jazz through to Space was is purple patch. Just listen to DUST, the brilliant performance on DON'T STOP ME or STAYING POWER to name a few. Also his best live performances come from this period. |
| Bigfish 08.06.2009 04:51 |
By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended. |
| onevsion 08.06.2009 05:44 |
When it comes to vocals I prefer Hot Space. Innuendo sounds fake to me. Pitched vocals I think. In terms of vocals, I think Queen's best concert tour was the Hot Space tour. The '80 and '81 tours where great too... |
| The Real Wizard 08.06.2009 11:24 |
I'd say these were Freddie's vocally strongest periods on stage... May 1977 December 1979 July 1980 December 1980 - November 1981 May - June 1982 As for albums, I agree, Hot Space was probably Freddie's strongest, with Jazz coming in as a close second. |
| Micrówave 08.06.2009 11:56 |
When it comes to vocals I prefer Hot Space. Innuendo sounds fake to me. Pitched vocals I think. I completely agree. Those vocals WERE altered. It was confirmed to me by Brian May. When else did Brian (and Roger for that matter) report that Freddie "never sounded better". They went out of their way to let us know that Freddie gave his best performance ever on the last album. Huh? Please Brian!!! Everyone, by now, knows just how ill Freddie was. Look at the videos. You're telling me THAT man was able to belt out better notes than ever? Truth is, they probably had to spend a lot of extra time fixing it without making Fred sound like Cher. Hot Space rocks. |
| on my way up 08.06.2009 12:40 |
Sir GH wrote: I'd say these were Freddie's vocally strongest periods on stage... May 1977 December 1979 July 1980 December 1980 - November 1981 May - June 1982 As for albums, I agree, Hot Space was probably Freddie's strongest, with Jazz coming in as a close second. Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)? |
| The Real Wizard 08.06.2009 12:52 |
on my way up wrote: Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)? I do. He was pretty spectacular at most of the 81 shows. |
| mike hunt 08.06.2009 13:08 |
interesting, I can't bring myself to say Innuendo was altered. he sang his heart out on that album, but I don't think it was his best. I still think A night at the opera has to be up there. Jazz?....some great performances, but the production makes his voice sound thinner than usual. hot space his voice is flawless, that's the reason why i stick up for that album. It's an enjoyable listen for me. Next up is a brian may thread. his best playing album. |
| on my way up 08.06.2009 14:54 |
Sir GH wrote:on my way up wrote: Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)?I do. He was pretty spectacular at most of the 81 shows. I agree;-) |
| ANAGRAMER 08.06.2009 15:54 |
GOOD THREAD! Yes, IMO Freddie's voice did peak around 80-82 He sounds a bit worn out on The Works - interviewed at the time (by Simon Bates) he does refer to the voice being more 'husky' The subsequent Works tour is even worse - the texture all but gone as he shouted most of the songs: Live in Rio a prime example AKOM suffers from the same 'shouted' vocal technique - when he reverted to actual singing, on Innuendo - it ws all there even though the vocal did sound a little thin and processed |
| marcenciels 08.06.2009 20:12 |
Hot space is a very strong vocal work by Freddie. i think that Jazz is as strong. it's the musical style that may be confusion to some ? anyhow, from about '78 to '82, he was in his zone. Innuendo... what was the order of recording these songs ? by dates. was he feeling good, not too tired ? studio tricks or not... he gave the best of whatever power he had left in his soul, on bad or better days. on that, i think we can all agree. |
| doxonrox 08.06.2009 20:18 |
Sure, he was in his prime around the Hot Space album, and he was dying during Innuendo. I think the odds were work in favor of Hot Space. That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out. |
| Sebastian 08.06.2009 21:59 |
doxonrox wrote: Sure, he was in his prime around the Hot Space album, and he was dying during Innuendo. I think the odds were work in favor of Hot Space. That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out. Very good point: the song matters a lot. A brilliant voice can be misspent on a shite song. |
| Back2TheLight 09.06.2009 00:50 |
