QueenZone discussion #1254959
What is the best live version of Another One Bites The Dust (Debate Topic)
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 01:16 |
I've really been listening to this song throughout all the tours (The Game through the Magic Tours), and I was wondering what is the best version of the song live (overall)? Here's some nominees (chronological order): New York (9/28/1980): Freddie nails the whole first verse and chorus like the record (the phrasing) Brussels (12/13/1980): Freddie nails all the B4s in the song--and is one of the few versions where he does album phrasing on the chorus (he sings Another One Bites The Dust on G4, A4, B4--like a stair-step). Monterrey (10/9/1981): Freddie hits alot of the high notes + an awesome improv section (Back Chat) Montreal (11/25/1981): Freddie gets most of the notes--plus his tone is fantastic Vienna (5/12/1982): Similar to Montreal's version--plus Freddie hits a D5 in the first chorus (no joke) Mannheim (6/21/1986): Freddie does an awesome improv in the middle section. He also displays tons of chest power, and hits an ad-libbed C#5 in one of the chorus parts Munich (6/29/1986): Freddie nails all the B4s in the song + a very nice improv section Cologne (7/19/1986): All-round excellent performance Both Vienna gigs (both have awesome improv sections--the first Vienna has more high notes being hit) Budapest (7/27/1986): All-round excellent performance Knebworth (8/9/1986): Awesome performance, plus many fans high this version highly! DEBATE! |
| tcc 09.01.2011 02:17 |
I have read somewhere that the one performed at Knebworth (in the Live Magic album) is the best live performance of the song and I agree with it. |
| Rick 09.01.2011 06:38 |
I always liked the first night at Wembley version. They seem very relaxed and Deaky does some nice things when they 'improvise'. |
| Band Forever 09.01.2011 11:08 |
Buenos Aires 81 small clip shown on Rare Live Concert, excellent catchy version with guitars sounding a-mazing + Freddie and Roger too. Slash became the Brian May imitator with the tall hat. |
| The Real Wizard 09.01.2011 11:39 |
Knebworth... no contest. Freddie could never do the vocal line justice live (although sometimes he came close, as Greg has so thoroughly researched), so adding the crowd singalong was perfect for the song and the setting of the tour. And there was something magical about this last version... it's just so musical in every way. |
| jamster1111 09.01.2011 13:53 |
Bob: I totally disagree. Montreal (the one on the release) is by far the best version. He gets every note perfectly and cleanly with amazing precision. Plus it has a good improv as well. I've never heard any version where he sings it like that. Knebworth's is great but to me, no song is ever the best version when he was that deep voice. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 14:23 |
jamster1111 wrote: Bob: I totally disagree. Montreal (the one on the release) is by far the best version. He gets every note perfectly and cleanly with amazing precision. Plus it has a good improv as well. I've never heard any version where he sings it like that. Knebworth's is great but to me, no song is ever the best version when he was that deep voice. ====== Brussels is better. There he hits every note (plus has better phrasing). Montreal is the best "official version" though. |
| on my way up 09.01.2011 15:11 |
Not mentioned yet (I think): Buenos Aires 08/03/1981. I really like that version, great interaction with the audience (and lovely bass-sounds:-) |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 15:17 |
Isn't that the version where Maradona gets introduced? That's also a great version! |
| The Real Wizard 09.01.2011 18:20 |
There's much more to a performance than what notes a singer hits. If that's all you guys are looking at when rating performances, you're completely missing the point of what live music is all about. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 18:29 |
Sir GH wrote: There's much more to a performance than what notes a singer hits. If that's all you guys are looking at when rating performances, you're completely missing the point of what live music is all about. ====== Which is why I think most of the best versions (and some of my favorite versions) are from the Magic Tour. They have awesome improv sections. The way I judge best versions (you can hear this on the Skype debates), is by a criteria (not in order): 1. Freddie's vocal phrasing 2. Comparisons to other live versions (better solo, better improv, etc) 3. Studio comparisons 4. Freddie's note choices/interpretations |
| Wes90 09.01.2011 18:30 |
I don't like montreal version, it sounds overdubbed a lot, i mean in some parts you can actually hear two freddie voices together, at least that's what i hear. I mean he's in great shape, but the part "hey gonna get you too another one bites the dust" sounds clearly overdubbed/effected. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 18:32 |
