jamster1111 28.11.2010 12:39 |
Here's my opinion: 1. Stockholm 78 2. Montreal 81 (the one on the DVD) 3. Rock In Rio 85 First Night 4. Hammersmith 1979 5. Buenos Aires 3/8/81 6. Newcastle 12/3/79 7. Stockholm 77 8. Stafford 78 9. Tokyo 5/8/85 10. Leeds 82 Thoughts? |
plumrach 28.11.2010 12:43 |
The Live at the bowl version is the best one for me |
neokaden 28.11.2010 17:31 |
1) Newcastle 3/12/1979 2) Hammersmith Odeon London: 26/12/1979 |
The Real Wizard 28.11.2010 18:33 |
Monterrey and Puebla 81 are excellent too.. |
Gregsynth 28.11.2010 21:27 |
I guess it depends on what your preferences are, and what you are looking for in the song: Here's a breakdown of some versions I've taken a liking to, and they are grouped into "recommended" categories based on credentials (not in any real order): RAW POWER: 1. Rio (1st Night) * Also on other category 2. Stuttgart 1984 3. Berlin 1984 4. Frankfurt 1984 5. Either Tokyo 1985 gig "HIGH NOTE" VERSIONS/STUDIO NOTE REPLICAS: 1. Newcastle 1979 (1st) 2. Newcastle 1979 (2nd) 3. Hammersmith 1979 4. Inglewood 1980 5. Oakland 1980 6. Sao Paulo 1981 (1st) 7. Edinburgh 1982 (1st) CREATIVE VOCAL IMPROVS/SOLOS: 1. Stockholm 1978 2. Copenhagen 1978 3. Philly 1977 4. Stafford 1978 5. Either Puebla 1981 gig 6. Monterrey 1981 7. New York 1977 (2nd) 8. Rio (1st night) SOULFUL/EMOTIONAL VERSIONS (usually either on the note phrasing, or the vocal improvs/solos) 1. Montreal 1981 (either night) 2. Milton Keynes 1982 3. Kassel 1982 OTHER VERSIONS THAT I LIKE (with explanations): 1. Buenos Aires (2nd gig): Has some raw power, awesome phrasing, and nails the bridge notes 2. Buenos Aires (3rd gig): Same as above + higher notes in the outro 3. Either Vienna 1982 version: Awesome phrasing + creative note interpretations 4. Munich 1982: Sounds like a mixture of the Crazy Tour versions (notes), 1981 versions (the improvs), and has Milton Keynes phrasing. 5. Leeds 1982: Very daring outro, it's pretty much like a more higher note/more daring version of the Milton Keynes performance. 6. New York 1978 (2nd night): Freddie is very creative with his note interpretations! |
formulaone+queenmad 28.11.2010 21:33 |
Best version without a doubt is 9/7/1984! Freddie hits them notes in a wonderful style :D |
jamster1111 28.11.2010 22:53 |
Haha Adam I swear you and 9/7/84 are gonna get married one day :D - But don't worry, I'll send you guys a gift ;) |
jamster1111 29.11.2010 10:45 |
Gregsynth: Yes, all those a great but I think Rock In Rio First Night is by far the most underrated. I never understood why people never pay attention to that version. To me, it is a much stronger and more emotional version than Milton Keynes |
Gregsynth 29.11.2010 14:36 |
As for the Milton Keynes vs Rio version: I'd tie them. Here's my breakdown: We're only going from the vocal intro to the 2nd chorus (since Rio's is shorter): Power: Rio Variety: Rio Phrasing: Milton Keynes Use of range: Tie (He shows off more range in the intro at Rio, but on the rest of the song, it's Milton Keynes) Sustain: Milton Keynes Emotions: Tie (Rio has more "heroic" emotion, while Milton Keynes has more "heart in it" emotion) |
MercuryArts 29.11.2010 15:56 |
I'll take MK in '82. I'd use that as the best representation of Freddie & Queen as a whole! |
marvinp01 29.11.2010 18:49 |
why hasnt anyone mentioned Copenhagen 1977? |
freddiefan91 30.11.2010 02:37 |
For Sheer emotion i would go with Live at the bowl |
Gregsynth 25.01.2011 12:59 |
Haha. I swear, the Milton Keynes version always gets mentioned! |
freddiefan91 25.01.2011 16:17 |
@marvin do u have a link to the copenhagen show? |
Gregsynth 25.01.2011 16:27 |
Here's Copenhagen 1977! |
freddiefan91 25.01.2011 16:54 |
Very good version mind you most things Queen do and are stil doing are pretty good!!! |
Thistle 25.01.2011 19:33 |
It is definitely MK Bowl '82! I also love the Earls Court '77 and Seattle '77 versions. |
Gregsynth 25.01.2011 20:06 |
WIth the exception of a few Jazz Tour versions, a couple Hot Space versions, and a few Works Tour versions, I think STL almost always sounded great live! I wish they kept it for The Magic Tour! |
plumrach 26.01.2011 02:44 |