Sorry, hate on me if you want...Innuendo was by far some of my favorite singing. No question he was in fine shape for Hot Space, but by the time Innuendo came around, he may have been dying, but even Brian May said he just got better and better. |
| Wolfmother 09.06.2009 00:55 |
personally, fred's voice was the best during the middle 70's, "opera" to "the game". beyond that his vocals seem almost secondary. Not to say they are any less potent, but they just don't seem as powerful or produced as his later stuff |
| mike hunt 09.06.2009 01:09 |
Sebastian wrote:doxonrox wrote: Sure, he was in his prime around the Hot Space album, and he was dying during Innuendo. I think the odds were work in favor of Hot Space. That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out.Very good point: the song matters a lot. A brilliant voice can be misspent on a shite song. shit songs of course is a matter of opinion. hot space isn't shit IMO, but isn't vintage Queen either. Mr. bad guy does have some of freds strongest vocals, but IMO most of the songs are shit, lol. |
| mike hunt 09.06.2009 01:14 |
bambams-paradise wrote: Sorry, hate on me if you want...Innuendo was by far some of my favorite singing. No question he was in fine shape for Hot Space, but by the time Innuendo came around, he may have been dying, but even Brian May said he just got better and better. lol, why would anyone hate on you?....Innuendo does have some great vocals, the show must go on is a brilliant performance. |
| The Real Wizard 09.06.2009 10:02 |
doxonrox wrote: That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out. Then the piano demos of those songs on the boxed set are essential listening. |
| Micrówave 09.06.2009 11:05 |
Yeah, doxonrox, Hot Space is shit. Ok, dude. Perhaps you could give us all an example of a better piece of falsetto singing than Cool Cat. I won't even limit you to Freddie. Pick anyone. Any song. That is if you even recognize the talent involved in falsetto. You're probably one of those guys that makes Aaron Neville jokes, even mixes in some goiter humor. C'mon man, you're a broken record. You keep being Mr. Classic Rock guy... maybe Boston will make another album for you. |
| doxonrox 09.06.2009 19:28 |
Micrówave wrote: Yeah, doxonrox, Hot Space is shit. Ok, dude. Perhaps you could give us all an example of a better piece of falsetto singing than Cool Cat. I won't even limit you to Freddie. Pick anyone. Any song. That is if you even recognize the talent involved in falsetto. You're probably one of those guys that makes Aaron Neville jokes, even mixes in some goiter humor. C'mon man, you're a broken record. You keep being Mr. Classic Rock guy... maybe Boston will make another album for you. Whoah, Micro. I didn't say shit songs - just bad. Relax, pal. It wasn't a personal attack. As far as your challenge, I present as evidence of better falsetto (drum roll please....) Exercises in Free Love! What do I win??? Hey, I agreed that his voice was great on that album. You know what's weird? Cool Cat came on my iPod on the way home! I listened to about half of it, and he does indeed sing great on that track. But the song? It's just OK - banal lyrics and nothing to really sink your teeth into. Innuendo benefits greatly from the emotional connection of the songs. Don't Try So Hard isn't the greatest song written, but I find it far more listenable than most of their 80's stuff. The Show Must Go On isn't the most original chord progression in the world, but good lord does it strike a chord due to the circumstances surrounding the it. Queen could always put a good song out there, but injecting heart felt meaning into a song wasn't their strong point. The writing on Innuendo, coupled with a man singing with his last ounce of life, gives it a very unique and emotional quality. What a pity that it took a tragedy to create it, but such is the beauty of the record. Now go throw on Dancer and Back Chat, shake your ass, and chill out! |
| mike hunt 10.06.2009 01:41 |
