| rhyeking 10.08.2009 16:37 |
Hi Greg, I agree, things are slow. We discussed the heck out of The Cosmos Rocks, The Single's Boxes, etc. Publicly, Brian and Roger aren't terribly controversial. Neither of them are destroying hotel rooms, insulting heads of state or buying private islands and building fortress getaways on them. Here's my best attempt at an interesting Serious topic about Queen's music...I posted a similar thread years ago it was ignored in favour of the Queen is/isn't Roger+Brian topic. The Miracle album... Here's my analysis of the album and its related non-album tracks. I'm basing this on listening to the following: a) The original album b) Non-album B-sides + Hang On In There c) The bootlegs "Miracle Demos Medley" leaked years ago, supposedly played at a convention d) The Karaoke Mixes (from the Japanese 'Greatest Karaoke Hits') e) The eYe PC game audio trac f) various other leaked demos (Stealin', Hijack My Heart, Too Much Love Will Kill You, etc.) g) Extended Versions It seems this period was very fruitful, given how much non-album stuff is related to this work. First, looking some songs off the original album: 1) Party Not much to say about this, other than I'm guessing there's a master recording which isn't cut off before the end of "Over" with "Khashoggi's Ship." 2) Khashoggi's Ship The eYe instrumental excerpt starts with a drum lead in which doesn't appear on the album version, because the song jumps right in on top of "Party". I assume this two is on the master tape, used to mix the eYe. 3) The Miracle Am I the only one who hears the "Jam" at the end sounding different from the rest of the song. It comes in ok, but the cross-fade into the "That time will come" finale sounds awkward. Listen the drum beats overlap for a few seconds and you'll hear what I mean. I think that "Jam" comes from either another take of the song, or was just a jam the band did and liked and decided to use at the end (like using "A New Life Is Born" to start "Breakthru." 4) I Want It All I find it fascinating that there were two album master mixes of this song: the standard one and the one that appears on the Hollywood Records 1991 re-issue, with the truncated first chorus. I wonder how many other alternate masters are in the vault for other songs. 5) The Invisible Man Not much to say here either, other than that the extra middle-verse that has cropped up on bootlegs. I've only ever heard that snippet by itself, so a version with the full song + that extra bit would be sweet. 6) Breakthru We all know this was the marriage of the "A New Life Is Born" demo and "Breakthru." This, and other tracks I'll look at gives me more reason to suspect the earlier "Miracle" + "Jam" stitching-of together. 7) Rain Must Fall Nothing to analysis here, unless an alternate take surfaces. 8) Scandal Again, nothing to analyse here. I like the decision to move that opening vocal bit to the middle on the 12" Version. This album was really the last great exploration of Extended Versions and 12" Mixes for Queen. 9) My Baby Does Me The vocal on the album sounds so close in places to the vocal on the demo "My Baby Loves Me" that I occassionally wonder if the demo vocal was retained in places on the album version. 10) Was It All Worth It Does anyone else think the twinkly synths sound very close to the twinkly synths on "Hang On In There"? Which leads me too... Bonus Tracks/Non-album Tracks A) Hang On In There This track seems to have grown directly out of the so-called "Fiddly-Jam" that appears on The Miracle Demos Medley bootleg. I can even identify the exact passage used in "Hang On In There." My theory (I got a lot of them!) is that as the song was being created around that passage, the twinkly synths were employed from "Was It All Worth It" (not the same melody, but the same tone and, well, twinkly-ness). I've always thought of "Worth It" and "Hang On" as very musically/thematically connected, and I like that the one follows the other on the CD. B) Chinese Torture Anyone else frustrated that the version on The Miracle Demos Medley just sort of stops partway through this track? It's a bootleg, so we can't complain, huh? C) Stealin' Sounds like they cut down and re-editted the long 12-minute demo into the version that became the B-side. You can hear exactly all the parts that appear in the B-side. D) Hijack My Heart The dominant maracas in the bootleg demo drive me insane, to the point where I can barely listen to it. I like the piano at the end. E) My Life Has Been Saved Not much to say, except it's neat to hear two different backing tracks: the B-side version and the MIH version. It sound like they used the same piano sound