OK, I apologize in advance for my ignorance on this matter, but was curious to others' thoughts, etc.
Today I was listening to the Extended Mix of "I Want to Break Free" and was thinking how these extended mixes came to be? This certain mix has vocals by Freddie that aren't heard elsewhere, extra sections, parts, etc. (albeit minor in many cases), but i wonder how the mixes were put together? Are most extended versions just extra parts that were scrapped from the original album version? I find the process pretty interesting.
And I must say that I prefer the extended version of "Pain is So Close to Pleasure" over the album version. Did John Deacon add those extra parts that aren't heard on the original?
Some bands just let the engineer and producer get on with it using all the takes made during the recording and creating loops etc.
Other bands may take an active role (especially early on in their careers).
I think (post 1980 at least) Queen would not have bothered about what was done re extended (or 12") mixes. They aren't really supposed to be great pieces of art, more like marketing items for the album.
"Pain is So Close to Pleasure" extended mix has a very very promising opening/intro. The powerfull and dramatic Scandal 12'' extended mix is almost a piece of art itshelf . It had such a modern and creative approach to the original that gave the song a really new dimension.
I agree with Scandal - a really good extended version.
I always wonder whether with things such as Hammer To Fall, is the Headbangers Mix as it was originally intended the track to be and then it was cut for the album, or is the album version the 'definitive' version and then out takes we're added to create the 12" mix?
for me the best 12 ' is the Its a Hard Life mix.....theres a point in the song when the single version fades out,but this mix doesnt fade,it goes on and freddie sings alternate lyrics from an early take,he reaches a certain pitch during the chorus, 3.26....its the highest pitch ive ever heard him sing without going soprano using falsetto,when I heard him sing it it sent shivers down my spine.....
That is a D5! He went higher (Eb5 on Innuendo/Hitman) F5 on Barcelona/All Gods People.(In Full Voice that is) Offcourse you get the Falsetto A5 on Under Pressure and the E6! on Its Late.
I think Roger was responsible for the 12" mix of "Keep Passing The Open Windows". Also, some mixes have a definite ending rather than a fade-out: "Back Chat", "Break Free", and "Ga Ga" are the three that immediately come to mind.
dowens wrote:
Ok, so they DO use out-takes, etc? That's pretty cool
There are basically three ways of getting additional material for an extended mix:
1. Creative copy-pasting from the original or other songs by the same artist (case in point: the excellent remix of Freddie's New York by a fan who's name has unfortunately escaped me). If you pick your spot intelligently(e.g.where instruments or vocals can be heard playing on their own), a good quality stereo recording would suffice.
2. Using outtakes and alternative versions of the original song, which requires access to the original multitracks.
3. Having the original artist record extra material later on, sadly no longer a possibility with Queen.
By all means ask your questions, it's a refreshing change from the battlefield that is most of the rest of QZ these days.
Ultimately 12" versions had to have something to justify the extra expense. I still have no idea why they ever existed at all..... Great for collectors but no real purpose!?
My favorite have to be Staying Power and Scandal. I would have said I Want to Break Free if the single version didn't exist.
Does anyone else think that The Works album was a bit rushed? It seems to me, considering the improvement of the single versions for songs like Hammer to Fall and Break Free. I can almost imagine Brian saying "You know what? I fucked up that solo. Let me try again." (Hammer to fall).
mooghead wrote:
Ultimately 12" versions had to have something to justify the extra expense. I still have no idea why they ever existed at all..... Great for collectors but no real purpose!?
Bcause of the extra space for the grooves the sound was louder and punchier. Probably why they were favoured by DJs.
Also in the 80's a lot of 12" singles were released for just that reason. There were 12" versions of AOBTD and CLTCL that were the same as the album versions.
dowens wrote:
Ok, here's another question: the extended versions cd released in the box of trix....does it include ALL the extended versions of Queen?
No it doesn't. Off the top of my head, I think it lacks the extended mixes for:
Back Chat *
Staying Power *
Keep Passing The Open Windows *
One Vision (Available on the US 1991 Hollywood Records AKOM CD)
Friends Will Be Friends *
Scandal (Available on the US 1991 Hollywood Records "The Miracle" CD) * To date, never officially released on CD anywhere, still vinyl exclusive to this day
yes inu-liger, this is the extendeds not included in the box of trix, and the extended of friends will be friends, is the friends will be friends will be friends, but counteins little difference
mooghead wrote:
They were sold to the public as a money making exercise, nothing else.
Well everything the music industry does is a money making exercise. However, I certainly bought some 12" singles because the sound was so much better. Especially dance tracks that were bass heavy.
AOBTD was amazing on 12". The bass just thumped out.