QueenZone discussion #1453149

Costa86 wrote: I agree, after Elton John's '92 (and also '97) renditions, this was the best live one I've heard, vocally speaking.

The Real Wizard wrote:

Costa86 wrote: I agree, after Elton John's '92 (and also '97) renditions, this was the best live one I've heard, vocally speaking.

link Sarah Slean. Hands down, my favourite Canadian singer, and one of the best singers I've ever heard. Also a string arrangement, but in a completely different direction. And vocally she nails it. .

Mr.QueenFan wrote: Man, i know it must be hard for you to read this, but the arrangement is even worse than the Celine's one :-) Sorry to say that! She has a great voice indeed, but clearly she is singing a melody that does NOT belong in that arrangement.

Sebastian wrote: I actually liked the arrangement. I applaud the fact they dared removing the best-known aspects from the original recording (the ostinato synth and so on) and coming up with something creative and quite interesting, instrumentally speaking.

k-m wrote: Far from "stunning", as it was called on Queen's Facebook page. Like many others before her, Celine failed. Her voice is starting to fade too. She was unable to reach those incredible heights at least a couple of times. Time to call it a day, really.

brENsKi wrote:

k-m wrote: Far from "stunning", as it was called on Queen's Facebook page. Like many others before her, Celine failed. Her voice is starting to fade too. She was unable to reach those incredible heights at least a couple of times. Time to call it a day, really.

FFS!!! one question: how great was Freddie's live version? - there isn't one. so stop comparing a live version to an immaculate studio version that's actually a good live rendition.

k-m wrote:

brENsKi wrote:

k-m wrote: Far from "stunning", as it was called on Queen's Facebook page. Like many others before her, Celine failed. Her voice is starting to fade too. She was unable to reach those incredible heights at least a couple of times. Time to call it a day, really.

FFS!!! one question: how great was Freddie's live version? - there isn't one. so stop comparing a live version to an immaculate studio version that's actually a good live rendition.

I will compare it to whatever I like. Are you suggesting then that if Freddie sang it live he wouldn't have done it better than Dion? You also mentioned an "immaculate studio version". Yes, even though Freddie was dying of Aids when recording it... Following your logic, would it be fair to compare Freddie's studio version with Dion's studio version? Because the circumstances of recording weren't exactly the same, were they?

k-m wrote: Mid-late 80s? Depending when exactly and which concert or song you are referring to. You somehow decided to choose IWTBF, which wasn't exactly the highlight of his live performances and everybody knows that. Anyway, planning to leave it here mate. Enjoy your weekend.

k-m wrote:Mid-late 80s? Depending when exactly and which concert or song you are referring to. You somehow decided to choose IWTBF, which wasn't exactly the highlight of his live performances and everybody knows that.

Gregsynth:Brenski pretty much got the gist of it. If you compare Freddie's live vox from 1984-1986 (as a whole) to late 1979 through mid 1982 (as a whole), you'll hear the differences. Freddie was less consistent in the mid 80s for a variety of reasons. Freddie's live stamina was cut due to his smoking (affects the breath support and makes it harder to sing) and his voice would suffer faster in the live environment. The Works Tour had many dates crammed and if you combine that with the effects of smoking, you'll hear the results.

brENsKi wrote:

k-m wrote:Mid-late 80s? Depending when exactly and which concert or song you are referring to. You somehow decided to choose IWTBF, which wasn't exactly the highlight of his live performances and everybody knows that.

my point wasn't about "one song" - i used IWTBF as it's the easiest example to quote - no fan, anywhere, would be hard-pressed to find poor live vocals of this song - there were more bad than good! the actual point being (as i've stated in another thread) - that from 79-82 there is a deterioration in Freddie's vocals, but this is only slight compared to the deterioration between 82-84. By 86 this has improved "slightly" - but was still far from his own standards. This has to be put down to his lifestyle and smoking - he didn't look after himself and it reflected live; where you only get "one take"

Gregsynth:Brenski pretty much got the gist of it. If you compare Freddie's live vox from 1984-1986 (as a whole) to late 1979 through mid 1982 (as a whole), you'll hear the differences. Freddie was less consistent in the mid 80s for a variety of reasons. Freddie's live stamina was cut due to his smoking (affects the breath support and makes it harder to sing) and his voice would suffer faster in the live environment. The Works Tour had many dates crammed and if you combine that with the effects of smoking, you'll hear the results.

thanks for confirmation. I would however, disagree with the comment about the number of dates on the works tour - previous tours, Live Killers, crazy Tour etc - had as many dates Jazz 35, LK/Crazy 66,  HS 30, Works(1984) 32 Many people will argue that "oh but he reached this note or that note" - the problem with live vocals is it isn't just about the "notes" - and he did struggle later on - it's about tone, control and power. ALL of these were an issue for Freddie certainly between 84-86

Gregsynth wrote: With the Works Tour - he had to deal with the same schedule (3 gigs in a row or a day off after 2 consecutive shows), but by that time - he was smoking for years, was a party animal, and probably didn't get into touring shape before the tour started (plus was older - so everything wouldn't recover as well or as fast). After only a few shows on the Works Tour, his voice started slipping. If Freddie didn't have to do as many shows, he probably would've fared better on that tour - but you'd still hear the effects of smoking/partying. No doubt he had issues with control, power, etc throughout the mid 80s live shows. If Freddie didn't at least smoke - his live stamina would be much better and he wouldn't have consistency problems.