| Freddie's #1 Fan Forever 07.01.2007 14:48 |
OK guys, I have written several threads about Brian May's vastly inflated ego. I can't help but post yet another one! Did you read the latest post that he put up on his website in which he suggests that "Prophet's Song" could have been as big a hit as "Bohemian Rhapsody" if only it had been released instead? Is he nuts?!! Here is what he wrote: "I sometimes wonder this also [whether "Prophet's Song" could have been as big as "Bohemian Rhapsody"]. It was always so random which song got picked for the leading single from a Queen album. It bothered me sometimes. History can never be reversed ... certain things became engrained in public consciousness and it will pretty much always be that way. That's why sometimes I wish the Greatest Hits would disappear for a while, and people would have more chance to get back into the original albums with an unprejudiced ear. Still, after GH 1 becoming the biggest album in History in the UK, I guess I ought not grumble ! " In the first place, it is disturbing to hear him talk about "history" being reversed as a function of which Queen was released first from the "A Night At the Opera" album. What the F***! I honestly suspect that the reason Brian May does not like "Queen's Greatest Hits" is because Freddie Mercury has more songs on it than he does. Whenever he does live shows (including the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, of all things!!), we all know that he reverses the ratio in favor of his own songs. Why in the world does he think that "Prophet's Song" is one of the great Queen songs? After all, was it ever a hit in any way? This comment reminds me of something funny that I heard from Tito Jackson, I think. He said something along the lines of how, if only he had been given the right breaks in life, then he, and not Michael Jackson, would have been the great star. Brian May's posting here is just as delusional. By the way, like all of Brian May's early releases, I suspect that "Prophet's Song" would have tanked. The melody is weak, and Freddie Mercury sounds like a girl. While "Bohemian Rhapsody" possessed a funny, campy quality, the self-serious quality that you find in "Prophet's Song" is stifling. |
| deleted user 07.01.2007 14:52 |
LOL. I like The Prophet's Song...but it's not THAT good. (I want to underline the "THAT" xD). The part in the middle is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO annoying! "now I know...now I know...now I know..." Ugh. lol. Bo Rhap is better. :D....he just can't face the facts (probably)...or he wants to show off. But that's Brian for you! XD |
| Hooligan's Holiday 07.01.2007 14:53 |
*siiiiiiiigh* Just because the Prophet's Song wasn't a HUGE hit, doesn't mean it wasn't a great song. In fact, I happen to like it BETTER than Bohemian Rhapsody. Bo Rhap just gets annoying after a while, due to the over-playing of said song on the radio and everywhere else.... |
| deleted user 07.01.2007 15:12 |
Brian May wrote :[...] sometimes I wish the Greatest Hits would disappear for a while, and people would have more chance to get back into the original albums with an unprejudiced ear.I agree with this. I don't see the problem in him wondering. If I missed something, fine, but he didn't say it was a better song. I think what he said is something all Queen fans wonder about (maybe not those specific songs). I don't know if the story is true, but I heard that Freddie didn't want "I'm in Love with My Car" as the B-Side to "Bohemian Rhapsody" because he didn't want Roger getting royalties or something. Honestly, I don't think Brian May is Mr. Perfect, but I'm fine with letting him wonder whatever he wants, or even - gasp - having a problem with something Mr. Perfect Freddie did (which was another thread, but, whatever). It's also your business to complain about his contemplations. But I don't see anything wrong with saying what he's thinking. I think most adults wonder... "If 'X' had happened, might I be in the corner office instead of Bob ?" |
| Deacon Fan 07.01.2007 15:41 |
What a way of twisting things around! First of all, Brian was answering a fan's letter, not coming out of the blue with this suggestion. The fan of course stroked Brian's ego a bit by asking such a question, but who can blame Brian for taking the opportunity to say he "always wondered". And he in fact says that his song is not as commercial in his opinion. Freddie himself was the first to dismiss his own songs ("use them like tissues"). I think Brian handled the question very well. And he has every right to wonder whether some different single choices might have resulted in more success for his songs. |
| Freya is quietly judging you. 07.01.2007 16:01 |
Whoa.. Deja vu. link |
| thomasquinn 32989 07.01.2007 16:35 |
<b><font color=009966>?Freya? wrote: Whoa.. Deja vu. linkNot even original enough to come up with a new title this time. Very, very sad. I suggest the topic starter checks into a mental health clinic. |
| The Real Wizard 07.01.2007 16:52 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: OK guys, I have written several threads about Brian May's vastly inflated ego. I can't help but post yet another one! Did you read the latest post that he put up on his website in which he suggests that "Prophet's Song" could have been as big a hit as "Bohemian Rhapsody" if only it had been released instead? Is he nuts?!!Your name says it all. You are a "Freddie fan", not a Queen fan. You're twisting things to match your personal vendetta against Brian May. Brian is merely wondering how things would have been different if another song had been released as a single. He has every right to like his own songs. This is not even remotely close to being an "ego trip" as you have suggested countless times. To state the obvious, you are beyond obsessive about cutting Brian to shreds at any opportunity. Witnessing the amount of effort you put into this is actually scary. How many times did you edit the Wikipedia article about the FM Tribute concert, with your outlandish suggestion that the concert was all about Brian satisfying his ego? You are so completely out to lunch. Nobody with any sense of impartiality or self-respect takes you seriously. You are a disgrace to Queen fans everywhere. |
| DEAKYRULES 07.01.2007 17:10 |
i agree. Queen is about 4 people, and that 4 people have the right to think what they want. in my very personal point of view Brian May didn't tried to said it like that, ohh i feel sick just to writing this down. |
| mircal 07.01.2007 17:16 |
Brian always did say he was the most pig headed member of the group. Who knows, he maybe, out of all the members in the band quite possibly made some key decsions that really did help them as a group,,, all thanks to his ego. |
| 7 seas of Rhye 07.01.2007 17:20 |
Brian can complain and whine and have as big an ego as he wants. I don't care. He's Brian May, he's earned the right. |
| Freddie's #1 Fan Forever 07.01.2007 17:52 |
Ok Guys, In the first place, I am glad to see the interest that this exciting topic has generated. On the other hand, the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" in place of the brilliant “Bohemian Rhapsody” would likely have resulted in the demise of the entire band. It is outrageous to me that Brian May fails to recognize this fact. After all, costs involved in making “A Night At the Opera” were enormous, and Brian’s previous singles had flopped. The thing that really pisses me off the most here is Brian’s failure at acknowledge the fact that “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the very reason for why he and the others became famous in the first place! |
| thomasquinn 32989 07.01.2007 17:56 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" in place of the brilliant “Bohemian Rhapsody”Not only a die-hard stepford, also a musical moron. No one with an education in music, experience as a musician or anything similar could agree with you in a straight face. If you don't like the song, fine. If you deny the song's qualities: you are very, very dumb. |
| Dan C. 07.01.2007 18:25 |
I agree with ThomasQuinn. In other news, Hell has just frozen over. |
| August R. 07.01.2007 18:54 |
To Freddie's #1 Fan, If you quote somebody in your writings you could at least quote him/her correctly. Brian continues his answer on Soapbox: "But the Prophet's Song is not really so commercial, I think ... more for the specialists .." And that pretty much says that Brian is aware that Prophet's Song probably wouldn't have had the same impact on charts as Bo Rhap did. It's great a song, though. Just not the type of song that tops the charts. |
| Freddie's #1 Fan Forever 07.01.2007 19:04 |
