Its probably been fairly documented by now, but still I think there is something missing.
Freddie s voice during Innuendo sessions is different in a very interesting way. I think that it is very strange to gain all that strength while his body was in total decay. It doesn’t make sense considering that voice comes from certain muscles (vocal chords), so the healthier the better. On the other hand, while singing my shelf, I find there is a small difference in power when I am ill (not H.I.V. just the stupid flue). It’s a bit odd, but I do find that when I have a cold my voice lacks range but the frequencies I can sing are gaining depth and I sound more precise and sharp. Just like Freddie s voice altered in Innuendo (no fucking comparison whatsoever).
Last but not least I think there is something about physical-pain and the way that it is being interpreted/transformed while singing (singing your hart out to be precise). And I am not referring here to mental/psychological pain, because we all know how that changes the way a singer express his/her feeling. I am talking about row body pain and the way it makes a singers voice and expression change.
Perhaps this is all bullshit, but I was still wondering, since the Innuendo-voice haunted me forever and ever.
deleted user 22.10.2005 19:25
I think it's really eerie but also extroadinary that he could sing wih such power. You can't imagine what he was going through but knowing what actual little time you have, I suppose he just didn't care about the pain. Even though it's hard for us to listen to he probably wasn't thinking about that. He just wanted to sing as much as he could while he was still with us. Some of the Innuendo stuff is tremendous and deserves alot more credit.
I do notice he sounds very nasally, as if suffering a cold during the '91 sessions, but it doesn't seem to hurt things much.
And Freddie's voice changed so much through the years anyway that I always just think of it as another progression, not about him being sick really.
It's interesting, in the 80's albums his voice was very rough. "Innuendo" shows a cleaner sounding voice.
If there was one track on Innuendo where I'd say he sounds a little ill, it'd probably be "The Hitman". On "Made in Heaven" the dubious honour goes to "You Don't Fool Me" - he just doesn't sound well on that either.
I believe his way of coping in the studio was just knocking back lots of vodka! (Or so Brian says). :D
deleted user 23.10.2005 14:38
he was the best singer and still is even when he had aids he sang good and perfect and extrodianary but not as good as he used to befroe he had aids..
? ? Jeffrey ? ? wrote: Freddie's voice changed so much through the years anyway that I always just think of it as another progression, not about him being sick really.
I also find it amazing that his voice was in such pristine condition during his final sessions... I agree that "Hitman" is the one that makes him sound ill or in pain but in 'Made In Heaven' I think it's "It's A Beautiful Day" the song which shows him struggling the most. After a couple of verses, if you listen closely, you can hear him gasping for air. Hearing that always causes me to shed a tear.
Madman007 wrote: I think it's "It's A Beautiful Day" the song which shows him struggling the most. After a couple of verses, if you listen closely, you can hear him gasping for air. Hearing that always causes me to shed a tear.
Madman007 wrote: I also find it amazing that his voice was in such pristine condition during his final sessions... I agree that "Hitman" is the one that makes him sound ill or in pain but in 'Made In Heaven' I think it's "It's A Beautiful Day" the song which shows him struggling the most. After a couple of verses, if you listen closely, you can hear him gasping for air. Hearing that always causes me to shed a tear.
He purposely does the heavy breathing part on that song for effect...and it was recorded in 1980.
His incredible voice on Innuendo in spite of the illness is certainly one of the reasons why this album is such a masterpiece, and in some way, especially Freddie's masterpiece...Because his voice reflects his strength and pride toward the ilness.
Of course Innuendo is a great album for many other reasons too...
I believe he stopped smoking in the later years, and due to not touring for years, that must have certainly rested his vocal chords. Also, I wonder if he picked up some tips from Montserrat Caballe.
carboengine wrote: I believe he stopped smoking in the later years, and due to not touring for years, that must have certainly rested his vocal chords. Also, I wonder if he picked up some tips from Montserrat Caballe.
I have photos of him in 90 or 91, and he's smoking. He has a beard.
carboengine wrote: I believe he stopped smoking in the later years, and due to not touring for years, that must have certainly rested his vocal chords. Also, I wonder if he picked up some tips from Montserrat Caballe.
I have photos of him in 90 or 91, and he's smoking. He has a beard.
carboengine wrote: I believe he stopped smoking in the later years, and due to not touring for years, that must have certainly rested his vocal chords. Also, I wonder if he picked up some tips from Montserrat Caballe.
I have photos of him in 90 or 91, and he's smoking. He has a beard.
Ok, can you show them?
Hint, there is one in the photo section on this site, and he's wearing night clothes.
All Queen's People wrote: I think it's really eerie but also extroadinary that he could sing wih such power. You can't imagine what he was going through but knowing what actual little time you have, I suppose he just didn't care about the pain. Even though it's hard for us to listen to he probably wasn't thinking about that. He just wanted to sing as much as he could while he was still with us. Some of the Innuendo stuff is tremendous and deserves alot more credit.
Apart from the illness freddie's voice could only improve because of years, experience, exercise, and maybe the influence of montserrat's technique.His suffering made his efforts all the more admirable. I cannot feel any improvement because of illness, but what he achieved in innuendo makes me think with a certain bitterness about what standards he could have reached if he lived.
I think his voice got better in the late 80's and 90's because he didnt'have to waste his voice by singing day after day on tour, and forcing a lot of notes.
Fred's voice sounds great on Innuendo. He takes an incredibly high lead on Innuendo and Don't Try So Hard, and sings with crystal clearness. I'm not keen on his Miracle voice though, it seems more husky and shouted. Just listen to him on Scandal and My Baby Does Me-very throaty.