Adam Baboolal 31.07.2012 10:03 |
So, I saw this appear in my twitter feed today - link Great to see the video in higher quality than what we've seen before. However, maybe this is just me, but, it fell flat for me. Let me know your thoughts on the newly recorded orchestra. Adam. |
pittrek 31.07.2012 10:11 |
Oh my god, shouldn't this be an IMPROVEMENT ? I am REALLY disappointed, indeed, it sounds very "flat" and "bored" :-( I'll stick with the original then |
Adam Baboolal 31.07.2012 10:13 |
I'm curious about the album and how it'll sound, but Barcelona really feels like it needs more oomph. |
inu-liger 31.07.2012 11:11 |
Isn't there some adage about "trailers having the best bits" that could sadly apply here, depending how the whole album turns out? That being said, really love how the vocals come across clearer and I've noticed some subtle bits I've never heard before |
Bad Seed 31.07.2012 12:11 |
That sounds very weak, just compared it to the original synth version. Who on earth could possibly make an 80 piece orchestra sound less powerful than a 80's synth? Wait a minute.... I can think of two people. |
Mr.QueenFan 31.07.2012 12:15 |
I'll wait for the album to come out so i can ear it properly, but i'm really looking forward to listen to it. I expect it to be excellent! On a side note, i really love the new camera angles, specially on Freddies face. |
Missreclusive 31.07.2012 12:41 |
Well I liked it and thought it beautiful. |
brunogorski 31.07.2012 12:45 |
I liked it. |
Holly2003 31.07.2012 12:59 |
Missreclusive wrote: Well I liked it and thought it beautiful.Me too. There's a few "shivers down the spine" moments which, to be honest, I never thought I'd experience with Queen again. Mind you, the end is a bit weak. BTW There's a video linked to this one which is an ad for the forthcoming release and it shows Rufus on drums plus a Japanese lady playing a koto. So that's what a koto looks like! |
philip storey 31.07.2012 14:35 |
Seeing that i have probably played this album twice in the last twenty years i really dont think this will be on my to buy list.Whose idea was behind this project ? Did a child design the front cover? |
Stelios 31.07.2012 16:15 |
Holly2003 wrote:"There's a few "shivers down the spine" moments which, to be honest, I never thought I'd experience with Queen again."Indeed!Missreclusive wrote: Well I liked it and thought it beautiful.Me too. There's a few "shivers down the spine" moments which, to be honest, I never thought I'd experience with Queen again. Mind you, the end is a bit weak. BTW There's a video linked to this one which is an ad for the forthcoming release and it shows Rufus on drums plus a Japanese lady playing a koto. So that's what a koto looks like! |
Wijnand 31.07.2012 16:34 |
To be honoust... I'd expected more... But, on the other hand, can't wait to hear the rest of the album. The part of 'The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away' PHENOMENAL! And, please remember that they could have done it the other way around... The 'old' synth tapes with new singers (Adam Lambert?) ;-) |
shamar 31.07.2012 17:21 |
Sounds like shit... |
brunogorski 31.07.2012 17:34 |
Wijnand wrote: To be honoust... I'd expected more... But, on the other hand, can't wait to hear the rest of the album. The part of 'The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away' PHENOMENAL! And, please remember that they could have done it the other way around... The 'old' synth tapes with new singers (Adam Lambert?) ;-)HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! Synth + Adam Lambert = RUN TO THE HILLS! =P |
BrianMayKicksAss 31.07.2012 18:45 |
The last time Freddie says "Barcelona" is really sharp and powerful in the original, and unremarkable in the new version. I don't give two sh*ts about HD video, give me a powerful Freddie :) Sorry if that's been said before, I only skimmed the replies. |
BrianMayKicksAss 31.07.2012 18:47 |
Queen had some great 80s stuff, but I miss the days of "No Synthesizers!" |
Adam Baboolal 31.07.2012 18:51 |
BrianMayKicksAss wrote: The last time Freddie says "Barcelona" is really sharp and powerful in the original, and unremarkable in the new versionThis is pretty much what I thought, except, throughout. The audio guy in me is curious as to who mixed this new version. Anyone know? Adam. |
BrianMayKicksAss 31.07.2012 18:56 |