OK Guys, Someone above was saying that "Prophet's Song" has great musical qualities. I cannot disagree more. I think that one of the great things about "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the extent to which it is so very tightly written. At no point does it lose your interest. "Prophet's Song," on the other hand, is just plain boring. I mean, essentially half of the song is made up of what sounds like stupid, pretentious noise and no melody. The "Now I Know, Now I Know, Now I know, Listen to the Wise Man" part is not only boring, but its self-serious elements are so ridiculously inflated that it becomes inadvertently funny. Let's face it, although it may be cool for hard-core Queen fans to list "Prophet's Song" as among their favorites, this piece of music sucks and has no business on any Greatest Hits compilation whatsoever. On the other hand, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a truly brilliant song. As far as I am concerned this brilliance is rooted in its humorous qualities. To me, this humor is associated with the way that it turns hard rock and heavy metal into something that is also simultaneously very gay. What a funny and original thing to do! On the other hand, there is nothing funny or original about "Prophet's Song." It drones on and like something that some pilgrim wrote 200 years ago. My God, give me a break. |
| beautifulsoup 07.01.2007 19:21 |
To Freddie's #1 Fan Forever: Please respect Brian's request that if you're going to quote from The Soapbox, you should also provide a link. :P |
| Dan C. 07.01.2007 19:38 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: OK Guys, Someone above was saying that "Prophet's Song" has great musical qualities. I cannot disagree more. I think that one of the great things about "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the extent to which it is so very tightly written. At no point does it lose your interest. "Prophet's Song," on the other hand, is just plain boring. I mean, essentially half of the song is made up of what sounds like stupid, pretentious noise and no melody. The "Now I Know, Now I Know, Now I know, Listen to the Wise Man" part is not only boring, but its self-serious elements are so ridiculously inflated that it becomes inadvertently funny. Let's face it, although it may be cool for hard-core Queen fans to list "Prophet's Song" as among their favorites, this piece of music sucks and has no business on any Greatest Hits compilation whatsoever. On the other hand, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a truly brilliant song. As far as I am concerned this brilliance is rooted in its humorous qualities. To me, this humor is associated with the way that it turns hard rock and heavy metal into something that is also simultaneously very gay. What a funny and original thing to do! On the other hand, there is nothing funny or original about "Prophet's Song." It drones on and like something that some pilgrim wrote 200 years ago. My God, give me a break.Wow. I've never seen anyone miss the point as completely as you have. And to be so bold as to say "this piece of music sucks" is absolutely rediculous. I mean, do you know ANYTHING about music? Yeah, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' IS a damn good song, but it's no better or worse than 'The Prophet's Song'. Nor is it the best written piece of music they have to offer. Hell, It isn't even in the top ten as far as I'm concerned. Oh yeah, congratulations. Your wind-up is working nicely. |
| deleted user 07.01.2007 19:45 |
I mean, essentially half of the song is made up of what sounds like stupid, pretentious noise and no melody. [...] not only boring, but its self-serious elements are so ridiculously inflated that it becomes inadvertently funny.I'm sorry, were you talking about "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" ? And "Bohemian Rhapsody" is OFTEN called "pretentious". And although I do like the song, it IS inflated - though maybe not so "self-serious" the whole time. Have you ever listened to opera ? Most of it sounds not like a bunch of would-be castrati wailing into a can. I would call that "ridiculous". Though, I think it's a fun song and I'm offended by it or anything. If you accuse "The Prophet's Song" of being devoid of "melody" during the repetitive section... what the Hell would you call "Let me go ! Let me go !" ad nauseum ? this piece of music sucks and has no business on any Greatest Hits compilation whatsoever.... It is your OPINION that "The Prophet's Song" is boring and dull. There are #1 hits from the 70s that I don't like - but obviously, someone liked them - and some of them are works of art, just not "my thing". YOU DO NOT KNOW if "The Prophet's Song" could have been a hit. [...] it turns hard rock and heavy metal into something that is also simultaneously very gay. What a funny and original thing to do! On the other hand, there is nothing funny or original about "Prophet's Song." It drones on and like something that some pilgrim wrote 200 years ago.You mean "opera" ? Well, I wasn't aware that opera had a gender and was sexually active to begin with, but, whatever. Opera existed more than 200 years ago (so did "Pilgrim songs" for that matter). Combining rock and opera is no more "original" than combining rock and "some 200 year old pilgrim song". Unless there's a significant part of the music world I've been missing where both of these things happen all the time and were cliché and overdone. |
| john bodega 07.01.2007 19:48 |
"Why in the world does he think that "Prophet's Song" is one of the great Queen songs?" Because it is. PEOPLE OF THIS THREAD ; please pay attention to this post, it'll give you some perspective. Do not bother responding to this person, because they (while keeping a straight face) managed to write: "Freddie Mercury was the only rock star who ever really had a sense of rhythm". Please... let the thread die. It's as stupid as the last 50 threads they started. |
| Dan C. 07.01.2007 20:18 |
Sometimes you just can't resist, Zebonka. ;) |
| bas asselbergs 07.01.2007 20:19 |
i only use the Prophet's Song to test my equipment for stereo sound hahahaha... It IS a brilliant song but can never compete with BoRap. Brian is an okay guy, and what he says is just his opinion, and everybody is in title to have one, and we, the fans, are not in any position to judge another persons opinion. If Brian has thoughts, feelings and speeks / writes freely about them, it is only what HE thinks and feels, it is NEVER a holy or written law! So relax, don't pick on the man, leave him, let him be, he is he only human, and so are we....aren't we? |
| Scott_Mercury 07.01.2007 20:48 |
I don't think Brian met any harm in this observation. In the past... Brian has, at times, tended to talk up his accomplishments in Queen, and downplay Freddie's somewhat. But let's not distort the facts.... yeah, yeah, yeah... Queen were 4 equal members... but the **leaders** were Freddie & Brian These 2 are Queen's equivelent to Lennon & Mac in the Beatles. Brian & Freddie were two talented musicians who needed each other to produce their best work. Or simply put.... I feel Brian was responsible for Queen playing good music. I feel Freddie made sure Queen had good music to play. |
| mircal 07.01.2007 21:03 |
At the end of the day Brian was in the band, and the group recorded both songs... His view point will differ light year's beyond ours due to the fact that we were not in the studio, Myself, and any other person were not present when this was being made, so with out being in environment, we may be judging view points on what the song sound like,,, obviously, but Brian who was there when it was being made, may have some other influences in his opinion that we have over looked. Look at the mechanics of both songs; they are simular in certain degrees. Yet they are so different. Bo Rap is a more timeless piece, and yes I am sick of it, after hearing for 20 years, who wouldn’t, but none the less, if I can get sick of it, maybe Brian has gotton sick of so many other things to and now his view point, after all, being in the band as changed and he's just seeing things in a different scope. And for him always putting down Freddie’s work.. What ever, I mean, they were band, mates, its like two mates playing Mario bro. Ones luigi and the other Mario. I might get mad coz the 2nd player is good and take to a while to die and I am shit... doesn’t mean I hate him, or wanna put him down, and at the end of the day, if we clock the game,,,, hurray... If I choose to play on my own then I go solo and realise I need my partner. We can annalyse things to the bone, coz we then get to deep and getr mad and spoil every ones fun. But.... what can you do? |
| coops 07.01.2007 22:07 |
I happen to pretty much agree wih Brian on most of his points here. A lot of people thought Borap was a crazy choice as a single at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20, so who knows whether TPS would have been a hit. In 1975 it may well have been. I happen to like the song more than Borap. It has great, complex harmonies and melodies, as well as a wonderful vocal and of course brilliant musicianship all around. In my opinion. Re: greatest hits, I think thet are a great way to introduce the band to people who may wish to explore beyond AOBTD and so on. Heres an idea, take Brians Queen songs and put them all on one album. Would be bloody brilliant. |