from the MIH version of "Too Much Love Will Kill You" for the MIH "My Life..." Which brings us too... Other Miracle-related songs: I) Too Much Love Will Kill You The Bell Boy demos sound very much like the leaked Miracle session snippet and the eventual MIH version. It would seem MIH version is probably pretty close to how it would have sounded on the The Miracle. II) A New Life Is Born The version on the the Demos Medley is pretty much unfinished after the part used on "Breakthru". I wonder where Freddie planned to go with it before they decided to use it for the other song. III) I Guess We're Falling Out I don't think the demo actually starts with the backtrack of "My Baby Love Me," It sound like well-done, clever editing to me. The back radically changes on the word "Back" Okay...let's open this up for discussion, if it's deemed interesting enough! |
| The Fairy King 10.08.2009 17:35 |
Horrible analysis. |
| rhyeking 10.08.2009 23:31 |
Do better then. |
| Queen On Ice 11.08.2009 00:15 |
The Fairy King wrote: Horrible analysis. Without being rude, can I ask you why it is a horrible analasys? I ony ask because you don't seem to offer any reason why you think that. I think it was a very interesting post myself, and will come back later to offer my thoughts, but I have not heard ALL of those tracks - many, but not all. I just don't have the time for a post of that size right now :) |
| rhyeking 11.08.2009 12:00 |
I'd love to hear your thoughts, Queen On Ice, even if you aren't familiar with everything I've cited. If you have The Miracle album, that's as good a place to start as any. |
| Lookin' Divine In Good Ol' '89 11.08.2009 14:17 |
A similar thread should be made for each album. Very good and pretty informative for those of us w/o the time or resources to delve that deeply into the realm of studio bootlegs. Live, however, that is a very different story... |
| John Oswald 11.08.2009 14:19 |
Well to be honest I don't think so deeply about music lol I just say whether or not I enjoy the music and what I enjoy or don't enjoy about it to be honest. Occasionally I can give thoughtful contributions about a song or album but that's very rare [img=/images/smiley/msn/teeth_smile.gif][/img] |
| rhyeking 11.08.2009 14:26 |
I love dissecting songs, hearing different ideas that were used or rejected, or just seeing a song evolved over different versions and re-recordings. It makes me appreciate the song more. |
| John Oswald 11.08.2009 14:29 |
I hear what your saying rhyeking and I agree it does make it more interesting but I'm useless at stuff like that so I tend to make it short and sweet [img=/images/smiley/msn/tounge_smile.gif][/img] but I can do it sometimes lol |
| Lookin' Divine In Good Ol' '89 11.08.2009 14:45 |
I hate when people criticize a song or album. It music! Listen and love it! So what if the lyrics arent serious, etc.? As Paul McCartney said "It's the bloody Beatles White Album! Shut up!" Well thats what it should be like with Queen. |
| John Oswald 11.08.2009 14:57 |
If the songs/albums are good then I'm sure most people will just say that to be honest. I do anyways lol but if someone doesn't like a song/album they'll usually get asked why not ? kinda thing so then they obv feel they have to explain why and well blah blah blah basically lol. HAHAHA That was a much longer post than I meant lol hope you all got the gist of it though |
| JacquesDaniels 11.08.2009 15:10 |
I don't know what the basis of a "good analysis" should be, according to some of the Queenzoners, who obviously think they can do better than the person who started this topic, but I'd love to see some good substance for the objection to some posts. While the review/analysis wasn't much to write for, at least someone tried to give a thorough opinion of something he/she felt like worthy of such. I was thinking of writing a more thorough example of a good analysis for an album, but I'm too bored with you people. Nobody seems to give a damn about good opinions around here anyway. |
| Queen On Ice 11.08.2009 15:58 |
