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[b]Daniel Nester wrote: [/b] Again, there is no standard definition of oversung or oversinging, let alone "technically oversinging." And by all the definitions available to us --melisma, adding decorations are some -- making an extra effort to add emotional content comes closest. It's just that Freddie isn't adding the usual or intended (for the song) extra emotional content.  Whereas in a ballad, for example an Aguilera or Carey might be doing runs, melisma, all to pile on the emotion, and bathetically so, Freddie add his to present a different interpretation entirely, and that's where these terms "obnoxious" and "macho" come out. I definitely disagree with the idea that he's being "obnoxious," but you might be onto something with "macho."

So, maybe chest-singing might work?  You seem to have a Mercury-specific definition of oversung and I would much prefer that: Mr. Bad Guy-ing. I'm really not kidding!  It definitely is a different persona he's putting across in these later tours.  I love all things Queen circa Game and Hot Space, so I guess that's why I'm responding in this way.  Works and Magic Tour stuff I can't get worked up about, for example. Maybe it's because I was a teenager then or something.  I dunno.

I have to say, you're rocking out putting up these bootlegs online. You're a minor god in my book.[/QUOTE]
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There's a list of terms and phrases myself and a group of live concert listeners compiled over the years of listening to Queen and Elton John concerts. I really should make a video with those terms on them (since I write them in descriptions all the time). Some of the terms are fairly straightforward (like "airing notes" and "barking"), and others are open to different interpretations ("oversinging phrasing," "obnoxious phrasing"), and others are invented ("Angry Bird Phrasing," "vocal disintegration").

I should make a new definition: "Mr. Bad Guying." That's when Freddie deliberately "machos" up his voice by deepening his tone and usually plays around with the vocal phrasing. I'll credit you for that one!

For oversinging: There's three variations I see. I see the classic overdone melisma/vocal run version (that Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, and Adam Lambert tend to do), the "random higher notes thrown in" version (the Killer Queen's from 1980, and Paul Stanley of Kiss does this A LOT), and the kind of oversinging where a singer projects his/her voice so much that it's almost shouted (Jennifer Hudson)!

Thanks!

Yes, these are working definitions you have in your discussions, maybe even personal definitions. I think a glossary video would be entertaining and helpful. A lot, if not most, of the traditional oversinging definitions don't apply to Freddie at all, but it's tempting to use that term, considering the power of his instrument.

I agree with you on that: The "traditional" oversinging doesn't really apply to Freddie!

I'll probably start working on that video soon!

Yes, he had a lot of power in his instrument!