Queen

christeb

Sharkey 10 wrote: »

Firsty let me say that I dont speak with much authority on Queen but am indifferent to them maybe thats because of them being overplayed.
I find it amazing that people choose them as the best band ever. I dont find much diversity with their music . Could could direct me to some of there less known albums that may change my mind?

YES! The type of response I was hoping for. The early stuff is really great, most hardcore Queen fans would direct you in this direction IMO. I would start with Queen II, a concept album somewhat based aroundd Brian May CS Eliot fascinnation and Freddie's obsession with the Richard Dadd's "Fairy Feller's Masterstroke" painting. A concept album divided up into Side White (BM + RT) and Side Black (FM). This album will open itself up the more you listen to it, it's gotta be my favourite of all time (as well as Bri's fav Queen album).

From there check out A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, Sheer Heart Attack and the eponymous first album. I think the more you listen the more you'll hear the influence of the other members, people who say it was FM +3 couldn't be further from the truth.

Hope this is a little help -0 let me know how you get on

leincar

For pure diversity and different styles on one album it has to be 'A Day At The Races' From hard rock of 'Tie Your Mother Down' and 'White Man' to the beauty of 'Take My breath Away' to the majesty of 'Somebody To Love' and the beautiful madness of 'The Millionaire Waltz it cannot be equalled.

A lot of people have maintained that 'A Night At The Opera' to be Queen's finest work, but I defy people not to listen to 'A Day At The Races' and not be utterly blown away by this Magnum Opus.

'Queen II', 'Sheer Heart Attack', 'Jazz' and 'News Of The World' are also worthy and would grace any CD or MP3 collection.

leincar

Just Thought I'd mention that I had my doubts about Sacha Baron Cohen taking the role of Freddie Mercury in the upcoming film about him, however John Deacon has given his blessing. If its O.K. by John its fine by me.

chughes

leincar wrote: »

Just Thought I'd mention that I had my doubts about Sacha Baron Cohen taking the role of Freddie Mercury in the upcoming film about him, however John Deacon has given his blessing. If its O.K. by John its fine by me.

Just curious Leincar, where did you hear about John Deacon's approval ?

It's so rare to hear anything from John, I'd be interested to hear about the source. Cheers.

leincar

chughes wrote: »

Just curious Leincar, where did you hear about John Deacon's approval ?

It's so rare to hear anything from John, I'd be interested to hear about the source. Cheers.

I read it first under the red button on the BBC. Then it appeared on the official Facebook, Queen fanpage. The following is a link I just found as well.

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/103116814.html

As you know John Deacon has more or less retired from music, but he still handles most of the business end of things. They have an agreement that for Queen songs to be used they must all give their blessing. The last time was for the 'We Will Rock You' musical. This time they are all seemingly taking an active part in the production.

christeb

leincar wrote: »

For pure diversity and different styles on one album it has to be 'A Day At The Races' From hard rock of 'Tie Your Mother Down' and 'White Man' to the beauty of 'Take My breath Away' to the majesty of 'Somebody To Love' and the beautiful madness of 'The Millionaire Waltz it cannot be equalled.

It's a super album, the opener of Tie Your Mother down is beyond compare. I love Long Away and The Millionaire Waltz is Freddie's at the height of his bombast, yet most have probably not even heard it. And Teo Torriate is unique, an amazing live tune.

leincar wrote: »

Just Thought I'd mention that I had my doubts about Sacha Baron Cohen taking the role of Freddie Mercury in the upcoming film about him, however John Deacon has given his blessing. If its O.K. by John its fine by me.

It's here via Brian's site that all 3 remaining members have licensed song rights for the film. BM and RT rarely do anything without John's approval, the recent tour and WWRY play being 2 examples.