| Scott_Mercury 07.01.2007 22:24 |
coops wrote: Heres an idea, take Brians Queen songs and put them all on one album. Would be bloody brilliant.Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth.. |
| mircal 07.01.2007 22:28 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:and some times the truth hurts.... god bless freddiecoops wrote: Heres an idea, take Brians Queen songs and put them all on one album. Would be bloody brilliant.Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth.. |
| Lester Burnham 07.01.2007 23:51 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth..At the same time, take Brian's guitar off all these songs, with his unique tone and orchestrations... let me know how these same songs do. Without Brian, Roger, and John, Freddie would be a graphic designer, and slag around various London pubs with whatever band he happened to drift into as a weekend hobby. I believe this with 100% truth. As for Freddie's #1 Fan Forever, he/she/it is merely a WUM. Disregard him/her/it and don't get your panties into a collective bunch. |
| john bodega 07.01.2007 23:53 |
"Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do." I think you're off the mark there, though. Around 10 songs written by Brian would indeed make good listening - at LEAST 10, I think. No one makes less of Freddie's contribution to those songs by such a suggestion.... Save Me wouldn't have been the masterpiece it was without Freddie's vocal, right? I think all that he/she meant was that an album's worth of Queen songs (written by Brian) would be good to listen to, and I agree. |
| Scott_Mercury 08.01.2007 00:11 |
Lester Burnham wrote:But there is a difference my friend. In the "talent" department Brian has it, as does Freddie... Brian has a unique sound, recognizable by guitarist, non-guitarist, and music fans alike... but Brian really does lack some of the "it factor".Scott_Mercury wrote: Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth..At the same time, take Brian's guitar off all these songs, with his unique tone and orchestrations... let me know how these same songs do. Without Brian, Roger, and John, Freddie would be a graphic designer, and slag around various London pubs with whatever band he happened to drift into as a weekend hobby. I believe this with 100% truth. As for Freddie's #1 Fan Forever, he/she/it is merely a WUM. Disregard him/her/it and don't get your panties into a collective bunch. I mean face it.... go to freakin link and you will find hundreds, if not thousands of guitarist who are technically better then Brian. Perhaps these would be famous will simply never have that chance encounter to meet their "Freddie". You see..... there are alot of guitar players, famous, non-famous, and weekend band players who really can show Brian up.... I mean, he's simply not the showman of Hendrix or Angus Young, nor does he have 1/100th of the chops of Joe Bonamassa or Steve Vai.... Now... don't let me sound like a Freddie fanatic... I'm actually a accomplished guitarist myself, and Brian is without a doubt in my top 5 of all guitarist. But I'm not delusional.... lots of guitar players have no need to imitate Brian, because on all accounts they are better. Name me 5 professional singers that would think (much less say) out loud that they are better than Freddie Mercury?? Go to youtube.com .... and count the Freddie immitator's. At the end of the day....an average singer meeting up with Brian May will equal limited success, and maybe a short career...ask Tim Staffel. A average guitar player meeting up with Freddie Mercury....well, that equals Queen. Sadly, Roger seemed to be the only one to admit that the other 3 had to raise their game the first 3-5 years the band was together just to keep up with Freddie.... in Roger's own words from 1986 "Freddie, especially in the early days was light years ahead of us in terms of musical ability and showmanship." Modern Drummer-1986 In 1970-1973 Freddie Mercury made up his mind that he was going to be a star.... whoever ended up with him, was just along for the ride.... they could ever choose to get as serious about music as he was, or sit and do nothing. Freddie just so happen to take 3 smart men with him who were all smart enough to realize what they had in their most powerful asset...that being Mr. Mercury. Queen 1991 RIP??? What a ignorant thing to say. Truth is, the legacy of Freddie is so powerful, that Brian's kids could probably continue as "Queen+" I'm not saying Bri, Rog, and John aren't important....I'm saying this whole thing we call Queen could not have happened without the birth of Mr. Bulsara. |
| mircal 08.01.2007 00:40 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:Yes I do stand by what you are saying.... I to use to think Brian was the one and only. How ever, I have matured a little in my brain, maybe the drugs lol helped me see other things, but, yes there are more accomplished players out there other than Brian. How ever, to Brian’s credit, and I don’t know any other play who has.... made there own guitar out a fire place in theLester Burnham wrote:But there is a difference my friend. In the "talent" department Brian has it, as does Freddie... Brian has a unique sound, recognizable by guitarist, non-guitarist, and music fans alike... but Brian really does lack some of the "it factor". I mean face it.... go to freakin link and you will find hundreds, if not thousands of guitarist who are technically better then Brian. Perhaps these would be famous will simply never have that chance encounter to meet their "Freddie". You see..... there are alot of guitar players, famous, non-famous, and weekend band players who really can show Brian up.... I mean, he's simply not the showman of Hendrix or Angus Young, nor does he have 1/100th of the chops of Joe Bonamassa or Steve Vai.... Now... don't let me sound like a Freddie fanatic... I'm actually a accomplished guitarist myself, and Brian is without a doubt in my top 5 of all guitarist. But I'm not delusional.... lots of guitar players have no need to imitate Brian, because on all accounts they are better. Name me 5 professional singers that would think (much less say) out loud that they are better than Freddie Mercury?? Go to youtube.com .... and count the Freddie immitator's. At the end of the day....an average singer meeting up with Brian May will equal limited success, and maybe a short career...ask Tim Staffel. A average guitar player meeting up with Freddie Mercury....well, that equals Queen. Sadly, Roger seemed to be the only one to admit that the other 3 had to raise their game the first 3-5 years the band was together just to keep up with Freddie.... in Roger's own words from 1986 "Freddie, especially in the early days was light years ahead of us in terms of musical ability and showmanship." Modern Drummer-1986 In 1970-1973 Freddie Mercury made up his mind that he was going to be a star.... whoever ended up with him, was just along for the ride.... they could ever choose to get as serious about music as he was, or sit and do nothing. Freddie just so happen to take 3 smart men with him who were all smart enough to realize what they had in their most powerful asset...that being Mr. Mercury. Queen 1991 RIP??? What a ignorant thing to say. Truth is, the legacy of Freddie is so powerful, that Brian's kids could probably continue as "Queen+" I'm not saying Bri, Rog, and John aren't important....I'm saying this whole thing we call Queen could not have happened without the birth of Mr. Bulsara.Scott_Mercury wrote: Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth..At the same time, take Brian's guitar off all these songs, with his unique tone and orchestrations... let me know how these same songs do. Without Brian, Roger, and John, Freddie would be a graphic designer, and slag around various London pubs with whatever band he happened to drift into as a weekend hobby. I believe this with 100% truth. As for Freddie's #1 Fan Forever, he/she/it is merely a WUM. Disregard him/her/it and don't get your panties into a collective bunch. |
| john bodega 08.01.2007 02:19 |
I think we're overrating most of the (unsigned?) guitarists on Youtube. Maybe I've been watching all the wrong videos! |
| mike hunt 08.01.2007 02:42 |
I think this whole issue of freddie vs brian is played out. Brian a egomanic?...hell yea!... but so was roger, freddie, and john. i think every successful person has a big ego, it's just the way it is. i got caught up in this freddie vs brian crap in the past, but now I realize how silly it is. Everyone has a favorite member, but Queen wouldn't have worked if it wasn't for all four members. Everyone has an opinion, but to call the prophet song weak is a joke. That song is simply brilliant along with the rest of ANATO, it's actually one of queens best songs alongside Bo Rhap and love of my life. |
