on my way up wrote: A few general thoughts about the live band Queen: *a weak Queen-show was still a fantastic rockshow because of several reasons: - the band had great songs and - even on an offday - the managed to bring over the meaning of the songs - the band were masters of putting a setlist together, so the impact of their performance was always huge (great at building intensity etc.) - the band had a unique frontman in Freddie, who - even when his voice was weak - was always a great entertainer and he could adapt songs to the shape of his voice =========================
I've truly have never heard a "bad" or a "weak" show from Queen. I've heard many concerts where Freddie sounds awful--but the band makes up for it. The closest things to weak shows would be stuff like Himeji/Fukuoka 1976, Toronto 1978, etc. On those shows, everybody isn't on top form--but I wouldn't say "they sucked that night," or "this show wasn't good."
on my way up · Member since
Gregsynth wrote: on my way up wrote: A few general thoughts about the live band Queen: *a weak Queen-show was still a fantastic rockshow because of several reasons: - the band had great songs and - even on an offday - the managed to bring over the meaning of the songs - the band were masters of putting a setlist together, so the impact of their performance was always huge (great at building intensity etc.) - the band had a unique frontman in Freddie, who - even when his voice was weak - was always a great entertainer and he could adapt songs to the shape of his voice =========================
I've truly have never heard a "bad" or a "weak" show from Queen. I've heard many concerts where Freddie sounds awful--but the band makes up for it. The closest things to weak shows would be stuff like Himeji/Fukuoka 1976, Toronto 1978, etc. On those shows, everybody isn't on top form--but I wouldn't say "they sucked that night," or "this show wasn't good." -------------- ---------------
That's what I was saying. And Freddie's weak shows were not that bad either;-)
Gregsynth · Member since
on my way up wrote: Gregsynth wrote: on my way up wrote: A few general thoughts about the live band Queen: *a weak Queen-show was still a fantastic rockshow because of several reasons: - the band had great songs and - even on an offday - the managed to bring over the meaning of the songs - the band were masters of putting a setlist together, so the impact of their performance was always huge (great at building intensity etc.) - the band had a unique frontman in Freddie, who - even when his voice was weak - was always a great entertainer and he could adapt songs to the shape of his voice =========================
I've truly have never heard a "bad" or a "weak" show from Queen. I've heard many concerts where Freddie sounds awful--but the band makes up for it. The closest things to weak shows would be stuff like Himeji/Fukuoka 1976, Toronto 1978, etc. On those shows, everybody isn't on top form--but I wouldn't say "they sucked that night," or "this show wasn't good." -------------- ---------------
That's what I was saying. And Freddie's weak shows were not that bad either;-) =======================
On some of his weaker gigs, I would agree--but then there's gigs where he literally sounds bad to the point where I can't listen to the gigs that much. I'll give you an example: Everybody says that the 4/25/1979 show is Freddie's worst vocal gig. It honestly isn't (I've listened to every show from that Japanese leg just to compare). The 5/1/1979 gig is Freddie's all-time worst vocal gig: His tone is shot to pieces, he can't even hit G4s without being off key, cracking, squealing, he makes wrong note choices (they aren't even in the key), does vocal swoops into the SECOND OCTAVE, and actually hits as many as 3-5 notes at the same time (vocal nodules emit frequencies when struck). At 4/25, he sounds weaker, but at least he's ON KEY, his tone isn't completely shot, and he TRIES to make up by singing in the 3rd octave (and embellishing upwards). At 5/1, he tries to hit notes that he shouldn't be hitting, and often fails.
I can listen to 4/25. I can't listen to 5/1.
If you don't believe me, I'll post Youtube links (there's people on my 5/1 videos, saying it's the worst gig for Freddie).
Gregsynth · Member since
So far, I'm liking the list!
bitesthedust · Member since
What about Paris 28/02/1979?
I've not (yet) picked up Boston '76, so I'll have to go along with others' opinions on that.