Dudess

I only know their singles and never got into the band, but feck it, credit where credit's due - for the massive influence they had on so many rock genres, for the showmanship and voice and on-stage presence of Freddie Mercury, for the work that went into their live shows, for their enthusiasm and passion for what they did. I'll be honest and say most of their singles don't do anything for me personally (even if I can see their merits in terms of musicianship, production, etc) but there's a handful of songs I like: Innuendo and One Vision are brilliant. It's A Kind Of Magic is, for me, a watered down One Vision, but still good.
Another One Bites The Dust and Radio Ga Ga are great pop songs. And, not Queen but Freddie, I simply LOVE Under Pressure. Bit sick of Bohemian Rhapsody overall by now, but snippets from it never get old, particularly the "Nothing really matters" finale - just so damn beautiful and tearjerking.

losthorizon

Dudess wrote: »

I only know their singles and never got into the band, but feck it, credit where credit's due - for the massive influence they had on so many rock genres, for the showmanship and voice and on-stage presence of Freddie Mercury, for the work that went into their live shows, for their enthusiasm and passion for what they did. I'll be honest and say most of their singles don't do anything for me personally (even if I can see their merits in terms of musicianship, production, etc) but there's a handful of songs I like: Innuendo and One Vision are brilliant. It's A Kind Of Magic is, for me, a watered down One Vision, but still good.
Another One Bites The Dust and Radio Ga Ga are great pop songs. And, not Queen but Freddie, I simply LOVE Under Pressure. Bit sick of Bohemian Rhapsody overall by now, but snippets from it never get old, particularly the "Nothing really matters" finale - just so damn beautiful and tearjerking.

Funnily enough I like Queen but especially in the early days. So for me they are an album band who produced great albums with the odd good single. And those who say it was all down to Freddie Mercury are missing the whole point of the group. They were a band of wildly divergent characters who wrote separately and contributed different aspects to what made up Queen. In fact in the early days both Brian May and Roger Taylor used to sing their own songs on Queen albums
One of my favs is '39 song by Brian May from A Night at the Opera. A song about a time traveller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q1yyoe377k

sham69

Like so many others here, the first band I really got into but quite late in my life so never got to see them live.
The first few albums are classics.
Queen 2 seems to be quite a cult classic, I know I shouldnt mention his name after recent events but Axl Rose called it one of his favourite albums ever.
The guitar harmonies are amazing.
A night at the opera is an amazing album that I could easily listen to from start to finish all day long (and have recently)
Hot space was a disaster but something they had to try I think.
Staying power was quite catchy.
Jazz very underrated as is the news of the world.
Freddie an absolute legend, but I think it was really a band effort.
I remember Brian saying in an interview that the thing that keeps them together is no one person is better then Queen.
My mates sister's boyfriend is related to Brian May and I have missed out on two occassions to meet him but have numerous personalised autographs.
Next time they are here I have been promised an introduction.
Can't wait, he is the reason I started playing guitar.

mle1324

Yup Yup, big Queen fan myself

Listening to them as I type

christeb

Great clip on youtube of Rhys Thomas answering Queen as his specialist subject on Mastermind. I'd have come very close to his score, although he is VERY quick with his answers. Check it out here

Motley Crue

christeb wrote: »

Great clip on youtube of Rhys Thomas answering Queen as his specialist subject on Mastermind. I'd have come very close to his score, although he is VERY quick with his answers. Check it out here

I was really surprised how quick he was with his answers alright, I used to be a member of the Queen International fan club (will get around to joining again one day) and do have a massively high opinion of these guys. I'm listening to the Jazz album right now actually

Even though their later work was somewhat saddened by Mercury's impending death, I do feel there was a creative release on his part, and a carefree attitude that "who cares what I make, life is too short, and I can do whatever I like because whether or not people judge me I'm still going to be dead...." and in many ways this gave him an extra spark to just dive into his work and give his best, and clearest, un-distracted material. As such 'Innuendo' is one of my favourite albums of all time.

