First and foremost: thank you YV for the excellent concert file! I loved watching this concert, because I've never seen Queen in the 1970's. There are a few things I found interesting that I would like to share. First off, the band seemed much more about playing their music than wooing the audience. I have the Wembly '86 DVD, which is my source of comparrision. I see in the Wembly concert Freddie conversing with the audience much more. He allowed them to sing on their own and he joked with them too. I don't think either way is better, I just found it interesting. This concert was all about the music and not about the "show" surrounding it, in my opinion. To that end, I found the stage very dark, which I think fit their style better back then. They were still in the "mystical" phase of their music, since a lot of songs played were from Queen II. Wembly was much brighter and more interactive, since their recent albums then were more "pop rock", I believe. The medley was also interesting, since it included very small snippids of some songs (March of the Black Queen) and full versions of others (Killer Queen/You're my Best Friend). I also found it odd they broke up Bo Rhap as they did - playing it in three separate pieces. One final comment question I have is that the band did not do any older songs as they do in Wembly (Mary Lou, Tutti Fruiti, etc.). I was wondering why they started doing that in the first place. I'd prefer two more of their songs to the little group of older hits. What does everyone else think?
Once again, I absolutely loved this concert and thank the provider again - it is a rare chance to see Queen at a period when I've never seen them!
How about re-seeding it for the fans who have not yet finished their downloads. There is no use to seed a concert when it's not shared with other people.
Ramses wrote: First off, the band seemed much more about playing their music than wooing the audience.
I'd have to agree. In the later shows, they knew all the songs inside out, so they could focus on other aspects of the show. Good observation.
This concert was all about the music and not about the "show" surrounding it, in my opinion. To that end, I found the stage very dark, which I think fit their style better back then. They were still in the "mystical" phase of their music, since a lot of songs played were from Queen II.
Have to agree with that one, too.
I also found it odd they broke up Bo Rhap as they did - playing it in three separate pieces.
But when you were there, it had to be incredibly interesting. When it hit the piano part after the guitar solo, those who knew the song had to be wondering, "what are they going to do at the opera part?" Because, they had already done that section at the beginning of the show. Queen's concert medleys were always great and inventive.
One final comment question I have is that the band did not do any older songs as they do in Wembly (Mary Lou, Tutti Fruiti, etc.). I was wondering why they started doing that in the first place. I'd prefer two more of their songs to the little group of older hits. What does everyone else think?
Actually, they played covers on most of their tours. From the earliest days until mid 78, almost every show ended with a Jailhouse Rock medley. It was an effective ending to their early shows, because they didn't have any smash hits to close with, until the Jazz tour, when they finally decided on WWRY/WATC. They played the songs as the first encore on the News Of The World tour, and still felt it was right to close with Jailhouse.
Good post, Ramses.
I hate the outfits that Freddie and the others wore in the 70s. That's why I don't enjoy any videos of 70s concerts. They look terrible, especially Freddie.
I really enjoy these 70's videos; maybe because my fave album is Queen II, I don't know.
I don't think in the 80's they were more aimed at audience than they were in the 70's. For example, in most of their earliest concerts (1973-75), Freddie used to introduce each and every song they were going to play - maybe because they weren't well-known by the public at all.
And they wrote songs thinking in the audicience response live early on, for example, "Spread your wings".
If you enjoyed Hyde Park show, I really recommend you to take a look at a couple of MUST-HAVE videos from the 1970's - Rainbow'74 (the earliest video officially available) and Hammersmith Odeon'75 (the show broadcasted in Xmas). They were on top form at these dates and the quality of both performances is superb.
I guess these two concerts have been already seeded in the BitTorrent system, so go and search for them. If not, they are of course available in the Queen HUB.
About covers - they used to play rock and roll medleys in their shows; Ocasionally they played gems such as "Immigrant song", "Satuday night is alright for fightin'" or "Imagine" - the later as a tribute to Lennon right after his death :(.
But... being a good Queen fan as I am - sincerily... I rather them playing a full set of Queen songs than introducing more covers!
I just watched the Hammersmith concert, Guitar Hero, and I see what you mean by the Jailhouse Rock medly. Personally, I prefer the unbroken Bo Rhap as you see in Wembly. I do wish, however, that they had sang something like the opera part instead of putting the studio version on (though I love their re-entrance)! I agree that they introduced the songs much more, probably due to their lack of familiarity with the audience, as you've said. But one thing I found interesting was that they did not introduce each other. On the Live Killers album, you can hear Brian introduce the members after Love of My Life. Ah well, it's quite interesting to see them at this point.
BTW - I think the outfits are hilarious - part of the joy is seeing how ridiculous Freddie can look! Quite a show.
At Hyde Park they weren't allowed to go on to do their encore due to the noise bylaw I believe.
The encore would of included Now I'm Here, the Rock and Roll covers and God Save the Queen.
Liquid Scream wrote: At Hyde Park they weren't allowed to go on to do their encore due to the noise bylaw I believe.
The encore would of included Now I'm Here, the Rock and Roll covers and God Save the Queen.