It said Rhys Thomas, whoever that is... |
Adam Baboolal 31.07.2012 19:54 |
BrianMayKicksAss wrote: It said Rhys Thomas, whoever that is...No, that's not who mixed it. That is the name of the person who re-edited the video for them. Adam. |
BrianMayKicksAss 31.07.2012 19:58 |
Aah, that explains it. Sorry. |
BrianMayKicksAss 31.07.2012 19:59 |
Just read this comment from Gregsynth on Youtube, and thought it was pretty interesting. Maybe it explains why it isn't as powerful (I know nothing about the technicalities of music...): Well, I notice that this version doesn't "boom" as much concerning the instrumentation (probably because there's a legit orchestra producing the sound--as opposed to synthesizers) but the vocal tracks sound "cleaner" compared to the original (which evens it out)! |
dowens 31.07.2012 20:58 |
I'm not sure you can get the best sound quality from a YouTube video. I own the FM Solo Collection and really didn't have an interest in this release. However, my interest is peaked now because a real orchestra will sound amazing. |
coops 31.07.2012 21:04 |
One of my favorite albums and Freddie never sounded so good. I always thought the orchestration was a little heavy and unaware it all or mostly synths. I have placed an order for the vinyl version and cannot wait to play it. |
cacatua 31.07.2012 23:05 |
I hadn't listened to Barcelona for a while, and the new one was posted today on Facebook. I did get some goosebumps as I listened and reconnected with how much fun it was to watch Freddie and Montserrat go at it. I think he met his match in her! Anyone else have a clue as to what the "extra material" is to make up two more cd's in the deluxe edition? The descriptions I've seen have all been annoyingly vague about that. |
cmsdrums 01.08.2012 01:07 |
I was expecting a radically different video edit, so didn't really see the point of them getting Rhys Thomas to re-cut it when it's basically the same with a few alternative angles. I haven't listened to the track other than on my phone yet so can't comment on the audio yet but am worried about the numerous comments saying it lacks power. I suppose one argument is that a recorded orchestra can't really give the producer/mixer total control of each instrument, only banks of them together, and then there will be microphone bleed across these. With the synths however, Freddie and Mike Moran would have had total control over the mix of every single part, and we would there hear everything mixed giving prominence to each part exactly as they would have wanted. |
RMTaylorBest 01.08.2012 04:13 |
i did not understand if the "single piece" vynil release and cd release contain the new orchestrated version. Cos i don't wanna buy the box set with demos i already have in the FM collection, so i was only interested in the new orchestrated version. i would buy ONLY the vynil if u say it contains the new orchestrated vers. THANK YOU |
pma 01.08.2012 05:21 |
Sounded stunning to me, can't wait to hear the whole album. |
Dane 01.08.2012 05:28 |
They should have approached this from a Movie Score Soundtrack point of view, not from a Classical Music point of view. Misses a lot of OOMPHFF indeed... still sounds beautiful though. |
tonyyy 01.08.2012 05:35 |
I like it Tony link |
12yrslouetta 01.08.2012 07:57 |
I loved loved loved the original so any variant on the original will always strike me as a little disappointing i guess. The new Barcelona didnt hit me as hard as i thought it would actually. I think Freddie and Mike Moran originally approached Barcelona with more of a pop sensibility. This re-visioning doesnt seem to be approaching it from that area. Either way, itll be interesting to hear the final cut |
popy 01.08.2012 09:00 |
I think i'll agree. The original version is more "in your face", more "boomy", has more power and maybe that's a thing that only a synth/keyboard can give. But on the other hand, the synth/keyboard feels unnatural (obviously), while the orchestraded version feels much more natural because it's really humans playing instruments. I like the new version. For people who don't like it, maybe with time you will change your mind. |
*goodco* 01.08.2012 09:52 |
This will be our first Queen related purchase since 'Live At The Bowl', if for nothing but the title track. The whole idea shows great promise and is a fitting anniversary tribute. Just grateful they didn't go all techno or disco as was done with too much of his solo material. |