doxonrox wrote:Micrówave wrote: Yeah, doxonrox, Hot Space is shit. Ok, dude. Perhaps you could give us all an example of a better piece of falsetto singing than Cool Cat. I won't even limit you to Freddie. Pick anyone. Any song. That is if you even recognize the talent involved in falsetto. You're probably one of those guys that makes Aaron Neville jokes, even mixes in some goiter humor. C'mon man, you're a broken record. You keep being Mr. Classic Rock guy... maybe Boston will make another album for you.Whoah, Micro. I didn't say shit songs - just bad. Relax, pal. It wasn't a personal attack. As far as your challenge, I present as evidence of better falsetto (drum roll please....) Exercises in Free Love! What do I win??? Hey, I agreed that his voice was great on that album. You know what's weird? Cool Cat came on my iPod on the way home! I listened to about half of it, and he does indeed sing great on that track. But the song? It's just OK - banal lyrics and nothing to really sink your teeth into. Innuendo benefits greatly from the emotional connection of the songs. Don't Try So Hard isn't the greatest song written, but I find it far more listenable than most of their 80's stuff. The Show Must Go On isn't the most original chord progression in the world, but good lord does it strike a chord due to the circumstances surrounding the it. Queen could always put a good song out there, but injecting heart felt meaning into a song wasn't their strong point. The writing on Innuendo, coupled with a man singing with his last ounce of life, gives it a very unique and emotional quality. What a pity that it took a tragedy to create it, but such is the beauty of the record. Now go throw on Dancer and Back Chat, shake your ass, and chill out! it's all opinions, I used to hate cool cat, but now it's one of my favorites..... The vocals are amazing to say the least. The music has a laid back cool sound to it. I like it. I'm sure you mean heart felt lryics, and I agree. Innuendo makes up for all those years of making silly (sometimes intentional) lryics. Don't try so hard is a real gem, and excercise in free love is one of my all time favorites. |
| mike hunt 10.06.2009 01:47 |
Sir GH wrote:doxonrox wrote: That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out.Then the piano demos of those songs on the boxed set are essential listening. I wish I had that boxset, but waiting until the price goes down. I Heard most of the samples at least. |
| 7Innuendo7 10.06.2009 20:13 |
Hot Space overall sounds better on vocals -- Under Pressure is brilliant through and through, I agree with many of the previous posts -- but the songwriting is better on the Innuendo album, altho Delilah might benefit from some Hot Space funk ;) |
| i-Fred 11.06.2009 00:58 |
Bigfish wrote: I think Freds voice was very strong on Innuendo. Unfortunately he was singing like there was no tomorrow which obviously, for him, there wasn't. Despite some fine performances I think you can still hear the illness in his voice. Hot Space was a more healthy and youthful Fred close to peak of his powers. If I had to choose a period I would say that Jazz through to Space was is purple patch. Just listen to DUST, the brilliant performance on DON'T STOP ME or STAYING POWER to name a few. Also his best live performances come from this period. sorry Bigfish, you didn't spell "his" correctly. You left out the H. I wont say where it is. You can find that out. such a shame... |
| i-Fred 11.06.2009 04:59 |
Bigfish wrote: By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended. was pretty good in live Aid..... |
| john bodega 11.06.2009 07:49 |
Cool Cat is a great piece of work, vocally. If it weren't for "Pain is so Close to Pleasure" I'd say it's an avenue he should've explored further. |
| mike hunt 12.06.2009 07:34 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Cool Cat is a great piece of work, vocally. If it weren't for "Pain is so Close to Pleasure" I'd say it's an avenue he should've explored further. even musically it's cool, I like the song. Vocally brilliant, and 'pain is so close to pleasure' I agree with you. It should have never been released on a Queen album. |
| Bigfish 12.06.2009 07:40 |
Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Bigfish wrote: I think Freds voice was very strong on Innuendo. Unfortunately he was singing like there was no tomorrow which obviously, for him, there wasn't. Despite some fine performances I think you can still hear the illness in his voice. Hot Space was a more healthy and youthful Fred close to peak of his powers. If I had to choose a period I would say that Jazz through to Space was is purple patch. Just listen to DUST, the brilliant performance on DON'T STOP ME or STAYING POWER to name a few. Also his best live performances come from this period.sorry Bigfish, you didn't spell "his" correctly. You left out the H. I wont say where it is. You can find that out. such a shame... 1st certificate in a year - hm, I'm not so sure now. By the way, what IS your native language ? you never told me. I can manage Spanish or Japanese if that's any help. Honestly. "wont" - now that is obviously two words abbreviated from "will not" so you need a coma. It should be "won't" ok ? Still quite a few punctuation errors too - I don't know where to start really. By the way, any luck on the girlfriend front yet ? Might be a few like-minded ones on that Radiohead site I mentioned. |
| Bigfish 12.06.2009 07:44 |
Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Bigfish wrote: By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended.was pretty good in live Aid..... Yes, one off show. Gave it all for 20 mins, no need to save his voice, outside of punishing tour, a gram of coke, half a bottle of Stoli and Robert is your Dads brother.... I was offered a ticket for Live Aid. I said no. I had to work. (stupid boy). |
| i-Fred 13.06.2009 08:32 |
Bigfish wrote:Freddies Lunch Box wrote:1st certificate in a year - hm, I'm not so sure now. By the way, what IS your native language ? you never told me. I can manage Spanish or Japanese if that's any help. Honestly. "wont" - now that is obviously two words abbreviated from "will not" so you need a coma. It should be "won't" ok ? Still quite a few punctuation errors too - I don't know where to start really. By the way, any luck on the girlfriend front yet ? Might be a few like-minded ones on that Radiohead site I mentioned.Bigfish wrote: I think Freds voice was very strong on Innuendo. Unfortunately he was singing like there was no tomorrow which obviously, for him, there wasn't. Despite some fine performances I think you can still hear the illness in his voice. Hot Space was a more healthy and youthful Fred close to peak of his powers. If I had to choose a period I would say that Jazz through to Space was is purple patch. Just listen to DUST, the brilliant performance on DON'T STOP ME or STAYING POWER to name a few. Also his best live performances come from this period.sorry Bigfish, you didn't spell "his" correctly. You left out the H. I wont say where it is. You can find that out. such a shame... ehehe you make me smile.. |
| i-Fred 13.06.2009 08:34 |
Bigfish wrote:Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Yes, one off show. Gave it all for 20 mins, no need to save his voice, outside of punishing tour, a gram of coke, half a bottle of Stoli and Robert is your Dads brother.... I was offered a ticket for Live Aid. I said no. I had to work. (stupid boy).Bigfish wrote: By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended.was pretty good in live Aid..... dam.. I would of loved to of mocked you further, but you missed out on live aid... That's bad enough.... how ever did you live this down??? |
| Bigfish 15.06.2009 05:43 |
Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Bigfish wrote:dam.. I would of loved to of mocked you further, but you missed out on live aid... That's bad enough.... how ever did you live this down???Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Yes, one off show. Gave it all for 20 mins, no need to save his voice, outside of punishing tour, a gram of coke, half a bottle of Stoli and Robert is your Dads brother.... I was offered a ticket for Live Aid. I said no. I had to work. (stupid boy).Bigfish wrote: By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended.was pretty good in live Aid..... Wembley '86 cheered me up a bit. |
| i-Fred 15.06.2009 18:28 |
Bigfish wrote:Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Wembley '86 cheered me up a bit.Bigfish wrote:dam.. I would of loved to of mocked you further, but you missed out on live aid... That's bad enough.... how ever did you live this down???Freddies Lunch Box wrote:Yes, one off show. Gave it all for 20 mins, no need to save his voice, outside of punishing tour, a gram of coke, half a bottle of Stoli and Robert is your Dads brother.... I was offered a ticket for Live Aid. I said no. I had to work. (stupid boy).Bigfish wrote: By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended.was pretty good in live Aid..... hahaha,,, Good come back... I like it :) |