rhyeking wrote: I'd love to hear your thoughts, Queen On Ice, even if you aren't familiar with everything I've cited. If you have The Miracle album, that's as good a place to start as any. Thanks rhyeking, I will give it a go, I cannot say it with the same edge you do regarding WHAT is on each song, where it comes from etc., but I am happy to give my opinions of each song (as I know them) :) 1) Party I love the intro, the beat in infectuous immediately and the harmonies are great. I love the guitar sound and the whole feel of the song - very upbeat and exciting 2) Khashoggi's Ship When I first heard it in '89 I didn't know this was the start of a new song, because I had it on cassette only, but it is to me another great example of 'sister' songs by Queen - in the vein of WWRY/WATC - Biycle Race/FBG and FOTW/LOTV. I love both the opening tracks 3) The Miracle A song I have loved more in the past than I do now. I see your point with the 'jam' bit towards the end, and at first I found it strange and misfitting, but now I consider that part to be one of the band's greatest moments because it really does worl so well. lyrically it is a great song. 4) I Want It All Classic Queen Rocker of course, and I do prefer the original album version (though I have not heard the HR version so I compare it to the single edit). Fantastic vocal from Fred and nie to have a return to the Brian vocal part too. 5) The Invisible Man Strange tune. Too much like 'Ghostbusters at times LMAO. Not a Queen song I listen to a lot, and tends to be one I skip. Great solo though having said that. 6) Breakthru Again a song I loved forr the first few years of release, but it aged quickly for me - too poppy. Which is why I much prefer the 12" version, it has a rockier feel and then it becomes a great Queen classic again. 7) Rain Must Fall I have heard the Demo of this (on you tube) and was mighty impressed at what it became from that demo. I adore the feel of this song. Lyrically and meodically it feels like it could have beem on a much earlier album, but musically it is different, but GOOD different. 8) Scandal Not a favourite of mine at all. There is something about it, that even by Queen standards, is just a bit TOO much. Shame cos it is my girlfriend's favourite Queen song and she is as big a fan as me. 9) My Baby Does Me I love this song also - for me it goes well with Rain Must Fall. Great combination of Bass and Guitar, and the drums too. The vocals are nicely understated. 10) Was It All Worth It One of Queen's greatest tracks siince those early albums. Love it's size and shape, and that brilliant orchestral movement towards the end. Fantastic lyrically speaking, especially fitting as Freddie thought it might be the last released track on a Queen album in his lifetime (apparently) Bonus Tracks/Non-album Tracks A) Hang On In There I love this one too. Not too much to say about it, I kinda wish it was done 'properly' in terms of sound production because it kind of sounds like it was done on a cheap tape machine as opposed to the proper studio set up, but that could just be me. B) Chinese Torture I never could work this one out. What is it meant to be? I can accept it was just a 'jam' piece by Brian using his favourite chorus voice, but the fact that he has recreated it in a live situation tells me tere is a story behind it possibly, and I would kust like to nkow more. C) Stealin' I love this song, but have never heard the 12 minute version - did not even know there was one till I read your post rhyeking.. I would love to hear that though because I love the way the rhythm and style changes near the end (would it be Queen if otherwise?) D) Hijack My Heart Not one I am familiar with - have heard it once or twice on youtube but cannot remember too much about it. E) My Life Has Been Saved I prefer this demo version to the MIH version really. It sounds more 'real' and heartfelt musically. I realise the vocal is the same track and Brian replayed much of the guitar work, but still I prefer this version... Other Miracle-related songs: I) Too Much Love Will Kill You The only version I know of from this time is the shorter version which gets faded out after Fred's voice cracks. If I am honest I prefer Brian's version from BTTL and I am not keen on the eventual MIH version. II) A New Life Is Born Never heard more than te part that appears befroe breakthru on the album III) I Guess We're Falling Out Do not know it. QOI |
| joesilvey 11.08.2009 16:32 |
personally, I appreciate your original post very much, Rhyeking... I love this kind of analytical view of Queen's music... |
| The Fairy King 11.08.2009 18:21 |
Learn the definition of "analysis" and then we'll talk. |
| rhyeking 11.08.2009 19:38 |
From Dictionary.com a·nal·y·sis 1. the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (opposed to synthesis ). 2. this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations: the grammatical analysis of a sentence. 3. a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process: The paper published an analysis of the political situation. |
| rhyeking 11.08.2009 20:41 |
Replying to this post too, not because it's mine, but to clear out some erick mckay's painfully repetitious posts from the last 36 hours. Let me know if you're bothered by my doing this. |