Everytime I watch the second disc of Greatest Video Hits II, I've noticed that in the performances for "It's a Hard Life," "Calling All Girls(I believe)," and a few other songs that it seems as if Freddie is merely mouthing the words. It sounds like a recording, and sometimes he sings with the microphone far away from his mouth, but his voice is still just as loud. I'm not saying he doesn't actually sing live, but in that particular show, it is odd. If anybody else has noticed that, please tell me. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one who has seen that.
You must be referring to the Montreux Golden Rose Pop Festival performances. Calling All Girls is not included there by the way.. it's a standard promo video and therefore obviously Lipps, Inc.ed
Back to Montreux, they were indeed simply miming to the studio versions of the songs. Queen hated to do this, but the excuse given here is that they couldn't resist reaching such a huge television audience, so they agreed. Freddie makes it obvious that he's not really singing on purpose so as not to fool anyone.
It's a shame because I think personally that the miming makes these segments very painful to watch. They're not what Queen was about.
I just viewed IAHL and Freddie does well, especially at emoting the words, but remember he was in a bit of pain from the leg injury he suffered and did surprising moves. It must have hurt going up and down that staircase, and then have a lady stamp your foot!! (LOL) Freddie was a trouper even then. It certainly helped years later when he was dying and trying to show he was doing all right (in Slightly Mad and Days Of Our Lives). Even Headlong offered a bit of the old Fred, though you could see how horribly thin and drawn he was.
You're right, it's in The Works, not the Hot Space section. Anyway, I couldn't think of the name Montreux Golden Rose Pop Festival for the life of me, so thank you. I knew I wasn't crazy...well, for the most part.