Adam Baboolal 01.08.2012 11:46 |
Just to get my feelings clear here: 1) The "in your face" feeling is NOT because of synth/keyboard sounds. This comes from the person putting it all together. Personal production and mixing choices are made. 2) Freddie's delivery doesn't quite match the new orchestration. There's a sense of urgency missing from the orchestration. I guess we should remember that the Barcelona track was put together with Freddie's particular rhythm sensibility/guidance. More on this later... 3) Freddie's vocals are more prominent, and yet, pulled back at times... Okay, I'm going to expand a bit on some of the above. Sounds are made to fit by the people composing them and the person mixing them. For instance, I would say that I am more inclined to emphasise certain midrange sounds while mixing, whereas someone else doing the same job may want the complete opposite. I hear this particular change the most, e.g. the vocals are more prominent and clearer than before - however, the piano is a little more muted/muffled in comparison to how it was before. As for my comment in no.2, well, I think I'm slowly figuring something out. Is it related to the new bells? They're fairly buried in this new version. Of course, the old ones were very prominent at times. They're also real bells now. What difference would it make if they were brought up to a similar level in the original? The way they used to be ever present in the start of the chorus is kinda lacking for me. Of course, maybe they should've left something familiar sounding in there...what better than the rhythmic bells. I gotta have more bell! The reason I started this thread was to hear what other people thought. Maybe I'm in the minority on this, but, for me, the title track is missing a few things to make it what I once heard in the original. And maybe with some things altered to improve on these aspects, I'd get more from it. But perhaps that's my own hang up with this new version. If so, I've gotta live with it. Either that or somehow make a mash up :P Adam. P.s. I still like the new version as it's different and has a new quality feel to it :) |
cmsdrums 01.08.2012 13:36 |
Perhaps we should see it as a different but complimentary work, rather than a replacement for the original (which seems to be how it is being marketed, ie "the album it should have been"). Adam - Good point about Freddie's rhythmic sensibilities when putting the original orchestrations together. I'm still wondering whether Mike Moran chose not to be involved in this reworking but gave his blessing, or whether he was just overlooked? |
brians wig 01.08.2012 15:54 |
coops wrote: One of my favorite albums and Freddie never sounded so good. I always thought the orchestration was a little heavy and unaware it all or mostly synths. I have placed an order for the vinyl version and cannot wait to play it.You're actually going to PLAY your vinyl??? Not a sad collector like me then who doesn't play his Queen vinyls... ;-) |
cacatua 01.08.2012 20:33 |
I finally located the track listings for the deluxe set at Queen Online. Don't know why I didn't see those before. We have "Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life, Singer of Songs", which is where I'm familiar with the story of Barcelona and the video performance. I never got around to acquiring the Barcelona CD. Anyway, after reading about it again and seeing what's on the discs, and reading the discussion here, I decided to go ahead and preorder the set. Have to wait until September 11 here in USA, so now for the waiting............ |
coops 01.08.2012 21:13 |
brians wig wrote:Ha, playing the same albums I bought in the 70's.coops wrote: One of my favorite albums and Freddie never sounded so good. I always thought the orchestration was a little heavy and unaware it all or mostly synths. I have placed an order for the vinyl version and cannot wait to play it.You're actually going to PLAY your vinyl??? Not a sad collector like me then who doesn't play his Queen vinyls... ;-) |
winterspelt 02.08.2012 01:12 |
Mike Moran should have been involved with this as he already knew how everything was supposed to be, what were the limitations at the time etc... Does anybody knows why he is not involved with this new version? |
