http://www.srf.ch/player/tv/10vor10/video/queen-erleben-in-montreux?id=e020b6b8-0136-48a2-a333-5fb88e25a971
live footage news of the band at the studio ,this Monday
Mkls
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brians wig
Stupid article.
We've known for nearly two deacdes that Mother Love was Freddies last vocal. The only thing we didn't know for sure where the recording dates.
We've known for nearly two deacdes that Mother Love was Freddies last vocal. The only thing we didn't know for sure where the recording dates.
Thistle
[QUOTE] [b]brians wig wrote:[/b]
Stupid article.
We've known for nearly two deacdes that Mother Love was Freddies last vocal. The only thing we didn't know for sure where the recording dates. [/QUOTE]
Unless you are privy to the complete archives, the point is that we DON'T KNOW that ML is the last recorded vocals. We can assume, given the PRESENTED evidence. It does look likely, but we can't be completely certain. Therefore, as it's something that's been argued about for the best part of my own days of Queen fandom (about 18 years), it's not really a stupid article or topic. Perhaps saying they've put the matter to rest is silly, but the topic in itself is still interesting.
Stupid article.
We've known for nearly two deacdes that Mother Love was Freddies last vocal. The only thing we didn't know for sure where the recording dates. [/QUOTE]
Unless you are privy to the complete archives, the point is that we DON'T KNOW that ML is the last recorded vocals. We can assume, given the PRESENTED evidence. It does look likely, but we can't be completely certain. Therefore, as it's something that's been argued about for the best part of my own days of Queen fandom (about 18 years), it's not really a stupid article or topic. Perhaps saying they've put the matter to rest is silly, but the topic in itself is still interesting.
Sebastian
Interesting what he says near the end of the video: 'we didn't know what the last recording would be.'
He also mentioned that sometimes only one of them would record.
So, again, either it's a magnificent coincidence that Brian happened to be present on Freddie's very last recording, or he did some more by himself later on. Either way, they're still gonna say the former, as it's more Hollywood-esque and dramatic.
He also mentioned that sometimes only one of them would record.
So, again, either it's a magnificent coincidence that Brian happened to be present on Freddie's very last recording, or he did some more by himself later on. Either way, they're still gonna say the former, as it's more Hollywood-esque and dramatic.
justinshirleysmith
Hi Chris
Cole Moreton seemed to be genuinely moved by his visit to the studio and wrote a nice article. In the course of the writing however he missed one detail on this subject: I told him we had been investigating tape-box labels and track-sheets and, in fact, any documents we could find relating to these recordings in 1991. Cole only mentioned the tape-box labels - perhaps thinking it was enough information for most people ! ... Anyway, I thought I'd just correct that here where I reckon there are some people who care more about these things.
Please remember Cole's job is to sensationalise whenever he can, hence: "Now, The Telegraph can disclose, the mystery has been solved." etc.
You would be right to be doubtful had we just taken one tape-box label date as proof of a recording date.
The tape-box label in question is Reel #7 and is dated "13-5-91". The second item on this tape is "Mother Love (Original)". This leads me to believe that work on Mother Love was not started before that date.
The track sheet for "Mother Love (Original)" shows that Freddie sang a number of takes and includes detailed notes about each take. For example: "FM v1 + Mid8 + v2" and "FM mid8 + v2 + whisper Mother Love" and "FM Mid8 last line" etc. There is also a Brian vocal track. There is no date on this track-sheet. The instrumentation at this stage is just drum-machine, keyboard and three takes of guitar.
The next version is "Mother Love New Master" on Reel #6. This version clearly started as a copy (digital clone) of "original".
The track sheet for "Mother Love New Master" is dated "16-5-91". This track-sheet shows all the same vocal takes with the same detailed notes copied through. The only differences are in the instrumentation: drum-machine, keyboard, guitar (Take 1 only - incidentally the same as in the final mix), bass and "Hi Note"[synth]. The one remaining difference is "Vox Comp" instead of "Brian Vocal". The fact that all the vocal takes were copied over with exactly the same distinctive notes leads me to believe Freddie had recorded these vocals on, or before, 16th May 1991.
The next version is "Mother Love (Master 2) New Arrange" on Reel #2. This version clearly started as a copy (digital clone) and edit of "New Master".