Riddle101

Before I even got into Rock and Metal music, I was a Queen fan. We had their Wembley 86 live album and I used to play it over and over again as a child, but it wasn't until my later teen years when I started really getting into music, that I truly started to become a fan of theirs.

paulosham

I used to buy all my Queen singles in Abbey Discs and Borderline (I think it was called Borderline then) back when they were in the Abbey Mall. I got the withdrawn Man On The Prowl 7" for £1.50. I'd say Sheer Heart Attack if the best album for first time listeners, that or The Game. I did get all the answers correct on Mastermind

republic1

I've only come across this thread and am interested to find so many Queen fans here in Ireland.

I am a life time fan of the greatest band in the world and attended the 1979 concert in the RDS (How I envy Leincar in meeting Brian & Freddie after that show!). What a magical show that was - a spectacular light show with the 'Pizza Oven' rig and an amazing performance by the band. I've been looking for a long time for a bootleg copy of that show. One does exist and I've heard of one person who has a poor-ish copy of it. I also recently made contact with a photographer who covered that gig and hope soon to get some photos of that show from him.

I also attended a number of other gigs - Leeds 1982 (commonly regarded as one of their best ever), both 1984 shows in Dublin and Slane Castle in 1986 which was slightly disappointing especially when compared to the earlier ones I saw.

As regards albums, Queen II, A Night at the Opera and, the often under rated, Jazz are my favourites. Yet, there are gems on practically all albums and most have the unique sound that makes Queen so very special.

Is there a Queen fan group in Ireland? It would be very interesting to talk to long-term Queen fans such as Leincar, Chughes and others...

chughes

Leincar posted earlier that I must be his doppelganger. I think, republic1, that you must be mine. My first Queen concert was RDS November 1979. My next Queen concert was at Elland Road, Leeds in 1982. Next was Simmonscourt in 1984 and then Slane 1986.

I do agree that Slane was the worst of the gigs because of the rain and the fighting in the crowd.

I don't know of any fan clubs based here in Ireland but I used to be a member of the International Fan Club.

It's hard to know if a get together could be organised. We may have to keep in touch through this thread.

republic1

chughes wrote: »

Leincar posted earlier that I must be his doppelganger. I think, republic1, that you must be mine. My first Queen concert was RDS November 1979. My next Queen concert was at Elland Road, Leeds in 1982. Next was Simmonscourt in 1984 and then Slane 1986.

I do agree that Slane was the worst of the gigs because of the rain and the fighting in the crowd.

I don't know of any fan clubs based here in Ireland but I used to be a member of the International Fan Club.

It's hard to know if a get together could be organised. We may have to keep in touch through this thread.

Amazing!

The Elland Road gig was incredible. I was still in school when we travelled over. I seem to remember having to apply for tickets in writing and send a cheque to the UK - no internet bookings in those days. It's a pity that show wasn't filmed although the one the following week at the Milton Keynes Bowl was and it is superb - it's still available as 'Queen on Fire' on DVD.

If you are interested in Queen live concerts, easily the best website is www.queenconcerts.com - it is an superb resource for fans.

I was also a member of the international fan club years ago while I was still in school but I'm not sure that there is as much demand for such fan clubs in the internet age. I'd be interested in meeting up informally with other long-term (and newer) fans if anything was ever arranged.

chughes

republic1

chughes wrote: »

Nice one!

The only ticket I think I have somewhere is the Slane one. For the life of me I cannot recall where I put the tickets for the earlier gigs.

Was there seating at the 1979 gig? We were standing right at the front. It got pretty crowded and uncomfortable there. I don't suppose you have any photos from that gig? Or, even more unlikely, know where that elusive bootleg from that gig can be found?

Asphyxia

chughes wrote: »

You are so lucky I wish I had been able to witness Queen live They're one of my favorite bands.

Freddie passed way to soon

leincar

I still have the Harp sponsored post cards from the '85 gig. Freddie and gang dressed from It's a Kind of Magic.

mle1324

Was there ever any reason why Its A Hard Life was only performed live in Japan and Rio ? Would of being a great song for Magic Tour.

chughes

leincar wrote: »

I still have the Harp sponsored post cards from the '85 gig. Freddie and gang dressed from It's a Kind of Magic.