| gnomo 08.01.2007 03:14 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: OK guys, I have written several threads about Brian May's vastly inflated ego. I can't help but post yet another one!... oh, not all that crap again...! Know what: as soon as I read his comment, I thought of you and began checking this board for your moan-and-bitch reply, hoping for something mildly original and entertaining. But you were slow, and repetitive in your arguments, and you didn't even bother to think of a new title for your thread. I feel aquite let down: clowns once were something you could always count on. One... two... three... |
| eenaweena 08.01.2007 04:53 |
this has STEPFORD written all over it. freddie isn't the only one with talent, you tart. |
| Mr Mercury 08.01.2007 06:33 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: But there is a difference my friend. In the "talent" department Brian has it, as does Freddie... Brian has a unique sound, recognizable by guitarist, non-guitarist, and music fans alike... but Brian really does lack some of the "it factor". I mean face it.... go to freakin link and you will find hundreds, if not thousands of guitarist who are technically better then Brian. Perhaps these would be famous will simply never have that chance encounter to meet their "Freddie".My problem with these guitarists with the "it factor" is that they all suffer from the "yawn factor" - in other words all they seem to know is how to play extremely fast. I much prefer Brian for the way he plays. As he once said himself "I Like to think about what Im playing". Brian plays with more feeling than these "it factor" players ever could. And thank God for that. Players like Malmsteen just bore me with their endless miles of speed metal shredding riffs nowadays. Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: I think that one of the great things about "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the extent to which it is so very tightly written. At no point does it lose your interest. "Prophet's Song," on the other hand, is just plain boring. I mean, essentially half of the song is made up of what sounds like stupid, pretentious noise and no melody. The "Now I Know, Now I Know, Now I know, Listen to the Wise Man" part is not only boring, but its self-serious elements are so ridiculously inflated that it becomes inadvertently funny.To me the "Now I Know" part is an essential part of the song as it is about the madness of the phrophet (I think) - and I believe that is what you miss the point of. I also happen to think that Freddie's singing on that bit is very good. These days, I prefer to listen to this track rather than the very much overplayed Bo Rhap (and before you start to think it - I happen to like Bo Rhap as well). As for whether it would have done as well as Bo Rhap, well Brian "may" well have liked to think it would have - after all it is his baby. |
| FVBVA 08.01.2007 06:41 |
are you american,are you tyring to create confrontation between queen fans,as america did it in iraq,for me QUEEN are:FM,BM,RT,JD |
| Queenman!! 08.01.2007 08:28 |
Where is John Deacon? |
| FVBVA 08.01.2007 08:58 |
i wrote him in the fourth place |
| The Fairy King 08.01.2007 09:10 |
Some people just can't read. |
| louvox 08.01.2007 10:27 |
You're so full of shit. No no better than most of the media at twisting someone else's words. What a jackass you are. |
| ANAGRAMER 08.01.2007 11:48 |
Brain May : Egomaniac - couldn't agree more - you ever written to him on that stupid soapbox? He's totally rampant on that thing! - Reminds me of my wife - Knows everything ABOUT everything and can't possible EVER by wrong |
| MarkieKnopflie 08.01.2007 11:51 |
I think the prophets song is much better than Boh Rhap.. Lots of you won't agree but i think so. |
| Nathan 08.01.2007 11:53 |
I think that Prophet's Song and Bohemian Rhapsody are by and large as good as each other, although my personal favourite is the Prophet's Song. |
| MarkieKnopflie 08.01.2007 12:00 |
^ i agree - you're great! Bo Rhap is a very good song too, but when i listen it sometimes- it annoyes me alot.. |
| Lester Burnham 08.01.2007 12:09 |
ANAGRAMER wrote: Brain May : Egomaniac - couldn't agree more - you ever written to him on that stupid soapbox? He's totally rampant on that thing! - Reminds me of my wife - Knows everything ABOUT everything and can't possible EVER by wrong- Yeah, how dare he have an opinion! - Especially on a website called brianmay.com! - Even more especially on a part of the site called "Brian's Soapbox"! - You should start up anagramer.com and "Anagramer's Soapbox" and totally tell Brian off! - That'll show him! |
| magicalfreddiemercury 08.01.2007 12:10 |
Personally, I cannot stand Prophet's Song. But that's my opinion. I'm entitled to it, yes? And so is Brian, I'd say. If Freddie were still here and people were still asking him to talk about BoRap, I think he'd point out his fondness for other songs he'd written since then, no? It gets old after a while. And thirty years is certainly a long while. I'm thrilled people still love it and I'm thrilled it brings in new fans. But, if I were Brian, I'd be sick of hearing its praises being sung year after year and I'd do my best to point attention to other songs of quality. |
| its_a_hard_life 26994 08.01.2007 12:45 |
Lester Burnham wrote:LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :DANAGRAMER wrote: Brain May : Egomaniac - couldn't agree more - you ever written to him on that stupid soapbox? He's totally rampant on that thing! - Reminds me of my wife - Knows everything ABOUT everything and can't possible EVER by wrong- Yeah, how dare he have an opinion! - Especially on a website called brianmay.com! - Even more especially on a part of the site called "Brian's Soapbox"! - You should start up anagramer.com and "Anagramer's Soapbox" and totally tell Brian off! - That'll show him! Oh God man..... wow. :D |
| una999 08.01.2007 12:48 |
brian may has a bi of an ego alright but only when he;s on his website - its not like he's saying he's better that john lennon to his face or anything just a bit of harmless statements. regardless - queen will be remembered for elegant solos and vocals. not bad. infact what a way to be remembered.... BTW bon jov sucks as a singer...i listened to one of his songs the other day and he tries to sing with a gravely voice and it sounds so fake and embarrassing...fucking pathetic being honest. wat a piece of dirt he is. |
| The Real Wizard 08.01.2007 13:48 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: On the other hand, the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" in place of the brilliant “Bohemian Rhapsody” would likely have resulted in the demise of the entire band.Obviously, the Prophet's Song isn't as much of a commercial-sounding song. But that doesn't automatically make it an inferior song. If you don't like The Prophet's Song, then that's great. But there is a simple lesson you need to learn here: Your OPINION is not a FACT that is universally true for everyone else. It is your personal opinion. Music, and the arts as a whole, are all about one's opinion. If you don't like something, then find something else you do like. I can't believe how much time and energy you and so many other people waste on the things you don't like, when they could be busy expanding themselves to find more things they do like. You don't see me here complaining about 50 Cent and Nelly, do you? No! I'm here to post about music I actually enjoy. It's energy better spent. And yes, that is my opinion. By no means is everyone required to actually be happy with the things they enjoy without complaining about every little thing they don't like. If it weren't for angry, vengeful people like you, then the tolerant and understanding ones wouldn't seem so nice in comparison. ANAGRAMER wrote: Brain May : Egomaniac - couldn't agree more - you ever written to him on that stupid soapbox? He's totally rampant on that thing! - Reminds me of my wifeI guess it's a crime to express yourself. You're probably the kind of person who accuses rock stars of being out of touch with the real world, yet complain when a rock star has opinions on the real world that you just don't happen to agree with. Knows everything ABOUT everything and can't possible EVER by wrongPerhaps you could quote where he actually says that, and maybe we will take you seriously. |
| coops 08.01.2007 14:06 |
This discussion has degenerated, as it usually does, into "no he's better" or "no this song is better" blah blah blah If we are going to judge a man we do not know, perhaps this is what we should base our judgement on link |
| deleted user 08.01.2007 14:17 |
