Hi,
We've heard the stories about Brian coming out of hospital and hearing the vocal harmonies in Killer Queen. He thought them too harsh and made the band re-record them with him included. Are any of the original harmonies left on the recording? Do we know what the original harmonies sounded like?
I have always thought the harmony at towards the end that go 'drive you wiiiiiiild' sound more harsh and different to the rest. Perhaps, the other harmonies were meant to sound the a
They would've likely tracked over them, since they weren't rich yet and would've probably tried to save money on tapes and so on. But that song is quite interesting vocal-wise since there are bits that seem to be only Fred + Fred + Fred + Fred, others which do sound like they feature Freddie and Brian, or Freddie and Roger, or the three of them.
My guess is that the part Brian was referring to was the 'ooooh' choir backing up the 'anytime an invitation you can't decline' line, since that's where his voice is most prominent and it does sound like it was recorded separately to everything else (as in, it was probably added by the time they were already mixing it or about to mix it, perhaps at a different location from the original sessions) and that's also a bit which, hadn't it included Brian, would've indeed sounded more abrasive and might have slightly obstructed the rest of the arrangement.
Have never thought about how the make up of the harmonies changes.
So the 'ooooh' sounds like Fred and Brian.
Chorus and 'Killer, killer, she's a killer queeeeen' All Fred
'bah bah bah anytime' - Fred and Roger
'Drive you wild' - Fred and roger
Sound right?
I remember an article form 20+ years ago where Roger said they tried multiple harmonies on KQ, can't remember where I saw it but found it interesting that they attempted things most bands couldn't dream of. would love to hear a disc of strictly backing vocals, the STL file with only BV's is ridiculously sublime.
I think I have the multitracks that 'hit the streets' a few years back - will take a listen when I have a chance. One thing I do recall is Roger being picked up on the mics at the end saying "Was that alright Roy?"!! :-)