The MK version is pretty damn good but Greg showed me a couple of others that he posted on facebook that were good as well maybe Greg you could post them on here as well???? |
Gregsynth 26.01.2011 12:30 |
I'll post them all! Which ones shall I post? |
Gregsynth 26.01.2011 12:40 |
Stockholm 1978 Newcastle (1st Night) 1979 Hammersmith 1979 Inglewood 1980 Oakland 1980 Monterrey 1981 Puebla (1st night) 1981 Montreal (1st Night) 1981 There's some awesome versions! |
plumrach 26.01.2011 15:08 |
I think 2 of those you posted greg were the ones you put on fb the other day, i shall have to check Somebody to love sung live just seems to bring out the best in the band as a whole |
Gregsynth 26.01.2011 15:53 |
I think it was the Puebla and Monterrey versions I posted on Facebook. For the best versions of the song--I'd have to say that almost every version from 1979-1982 is brilliant. There are versions outside that timeframe that have their moments, but in those 3 years, the song was at it's absolute best. Only two versions outside that timeframe could fit in a "prime live" era: Stockholm 1978, and the Rio version. The rest range from "bad" to "good." |
iluvqueen46 26.01.2011 20:48 |
Earls Court 1977 Live at the Bowl Rock in Rio |
Jasonite 27.01.2011 14:33 |
For me this is one of the great unanswerable questions. Partly because Freddie did just superb versions of this song all the time and they were always different, so it's largely a matter of taste. I'll just put my 3 favorite versions, in chronological order: Hammersmith '79 Montreal '81 Milton-Keynes '82 J |
Gregsynth 27.01.2011 16:37 |
Those versions are great! |
MC_Sandman 30.06.2015 21:57 |
Don't forget to consider: Houston 1977 (very in-sync vocal harmonies) Edinburgh 1982 (powerful and emotional, on par with Milton Keynes) Sun City 1984 (although tired, Freddie nails some very nice alternative notes and phrasings, sounds a bit like Montreal with the drums) Earls Court 1977 (best vocal improv section ever) Rock in Rio 2nd night (again, Freddie hits very pleasant alternate notes. My only prob with this is he can't hit the Ab4s and uses F4s instead) Vienna 1982 both nights (IMO, on par/BETTER than Milton Keynes, very nice phrasing and use of vibrato, combined with raw power and a whimsical throwback to the 1977 performances on the 1st night performances. You'll see what I mean; he doesn't syncopate "anybody find me" like he does after 1979) |
MC_Sandman 19.08.2015 00:48 |
I've decided to take my previously posted list (see directly above) and rework it with specific dates and in chronological order to make these easier to find and so people don't have to root through the deep, dark, forgotten corners of Greg's channel. A Day at the Races Tour: Copenhagen 5/12/1977 (Classic version with Freddie's Races voice. Also one of the few versions where he attempts sliding into the Bb4 from the sustained Ab4.) Bristol 5/23/1977 (Probably the best Races version, with a stronger slide on the sustained note at 1:25. Brian makes up some notes at the beginning of the guitar solo, but other than that this version is musically tight.) Earls Court 6/7/1977 (While the main part of the song is weak compared to other Races versions, the vocal improv section is amazing. John Deacon also showcases his rare singing voice by carrying the entire band through the middle section. A very pleasant surprise.) News of the World Tour: Houston 12/11/1977 (The tightest vocal harmonies ever displayed live. A must-listen.) Stockholm 4/12/1978 (Freddie goes for and hits most of the high notes in the studio, including the strongest sustained slide ever.) Copenhagen 4/13/1978 (While Freddie's vocals aren't as tight as they were at Stockholm, the band is musically tighter and they sound more in sync than at the previous gig.) Jazz Tour: Tokyo 4/23/1979 (Although tired, Freddie displays some interesting alternative note choices. The rest of the band is also on fire during this concert, more so than arguably any other recorded gig.) Crazy Tour: Newcastle 12/3/1979 (Another high note replica.) Newcastle 12/4/1979 (Do I need to explain this one?) The Game Tour: Montreal 11/25/1981 (Very soulful, with less heavy guitar and emphasized keyboards on the official release. Overall a very unique-sounding version, with a musicality