flash00. 02.08.2012 01:42 |
I agree 100% Mike Moran should of had at least some kind of input, I liked the few new camera angles pity there was not more but nice to see it finally cleaned up. |
Sebastian 02.08.2012 02:13 |
Mediocre work. By that I don't mean it's bad - it's really good, but it could've been way better. By that I don't mean I could do it better - I mean THEY (the arranger, the conductor, the engineers and producer) could've done it better. |
Freddie rey 02.08.2012 04:34 |
link |
Holly2003 02.08.2012 05:54 |
Sounds great to me. |
cacatua 02.08.2012 09:46 |
I've got my husband going on Barcelona now and he was rummaging around online and came across a video where Freddie and Montserrat performed it with all the trimmings - orchestra and fireworks. What I thought was also interesting was what was written at this website along with: Freddie Mercury’s talent has always seemed a little bit otherworldly to me. Touched by the gods. Divine. In the truest sense of the word. Watch how he moves his body. His open-legged stance at the very beginning, like he’s planting his feet on the boards, getting ready to go where the performance will take him. He’s a showman, an entertainer, a born performer, from every hair on his head to the tips of every finger. Every gesture, every breath, every look is all pouring into the intention of this song. And that flow doesn’t stop when he’s not the one singing. Watch his body during her sections. He is tossing massive support under her, throwing his energy at her, filling up the stage at the same time that he is sharing the stage with her. Kathy Bates came and spoke at my school once, and she said, “Look, if you have a gift for something, you just have to give it away. All day, every day, just give it away.”That’s what Freddie Mercury does, instinctively, habitually, in every moment, always. There is not one tiny bit of him that is not fully present. And that, to me, is Divine. I think one of the most beautiful attempts at putting it into words that I have seen. Website: link |
dowens 02.08.2012 10:10 |
Just to be clear, will the standard CD version (1 disc) have the orchestra, or is it just a remaster of the original album? |
shamar 02.08.2012 10:52 |
Freddie rey wrote: http://soundcloud.com/purplepr/freddie-mercury-montserrat[/QUOTE]Better than video version but still sucks. Sounds like it looses some instrumentals from original version. They should include original version and that. Not that instead of original version. It's pathetic. |
Vocal harmony 02.08.2012 14:33 |
What they've done is change what Freddie intended us to hear. Isn't that a bit like painting over bits of the Mona Lisa to make it appear more current. |
Holly2003 02.08.2012 16:43 |
Vocal harmony wrote: What they've done is change what Freddie intended us to hear. Isn't that a bit like painting over bits of the Mona Lisa to make it appear more current.Maybe there wasn't the budget at the time to have the orchestra. Maybe Fred would've wanted an orchestra but there wasn't time to do it. Maybe he was just lazy and synths were quick and easy. There 's no doubt this is different but it's hard to make a judgement based on one Youtube video. I wonder how many people are hearing it through crappy computer speakers and rushing to judgement? In any event, this new recording is going to be a matter of personal taste. From what I've heard it sounds really interesting and, in any event, nothing can take away from those wonderful vocal performances. |
harrypotter6116 02.08.2012 19:26 |
i like what they have done with this album it's a very nice sound abit week in some spots but over all, very good |
inu-liger 03.08.2012 02:35 |
This ends in about 11 hours from now, in case anyone's interested: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/271027722621 ">link |
thomasquinn 32989 03.08.2012 03:16 |
This is convincing evidence that Brian May & Co. should be made to wear straitjackets and gags for the rest of their lives, out of strictly humanitarian motives. Worst...re-recording...ever |
pittrek 03.08.2012 03:17 |
Can that be real ? |
Adam Baboolal 03.08.2012 06:40 |
Holly, I've listened to this through my studio monitors. And I got the 1080p version and let me say, I have put videos on youtube in that quality and hardly hear a difference between the raw video and the youtube version. Also, there's a soundcloud link on this very page of the full track which is good quality, too. Just look at it this way, some will like it, some won't and some will not be sure. Just be happy that you like it - don't worry about people's opinions. Adam. |