The track sheet for "Mother Love (Master 2) New Arrange" is dated "22-5-91". The track-sheet contents are all identical to "New Master".
The last stereo rough-mix tape from these sessions is dated "22-5-91" and contains Mother Love.
I can find no evidence of any work on Mother Love after the 22nd May 1991.
Regarding "A Winter's Tale", the track-sheets show that Freddie's vocal was compiled on "10 May '91" which means that he recorded it on, or before, that date.
Although the fact that I worked on the sessions and have a pretty good memory of what happened is helpful, particularly in deciphering the documents, I cannot say I recall the exact order and dates of events. I have instead preferred to trust the written notes and dates from 1991 for this message and the information I gave to Cole.
Regards
Justin Shirley-Smith
Cole Moreton seemed to be genuinely moved by his visit to the studio and wrote a nice article. In the course of the writing however he missed one detail on this subject: I told him we had been investigating tape-box labels and track-sheets and, in fact, any documents we could find relating to these recordings in 1991. Cole only mentioned the tape-box labels - perhaps thinking it was enough information for most people ! ... Anyway, I thought I'd just correct that here where I reckon there are some people who care more about these things.
Please remember Cole's job is to sensationalise whenever he can, hence: "Now, The Telegraph can disclose, the mystery has been solved." etc.
You would be right to be doubtful had we just taken one tape-box label date as proof of a recording date.
The tape-box label in question is Reel #7 and is dated "13-5-91". The second item on this tape is "Mother Love (Original)". This leads me to believe that work on Mother Love was not started before that date.
The track sheet for "Mother Love (Original)" shows that Freddie sang a number of takes and includes detailed notes about each take. For example: "FM v1 + Mid8 + v2" and "FM mid8 + v2 + whisper Mother Love" and "FM Mid8 last line" etc. There is also a Brian vocal track. There is no date on this track-sheet. The instrumentation at this stage is just drum-machine, keyboard and three takes of guitar.
The next version is "Mother Love New Master" on Reel #6. This version clearly started as a copy (digital clone) of "original".
The track sheet for "Mother Love New Master" is dated "16-5-91". This track-sheet shows all the same vocal takes with the same detailed notes copied through. The only differences are in the instrumentation: drum-machine, keyboard, guitar (Take 1 only - incidentally the same as in the final mix), bass and "Hi Note"[synth]. The one remaining difference is "Vox Comp" instead of "Brian Vocal". The fact that all the vocal takes were copied over with exactly the same distinctive notes leads me to believe Freddie had recorded these vocals on, or before, 16th May 1991.
The next version is "Mother Love (Master 2) New Arrange" on Reel #2. This version clearly started as a copy (digital clone) and edit of "New Master".
The track sheet for "Mother Love (Master 2) New Arrange" is dated "22-5-91". The track-sheet contents are all identical to "New Master".
The last stereo rough-mix tape from these sessions is dated "22-5-91" and contains Mother Love.
I can find no evidence of any work on Mother Love after the 22nd May 1991.
Regarding "A Winter's Tale", the track-sheets show that Freddie's vocal was compiled on "10 May '91" which means that he recorded it on, or before, that date.
Although the fact that I worked on the sessions and have a pretty good memory of what happened is helpful, particularly in deciphering the documents, I cannot say I recall the exact order and dates of events. I have instead preferred to trust the written notes and dates from 1991 for this message and the information I gave to Cole.
Regards
Justin Shirley-Smith
Pim Derks
This is unbelievable, thanks for sharing this Justin. When can we expect the book? :D
Sebastian
... DP, S.
Sebastian
I'm sold about the May date regarding Fred's last ML vocal, THAT is evidence.
When you say no further work on ML was done after May 1991, does it mean just vocals or instruments as well? In the latter case, that'd mean the story about Brian playing a Parker Fly is bollocks.
When you say no further work on ML was done after May 1991, does it mean just vocals or instruments as well? In the latter case, that'd mean the story about Brian playing a Parker Fly is bollocks.
justinshirleysmith
Hi Sebastian
Good point, what I meant was this:
I can find no evidence of any work on Mother Love after the 22nd May 1991... until 13th October 1993 when work recommenced at Metropolis Studios London.
