i heard time and time again that freddie's vocals are at it's best on Innuendo, but IMO hot space has better vocal performances. only 3 songs from Innuendo are superb vocally, the title track, don't try so hard and the show must go on. slightly mad is a diffucult track to sing, but hot space his voice is overall stronger. Cool cat, under pressure, action this day, staying power. I'm not saying hot space as an album is better or even close to equal to the great innuendo, I'm Just comparing vocals. The three albums freddie's voice peaked are "opera" "Notw" hot space. Barcelona is also among his best vocals. Then "races" and then Innuendo.
Bigfish · Member since
I think Freds voice was very strong on Innuendo. Unfortunately he was singing like there was no tomorrow which obviously, for him, there wasn´t. Despite some fine performances I think you can still hear the illness in his voice. Hot Space was a more healthy and youthful Fred close to peak of his powers. If I had to choose a period I would say that Jazz through to Space was is purple patch. Just listen to DUST, the brilliant performance on DON´T STOP ME or STAYING POWER to name a few. Also his best live performances come from this period.
Bigfish · Member since
By The Works and subsequent tour he was passed his best.Of course he was on the Fags by then. No pun intended.
onevsion · Member since
When it comes to vocals I prefer Hot Space.
Innuendo sounds fake to me. Pitched vocals I think.
In terms of vocals, I think Queen's best concert tour was the Hot Space tour.
The '80 and '81 tours where great too...
The Real Wizard · Member since
I'd say these were Freddie's vocally strongest periods on stage...
May 1977
December 1979
July 1980
December 1980 - November 1981
May - June 1982
As for albums, I agree, Hot Space was probably Freddie's strongest, with Jazz coming in as a close second.
Micrówave · Member since
[QUOTE]When it comes to vocals I prefer Hot Space.
Innuendo sounds fake to me. Pitched vocals I think. [/QUOTE]
I completely agree.
Those vocals WERE altered. It was confirmed to me by Brian May. When else did Brian (and Roger for that matter) report that Freddie "never sounded better". They went out of their way to let us know that Freddie gave his best performance ever on the last album. Huh? Please Brian!!!
Everyone, by now, knows just how ill Freddie was. Look at the videos. You're telling me THAT man was able to belt out better notes than ever? Truth is, they probably had to spend a lot of extra time fixing it without making Fred sound like Cher.
Hot Space rocks.
on my way up · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Sir GH wrote: [/b]
I'd say these were Freddie's vocally strongest periods on stage...
May 1977
December 1979
July 1980
December 1980 - November 1981
May - June 1982
As for albums, I agree, Hot Space was probably Freddie's strongest, with Jazz coming in as a close second.
[/QUOTE]
Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)?
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]on my way up wrote: [/b]
Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)?
[/QUOTE]
I do. He was pretty spectacular at most of the 81 shows.
mike hunt · Member since
interesting, I can't bring myself to say Innuendo was altered. he sang his heart out on that album, but I don't think it was his best. I still think A night at the opera has to be up there. Jazz?....some great performances, but the production makes his voice sound thinner than usual. hot space his voice is flawless, that's the reason why i stick up for that album. It's an enjoyable listen for me. Next up is a brian may thread. his best playing album.
on my way up · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Sir GH wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]on my way up wrote: [/b]
Do you mean: from december 1980 all through 1981(including the South-American concerts)?
[/QUOTE]
I do. He was pretty spectacular at most of the 81 shows.
[/QUOTE]
I agree;-)
ANAGRAMER · Member since
GOOD THREAD!
Yes, IMO Freddie's voice did peak around 80-82
He sounds a bit worn out on The Works - interviewed at the time (by Simon Bates) he does refer to the voice being more 'husky'
The subsequent Works tour is even worse - the texture all but gone as he shouted most of the songs: Live in Rio a prime example
AKOM suffers from the same 'shouted' vocal technique - when he reverted to actual singing, on Innuendo - it ws all there even though the vocal did sound a little thin and processed
marcenciels · Member since
Hot space is a very strong vocal work by Freddie. i think that Jazz is as strong. it's the musical style that may be confusion to some ?
anyhow, from about '78 to '82, he was in his zone.
Innuendo...
what was the order of recording these songs ? by dates. was he feeling good, not too tired ?
studio tricks or not...
he gave the best of whatever power he had left in his soul, on bad or better days. on that, i think we can all agree.
doxonrox · Member since
Sure, he was in his prime around the Hot Space album, and he was dying during Innuendo. I think the odds were work in favor of Hot Space.
That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out.
Sebastian · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]doxonrox wrote: [/b]
Sure, he was in his prime around the Hot Space album, and he was dying during Innuendo. I think the odds were work in favor of Hot Space.
That said, I would much rather listen to his dying voice on good songs rather than his great voice on bad songs. Mr. Bad Guy may have his best voice, but I can't bear to listen to it to find out.
[/QUOTE]
Very good point: the song matters a lot. A brilliant voice can be misspent on a shite song.
Back2TheLight · Member since
Sorry, hate on me if you want...Innuendo was by far some of my favorite singing. No question he was in fine shape for Hot Space, but by the time Innuendo came around, he may have been dying, but even Brian May said he just got better and better.