Holly2003 03.08.2012 08:24 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: Holly, I've listened to this through my studio monitors. And I got the 1080p version and let me say, I have put videos on youtube in that quality and hardly hear a difference between the raw video and the youtube version. Also, there's a soundcloud link on this very page of the full track which is good quality, too. Just look at it this way, some will like it, some won't and some will not be sure. Just be happy that you like it - don't worry about people's opinions. Adam.To be clear, the remark about crappy speakers wasn't aimed at you. I must admit though I'm having a hard time understanding multiple very negative reactions to this release. Fans have been saying for years they would like a re-rlease of Fred's 1980s stuff without the crappy synths. Now we have what we wanted surely? It's not a direct copy of the original but what would be the point in that anyway? Maybe it lacks the punch of the synths but it seems to make up for that in quality i.e. real musicians playing real instruments will imo always be better than a 1980s synth orchestra. I am happy with what I;ve heard so far. This may be one of the very few post-Fred official releases I will actually buy :) |
Adam Baboolal 03.08.2012 09:47 |
If I've learned anything about the Queen community, at least on message boards(!), we're a picky bunch. Some, more than others. And, we can be quite harsh, too. I still like the release and look forward to sitting down and having a good listen, but, the title track is very well known, so people will have stronger opinions on it than the rest of the album. Adam. |
AdamMethos 03.08.2012 18:42 |
(whisper) I don't like Barcelona. I can appreciate how well it's sung, but the song itself has never done anything for me, so I'll look forward to hearing the rest of the album instead (especially Guide Me Home/How Can I Go On and La Japonaise). |
john bodega 04.08.2012 02:47 |
I only ever liked Barcelona and Guide Me Home - making sure to immediately switch it off before How Can I Go On got started. Way too fuckin' 80's for me. |
thomasquinn 32989 04.08.2012 04:15 |
I was laboring under the (evidently mistaken) assumption that they would kick the crappy synths and try to re-create the arrangement as exactly as possible with a real orchestra. Apparently, they prefer to just mess the whole thing up by screwing with the vocal balance and adding (weak-sounding) orchestral backdrops that take a very liberal view of the original arrangement. Yes, I am disappointed. Not because this version is *horrible*, but because it's a lost opportunity - it could've been great, now it's fair. |
cacatua 04.08.2012 13:21 |
It's not even released and yet some here are already pronouncing it DOA. Amazing! According to what I read it sounded as if they went to some care in doing this and I prefer to listen to it as a quality production, not having that spoiled by someone throwing a tantrum and declaring it a joke. |
cmsdrums 04.08.2012 16:42 |
I thought the whole point is it IS an exact replica arrangement-wise?? |
MercurialFreddie 08.08.2012 10:58 |
I think that with orchestra it sounds flat. In the original 80's version you can hear freshness, there is some space for music, while here.... On the other hand, it's not the final mix, they have time to master it properly. |
Adam Baboolal 08.08.2012 13:50 |
mondeo112 wrote: On the other hand, it's not the final mix, they have time to master it properly.Why do you say this isn't the final mix? I find that strange, since it's been published on the official Queen channel as well as soundcloud. Adam. |
Missreclusive 08.08.2012 15:16 |
On YT today History of Barcelona Sept. 2012 link |
Adam Baboolal 08.08.2012 18:47 |
Missreclusive wrote: On YT today History of Barcelona Sept. 2012 linkThat's a copy which is of very low quality. Best seek out the official one instead. Adam. |
Adam Baboolal 08.08.2012 18:47 |
Adam Baboolal wrote:Missreclusive wrote: On YT today History of Barcelona Sept. 2012 linkThat's a copy which is of very low quality. Best seek out the official one instead. Adam. |