Barcelona re-release - What the @#8! did they do????

I love the new version, they put a lot of effort in it.
Some thing of the 80' really sucks, and the use of synthetizers is one of these. I imagine Barcelona was made with keyboards because is the way they did the things at the time,but now is much better.

[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
I love the new version, they put a lot of effort in it.
Some thing of the 80' really sucks, and the use of synthetizers is one of these. I imagine Barcelona was made with keyboards because is the way they did the things at the time,but now is much better.[/QUOTE]

I love it too. My only complaint is they couldn't get HCIGO right TWICE. On the "bonus version" Freddie's two soaring "How can I go on" bits are completing buried

[QUOTE] [b]pittrek wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Pim Derks wrote: [/b] Let's wait for the new Queen-album, "Mr. Bad Guy" to be released. Freddie would've wanted it that way.[/QUOTE] Actually Brian's guitar and Roger's drumming would help the songs from the album :-)[/QUOTE]

Just what I was thinking!

[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
I love the new version, they put a lot of effort in it.
Some thing of the 80' really sucks, and the use of synthetizers is one of these. I imagine Barcelona was made with keyboards because is the way they did the things at the time,but now is much better.[/QUOTE]

Freddie and Mike Moran both stated that they used keyboards because Freddie insisted (Mike tried desperately to get him to use a real orchestra), Freddie explaining this by saying "you just don't have that kind of control over a real orchestra" (i.e. "I can't write the parts down accurately enough for an orchestra to play them up to my standards"), consult the Freddie Mercury Solo Collection for details.

So basically Jim Beach is talking shit then in the promo film for this release, where he says that Freddie couldn't be bothered to use an orchestra, whereas the truth is that he could be bothered but actively chose not to, in order to have the album exactly as he wanted it to sound, thereby completely negating the reason given by Beach for re-recording it.

Thanks for picking this up TQ

@cmsdrums:

That's the info you get from the Solo Collection. I can't incontrovertibly say Jim Beach is talking shit, but unless the Solo Collection contains completely fabricated interviews and quotations, that is what it looks like.

I suppose it could that the Solo collection is wrong (which is feasible when you consider the numerous mistakes on other releases), but I'm guessing if it actually contains quotes and references specific interviews, that it's Jim Beach that is making excuses this time.

While they did some nice job, the thing I hate the most is that they took so many liberties:

removed the flute part on La Japonaise (min 1.55) removed the amazing keyboards on Excercises
added an unnecesary chorus on La Japonaise (min 4.16)
Removed the amazing piano intro at The Fallen Priest etc etc etc etc...

Isn't just about everything done for the Almighty dollar? I enjoy the original, it is genuine.

If we are to believe what Jim Beach says in a number of interviews....Freddie said they could do whatever they wanted with his music and his image as long as they never made him boring.

I used to get bent out of shape when remixes or new edits of tracks were released. After watching the new documentary (Great Pretender) I don't feel that way any more.

I'd rather see stuff remixed, re-recorded and released as something "new" so it catches the attention of a new generation of music fans. We had our time with the classics of Freddie & Queen. They still exist. We can still choose to go back and listen to them. The new stuff also exists for those that want something different (maybe not better but different). If Freddie truly saw his songs as disposable and throw away then let Jim Beach and the rest of Queen do whatever they want with them. As long as Freddie is still being discussed and kept in the public eye thats okay by me.

Thats just my thought for the day. I'm glad we're all still listening to Queen & Freddie and enjoying the wonderful music he gave to the world.

^^^^^^ well said... my feelings as well

A christmas present we've been waiting to open since September.

Reading the reviews here, we knew what to expect. It has its moments, yet manages to diminish some of the most powerful moments.

The album was never a favorite. But the title track....I listen to the LP version often, as it follows the studio TSMGO version on MY GsHits III setlist. On my Freddie best of, I have the extended version, 'Exercises', Ensueno (inst) and the 'Guide Me Home/How Can I Go On' demo included.

These still get a spin quite often. The title track was the first song we heard in our limo after our wedding 10+ years ago...so it has always been very special to us,

This was our first 'Queen' purchase since 'Live at the Bowl'. The idea was a good one. The love and effort put forth cannot be doubted.

Just rather sad and disappointing that an orchestra (and the mixing) would detract and not enhance some of the power and majesty from the original.

(who knows...maybe in 2016 they'll issue a remastered version;-))

[QUOTE] [b]cmsdrums wrote:[/b]

So basically Jim Beach is talking shit then in the promo film for this release, where he says that Freddie couldn't be bothered to use an orchestra[/QUOTE]

Of course he is. Saying 'that's what Freddie would've wanted' is an automatic boost for sales.

It's not terrible. But my concern is I think the orchestra somewhat drowns out the vocals a bit

I didn't like the fact that the arrangements are 99% true to the original version.
You hear it's ALMOST complete. I was highly upset about that.
I didn't like the mix either, the vocals were either too loud or too drowned in the background.
Besides, so much for real orchestra! It does not sound THAT much better.
I still choose the original, no doubt about it.

But, you know, it's a matter of opinion. Maybe I'm too used to the original versions.