Wes90 wrote: I don't like montreal version, it sounds overdubbed a lot, i mean in some parts you can actually hear two freddie voices together, at least that's what i hear. ======== Interesting. What parts sound overdubbed? |
| Wes90 09.01.2011 18:34 |
Gregsynth wrote: Wes90 wrote: I don't like montreal version, it sounds overdubbed a lot, i mean in some parts you can actually hear two freddie voices together, at least that's what i hear. ======== Interesting. What parts sound overdubbed? ======== I just edited the post, i hear it when he sings "hey gonna get you too another one bites the dust". But it's not that he doesn't hit the note, it just makes it stronger. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 18:41 |
Here's Montreal's version: I'm listening to the parts you mentioned. I only hear Freddie and Roger sing that part, but what's interesting is that, he's doing the line with that same "aggressive" tone that he did on Bohemian Rhapsody (which turned out to be overdubbed vocals--as pointed out by Bad Seed, and the Audience Recording/We Will Rock You release). I guess it could go either way! |
| Wes90 09.01.2011 18:46 |
Gregsynth wrote: Here's Montreal's version: I'm listening to the parts you mentioned. I only hear Freddie and Roger sing that part, but what's interesting is that, he's doing the line with that same "aggressive" tone that he did on Bohemian Rhapsody (which turned out to be overdubbed vocals--as pointed out by Bad Seed, and the Audience Recording/We Will Rock You release). I guess it could go either way! ====== I don't think that one you hear is roger, at least i don't hear roger, it sounds like freddie himself, as you said singing it with more aggressiveness. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 19:02 |
I guess it's possible that Freddie overdubbed it (on top of his original vocal). Maybe Bad Seed can help us! |
| jamster1111 09.01.2011 20:12 |
That song is not overdubbed. Listen to the audience recording from the other night, he sings it just as well. And I never said best performances of songs are not about just what Freddie hits. The reason why I think Montreal has the best version is because the whole song itself sounds great and it is one of the only versions I've heard where Freddie hits all the B4's perfectly with such precision. Sure the magic tour versions are classic but this version I have to say has the best vocal performance. And no I don't judge based solely off of what Freddie hits. If I went off that note, I'd love the game tour over the Opera tour! (which i obviously don't). |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 20:39 |
I thought you loved those obnoxious versions of songs on The Game Tour? :D |
| jamster1111 09.01.2011 20:53 |
Nope. :D |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 20:57 |
Yeah, like fucking Killer Queen with G4 and A4s in the verses! haha |
| jamster1111 09.01.2011 22:46 |
It's not the killer queens that bother me. I think they are good. It's the borhaps. |
| Gregsynth 09.01.2011 22:50 |
Like singing the whole lines on Bb4 (in one breath)! haha |
| Bad Seed 10.01.2011 05:29 |
Would have to say Knebworth. Thought this song really peaked on the Magic tour. As for Montreal, I really don't know? Would love to think Freddie was thinking no more gig's for 5 months, I'm gonna go for it! However I think a hell of a lot of AOBTD is dubbed. It sound's strange from the very first line to me, it sounds like he's singing in a controlled environment. If I listen without watching, I picture him singing in a studio rather than in front of 18000, if anyone understands what I mean? It also has that 'aggresive' style he used on the songs we are pretty sure he overdubbed. |
| koldweather123 10.01.2011 09:49 |
It is very agressive, then again Freddie sang it in a very similar way in Vienna 82 as well...so who knows! As for my fav, man thats a tough call, numerous 86 versions could win it, I love the first Vienna show. However I'd give it to Mannheim, simply because its in stunning quality, and it was the first time that improv section was done and you could just see it developing right before your eyes, its one of those very rare times with queen where something totally unrehersed bloomed on the stage. Knebworth is really neat as well, video really shows the amazing energy Freddie had in that performance, its grand! |
| jamster1111 10.01.2011 12:51 |
I'm pretty sure another one bites the dust from montreal isn't dubbed. Just because he sings it in an aggressive, clean way doesn't mean it's dubbed. He sings it in a similar fashion the night before and at Vienna the following year. |
| Thrill Yeti 10.01.2011 12:52 |
I really like first Vienna, so I'd probably choose that, but to be honest most of the magic tour versions are brilliant, the song just came alive. Was there something about Freddie's magic tour voice that suited that song, because he seems to cope with it surpisingly well vocally considering his often less than perfect voice on the Magic Tour (B4's on gigs where he sounds like he would be incapable of hitting them)? |
| Gregsynth 25.01.2011 01:10 |
