Does'nt it seem a bit odd that freddi's voice
changed right after 1979 because even so on the
game recordings which very early his voice is
already much rougher than it was at the kampucea
concert or any concert in the jazz or crazy tour
not for the worse but in general it seems odd to
me
Yes, unfortunately... but then, at the end (Innuendo and MIH), when he stopped smoking and drinking because of his illness, his voice "rises up" again to become what it was near the beginning of their career.
Mack produced the Game, so that would fit.
I think it's a bit of both, listen to how he sounds live after 1979, he's clearly a lot huskier, and more gravelly.
But it might be the effects on his voice too.
Freddie started smoking late in '79. I have an old fanclub magazine where in his letter to fans he states that he has picked up smoking basically because everyone around him was smoking. So taking up the habit deifnitely changed his voice. But as stated above, he quit when he became ill and his voice became stronger and he could reach all the notes he could hit in his earlier days. He was amazing on Innuendo!!!
I much prefer his non smoking voice. He must have been smoking a fair few years by the time of the Magic Tour and the quality of his voice is less crisp than in previous tours. I don't know why he wanted it to be huskier, I guess it was to match his macho clone image.
I prefer Freddie's non smoking voice. In the 70's and on Innuendo, Freddie's voice, clarity, range, all had a richly textured essence and quality. You could hear he was flawless in reaching registers and notes and his phrasing and interpretation sounded more emotional. You can hear little subtleties and nuances in his voice and on the songs from those years he didn't smoke.
The years he smoked, his voice was indeed "huskier" and it sometimes sounded as if Freddie was straining a bit to reach certain notes and registers. The exceptions were at Live Aid, and on "One Vision" "AKOM" and "Live At Wembley Stadium". I did like that his voice sounded, sort of rich and deep and it actually really added that little extra something to that song, that album and those concerts. His voice sounded more 80's rock oriented and he could definitely belt out the songs across Wembley!
I don't know I guess Freddie sounded good both when he smoked and when he didn't smoke as well...just different.
But in any case it certainly was not healthy for him and in the long run it may have damaged his voice and his health had he not gotten AIDS and had he continued to smoke. Instead he was risking cancer, emphysema,etc.
You know, it's entirely possible that wanting his voice to be huskier was just an excuse when he got addicted. I mean, it doesn't seem like wanting your voice to be huskier is a good reason to risk cancer and, like, DEATH.
even on the magic tour he was hitting all those notes he always had...they were just less gracefull and much more raspy. I am glad he stopped because his work on innuendo is amazing. I know he hit these notes because I have perfect pitch!
JohnC wrote: Awckward, but I feel that Freddie's voice changed when he grew a mustach...
ChinesedogTorture:
That´s exactly what I always thought!!
In his early career, when he didn´t smoke, his voice was softer and more high pitched.
Later on, when he grew a moustache and started to smoke, his voice became rougher and huskier, which matched his ''macho look´´.
Personally, I prefer his voice before he began to smoke... it sounds younger, sweeter, and a whole lot cuter than the rough voice!
Ozzy Queen wrote: I loved his non-smoking voice. It was so pure and almost angelic.
Angelic is the perfect word to describe Freddie´s voice in the early ages!
Specially in their first album, Queen. His voice sounds pure, because it is smooth and high pitched. A voice suitable for an angel in Heaven! ;-)
deleted user 03.04.2005 23:39
I think his appearance changed very much from the late 70's to early 80's he looked like a very different man.
RainMustFall2 wrote: Yes, unfortunately... but then, at the end (Innuendo and MIH), when he stopped smoking and drinking because of his illness, his voice "rises up" again to become what it was near the beginning of their career.
His voice never returned to the 70s range. On certain later tracks (Slightly Mad, You Don't Fool Me, Ride the Wild Wind, for example) it got even lower. There's a certainly fragility and darkness to Freddie's vocals on Innuendo that I like. Probably the album with the most vocal variety.
I myself, like how his voice sounds on Innuendo just as well as any album from the 1970's.
On 1991's Innuendo, while his voice TONE may have changed somewhat, he is still hitting notes on "Don't try so hard" as he was hitting on 1973's "The Night Comes Down".
I hate smoking, and don't buy the "he was trying to change his voice" thing.... but I don't think that Fred's voice changed anymore than age naturally would have changed it.
I mean, listen to Steven Tyler on Aeosmith's "Dream On".... then listen to 1989's "Love in an elevator"....sounds like to different people.
Or Jagger in 1970...then Jagger in 1990.
Voices change, I actually think Freddie's is the most consistent of all the big hitters.
Let's remember. Freddie was a compulsive cigarette "lighter".... while he did inhale his puff's, watch an interview with him....in a 20 minute interview, he'd like 2 cigarettes, and take a total of 4 puffs.
While thats still too much smoking as far as I am concerned....
He was more of a "light and hold" guy....then an actual chain smoker.
I'm sure Roger was a much heavier smoker.