May ‘Incensed’ By Leaked Jackson/Mercury Tracks

I can't fathom this, it's not even a news story.  The fact that Freddie might've sung on "There Must Be More To Life Than This" doesn't at all promote it about the level of 'aimless cheesy Michael Jackson nonsense'.  It's about as listenable as a cheeseburger stuffed with horse cum.
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[/QUOTE]Same goes for State of Shock, but since the world has already endured that one; why do people have a fascination for doing it again??[/QUOTE]
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[/QUOTE]Brian, don't worry; I'm a proud music thief, and I stole copies of these two songs many years ago, but you can have them back.  Seriously.[/QUOTE]

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[b]MadeInMadhouse wrote: [/b]

So we listened to these Singles THEY ARE GREAT! so they will release these one when both of the singer were DEAD come on.. check this out is a forum of Michael:

http://mjhideout.com/forum/enciclopedia-mj/22294-historia-de-michael-jackson-freddie-mercury.html
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according to the thread in your link, Another One Bites The Dust was WRITTEN FOR AND OFFERED TO Michael Jackson, but then Jacko and Quincy Jones refused the song and suggested Queen to record it, as it was meant to be a huge hit. Okay, okay ....  next, please ?

M'eh - I dunno.

I'm a big fan of Brian May, but I tend to agree with what everyone is saying here...these tracks have been out there for a number of years so for someone like Brian [who is very internet-savvy] NOT to know about them until now is sort of unbelievable.

To me, this has just as much value as if Brian were to be upset about any bootlegs related to the upcoming (hopefully) Hammersmith '75 DVD. He must know that there are bootlegs out there of this concert yet he's spending the time to PROPERLY remaster the footage. Perhaps this isn't as much of an issue because the Hammy '75 was broadcast on the BBC (I believe?) so much like Milton Keynes, it only needs a proper 'clean-up' for the purposes of QPR.

I think it all boils down to money. Brian May is most likely upset that these unreleased tracks were put out there - and now that MJ is "gathering dust" he has lost the opportunity to be the first out of the gate with them. It's a shame that this couldn't have been done before this year but it's my understanding that the MJ estates didn't want them released for whatever reason...I seem to recall there was anticipation back in the late 90's or early 00's about an MJ boxed set which never materialized.

In spite of all of this I still think the MJ/Freddie tracks would be well-served to be given a proper remastering and proper release -- it's not like people WOULDN'T buy the product (*cough*cosmosrocks*cough*) so it'd be a sort of no-brainer money-maker.

Hell - I'd buy it !

...for what it's worth,

I really don't understand this full out attack on Brian May in this instance.  The reporters who picked up this story from his web site say he is incensed.  No where on his site does he say he is angry, upset or anything else.  He does say that the "music thieves" are at it again and that he will have more to say later, but it is the press that is trying to create a story, and as usual, if it gives people ammunition to further their agenda they run with it.  Reminds me of Fox News.

I've got nothing against Dr May's comments, but I do find it ridiculous that some people think nobody knew of those recordings until the day after Michael died. Even Freddie Mercury had commented about them in mid-80's (at least three interviews that I remember), they were also on Phoebe's book, some interviews to Fred's mates, and of course, they'd been issued via internet years ago.

And by the way, the whole [i]AOBtD[/i] being for 'Off the Wall' is a very old and very widespread rumour, which is also as fake as Paul's death or the 180 voices in [i]Bohemian Rhapsody[/i].

Brian May obviously doesn't have a clue were these tracks came from...
Nothing to do with teft in the first place...

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[b]Sebastian wrote: [/b]

And by the way, the whole [i]AOBtD[/i] being for 'Off the Wall' is a very old and very widespread rumour, which is also as fake as Paul's death or the 180 voices in [i]Bohemian Rhapsody[/i].
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Seconding that, Sebastian; the amount of bullshit you can find in the net is amazing ... In the MJ forum link I was refering above (it´s written in spanish), they also say favorite Freddie´s bands were Mott The Hoople and [b]The Jacksons[/b] ....

Now that IS true: [i]Killer Queen[/i]'s official Greatest Flix VHS video (AFAIR) has those bands as his picks.

Freddie did mention Michael as one of his favourite singers many times, and also did people close to him (e.g. his driver and his PA).

It was also mentioned by Freddie that he liked Paul Young, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minelli, Montserrat Caballe, Robert Plant and George Michael; by pre-Queen mates that his record collection included The Who, Bowie, Beatles, Zeppelin, Aretha and Liza; by his driver that he liked Pink Floyd; by his PA that he liked Prince and Pavarotti; by Roger (in late 70's) that he was into Michael Jackson.

But do you know who was never mentioned in those top-favourite singers' groups? Paul Rodgers. Until, of course, 2004.

I'd also like to point out that the "reporter" has yanked a few lines from Brian's website and tried to make it look like he went on a tirade.  His actual statement reads more like a "ho hum, it's happened again" sigh.

I suggest reading the source material before commenting on selected sections and implied attitude.  Even then, after reading it, try not to think the worst just so you can go on a tirade.

The tracks are very rough, therefore Brian/Roger/John/Quincy Jones could still tidy them up with some modern day production, and put them out for release. I think Freddie's vocals are damn good on these although musically its very basic.
I believe they could coax John Deacon out of retirement just to complete this project.

Only if they get Brooke Shields to strip for him.

I think Brian should chill, he exploided Freddie more than anybody else by releasing GH albums 900 times and doing this moronic Paul Rodgers thing.

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[b]smilingeorge wrote: [/b]

I think Brian should chill, he exploided Freddie more than anybody else by releasing GH albums 900 times and doing this moronic Paul Rodgers thing.[/QUOTE]
On the one hand, standing ovation! On the other, he didn't technically steal anything. What he did/does could be immoral to many people (me included), but not illegal.

[QUOTE]I think Brian should chill, he exploited Freddie more than anybody else by releasing GH albums 900 times and doing this moronic Paul Rodgers thing. [/QUOTE]

Absolutely not! A) At least one of the Greatest Hits albums came out while Freddie was alive. B) Brian wasn't angry in the first place, just a little annoyed. C) Neither Brian nor Roger have control over re-releases of albums. If the record company wanted to release another Greatest Hits or concert DVD, they might be able to help with it, but not much else. D) Even if they had that much control, why would it have been just Brian who was "exploiting" Freddie? Roger and John (and Freddie for that matter) weren't appalled at the idea of Greatest Hits. E) There are 3 GH CDs and 2 DVDs, not 900. F) If the guys still want to play music and John isn't interested and is fine with it, why shouldn't they go on tour with Paul Rodgers? The music's still pretty good, so who cares?

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[b]buffypython wrote: [/b]

Neither Brian nor Roger have control over re-releases of albums. If the record company wanted to release another Greatest Hits or concert DVD, they might be able to help with it, but not much else.[/QUOTE]

Wrong. Brian and Roger, along with Jim Beach etc have total control of the re-release albums as they own the material, which is licensed to EMI for release. EMI are unable to release anything against the wishes of the band.