Silver Salmon Thread

The biggest question I have, is when was this recorded? Some people say it's from the early 70s, while others say it's from the late 70s.

1977

The demo I've heard floating around has chatter at the beginning, including the infamous line from Freddie saying, "I know he doesn't know it..." and doesn't fade out, but rather finishes with big guitar flourish.

The posted version above sounds like it was altered in order to sound more like a finished track.

is it possible that it's running a bit fast, therefore pitched up?   I've read the various contentions that place the recording in the NOTW sessions, and I can't argue with the logic... but Freddie sounds young - like Queen I young, unless the speed is off.

joesilvey wrote: is it possible that it's running a bit fast, therefore pitched up?   I've read the various contentions that place the recording in the NOTW sessions, and I can't argue with the logic... but Freddie sounds young - like Queen I young, unless the speed is off.

If you ask me, Freddie sounds "pre-Queen young". His voice sounds almost the same as on "I Can Hear Music".

V.

marvinp01 wrote: 1977

I think I go to heaven
Cos' I been too long on the dole
And I can't work at ll

Danger stranger
You Better Pain Your Face
No Elvis, Beatles or The Rolling Stones
In 1977

,,,

Sorry I couldn't resist :-)

Indeed, the tape is playing too fast.  That's why his voice sounds a few years younger.

This song was written by Tim Staffel in the band Smile. This is a unreleased track from the Queen's debut album sessions. Therefore, it was recording about 1971-1972(probably)because the freddie's voice is similar to the voice of songs "goin'back" or "I can hear music".

It's a mystery because I can hear Roger playing with Roto Toms or the Ludwig Timbales, which he used on stage beginning  late 76- onwards. But Freddies voice sounds like its early 70's

The song was recorded during the NOTW sessions. One of the giveaways (especially for drummers) is that Roger is now using Ludwig timbales. He didn't have these for the ADATR sessions or tours. These were acquired prior to the NOTW sessions. The sound of the drums is the same at the those sessions as well. There is also prominant use of a China type cymbal. During Queen's early years Roger didn't use a China. Not until ADATR did he start using them as can be heard in Somebody to Love and can be seen in the video too. The bottom line? Roger's drums are the clue to the year of this recording. Freddie's voice sounds "younger" because the recording is slighly sped up.

I slowed down the track in Audacity slightly, and the effect on Freddie's voice was a shock; he sounds alot older.

This is hilarious.

Let's alter the existing the evidence because part of it doesn't fit our theory. We're stuck, because Freddie's voice doesn't match with the age of the drum sound, so we change his voice, because CLEARLY that's the problem.

Yeah, that's some top-notch detective work there. We learned that slowing the pitch down makes Freddie sound older. Ignoring the fact that the guitar seems to drop to a different key and the drums just sound odd, Freddie's voice now sounds like it might have in 1977.

We're in what's called a Catch 22 here, boys and girls. The 1977 theory only holds up if you concede that the existing recording floating around fandom is being listened to at the wrong pitch (too high). In order for us to concede that the pitch is too high and should be slowed down, we have to believe that the recording originates from 1977. We believe the recording is from 1977 because we believe the pitch is too high, so we slow it down so it will sound like it's from 1977. And around and around we go.

If we choose not to take the recording at face value, no argument can logically win. This is so because we simply do not have enough information about this recording. We infere and guess and try to support our theories with facts that only account for a portion of what we are hearing. Once we alter the evidence we have, the recording, the debate is finished. We can go no further building a case either way because the foundation upon which we theorize has been compromised, utterly and completely.

"Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate" William of Ockham

Oh my God people ! Have you ever heard songs like Cool Cat demo, or Pain Is So Close To Pleasure ?
I think Freddie sounds like "1972-Freddie" there too, but these songs were recorded in the 80's.
I hear absolutely no evidence which would allow me to assume that the demo runs too fast. Everything sounds like running in the correct speed to my ears

I don't understand why Greg doesn't just solve the mystery for us, or does he only reply to threads where he gets slagged off?

Gary Taylor!!!
Any ideas mate?

It's 1977, without a single doubt. Roger used a completely different drum kit in the early years, thus had a completely different sound.

This song is on the same tape as Feelings Feelings, which is also from 1977. Also, Brian's guitar sound is very NOTW-ish. A plain, simple, hard rocking guitar in comparison to the more harmonic, synth-like guitar sound from the early years.