unparalleled in other versions.) Hot Space Tour: Vienna 5/12/1982 (Freddie has a richer tone to his voice, which makes the vocal harmonies in this sound epic. Listen to the "find, me, somebody to love" section.) Vienna 5/13/1982 (This version, to me, embodies all Hot Space versions. Uptempo compared to past versions, with a more carefree and funloving atmosphere, Freddie doesn't sound nearly as strained on high notes as in the previous gig.) Edinburgh 6/1/1982 (More high notes. Essentially a more daring version of Milton Keynes.) Milton Keynes 6/5/1982 (What can I say? Everybody else has said everything. This one holds a special place in my heart because it is the first live version of StL I happened across and I was like "HOOOOOLY SHIT") Works Tour: Brussels 8/24/1984 (Freddie sings a Works Tour version with his Hot Space voice. He also hits the sustained Ab4 after the guitar solo like in the studio.) Birmingham 8/31/1984 (Freddie showcases his vibrato, the strongest it's been since the Crazy Tour.) Milan 9/14/1984 (At this point Freddie's voice is starting to degrade, so this is more of a sentimental pick. This is the last time I've found where Freddie uses his preferred Hot Space phrasing in the choruses.) Stuttgart 9/27/1984 (The audience atmosphere at this gig combined with the locked-in mentality of the band make this a must-listen.) Sun City 10/17/1984 (Freddie's voice is in much better shape than in previous gigs, and he can sustain a Ab4 after the guitar solo, like in the studio. As mentioned above, this version sounds a little like Montreal with emphasized piano and drums. My only issue with it is that beautiful introduction ruined by a bum piano note at the end.) Rio de Janeiro 1/12/1985 (Raw power, with excellent audience atmosphere and one of two Bb4s "...my hard-earned pay ALL on my own" on the Works Tour! Also the strongest Bb4s in "...Can barely STAND ON MY feet" and "...I ain't gonna FACE no defeat". Probably my favorite version of all time.) Tokyo 5/9/1985 (I'm not a big fan of this version because the song sounds kind of dead, but Freddie showcases great power and hits the Bb4 on "...hard-earned pay ALL on my own..." Tokyo 5/11/1985 (While he's weaker than previous Tokyo gigs, Freddie forgets to slow down in the piano lead-in. This gives it a weird quality of sounding like a Hot Space version with Freddie's Works Tour voice. Don't watch the official release, though. Freddie looks so tired it's unbelievable.) Osaka 5/15/1985 (Freddie's voice is really really husky. The only reason this version is on this list is because of one section: THE BRIDGE. Freddie uses a very nice alternative phrasing that is further complemented by his husky tone. Warning: will cause eargasms.) I know I'm probably going to get hate for not posting enough Crazy/Game Tour versions, but I personally can't stand the way he uses his vibrato on those tours. Combined with him sounding like a little kid on higher notes, I don't want to listen to those versions. |
brENsKi 19.08.2015 10:33 |
i like Copenhagen 77 and the USA gigs from 77; philly, seattle and chicago 78 |
MC_Sandman 19.08.2015 22:13 |
Don't forget to give the versions listed above a listen. |
Chief Mouse 20.08.2015 03:32 |
MC_Sandman wrote: Rio de Janeiro 1/12/1985 (Raw power, with excellent audience atmosphere and the only Bb4 "...my hard-earned pay ALL on my own" on the Works Tour!I also recall him doing that in Tokyo 5/9. |
MC_Sandman 20.08.2015 09:57 |
Chief Mouse wrote:Yes, he did. Sorry. I completely missed that version. I've edited my list to include it.MC_Sandman wrote: Rio de Janeiro 1/12/1985 (Raw power, with excellent audience atmosphere and the only Bb4 "...my hard-earned pay ALL on my own" on the Works Tour!I also recall him doing that in Tokyo 5/9. |
MC_Sandman 22.08.2015 23:16 |
