So shoot me, 70's vocal fans!
Yeah, there was a time when I lamented about Freddie's "declined" voice in the 80's... Now, I think 80's (and Innuendo) voice is (1) richer (2) higher (the chest voice) (3) more skillful (4) more pleasing to (my) ears.
Am I a minority? Maybe... but does anyone else like 80's FM vocal better?
I basically agree with the original post. But the 80's voice had an inferior timbre or something, due to heavy smoking and age. It would have been glorious if he had not started smoking and gotten some serious training.
I dont think he had a larger range in the seventies.
I think all eras of Freddie had some quality in them.
- 70 s - a very clean voice, nice timbre, great range.
- 80 s - More roughness in his voice, more power I think, extended range.
- 90 s - His best voice. The way he uses his voice is remarkable. He switches from clean to rough voice quite fantastic. His range is at it's strongest.
I find it strange how Freddies voice changed through the years. I know its a physical thing that is normal, but still I think his voice changed a lot compared to other singers I've heard.. Maybe I'm wrong...
The changes in Freddie's voice were spectacular. His voice in the 70s seemed almost youthful and softer... and that was my favorite until I heard his voice on Innuendo and MIH.
The 80s I'm iffy about. It was still incredible of course, but yes with all the smoking, his voice definitely did change. In my honest opinion, the best 80s vocals would have to be on Hot Space... and The Miracle.
Oh screw it... it was all great. All the songs, all the albums. :-)
Thomas Tønnesen wrote:
I find it strange how Freddies voice changed through the years. I know its a physical thing that is normal, but still I think his voice changed a lot compared to other singers I've heard.. Maybe I'm wrong...
You're definitely not alone in thinking this. Freddie really gave it his all on Innuendo and even on The Miracle. But his voice has definite differences on The Miracle as opposed to A Kind of Magic.
In songs like "Party" and "Khashoggi's Ship", there's a strange kind of roughness in his voice that almost makes me want to clear his throat for him! Anyone notice it? I don't know if this was due to his health or not.
Do we not think it could also have something to do with the song writing style through these periods?
The 80's was a definite change in style from the 70s (less of the "big" vocal overlaying of the three of them or Fred on his own). Innuendo went back a little to this style I think.
I think whatever you can say about Fred, he was definitely versitile in his vocals, and perhaps we only really realised the extent of that at the end.
"Miracle" and "Innuendo" (and so called MIH session) are definitely the best... Incredible!
Don't like the soundand his voice on 1980-86 albums, but I think it's only because of the production, which I can't personally stand (not a very big Mack fan...)... But live his voice was huskier and I prefer it more to the voice from 70ties...