Having completed my "Ultimate Collection" for 1991, I am reminded that Brian May cut a track (baesd on an old UK Xmas carol) called "We Will Rock You" for his "Back To The Light" solo CD.
It appears as both an intro and outro on the disc.
Would it be possible for someone to join these two halves to create a full track, and/or a new middle eight/bridge if it was needed to join these bits together.
I am not looking for a rock hybrid with that other - "We Will Rock You" - but more of a track in keeping with a traditional Xmas carol.
Any takers?
Not really sure if this is what you want, John, but with only about 60 seconds of song to work with, I don't know what else can be done with this. Were you thinking of using another piece of material for the 'middle 8' section? Anyway, this is just something rough - is this anything like what you need? link
Bloody hell - that was very quick - and more to the point - it works (as an idea) very very well.
I like the idea of a lullaby - that is why a huge rock "intermediate" is not really called for.
I don't know what to do with the bridge, but certainly the use of the bells could be continued and a church/pipe organ could be added as "additional" instrumentation - as that would help with the "churchy" and lullaby "feel" of the track, and perhaps create a more invisible type seam. (I guess a soft guitar orchestration ala "...Opera", or "...Races" may work too, but you are the musical mastermind - not I!).
Finally, for those who do not know the song, you can not really end on the phrase "We Will Rock You", as that is sang mid verse. I know its a pain, but you may have to end on...
"see the fur to keep you warm, Softly round your tiny form..."
Ofcourse, the very first phrase of...
"little baby sweetly sleep, do not stir, we will bring a coat of fur" would also fit perfectly in it's place. (How would reversed intro work for the ending/outro?)
(Unless you come up with another genius way of overcoming that problem!)
Other than that, this is not only what I had in mind, but, a really nice track to boot.
You are on the cusp of something great here Mr. Fickle, and hopefully some of these ideas may help you to create a magnificent stand alone track.
Here are the original lyrics.
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:
See the fur to keep you warm,
Snugly round your tiny form.
Mary's little baby, sleep, sweetly sleep,
Sleep in comfort, slumber deep;
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:
We will serve you all we can,
Darling, darling little man.
Here is a midi file of the music... link
(Click on listen to song)
And you will find part of the original tune here... link
22 Rocking (Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep) (2:03)
I hope this helps in some way.
PS: Thank you very much!!
I have an idea - but I don't think I'll be able to do much over the weekend, as I'm quite busy. Not sure about using midi files, I prefer to stick to purely original Queen material, and obviously, I can't create Brian singing the rest of the lyrics, which he didn't record, but I think what I have in mind may work, which could well involve Track 13 from MIH.
Well, here's an idea. link
Not sure if this is what you want, John, but as a hotch-potch, I didn't think it came out too bad. Nicely weird at the end, and has a surprise in store, which some people will hate!
Ohhhhhhhh! SSooooooo goood... until the end. Seriously, you have to change that drop of power (!) at the end.
While I was listening, I kept thinking as it went from Dear Friends into the IABD sounds, it must use bits of the eYe instrumental. I kept asking, please, please, please do. And then that silly turntable drop came in and with it, brought the feeling down too.
Please, reconsider. It's close to greatness. This IS a proper mix that really works better than almost anything I've heard on this board.
Also, just a suggestion really... I took Dear Friends into Audition and was able to get an amazingly clear exposed vocal! I can post the settings you'd need to put in if you'd like to audition it. Just remember to use a cd rip of the track. I actually used the mp3! So, if it works with that, I'm doubly sure it'll work well on the cd ripped track. Should allow more elaborate vocal effects to be used, if need be.
Peace,
Adam.
EDIT: WOW..! I was even able to get the piano on its own too!! It sounds pretty amazing, also...
Yeah, OK, post the Audition settings!
Right, the 'power cut' at the end was an attempt to merge the changed pitch between IABD and the WWRY section, otherwise it sounds crap! Any other ideas as to how to achieve that?
The eYe instrumental of IABD doesn't really fit in with the rest of the track, does it? It's suppose to be a lullaby!
I'll think about that end section...
OOPS! Sorry, it took so long. I got playing about with a mix. Shoot... Anyway, here are those settings:
Piano - link
Vocals - link
Btw, the IABD thing was to get the part that goes, "sometimes I feel so sad..." because the chords go down. I haven't looked into it, but it might get you back to where you want. But even if that doesn't work, I'm sure there has to be something that works better than what you originally put in.
Peace,
Adam.
OK, I'll look at those - it might sound better with just the DF vocals, although I think that part sounds OK as it is. I think we're talking cross purposes about IABD. There's no 'slow' instrumental version is there? The version on The eYe has the drumming, which doesn't fit the rest of the track. Suppose I could try something with the vocal version, but I didn't want to make the track drag on too long. Let's see what others think of the 'power cut', particularly John, who requested it. I won't be able to do anything much else until later this evening, so hopefully there will be some more comments by then.
Right, well I couldn't resist, despites shouts of "get off that bloody computer!". This is a slightly amended version, with steps down at the end, rather then the 'power cut'. I have to say, I think I prefer the 'weirdness' of the first version, but let me know what you think:- link
Lord F, from the 2 mixes you have done here I would have to say that the second one works better for me. The "step down" is just as wierd and and wonderful as the first one but it just has the extra ingredient thats does it for me. That said I like both mixes. The use of the backwards reverb thing on "Dear Friends" and then having that put over Track 13 thingy was just inspired.
But however, I have an idea of my own that I might put to use from an idea gained unintentionally from my friends daughter and her pal. More on that later....