If the soapbox upsets you so much Treacle don't visit it. I'd also like to point out your only arguement is Brian muses about what would've happened if 'The Prophet's Song' was released instead of Bo Rhap. Sooo basically all you have is he wonders what would happen if a Brian song replaced a Freddie song. That makes him an egomaniac...how?? For all we know 'TPS' could've been in the running for a single and Freddie's ego got in the way so Bo Rhap was released instead. Edit: that last bit was strictly hypothetical!! |
| jasen101 08.01.2007 14:49 |
simply said: Freddie's #1 Fan Forever = Nut Job. No more replies to this thread please! |
| Deacon Fan 08.01.2007 15:07 |
Hmm, just to the point of removing Freddie's vocals.. I think most of the hits hold up really well actually. The karaoke and 'Eye' remixes prove this. Save for a couple Brian tracks which are quite weak without the vocals.. haha, sorry :-P |
| NOTWMEDDLE 08.01.2007 15:15 |
Brian May even stated he was fussy and pigheaded at times and was a horrible sod (British term for person) to work with on In the Studio when A Night at the Opera was spotlighted right before the vocal to Prophet's Song started. The Prophet's Song is my favorite on ANATO. Bohemian Rhapsody I'll take the Queen On Fire or Live Killers versions anyday. Queen was not all Freddie. Queen was Brian, Roger, Freddie and John. Now it is Queen Plus. The original Queen is dead but it has morphed to Queen Plus. |
| NOTWMEDDLE 08.01.2007 15:21 |
una999 wrote: BTW bon jov sucks as a singer...i listened to one of his songs the other day and he tries to sing with a gravely voice and it sounds so fake and embarrassing...fucking pathetic being honest. wat a piece of dirt he is.He was the reason for Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder to come. Bon Jovi rode on Def Leppard's coattails to stardom (big production, big hair and so on). Bon Jovi spawned the hair metal genre. As much as I didn't like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, thank the Lord for them so they could send Bon Jovi and those loser band straight to Hell. Nevermind and In Utero from Nirvana have aged better in 15 years than any dated Bon Jovi crap fest from the 1980s! Kurt Cobain was a better singer/songwriter than Bon Blow Me! |
| gnomo 09.01.2007 04:03 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: If it weren't for angry, vengeful people (..), then the tolerant and understanding ones wouldn't seem so nice in comparison.Cosmic truth. Thank you for reminding us all. |
| ANAGRAMER 10.01.2007 12:49 |
And yes, that is my opinion. By no means is everyone required to actually be happy with the things they enjoy without complaining about every little thing they don't like. If it weren't for angry, vengeful people like you, then the tolerant and understanding ones wouldn't seem so nice in comparison.
ANAGRAMER wrote: Brain May : Egomaniac - couldn't agree more - you ever written to him on that stupid soapbox? He's totally rampant on that thing! - Reminds me of my wifeI guess it's a crime to express yourself. You're probably the kind of person who accuses rock stars of being out of touch with the real world, yet complain when a rock star has opinions on the real world that you just don't happen to agree with. Knows everything ABOUT everything and can't possible EVER by wrongPerhaps you could quote where he actually says that, and maybe we will take you seriously. Oh, DO get a life (or a sense of humour) |
| The Real Wizard 10.01.2007 13:09 |
Thanks for your thought-provoking reply. Sure did put me in my place. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 10.01.2007 13:46 |
Brian has an oversized ego? Odd, as most people who seek out the public eye are usually wallflowers who would prefer to perform their guitar or vocal gifts on YouTube. Would Prophets Song have succeeded like Bohemian Rhapsody? Never. Bohemian Rhapsody sounded like nothing ever before it, or anything since. It had tons of twists and turns in keys, chords, signature that Prophets song doesn't. However, they're both wonderful songs. Interesting thoughts by Scott Mercury about Brian delivering the quality of music and Freddie delivering the quality songs. Freddie's songs tended to reflect "Queen" music more than Brian's did, and while Brian is a superb writer, if he didn't have Freddie's voice to deliver his songs (predominantly major chord, similar structure) he would have been an amazing guitarist in another band. Conversely, if Freddie didn't have Brian's guitar, he'd be a great pop singer a la George Michael, but not a legend. Take away Brian's guitar and you get Mr. Bad Guy, which wouldn't get anyone legendary status. Scott's other comment about hundreds of better guitarists on YouTube confuses me. Is guitar playing now a sport like long jump, where how far or fast you go makes you a good guitarist? Technically, Sir GH may be a better guitarist than Brian, as may 20 other players who frequent this board. That dismisses the key element in why Queen's sound was so unique, which is Brian's creativity. I'll never understand why people don't get this. It's the head, not the hands that makes Brian better than all but one or two players, ever. |
| Sebastian 10.01.2007 16:12 |
> OK guys, I have written several threads about Brian May's vastly inflated ego. Leave it out! > he suggests that "Prophet's Song" could have been as big a hit as "Bohemian Rhapsody" He didn't say that. As a matter of fact, he said that it's NOT as commercial, and I agree. He also said that it's "more for the specialists", which I disagree with, because 'Bo Rhap' is definitely more complex (musically) than 'Prophet's Song' in spite of being shorter. > It was always so random which song got picked for the leading single from a Queen album. That's a comment I find unfair. Indeed Brian sometimes did that (like when he said that they credited the lyricist as writer). Some other quotes (including some from him) suggest otherwise anyway: the selection process wasn't "always so random", and as a metter of fact, 'Prophet's Song' HAD BEEN thought to be the single at some point (Fred confirmed so). > That's why sometimes I wish the Greatest Hits would disappear for a while I disagree with that one: I wish Greatest Hits would disappear for ever! > Whenever he does live shows (including the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, of all things!!), we all know that he reverses the ratio in favor of his own songs. I agree only partially. Was the Tribute an ego trip for him? definitely, but there were other reasons too: his songs are easier to play and easier to sing, so it's obvious that they'd do 'Tie Your Mother Down' than 'Killer Queen'. > Why in the world does he think that "Prophet's Song" is one of the great Queen songs? Because it is! Not only the interlude, but the whole thing: that brilliant intro with the acoustic guitar and the mini-koto; the lyrics, the melody, the guitar tour de force after the middle bit; the way the arrangement (and the resolution) changes from one section iteration to the other... it isn't AS sophisticated as 'Bo Rhap', but it IS still May-estic from beginning to end. > After all, was it ever a hit in any way? No, because they didn't release it. > like all of Brian May's early releases, I suspect that "Prophet's Song" would have tanked. Perhaps, but it still doesn't mean it's not a wonderful song. 'Keep Yourself Alive' is IMO much more commercial than ABBA's 'Name Of The Game', but KYA didn't even chart, and NOTG was #1. Reasons: KYA was a new band's debut single, NOTG was the new release from the act of the moment. So it does have a lot to do with luck in certain ways... > Brian is merely wondering how things would have been different if another song had been released as a single. Indeed, and many of us have done the same many times. > How many times did you edit the Wikipedia article about the FM Tribute concert, with your outlandish suggestion that the concert was all about Brian satisfying his ego? Actually, to be fair, I have edited that article several times with suggestions like that. So that comment should have been addressed to me :) > the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" A song like that is definitely not mediocre. It's very well-done in every aspect and I admire the amount of work put there. Not only by Brian, who did a marvellous work writing it, doing his vocals, guitars (acoustic and electric) and koto, but by the others as well (albeit there are some slight mistakes by Deacy). > The thing that really pisses me off the most here is Brian’s failure at acknowledge the fact that “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the very reason for why he and the others became famous in the first place! They were already famous (with a #10 and a #2 hit and a successful world tour) before. > Yeah, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' IS a damn good song, but it's no better or worse than 'The Prophet's Song'. Better? no; worse? no. More musically advanced? Yes. > If you accuse "The Prophet's Song" of being devoid of "melody" during the |