ALSO, I'm going to write reviews on the cliche versions (the versions that get mentioned almost every time in a conversation about StL). Some of these were already in the list above, but I figured I'd just cover them all. Earls Court 6/7/1977 (Weak version; Freddie isn't in the greatest shape and isn't daring on notes. However, the vocal improv was great.) Stockholm 4/12/1978 (Strong version, with creative phrasing and studio high notes. Mentioned less than the other cliche versions, probably because it's a bootleg.) Hammersmith 12/26/1979 (Strong version with good vocals. My only problem is FREDDIE'S FRIGGIN VIBRATO USAGE, on every single note to the point where it's obnoxious.) Montreal 11/25/1981 (Strong version, with amazing musicality, but slightly out-of-sync vocal harmonies.) Milton Keynes 6/5/1982 (Strong version with soulful vocals and Freddie being daring on higher notes.) Tokyo 5/8/1985 (Meh version. The song sounds dead. It contains no energy and lacks the fun, carefree atmosphere of the earlier versions.) Tokyo 5/9/1985 (Meh version. As mentioned before, the song sounds dead.) |
MC_Sandman 30.08.2015 01:42 |
If you have an interest in any of the cliche versions listed above, I'm going to post versions you should also listen to. IF YOU LIKED Earls Court 6/7/1977, then listen to Copenhagen 5/12/1977. (Overall stronger version, with a sustained slide thrown into the middle. The band also sound less tired and more energetic.) IF YOU LIKED Stockholm 4/12/1978, then listen to Houston 12/11/1977. (While Freddie's vocals aren't as strong, this version is more steady and consistent, with easily discernable vocal harmonies.) IF YOU LIKED Hammersmith 12/16/1979, then listen to Newcastle 12/4/1979. (Freddie's vocals are much stronger at Newcastle, making this almost a studio-high note replica. Also, his vibrato is more subtle and less obnoxious.) IF YOU LIKED Montreal 11/25/1981, then listen to Sao Paulo 3/21/1981. (Freddie sings C5s and Bb4s all over the place at Sao Paulo. However, his voice is a little flatter, in keeping with his typical Game Tour phrasing.) IF YOU LIKED Milton Keynes 6/5/1982, then listen to Edinburgh 6/1/1982. (Edinburgh, as mentioned above, is essentially Milton Keynes with stronger/more frequent high notes.) IF YOU LIKED Tokyo 5/8/1985, then listen to Tokyo 5/11/1985. (Freddie doesn't have the same range as he does at 5/8, but sings a very playful version with more energy in his voice.) IF YOU LIKED Tokyo 5/9/1985, then listen to Nagoya 5/13/1985. (At 5/9, Freddie hits one Bb4 [...my hard-earned pay ALL on my own...], and at Nagoya, he nails the other one! Also, as above, Nagoya has more energy.) |
Oscar J 30.08.2015 07:45 |
Stockholm '78 is the best version ever. Freddie never sounded so excited singing it, before or after. |
brENsKi 30.08.2015 08:43 |
Oscar J wrote: Stockholm '78 is the best version ever. Freddie never sounded so excited singing it, before or after.good point. but surely it's not just about Freddie's performance...what about Roger/Bri's singing, their (the band's) playing? it's the whole that makes the perfroance |
Oscar J 30.08.2015 09:38 |
That's what I usually say too, but this particular song is all about Freddie IMO. Besides - the band sound pretty great too. |
Nitroboy 30.08.2015 09:52 |
Keep in mind that the Stockholm '78 on Greg's channel, is still running 25 cents too fast :P Also, instead of the Japan '85 versions, I'd suggest checking out the first Rio version. |
MC_Sandman 30.08.2015 19:59 |
Nitroboy wrote: Also, instead of the Japan '85 versions, I'd suggest checking out the first Rio version.Yeah, I don't know why I forgot that one. IF YOU LIKED Tokyo 5/8/1985, then listen to Rio 1/12/1985. (Studio high notes with unparalleled raw power. A serious candidate for best version ever.) |
MC_Sandman 30.08.2015 20:01 |
Oscar J wrote: That's what I usually say too, but this particular song is all about Freddie IMO. Besides - the band sound pretty great too.I agree. This song is Freddie's favorite Queen song, and since it's so vocally demanding, a disproportionately large part of this song is how Freddie sings it. The different phrasings he uses make each and every version unique, within certain criteria. While I agree that the rest of the band does contribute a lot to the sound of the song, most of that is Freddie's vocals. |
MC_Sandman 30.08.2015 20:05 |