I don't remember these but I'd love to see them, Leincar. Any chance of scanning them and posting here ?

leincar

I love how this thread keeps coming back. Like Queen it will last the distance. Anyhoo for a chuckle I thought I would share a part of a best man's speech I made two years ago for my best friend on his second time around. His rationale was that he had gotton ten good years off the witch he was previously married to, and as I was the best man then I could do no wrong this time around. I've changed the names but 'Bob' has been my best friend since 1971 when I was six and believe it or not introduced me to Queen and 'Seven Seas of Rhye'. Hope you get a laugh.

"Then of course there came the courtship and I was wondering how can I talk about this in a quick and light way. In a moment of madness, I decided that their recent past history could pretty much be told using song titles from Queen. There now follows a brief synopsis some of which may actually have happened. I will buy a drink for the first person who can tell me how many song titles are used in the following couple of paragraphs. That does not include Bob whose knowledge of Queen is encyclopedic."




"Here we go. Bob and Beth 101
Bob was a Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy, who had been Long Away. While dancing the Millionaire’s Waltz at the Dreamer’s Ball he gazed upon Beth who was dancing the Bohemian Rhapsody. Bob was looking for Somebody To Love, his eyes had fallen on a Sweet Lady. Beth he thought, the Love Of My Life, You Take My Breath Away. Beth was stunning and looked like a Killer Queen who with a Flick Of The Wrist could perform a Kind Of Magic. Now I’m Here, thought Bob and he went to Beth and they danced the Prime Jive. Bob reasoned I’ve nothing to lose I’m Under Pressure as it is and said to Beth Sweet Lady, You’re My Best Friend, Save Me, You And I should be together. How about a Seaside Rendezvous? Beth replied you’re Stone Cold Crazy. No, said Bob it’s a Crazy Little Thing Called Love and I Need Your Loving Tonight also, a part of me is like Brighton Rock and I want to be Innuendo. Well, thought Bob it’s all in the Lap Of The Gods. While Bob was having a Sheer Heart Attack and waited for the Hammer To Fall Beth thought maybe he’s matured after all, he is 39 and he is Good Company, It’s Funny How Love Is and after all, These Are The Days Of Our Lives. Bob rang me, Friends Will Be Friends he said, I’m Going Slightly Mad. I said I’m going Radio Gaga. Are you rushing Headlong? I asked. No, said Bob Don’t Stop Me Now, I have One Vision. I want out of this Bicycle Race, I don’t need Fat Bottomed Girls. I don’t want to Play The Game Anymore. Then came The Miracle and Beth wearing Lily Of The Valley said yes. Another One Bites The Dust. It was indeed the Fairy Fellers Master Stroke. After some years, they can both say with a sense of pride This Is The World We Created."

Cole

I just caught this performance today on Sky Arts 1, it's from the Prince's Trust concert 2010.

Any time I've heard other singers perform Queen songs, they rarely can hit the notes like Freddie did, but this is pretty impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMnMBSUJ0xU

chughes

Thanks for that Cole. That's probably the closest I've ever heard of anyone sounding like Freddie.

mle1324

Brian's hair has gone very gray in the past year.

EDIT: Has Brian forgotten Tokyo and Rock Rio ??

chughes

mle1324 wrote: »

Brian's hair has gone very gray in the past year.

In fairness to Brian, he is in his sixties. He probably just gave up using the Just For Men

mle1324

chughes wrote: »

In fairness to Brian, he is in his sixties. He probably just gave up using the Just For Men

Possibly because he still had black-ish hair when he was on The Late Late Show at the start of 2010.

What do all of yeas reckon, could we see Queen return to Ireland before they call it a day ?

mle1324

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnWh0PuWlRE

Full video of The Princes Trust Rock Gala 2010