| Boy Thomas Raker 10.01.2007 18:11 |
My comment about Mr. Bad Guy was more in the spirit of Scott saying that Brian wasn't much without Freddie. Yes, Mr. Bad Guy was Freddie doing pop, but that stuff doesn't stand up very well to the test of time without a rocky sound. I respectfully disagree about your comment about Brian's fingers versus his head. They are totally different, but in the case of Brian, his creativity makes him what he is as a guitarist. He alone invented the Queen guitar sound, with the layers and the harmonies, and if he were in the Stones or the Who, he'd be a lot like a Richards or Townshend, obviously a better soloist, be he wouldn't be renowned for his sound. His guitar, his mind and his fingers make Brian the guitarist he is, moreso than virtually anyone else. If you look at TYMD, it's a great riff, but that song could be played by any guitarist in any band. But GSTQ? Brian's desire to play individual notes, not chords to get a fuller sound, it's his trademark, and IMHO, that's why you can't separate Brian the musician from Brian the guitarist, and BTW, I always find your input fantastic Sebastian. |
| Scott_Mercury 10.01.2007 20:50 |
Boy Thomas Raker wrote: Brian has an oversized ego? Odd, as most people who seek out the public eye are usually wallflowers who would prefer to perform their guitar or vocal gifts on YouTube. Would Prophets Song have succeeded like Bohemian Rhapsody? Never. Bohemian Rhapsody sounded like nothing ever before it, or anything since. It had tons of twists and turns in keys, chords, signature that Prophets song doesn't. However, they're both wonderful songs. Interesting thoughts by Scott Mercury about Brian delivering the quality of music and Freddie delivering the quality songs. Freddie's songs tended to reflect "Queen" music more than Brian's did, and while Brian is a superb writer, if he didn't have Freddie's voice to deliver his songs (predominantly major chord, similar structure) he would have been an amazing guitarist in another band. Conversely, if Freddie didn't have Brian's guitar, he'd be a great pop singer a la George Michael, but not a legend. Take away Brian's guitar and you get Mr. Bad Guy, which wouldn't get anyone legendary status. Scott's other comment about hundreds of better guitarists on YouTube confuses me. Is guitar playing now a sport like long jump, where how far or fast you go makes you a good guitarist? Technically, Sir GH may be a better guitarist than Brian, as may 20 other players who frequent this board. That dismisses the key element in why Queen's sound was so unique, which is Brian's creativity. I'll never understand why people don't get this. It's the head, not the hands that makes Brian better than all but one or two players, ever.1) I never said Brian has an oversized ego... in fact he's almost too shy in my opinion. A great musician no doubt, but I wish he has 1/20th of Freddie flair and charisma. 2) I usually skip Prophet's song... but then again, I think Queen 2 is a overated album that is blown away by Queen 1, and at least 5 other Queen albums. 3) Brian is a perfectionist, as was Freddie... but Freddie was frantic, it came fast, or he forgot...Brian would be the one to go back and take his time on things. If each person in Queen had a timeclock.... I will bet anyone here, anything you'd like to bet, that Brian logged more hours on each album in most cases. But I feel he had to. It may very well took Brian 3 times the amount of time to compete with Freddie in the songwriting department.... by all accounts, Freddie wrote most of his songs in 30 minutes to 2 hours. Brian has said he sometimes will spend months. 4) Your comment on Freddie and Brian without each absolutely contradicts yourself.... so with no Freddie, Brian simply would have found another singer, and also became the most popular band in England?? Yet...poor Freddie, couldn't get another guitarist to play with him, so he would have to pray to be a pop star??.....I THINK NOT!!! More guitar players are looking for a Freddie Mercury, then there are Freddie Mercury's out there hopelessly looking for a guitarist to play with.... this really isn't up for discussion. This is common sense. 5) Nope, most of the shredders on youtube bore me to death too.... I'll take Brian anyday of Vai, Malmsteen, Satch, Zakk Wylde, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman.....and 1,000 of other no name shredders on youtube..... But from a technical standpoint, they are all better than Brian. From a technical standpoint, I am probably better then Brian... but I humbly admit he would have alot more to teach me than I could teach him. Better technically doesn't = just plain better.... don't get so hyper... technical ability is merely one aspect of playing, and to me, not the most important one. |
| Lester Burnham 10.01.2007 21:18 |
Surprisingly, I agree with Scott, although Freddie's songwriting started to go downhill slightly once Queen became an arena rock band and focused more on singles. For every 'We Are The Champions' and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', there was a 'Get Down, Make Love' and 'Don't Try Suicide' (don't get me wrong, I still enjoy both of those songs, but Freddie's songwriting output between 1973 and 1976 was almost all excellent songs). And, lest we not forget two of the biggest duds in Queen's oeuvre: 'Staying Power' and 'Body Language'. However, I found that Brian was a consistently good songwriter, and had very few duff tracks. But, Freddie did help make his songs come alive, and Brian added that extra sheen of theatricality with his guitar to Freddie's songs. Keep in mind that Brian orchestrated the guitar parts of 'Millionaire Waltz'. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 10.01.2007 21:50 |
I'm a little confused with how I contradicted myself, Scott. About Brian, I said "if he didn't have Freddie's voice to deliver his songs, he would have been an amazing guitarist in another band." About Freddie, I said, "if Freddie didn't have Brian's guitar, he'd be a great pop singer a la George Michael, but not a legend." That basically means Brian would be a great guitarist in another band, and Freddie would be a great singer in a bnd or solo. I didn't say Brian would have found another singer and become the most popular band in England, nor did I think "poor Freddie" couldn't get another guitarist to play with him. This really wasn't the discussion that was up for discussion, so I don't know what common sense has to do with anything. I do know this. They both needed each other. Brian May is one of rock's greatest guitarists, one of rock's greatest songwriters and one of rock's greatest innovators. Freddie Mercury was the arguably greatest package of talent in the 20th century, a once in a lifetime creature. He is, was and will be what made Queen great, but he wouldn't have done the great stuff without Brian (or Roger and John.) |
| john bodega 10.01.2007 22:31 |
"IMO, it would've been better with Brian's vocal." You know, I would often hear the start of Save Me and swear it was Brian! Having heard their voices at length, I'm pretty sure that's the treatment he would've given the song. I'd kill to hear a demo of it, at any rate. In any event, I mainly refer to the later parts of the song that Brian probably wouldn't have been able to give the same power to.... I definitely would love to have heard Brian take the more sensitive parts of the song like in WWTLF. |
| beautifulsoup 10.01.2007 23:22 |
Zebonka12 wrote: In any event, I mainly refer to the later parts of the song that Brian probably wouldn't have been able to give the same power to.... I definitely would love to have heard Brian take the more sensitive parts of the song like in WWTLF.I sometimes wonder if Brian was "marking his territory" in WWTLF - (it being his song) by singing that first verse, given that Freddie took the next verse and most of what came after that. Then I think/rationalize that he really did a gentle, round sound on purpose to sound more "other-wordly" (it's loaded with echo effect) before Freddie's more incisive-toned vocal. Then I think.....naaaaah. Then I think that I think too much, lol. |
| Scott_Mercury 10.01.2007 23:47 |
Brian's singing at the beginning of WWTLF works very well... Brian can do a very close Freddie soft voice.... but I love the Brian soft, kind, concerned voice at the beginning.... It sets the stage for the Mercury bring down the house power that follows. In reality, when your in a band with Fred, realistically, it would be acceptable if no one else ever sang... sometimes it works...best example would be Roggie's "Love with my car" that was perfect for him, but things like Brian's "Sidewalk" from NOTW.... uhh.. Barry Manilow might as well sang that. |
| The Real Wizard 11.01.2007 03:27 |