Regards
Justin
Good point, what I meant was this:
I can find no evidence of any work on Mother Love after the 22nd May 1991... until 13th October 1993 when work recommenced at Metropolis Studios London.
Regards
Justin
Pim Derks
Seriously Justin, is there any chance there'll ever be a book containing stuff like this? Obviously there is a market for this kind of stuff. Include pictures of the original tapes/lyrics/etc. That'd be awesome!
Thistle
Ssshhhhhh Pim - that suggestion will be mistaken for a promised release at some point, then we'll have a squad of Russian gangsters demanding answers from QPL because they reneged on the announced product :p
cmsdrums
Justin
Your detailed insight and facts here are massively appreciated - thank you.
As a 'newbie', any more input you might fancy contributing to the more "serious" threads here regarding recording, mixing etc.. (you'll soon come to know the spammers and nutters!!) will always be gratefully accepted and debated by the majority here.
Thanks again
Chris
Your detailed insight and facts here are massively appreciated - thank you.
As a 'newbie', any more input you might fancy contributing to the more "serious" threads here regarding recording, mixing etc.. (you'll soon come to know the spammers and nutters!!) will always be gratefully accepted and debated by the majority here.
Thanks again
Chris
Lord Gaga
[QUOTE] [b]Pim Derks wrote:[/b]
Seriously Justin, is there any chance there'll ever be a book containing stuff like this? Obviously there is a market for this kind of stuff. Include pictures of the original tapes/lyrics/etc. That'd be awesome![/QUOTE]
Exactly, agreed 1000%. The Beatles Recording Sessions was such a valuable insight into their working method, and for YEARS I've hoped that we'd get something similar for Queen.
Justin, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let it happen! I will buy it in a heartbeat.
Seriously Justin, is there any chance there'll ever be a book containing stuff like this? Obviously there is a market for this kind of stuff. Include pictures of the original tapes/lyrics/etc. That'd be awesome![/QUOTE]
Exactly, agreed 1000%. The Beatles Recording Sessions was such a valuable insight into their working method, and for YEARS I've hoped that we'd get something similar for Queen.
Justin, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let it happen! I will buy it in a heartbeat.
The Real Wizard
Likewise here ! Bring on the book.
This is the first bit of solid information heard in years about the specifics of any Queen recording session, never mind the last one. Gracious thanks for opening up, Justin.
I'm not the least bit surprised about it being from May '91. Fans liked the idea of a narrative saying Mercury practically sang on his deathbed, but it was implausible for so many reasons. Only three songs were recorded after Innuendo, and David Richards has recently said the work began immediately after Innuendo was finished (November 1990). Three songs wouldn't take a year to put onto tape, especially considering how time was of the essence. In fact, that it took six months to get snippets of three songs onto tape reveals how little Freddie was actually able to work in 1991.
It is now clear that the last work he did was the Days Of Our Lives video shoot. The outtakes reveal that he could barely walk, so the stories about him needing to rest between takes are all the more real now. He really was that ill by this point. Thank goodness we can put the rumours to rest - we have the facts now.
If only this forum was this good every day...
(post slightly edited due to me being a schmuck)
This is the first bit of solid information heard in years about the specifics of any Queen recording session, never mind the last one. Gracious thanks for opening up, Justin.
I'm not the least bit surprised about it being from May '91. Fans liked the idea of a narrative saying Mercury practically sang on his deathbed, but it was implausible for so many reasons. Only three songs were recorded after Innuendo, and David Richards has recently said the work began immediately after Innuendo was finished (November 1990). Three songs wouldn't take a year to put onto tape, especially considering how time was of the essence. In fact, that it took six months to get snippets of three songs onto tape reveals how little Freddie was actually able to work in 1991.
It is now clear that the last work he did was the Days Of Our Lives video shoot. The outtakes reveal that he could barely walk, so the stories about him needing to rest between takes are all the more real now. He really was that ill by this point. Thank goodness we can put the rumours to rest - we have the facts now.
If only this forum was this good every day...
(post slightly edited due to me being a schmuck)
Benn Kempster
THIS is exactly what Queenzone should be used for and is why there need to be moderators in place - just imagine the WEALTH of information and detail that has been kept back.