Thrill Yeti wrote: I really like first Vienna, so I'd probably choose that, but to be honest most of the magic tour versions are brilliant, the song just came alive. Was there something about Freddie's magic tour voice that suited that song, because he seems to cope with it surpisingly well vocally considering his often less than perfect voice on the Magic Tour (B4's on gigs where he sounds like he would be incapable of hitting them)? ======== Because Freddie became a much better singer as he got older. I know there's people that disagree on Freddie's tone (70s voice was better, etc), but on a pure singing/technical level, his voice kept getting better and better. Songs like Another One Bites The Dust just show you how his voice just improved over the years. On every Magic Tour version, Freddie always nails B4s during the song (even on Zurich, Wembley, Marbella, etc), while on previous tours, he'd either miss them, or sing a lower note (with the exception of a handful of versions). This can also be applied to Tear It Up: Almost every Works Tour version has him missing notes, modulating down, cracking, squealing, etc. While on the Magic Tour, about 90% of the versions kick ass (he actually hits the freaking notes)! On a related note, In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited was vocally superior on the Magic Tour than any version from 1975-1977. The reason behind that is because Freddie always hit the falsetto parts during the 1986 tour--rather than singing an octave down. Best version on the tour is Brussels 1986: He doesn't yelp or shout the lines "so funny" and "my money." In addition, he sings closed vowels during that song--which is rare for him--and very difficult to do. |
| Gregsynth 12.06.2011 16:04 |
The consensus that I've been seeing, is that Magic Tour versions are often considered to be the best versions (and I agree)! I'm still trying to find the best version on the Magic Tour. I've seen Mannheim, Cologne, Vienna, Frejus, and Knebworth get thrown around! |
| Gregsynth 12.06.2011 16:10 |
Bad Seed wrote: Would have to say Knebworth. Thought this song really peaked on the Magic tour. As for Montreal, I really don't know? Would love to think Freddie was thinking no more gig's for 5 months, I'm gonna go for it! However I think a hell of a lot of AOBTD is dubbed. It sound's strange from the very first line to me, it sounds like he's singing in a controlled environment. If I listen without watching, I picture him singing in a studio rather than in front of 18000, if anyone understands what I mean? It also has that 'aggresive' style he used on the songs we are pretty sure he overdubbed. ============================ Hmmm, I'm listening to the song--and you're right, his tone matches the "dubbed vocal" tone. |
| madprofessorus 17.06.2011 07:57 |
For me,is the performance on the Montreal in 1981,basically if you are watching the video you forget all the vocal details,Freddie sure give a great performance on stage,he can easily...turn you on for real! |
| Gregsynth 01.08.2011 00:24 |
Yeah, gotta love Freddie's outfit during Montreal 1981 (the short shorts)! Frejus 1986 is another awesome version--not only does the improv sound awesome, but Freddie aces B4s (as usual during the tour), but he actually hits that "standing on my own two FEET" B4! Pretty neat and rare! |
| bigV 01.08.2011 09:08 |
I've always had a soft spot for this version. The band are playing really tight and Freddie looks so camp in that robe. The Stadthalle shows have always been great. V. |
| Gregsynth 01.08.2011 11:51 |
That's an awesome version. That's probably the best one on the whole Hot Space Tour! |
| Djdownsy 01.08.2011 14:25 |
bigV wrote: I've always had a soft spot for this version. The band are playing really tight and Freddie looks so camp in that robe. The Stadthalle shows have always been great. V. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd consider this my favourite version. Freddie nails the majority of the high notes, as you said the band are really tight, the rapport with the audience is excellent. Yeah, my favourite, or one of them anyway. ;-) |
| Gregsynth 01.08.2011 14:35 |
Vienna is a favorite of mine! Another excellent (and creative) version has to be Hamburg! Hamburg has to be one of the most underrated gigs on the tour! |
| Gregsynth 01.08.2011 14:42 |
This version is also interesting: That first of the song (the first verse and chorus), has to be the closest to the record version I've heard. The phrasing is pretty close! |
| Gregsynth 01.08.2011 14:48 |
This one is probably my favorite on the North American 1980 leg. Very nice guitar work by Brian, and some very interesting phrasing by Freddie! |
| Djdownsy 02.08.2011 06:15 |
Gregsynth wrote: This version is also interesting: That first of the song (the first verse and chorus), has to be the closest to the record version I've heard. The phrasing is pretty close! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Love when Brian uses his guitar harmoniser for the middle of this song. Much better than GDML. |