Oscar J wrote: Stockholm '78 is the best version ever. Freddie never sounded so excited singing it, before or after.Most versions of Stockholm up on YouTube all have a speed problem in some form or another. The tape speed jumps around a lot, and as mentioned above, Greg's one is 25 cents fast. The increased tempo might contribute to the perceived increased energy in the song. While I don't mean to say that Stockholm isn't a unique version, I do think that if we had at normal speed, it would sound more like the other versions. That being said, I'm going to try and fix the speed. I'll upload it when I'm finished. EDIT: Never mind about uploading it. Queenzone is being stupid and won't let me upload it. I'll upload it on my channel and maybe ask Greg to upload it. My YouTube channel is here: link |
MC_Sandman 30.08.2015 20:47 |
Video here: link |
Nitroboy 31.08.2015 08:19 |
I uploaded the entire show slowed down 25 cents, and I don't hear any speed jumps in the show. It seems very consistent to me :) |
Holly2003 31.08.2015 09:08 |
It's odd, given the poor quality of most of these bootleg concerts, that anyone can say with any confidence that this or that version is "best". How can you possibly tell when the sound quality is so bad? |
MC_Sandman 01.09.2015 10:05 |
Holly2003 wrote: It's odd, given the poor quality of most of these bootleg concerts, that anyone can say with any confidence that this or that version is "best". How can you possibly tell when the sound quality is so bad?It's difficult to do. I personally don't have an ear for it. From what I've seen of his analyses, Greg has a really good ear for deciphering what's going on in bad quality bootlegs, except for the completely unlistenable ones (like Hannover 1984). Also, everyone is subject to bias; for example, I absolutely hate Freddie's Game Tour phrasing on this song, so I ruled out any Game version (except Montreal) as the best one. A lot of the concerts Greg has uploaded are actually soundboards, which are (usually) high-quality recordings taken by the band's actual mixing panel/soundboard. Bootlegs are more of a toss-up (Somebody to Horn is a great example of this. Check Greg's channel). However, most bootlegs are in listenable quality, and we can still accurately deduce what notes Freddie hits, or the emotion he puts in, or Brian's guitar work, etc. |
MC_Sandman 02.09.2015 22:49 |
More info on the different chorus phrasings: Normal phrasing: Unsyncopated, the only chorus phrasing used during every tour StL was on. First known usage: Richfield 1/23/1977 (first known Races recording, correct me if I'm wrong); last known usage: Brussels 8/24/1984. Good examples: Earls Court 6/7/1977, Stockholm 4/12/1978, Newcastle 12/4/1979, second and third choruses of Sao Paulo 3/20/1981, second and third choruses of Vienna 5/12/1982. Hot Space phrasing: The syllable "-body" in "Anybody find me" is syncopated. Used primarily during the Hot Space Tour and occasionally during The Game Tour. First known usage: Hammersmith 12/26/1979; last known usage: Munich 9/16/1984. Good examples: Hammersmith 12/26/1979, Vienna 5/13/1982, Edinburgh 6/1/1982, Edinburgh 6/2/1982, first and third choruses of Milton Keynes 6/5/1982. Works phrasing: The syllables"-body" and "find" in "Anybody find me" are syncopated. Used primarily during The Game Tour, on almost every performance in The Works Tour, and occasionally during the Hot Space Tour. First known usage: Inglewood 7/12/1980; last known usage: Osaka 5/15/1985 Good examples: First chorus of Sao Paulo 3/20/1981, Tokyo 5/8/1985, Tokyo 5/9/1985, Tokyo 5/11/1985, Nagoya 5/13/1985, Osaka 5/15/1985 |
MC_Sandman 07.09.2015 21:27 |
MC_Sandman wrote: IF YOU LIKED Montreal 11/25/1981, then listen to Sao Paulo 3/21/1981. (Freddie sings C5s and Bb4s all over the place at Sao Paulo. However, his voice is a little flatter, in keeping with his typical Game Tour phrasing.)I recently listened to the version of StL from 11/24/1981 and it seems likely that the Queen Rock Montreal DVD was studio-corrected, which saddens me; the 11/25 version used to be my all-time favorite. If you listen to 11/24 vs 11/25, Freddie's voice at 11/24 sounds younger and flatter on high notes, which is what he sounded like through the entire Game Tour. However, at 11/25, he sounds powerful and rich on higher notes, which is what he sounded like on the Hot Space Tour. This makes it likely that the DVD was studio-corrected during the Hot Space/Works recording sessions. |