As for Dallas 28/10/1978, it may not be the best show Queen ever did, but I like to hear the first plays of songs and see how they develop over time.
The Real Wizard · Member since
bitesthedust wrote:
I've not (yet) picked up Boston '76
====================
*gasp!*
Stop everything you're doing now and get it ! Hands down, it's the best recording of Queen live available.
Boston 1976 is a Queen concert that everybody should listen to!
bitesthedust · Member since
Gregsynth wrote: Boston 1976 is a Queen concert that everybody should listen to!
I have to agree, it sounds superb so far.
MERQRY · Member since
bitesthedust wrote: Gregsynth wrote: Boston 1976 is a Queen concert that everybody should listen to!
I have to agree, it sounds superb so far.
--------------------- The BEST audience recording EVER... For moments it seems a Soundboard or even a multitrack recording!
The Real Wizard · Member since
MERQRY wrote:
For moments it seems a Soundboard or even a multitrack recording!
=====================
You can thank the crew for that - Queen had the best front of house guy in the business. In the 70s, half of these guys were stoners and would forget to turn up the guitar fader during a solo..
little foetus · Member since
I really think it is an impossible task to make an official top ten gigs list because it is a very personal choice. Most of my favorite shows are not in your list:
- The Hammersmith 79 is an obvious one but it seems everyone here has listened too much to it. - The Copenhagen 78 show was in your list but you removed it because the crowd was a bit dull ,OK. But why not including one of the two nights in Rotterdam of the same tour? I've not listened to them since a very long time but I remember thinking these had a lot of potential but marred by a bad quality sound. - I would certainly include Oakland 80. So bad so few recordings are circulating from this huge tour. They were amazing at this time, I think and at the peak of the popularity in America. - Everyone is very enthousiastic about the first night in London but what about the second? If we had a recording as half as good as the first night, I'm quite sure everyone would think it is an mythical night. The atmosphere was very particular this night, I guess and I remember really enjoying it. - You might include one of the early Works shows (Brussels or especially one of the two first nights in Birmingham). Everyone is so delighted to be here (the band, the crowd...), they are pretty well rehearsed and Freddie's voice is amazing shape.
bitesthedust · Member since
As an owner of nearly 100 shows I feel I am well qualified to provide a list! Having now listened to Boston '76 I fully agree it should be included in the top 10. I think some shows are too familiar - a previous post has indicated this regarding Hammersmith 79 and whilst I accept that point, this is perhaps more relevant to the concerts officially released; for example, I have always felt Budapest 86 was a better show than Wembley -but like Rio 1985 the element of surprise when listening to a bootleg isn't there.
Anyway, my 10, in no particular order -
Newcastle 04/12/1979 Boston 30/01/1976 Tokyo 01/05/1975 Hammersmith, London 24/12/1975 Hammersmith, London 26/12/1979 Osaka 20/04/1979 Wembley, London 08/12/1980 Chicago 07/12/1978 (aside from a brief delay due to technical difficulties, this is a great show!) Paris 28/02/1979 Leeds 29/05/1982
knaapjen · Member since
What's wrong with Brussels (8/24/1984)? the voice is amazing and imo best performances on it's a hard life and I want to break free. Why doesn't anybody mention it, I'm curious.
Newcastle, Boston, Leiden are the top 3.
Gregsynth · Member since
knaapjen wrote: What's wrong with Brussels (8/24/1984)? the voice is amazing and imo best performances on it's a hard life and I want to break free. Why doesn't anybody mention it, I'm curious.
Newcastle, Boston, Leiden are the top 3. ====================
Nothing's wrong with that concert (it's the ones from 2 weeks later--lol)! Brussels is easily one of the best Works Tour gigs overall. That's got the best versions of I Want To Break Free, It's A Hard Life, the best Tie Your Mother Down on the tour, and the best 1984 version of Somebody To Love.