Sebastian wrote: > How many times did you edit the Wikipedia article about the FM Tribute concert, with your outlandish suggestion that the concert was all about Brian satisfying his ego? Actually, to be fair, I have edited that article several times with suggestions like that. So that comment should have been addressed to me :)Great. Stop doing it, please. Wikipedia is a place for facts, not for propositions and opinions. > It's the head, not the hands that makes Brian better than all but one or two players, ever. Not really. You "play" guitar with your fingers; you "arrange/write" for guitar with your brain, or heart, or soul, or whatever. That's why I think Brian is first a musician, then an arranger, then a composer, and then (fourth place) a guitarist.Fantastic reply... agree fully. Scott_Mercury wrote: Better technically doesn't = just plain better.... don't get so hyper... technical ability is merely one aspect of playing, and to me, not the most important one.Exactly. To me, being a musician consists of three things: technical ability, composition, and feel. Most of those Youtube show-offs have only one of those things. |
| Sebastian 11.01.2007 07:06 |
> Yes, Mr. Bad Guy was Freddie doing pop Actually the thinline between "rock" and "pop" is quite hard to tell. More on that later ... if I ever finish my website, or some book ;) > in the case of Brian, his creativity makes him what he is as a guitarist. Keep in mind that not always he invented the guitar parts, sometimes he "only" performed them, which he did marvellously too. I think sometimes people underrate his ability to actually play, and only think of the melodies or the distinctive sound. Imo, even if May hadn't ever composed or arranged a solo, even if he used the typical Strat + Marshall combo and played with plectra, he'd still be an astonishing guitarist. > Brian's desire to play individual notes, not chords to get a fuller sound, it's his trademark He's neither the first nor the only one doing that. But probably the first one putting that aspect in the foreground that way, yes. Everybody's got a different approach to guitar playing, that's why it's so fascinating. > that's why you can't separate Brian the musician from Brian the guitarist You can: the "guitarist" part concerns the way he uses his fingers, the way he sustains the notes, the way he produces (for instance) violin sounds, the way he taps, etc... which are nice features, some of which he does (or did, I don't know) brilliantly. A "Brian's an outstanding guitarist because he's a composer" statement is imo as ridiculous as saying "Sepp Maier was a wonderful goalkeeper because he played tennis". > by all accounts, Freddie wrote most of his songs in 30 minutes to 2 hours. That's very false. Perhaps 'Delilah' took him half an hour (lyrically, musically it's more interesting than you'd think at first listen), or some shite like that... but actually he worked much harder than he commented. His comments completely contradict other people's accounts ('My Fairy King' took two years to be completed in the songwriting department), and that's the cue to start a "Freddie Mercury: Egomaniac" thread. > he wouldn't have done the great stuff without Brian (or Roger and John.) The counterfactual bit is always controversial. What if...? We'll never know. But I think the four of them were excellent players, and above all, excellent musicians, so they'd eventually find their way to success with or without each other. > To me, being a musician consists of three things: technical ability, composition, and feel. So in your opinion Yo-Yo Ma isn't a musician? Kiri Te Kanawa? Christoph Eschenbach? Montserrat Caballe? Elvis Presley? Wasn't George Best a fantastic footballer because he never invented a playing technique? Do you have to invent measurement units in order to be tall? |
| YourValentine 11.01.2007 07:14 |
I always regretted that the Highlander version (Freddie-only version) of WWTLF was not released because I strongly disagree with the opinion that the Brian intro benefits the song - it only emphasizes Freddie's amazing vocals on this song when he takes over the second verse. |
| john bodega 11.01.2007 08:00 |
YourValentine wrote: I always regretted that the Highlander version (Freddie-only version) of WWTLF was not released because I strongly disagree with the opinion that the Brian intro benefits the song - it only emphasizes Freddie's amazing vocals on this song when he takes over the second verse.Actually I could agree that it doesn't benefit the song, maybe for some it simply doesn't fit. It doesn't take away from the fact that the intro is very well sung. |
| Scott_Mercury 11.01.2007 08:04 |
YourValentine wrote: I always regretted that the Highlander version (Freddie-only version) of WWTLF was not released because I strongly disagree with the opinion that the Brian intro benefits the song - it only emphasizes Freddie's amazing vocals on this song when he takes over the second verse.The Freddie only version is just as good.... my point is that IMO Brian is a mediocre singer at best. When Freddie comes in, it makes you say "who was that wuss singing at the beginning?" (sorry Bri) I am of the opinion that Freddie could pull off any of the others songs better than themselves with very few exceptions. Hell, a couple times on tour in 1979 Roggie forgets the words to IILWMC a few times, and Freddie takes back over to guide hime on track....sounds great. Brian has said in the past that although he was passionate about singing "Sail Away Sweet Sister" he sometimes wondered if that was a mistake as no non-Freddie sang song ever had a chance at being a choosen single. |
| Scott_Mercury 11.01.2007 08:05 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:YourValentine wrote: I always regretted that the Highlander version (Freddie-only version) of WWTLF was not released because I strongly disagree with the opinion that the Brian intro benefits the song - it only emphasizes Freddie's amazing vocals on this song when he takes over the second verse.The Freddie only version is just as good.... my point is that IMO Brian is a mediocre singer at best....but he does have a certain quality in his voice in that begining. When Freddie comes in, it makes you say "who was that wuss singing at the beginning?" (sorry Bri) |
| YourValentine 11.01.2007 08:17 |
"Actually I could agree that it doesn't benefit the song, maybe for some it simply doesn't fit. It doesn't take away from the fact that the intro is very well sung." I beg to disagree. Brian's vocals in this verse are very emotional but in terms of voice control he sounds very weak. When Freddie takes over the second verse you hear the difference between an occasional singer and one the world 's best vocalists. The song deserved the best vocalist imo. I always wondered why Brian sang some of his songs on the albums when he had the best possible singer around. Freddie never played lead guitar on one of his own songs, did he? |
| Scott_Mercury 11.01.2007 08:26 |
YourValentine wrote: I beg to disagree. Brian's vocals in this verse are very emotional but in terms of voice control he sounds very weak. When Freddie takes over the second verse you hear the difference between an occasional singer and one the world 's best vocalists. The song deserved the best vocalist imo. I always wondered why Brian sang some of his songs on the albums when he had the best possible singer around. Freddie never played lead guitar on one of his own songs, did he?I agree with that. Brian's vocals are not only weak, but he is really stretching to sing like he does. He has a timbre similar to Paul McCartney's, but he has no volume to speak of. From a technical standpoint, some would probably say Brian may be doing damage to his voice to sing like he does, as there appears to be no technique. Some of Brian's solo material would be much stronger with a lead singer.... but when Brian's first solo came out, what singer would want that gig?? I'm being serious.... that person would be like "so I have to sing for a guy thats worked with Mercury for 20+ years?".....NO PRESSURE THERE! |
| beautifulsoup 11.01.2007 10:10 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Brian's singing at the beginning of WWTLF works very well... Brian can do a very close Freddie soft voice....I agree. |
| The Real Wizard 11.01.2007 11:03 |
Sebastian wrote: > To me, being a musician consists of three things: technical ability, composition, and feel. So in your opinion Yo-Yo Ma isn't a musician? Kiri Te Kanawa? Christoph Eschenbach? Montserrat Caballe? Elvis Presley?Christoph Eschenbach arranges which to me counts just as much as composition, and Yo-Yo Ma has written and arranged a few pieces as well. As for the others, yes, I do not rate them nearly as high as "musicians". I see them as singers and performers. The true musicians are the ones who wrote the music for them to sing. |
| john bodega 11.01.2007 12:56 |
" Brian's vocals in this verse are very emotional" Singing is emotion is singing! No, I do get what you mean though and completely understand. I simply feel that the start of that song was one instance where it kinda worked. However, it's not really a sore point either way - we all got to hear Freddie have a turn at it! |