| Djdownsy 02.08.2011 06:22 |
Gregsynth wrote: This one is probably my favorite on the North American 1980 leg. Very nice guitar work by Brian, and some very interesting phrasing by Freddie! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow, you're right about Freddie. He's very 'into' it this particular night, isn't he? |
| Gregsynth 03.08.2011 01:12 |
Djdownsy wrote: Gregsynth wrote: This one is probably my favorite on the North American 1980 leg. Very nice guitar work by Brian, and some very interesting phrasing by Freddie! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow, you're right about Freddie. He's very 'into' it this particular night, isn't he? ========== Yeah, it's really nice when he's in the 4th octave (along with Roger)! Shame it's an incomplete recording of Providence! Someone on Youtube made a very good comment about Providence's Dust: "This is? maybe the best version that i've ever heard.. I talk about high notes and range very often, but what is really important is the timbre and voice's beauty.. And here Dr. May did a wonderfull work in the first verse!" |
| The Real Wizard 03.08.2011 11:41 |
A major upgrade to Providence '80 is going to come out soon ... stay tuned ! |
| Gregsynth 03.08.2011 14:02 |
Fuck yes! |
| The Real Wizard 03.08.2011 14:51 |
You're gonna love this one. It's not quite in Milwaukee or Chicago territory, but you'll be pleased. |
| Gregsynth 03.08.2011 20:46 |
Well, it's the best we've got! And any upgrade to an existing concert is always great! Imagine the New York 1980 concerts in that quality! :D |
| Gregsynth 26.10.2011 02:27 |
Gotta love the Works Tour versions (with those bad drums)! :) |
| 1sharppencil 26.10.2011 03:51 |
my vote goes to....Mexico! |
| Gregsynth 04.11.2011 02:58 |
I love those versions (Monterrey and Puebla)! |
| CosmosTales 26.11.2012 01:42 |
In my opinion the best versions are in the Magic Tour, the audience makes the difference in this tour i like the first Vienna 86, Mannheim version and both Wembley, especially Freddie's attitude and Brian small solo at the first night, in the second night the crowd is amazing and then there is of course my fav: the version of Knebworth Park that is awesome. |
| Gregsynth 26.11.2012 02:10 |
CosmosTales wrote: In my opinion the best versions are in the Magic Tour, the audience makes the difference in this tour i like the first Vienna 86, Mannheim version and both Wembley, especially Freddie's attitude and Brian small solo at the first night, in the second night the crowd is amazing and then there is of course my fav: the version of Knebworth Park that is awesome.Frejus is also fantastic! |
| CosmosTales 26.11.2012 02:24 |
Yes i noticed that, his voice is in a very good shape, but i prefer the "environment" on the audience in other live performances, also, both nights in vienna are pretty good not only the first... |
| Gregsynth 26.11.2012 02:46 |
CosmosTales wrote: Yes i noticed that, his voice is in a very good shape, but i prefer the "environment" on the audience in other live performances, also, both nights in vienna are pretty good not only the first...Manchester's version is great (and has a great atmosphere--the crowd's clapping actually drowns out the sound). Both Vienna's are all-around superb, and the Leiden versions have a fantastic atmosphere about them! |
| soxtalon 26.11.2012 06:32 |
I prefer the Magic Tour ones as well. The band seem more in control, the interplay with the audience is phenomenal and the loose jams that go with it add to the atmosphere. It's probably the furthest from the album version but that's another reason I rate them so highly! If I wanted the album version, I'd put The Game on... |
| Gregsynth 26.11.2012 15:46 |
soxtalon wrote: I prefer the Magic Tour ones as well. The band seem more in control, the interplay with the audience is phenomenal and the loose jams that go with it add to the atmosphere. It's probably the furthest from the album version but that's another reason I rate them so highly! If I wanted the album version, I'd put The Game on...The improv jams on the Magic Tour are some of the best! Cologne's version has a fantastic improv jam! |
| Holly2003 26.11.2012 15:53 |
They're all rubbish. While AOBTD works very well in the studio as a piece of 3 minute funk-pop, it's bloated and ineffectual live, mostly due to their inabilty to capture the tightness of the studio recording. Add to that Brian's clunky, chug-a-chug guitar riffs and you get a live mess of a song. |
| brENsKi 26.11.2012 16:56 |
i think some people are confusing the quality of the audio recording with the actual quality of performance. for me - i'd take a quality performance over clarity of audio any day |
| jones904 26.11.2012 23:35 |
I like his dance and wiggle at wembley 86 |
| soxtalon 27.11.2012 06:56 |
Gregsynth wrote: The improv jams on the Magic Tour are some of the best! Cologne's version has a fantastic improv jam!Indeed it does. Probably my favorite of the tour! I also liked Slane Castle and Knebworth for the same reason. |