A version of Somebody to Love...i need your opinions on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-yHq8_FaC4

Here's a version of the song which Bob (aka SirGH) describes as "the best version on this side of the Atlantic". Personally, I don't believe it's the best version on that side of the Atlantic (meaning the eastern coast of the US) but I think it's actually a pretty great version with a great atmosphere even if Freddie cracks a few notes here and there...it's the effort that counts and the random adlibs.

Some people think this is a bad version but I highly disagree with these people and i think it is one of the best on the eastern coast of the US but not the absolute best. But I agree with SirGH in terms of that it is a nice version. It's highly emotional and has a great vibe to it. What are your thoughts?

Not a great version overall: Freddie shouts and cracks random notes, the song sounds WAY too rushed, very uncreative phrasing from Freddie. The only good part is the intro and that vocal solo before the outro (and I've heard better).

Philly 1977, New York 1977, and New York 1978 (2nd night), are better versions overall (more creativity from the band members, and the tempo is more reasonable).

Personally, I love the Boston 1977 version, because it has some great harmonies. Again, John can be heard and he is singing in tune!

So far, I can hear John on every version of that song during the Races tour. Maybe the band decided to lower his mic in volume after hearing the Earls Court gig? Then again, he can be heard at the Houston 1977 gig as well.

Thoughts?

Rick wrote: Personally, I love the Boston 1977 version, because it has some great harmonies. Again, John can be heard and he is singing in tune!

So far, I can hear John on every version of that song during the Races tour. Maybe the band decided to lower his mic in volume after hearing the Earls Court gig? Then again, he can be heard at the Houston 1977 gig as well.

Thoughts?
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Sounds reasonable enough! On some Races versions, I do hear John's voice cutting through.

This version blows the 1982 one out of the water. There is more creative phrasing Freddie's intro (despite it being shorter), Freddie sings this version better (no joke), and Brian doesn't make up notes throughout the song. Plus the crowd's better.

The examples posted by Jamster and Greg both have their moments, but let's not forget that it's not about "technical" ability, it's about what's more pleasurable to the ear, and I reckon that the NY '82 performance is nicer.  Andm imho, nothing touches the MK bowl performance....except this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-pMkEUh_5Y

Thistleboy 1980 wrote: The examples posted by Jamster and Greg both have their moments, but let's not forget that it's not about "technical" ability, it's about what's more pleasurable to the ear, and I reckon that the NY '82 performance is nicer.  Andm imho, nothing touches the MK bowl performance....except this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-pMkEUh_5Y
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Gary Mullen :) Love that guy.

I still think the 1978 one is better on the ears--the song's tempo is slower, and it "flows" better. Plus Brian messes up the guitar parts very badly on the 1982 version. I listen to the Jazz versions more than the later 1982 versions!

Gregsynth wrote:

I listen to the Jazz versions more than the later 1982 versions! =============================================================================================

I know :)  You're a 70s freak lol.  I like that '78 version too, but most of my early bootlegs were 80s shows so I guess I just have a soft spot for them!

Thistleboy 1980 wrote: Gregsynth wrote:

I listen to the Jazz versions more than the later 1982 versions! =============================================================================================

I know :)  You're a 70s freak lol.  I like that '78 version too, but most of my early bootlegs were 80s shows so I guess I just have a soft spot for them!
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My first unofficial Queen concert I got was the Oakland 1980 show--I have a soft spot for that! I then got Hammersmith 1979, then Vienna 1982 (second night)!

Thistleboy 1980 wrote: The examples posted by Jamster and Greg both have their moments, but let's not forget that it's not about "technical" ability, it's about what's more pleasurable to the ear, and I reckon that the NY '82 performance is nicer.  Andm imho, nothing touches the MK bowl performance....except this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-pMkEUh_5Y

If you like the Bowl version you should check out the Edinburgh and Leeds and 1982 versions. They sound very similar to MK but are better. 

And by posting that you're saying that Gary Mullen's performance is better than all Queen performances except for MK? Gary Mullen isn't even that great. He couldn't even play piano on the song.

For reference, here's all the "east coast/eastern US" versions:

I said it was the best version of STL on this side of the Atlantic because that's what I believe, based on listening to dozens upon dozens of versions.

Freddie was at the peak of his creativity on stage in 1982, and playing the Garden was the best gig in the country.  Combine those two elements and you've got yourself a passionate performance of Freddie's favourite song.

I don't care who played what notes or who sang what notes - and I'm a professional musician myself !  I'm really tired of seeing this forum become a place where a performance is judged this way and no other way.

That NY 28/07/1982 show is one of my absolute favourites.

That STL is simply mindblowing. Listen to the audience during that version and how Freddie makes them singalong... Those moments are totally unique and make me wish I'd been there!

jamster1111 wrote: Thistleboy 1980 wrote: The examples posted by Jamster and Greg both have their moments, but let's not forget that it's not about "technical" ability, it's about what's more pleasurable to the ear, and I reckon that the NY '82 performance is nicer.  Andm imho, nothing touches the MK bowl performance....except this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-pMkEUh_5Y

If you like the Bowl version you should check out the Edinburgh and Leeds and 1982 versions. They sound very similar to MK but are better. 

And by posting that you're saying that Gary Mullen's performance is better than all Queen performances except for MK? Gary Mullen isn't even that great. He couldn't even play piano on the song.
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Hey, I was kidding at first - but now that you bring it up, this Mullen effort IS better than a shitload of Freddie versions.  Not all, but a lot.  Have heard the Edinburgh and Leeds versions, btw, they're great :)  But I still prefer MK!!!

Sir GH wrote: I said it was the best version of STL on this side of the Atlantic because that's what I believe, based on listening to dozens upon dozens of versions.

Freddie was at the peak of his creativity on stage in 1982, and playing the Garden was the best gig in the country.  Combine those two elements and you've got yourself a passionate performance of Freddie's favourite song.

I don't care who played what notes or who sang what notes - and I'm a professional musician myself !  I'm really tired of seeing this forum become a place where a performance is judged this way and no other way.
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Then how do you judge a performance? Technical performance and the emotional/passion performance are both important.

I honestly do not see that 1982 version good--that 1978 Jazz version (11/17/1978), is better overall (technically, and emotionally).