| beautifulsoup 11.01.2007 13:15 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Singing is emotion is singing!AMEN! |
| Sebastian 11.01.2007 15:28 |
> As for the others, yes, I do not rate them nearly as high as "musicians". I see them as singers and performers. The true musicians are the ones who wrote the music for them to sing All right ... I agree to disagree then :) |
| The Real Wizard 12.01.2007 00:34 |
Sebastian wrote: > As for the others, yes, I do not rate them nearly as high as "musicians". I see them as singers and performers. The true musicians are the ones who wrote the music for them to sing All right ... I agree to disagree then :)Ah yeah... that's the beauty of the arts... it all comes down to philosophies... what's true for you, rather than what's universally true. |
| Queen-Obsessed 12.01.2007 21:33 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: By the way, like all of Brian May's early releases, I suspect that "Prophet's Song" would have tanked. The melody is weak, and Freddie Mercury sounds like a girl. While "Bohemian Rhapsody" possessed a funny, campy quality, the self-serious quality that you find in "Prophet's Song" is stifling.I greatly enjoy prophets song as do many of my friends so I'm not sure it would've tanked. I have no idea how it would've compared to Boh Rhap though |
| Queen-Obsessed 12.01.2007 21:36 |
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote:I agree 11111000000%Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" in place of the brilliant “Bohemian Rhapsody”Not only a die-hard stepford, also a musical moron. No one with an education in music, experience as a musician or anything similar could agree with you in a straight face. If you don't like the song, fine. If you deny the song's qualities: you are very, very dumb. |
| Queen-Obsessed 12.01.2007 21:38 |
Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: OK Guys, Someone above was saying that "Prophet's Song" has great musical qualities. I cannot disagree more. I think that one of the great things about "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the extent to which it is so very tightly written. At no point does it lose your interest. "Prophet's Song," on the other hand, is just plain boring. I mean, essentially half of the song is made up of what sounds like stupid, pretentious noise and no melody. The "Now I Know, Now I Know, Now I know, Listen to the Wise Man" part is not only boring, but its self-serious elements are so ridiculously inflated that it becomes inadvertently funny. Let's face it, although it may be cool for hard-core Queen fans to list "Prophet's Song" as among their favorites, this piece of music sucks and has no business on any Greatest Hits compilation whatsoever. On the other hand, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a truly brilliant song. As far as I am concerned this brilliance is rooted in its humorous qualities. To me, this humor is associated with the way that it turns hard rock and heavy metal into something that is also simultaneously very gay. What a funny and original thing to do! On the other hand, there is nothing funny or original about "Prophet's Song." It drones on and like something that some pilgrim wrote 200 years ago. My God, give me a break.Do you have any idea how irritating you are? You probably do and do this simply to annoy people. |
| mike hunt 14.01.2007 07:26 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:Don't you think your overating freddie just a tad?... Freddie truly was a one off, but their must have been plenty of great singers of high quailty who would have loved to sing on brians albums. Brian sings a good ballad, so "nothin but blue" or "just one life" could have stayed the way they are, but for "back to the light" and other up beat songs he could have used a better singer. some singers who come to mind are paul rodgers, joe walsh, singer from "boston" (forget his name) among some other singers that were brilliant who would have made a great combination with brian may. again, freddie wasn't overated, he's definitly my number 1 singer, but he's not the be all end all of singers.YourValentine wrote: I beg to disagree. Brian's vocals in this verse are very emotional but in terms of voice control he sounds very weak. When Freddie takes over the second verse you hear the difference between an occasional singer and one the world 's best vocalists. The song deserved the best vocalist imo. I always wondered why Brian sang some of his songs on the albums when he had the best possible singer around. Freddie never played lead guitar on one of his own songs, did he?I agree with that. Brian's vocals are not only weak, but he is really stretching to sing like he does. He has a timbre similar to Paul McCartney's, but he has no volume to speak of. From a technical standpoint, some would probably say Brian may be doing damage to his voice to sing like he does, as there appears to be no technique. Some of Brian's solo material would be much stronger with a lead singer.... but when Brian's first solo came out, what singer would want that gig?? I'm being serious.... that person would be like "so I have to sing for a guy thats worked with Mercury for 20+ years?".....NO PRESSURE THERE! |
| Sebastian 14.01.2007 08:43 |
Imo, Brian sang his songs brilliantly, even the heavy ones (e.g. 'Love Token', 'Business'). But perhaps some other singer could have made them work better, yes ... 'Resurrection' sung by somebody like Bruce Dickinson would have been ace! |
| john bodega 14.01.2007 09:43 |
Resurrection could've used more cowbell. |
| The Real Wizard 14.01.2007 14:24 |
mike hunt wrote: Don't you think your overating freddie just a tad?... Freddie truly was a one off, but their must have been plenty of great singers of high quailty who would have loved to sing on brians albums. Brian sings a good ballad, so "nothin but blue" or "just one life" could have stayed the way they are, but for "back to the light" and other up beat songs he could have used a better singer. some singers who come to mind are paul rodgers, joe walsh, singer from "boston" (forget his name) among some other singers that were brilliant who would have made a great combination with brian may. again, freddie wasn't overated, he's definitly my number 1 singer, but he's not the be all end all of singers.Agreed. Good post. Sebastian wrote: 'Resurrection' sung by somebody like Bruce Dickinson would have been ace!Haha yeah, you're right! |
| Lester Burnham 14.01.2007 17:08 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Resurrection could've used more cowbell.Personally, Just One Life and Too Much Love Will Kill You could've used more cowbell. AND kazoo. But that's probably why I'm not a professional musician. |
| !ryan! 31351 14.01.2007 21:16 |
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote:I doubt that you can really call The Prophet's Song mediocre. In my opinion, which I do recognize is not the same as that of those around me, it was a great song, though I do prefer many of Queen's other songs over it, and even Bohemian Rhapsody.Freddie's #1 Fan Forever wrote: the release of the mediocre "Prophet's Song" in place of the brilliant “Bohemian Rhapsody”Not only a die-hard stepford, also a musical moron. No one with an education in music, experience as a musician or anything similar could agree with you in a straight face. If you don't like the song, fine. If you deny the song's qualities: you are very, very dumb. I see nothing wrong with Brian's wondering, either. How many times have we wondered 'what if ______ had happened and not ________'. I guess I learned that sometimes if you really want to believe something, you can. But you don't always have to. |
| !ryan! 31351 14.01.2007 21:21 |
Lester Burnham wrote:Like the above stated, Queen could not have been Queen without the great talents of all four of the men that made it up.Scott_Mercury wrote: Here's the next idea.... take Mercury's vocals off of all these songs, and subtract Freddie's stage presence, showmanship, and delivery of these songs.... let me know how these same songs do. Make no mistake.. Brian is a brilliant guitar player, and a quality songwriter... but without Freddie Mercury, Brian May would be a Ph.d astronomer, and play guitar as a weekend hobby... I believe this with 100% truth..At the same time, take Brian's guitar off all these songs, with his unique tone and orchestrations... let me know how these same songs do. Without Brian, Roger, and John, Freddie would be a graphic designer, and slag around various London pubs with whatever band he happened to drift into as a weekend hobby. I believe this with 100% truth. As for Freddie's #1 Fan Forever, he/she/it is merely a WUM. Disregard him/her/it and don't get your panties into a collective bunch. |