That's a good point. A few QZers have (or claim to have) relatively easy access to replies from the likes of Freestone, Moran, Mandel and Mack. If any of them could offer their insights, that still wouldn't be incontestable proof, but it'd certainly add (or subtract) credibility to its authenticity.
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Someone could 'Ask Phoebe' on his blog. He should be soon starting to answer questions again, according to Facebook.
That's a great idea!
I think the best thing is to ask yourself - if JSS had not posted anything in the thread, would you believe it was Freddie's recording of this piece of music ?
I would, personally (though I wouldn't be, and am not, and cannot possibly ever be, 100% sure).
What is discussed/challenged here, however, is not the authenticity of the recordings, but the existence of enough evidence to confirm said authenticity.
What is discussed/challenged here, however, is not the authenticity of the recordings, but the existence of enough evidence to confirm said authenticity.
If a person believes, why does he need proof ? You only need proof if there is a doubt.
It's not about 'needing', it's about 'inquiring if there is any because it'd be far better to have it.'
I totally agree with everyone.
If the shoe was on the other foot, or if I bought this from anyone else but Jim Hutton; I too would be skeptical.
So I am not in a position to criticise because I totally understand where the "skeptics" are coming from.
I also agree with Seb. This track is available in FLAC in the "Downloads" section - so I am sure that it could be shared with Brian, Pheobe or whoever.
It may not change my mind, but remember my mind is not objective and is biased and it would be good to hear what others "in the know" think.
Finally; as to the track itself.
What key is it in? Was this one of Freddie's favourite keys - or was this key alien to him?
What grading is this piece?
I believe Freddie was a grade five. Is this harder than a five (eg a six or seven).
Is this being played by ear (that is extemporarised) or is it scripted (eg the reading of sheet music?).
These are all question I too would like answered; because unless someone can categorically say "This is not Freddie because..." then I am with Jim,
but I think everybody knows that anyway :-)
If the shoe was on the other foot, or if I bought this from anyone else but Jim Hutton; I too would be skeptical.
So I am not in a position to criticise because I totally understand where the "skeptics" are coming from.
I also agree with Seb. This track is available in FLAC in the "Downloads" section - so I am sure that it could be shared with Brian, Pheobe or whoever.
It may not change my mind, but remember my mind is not objective and is biased and it would be good to hear what others "in the know" think.
Finally; as to the track itself.
What key is it in? Was this one of Freddie's favourite keys - or was this key alien to him?
What grading is this piece?
I believe Freddie was a grade five. Is this harder than a five (eg a six or seven).
Is this being played by ear (that is extemporarised) or is it scripted (eg the reading of sheet music?).
These are all question I too would like answered; because unless someone can categorically say "This is not Freddie because..." then I am with Jim,
but I think everybody knows that anyway :-)
After doing a quick google search - I found this score in PDF format which appears to be very similar to that which is heard on the recording in question... Again, a very common arrangement.
http://www.stcc.edu.hk/~wyc/webshare/ATCL/score/Sondheim/Sondheim%20-%20Send%20In%20The%20Clowns.pdf
This score is in E-flat major (you can get different keys) while the recording is a half step higher in E major. I wouldn't suspect one key was favoured over the other - in fact, if you compare classics like Melancholy Blues, and the last section of Bohemian Rhapsody, I would argue that Freddie would have preferred the E-flat major key.
So - improvisation aside - I see this arrangement as a strong candidate to that which might have been played by the person in the recording - Freddie or otherwise.
http://www.stcc.edu.hk/~wyc/webshare/ATCL/score/Sondheim/Sondheim%20-%20Send%20In%20The%20Clowns.pdf
This score is in E-flat major (you can get different keys) while the recording is a half step higher in E major. I wouldn't suspect one key was favoured over the other - in fact, if you compare classics like Melancholy Blues, and the last section of Bohemian Rhapsody, I would argue that Freddie would have preferred the E-flat major key.
So - improvisation aside - I see this arrangement as a strong candidate to that which might have been played by the person in the recording - Freddie or otherwise.
I need to strongly say that there is NO way to tell if this is Freddie Mercury or whoever else... as the person is more or less playing NOTE FOR NOTE as to what is found in the score in the link above.
There are NO IDENTIFIERS to say it is Freddie Mercury or anybody specific. The person on the recording is playing NOTE FOR NOTE as found in the above link without any other improvisation or otherwise. Check for yourself.
Sorry -- but as a pianist - I cannot support the claim that Freddie Mercury is 100% playing on this recording. ANYBODY could be playing this !!!!! Ask anyone who plays piano.
There are NO IDENTIFIERS to say it is Freddie Mercury or anybody specific. The person on the recording is playing NOTE FOR NOTE as found in the above link without any other improvisation or otherwise. Check for yourself.
Sorry -- but as a pianist - I cannot support the claim that Freddie Mercury is 100% playing on this recording. ANYBODY could be playing this !!!!! Ask anyone who plays piano.
Jesus fucking Christ
Just enjoy this download gift whether you question its authenticity or not.
It all comes down to whether you trust Jim Hutton and John S Stuart.
Just enjoy this download gift whether you question its authenticity or not.
It all comes down to whether you trust Jim Hutton and John S Stuart.
Why was is sold by Jim?
Did he need the money?
Did he want to make sure it was shared to the rest of the world?
Did he want to make sure it wouldnt be shared with the rest of the world being the personal tape as it is?
Is there more?
Questions, questions.."
Did he need the money?
Did he want to make sure it was shared to the rest of the world?
Did he want to make sure it wouldnt be shared with the rest of the world being the personal tape as it is?
Is there more?
Questions, questions.."
It's obvious, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Bach's Prelude in C Major is taught, learnt, transcribed and played in C Major, 99.99% of the times. If the recording's in another key, then it's almost entirely sure to have been sped up or down, which would suggest 'Send in the Clowns', 'Amazing Grace' and the other one were as well. That could help us discover the key in which Fred (or whoever that was) played 'Clowns'.
Classical music is one thing - but any common piece of "popular" music can be purchased in virtually any key. And this is made even easier with websites like www.musicnotes.com.
Who's to say if the tape was sped up or not - if this is a basic "in house" recording, I would suspect not, but that's just my opinion (sort of a general theme of this thread).
It's more likely that the performer used a copy of the music in E major for send in the clowns.
Who's to say if the tape was sped up or not - if this is a basic "in house" recording, I would suspect not, but that's just my opinion (sort of a general theme of this thread).
It's more likely that the performer used a copy of the music in E major for send in the clowns.
If the recording was really originally made in E major, then we might have a “problem”. I am pretty sure Freddie would choose Eb major/C minor in 95 % over E major IF we are talking about piano playing. From analyzing his songs that are piano based I can easy believe that Eb major was his favourite key.
Actually at the moment I can’t remember even one of HIS songs that are PIANO based (played by HIM) and written in E major. I am NOT saying they don’t exist (there must be some of them) but I just can’t think any of the song at the MOMENT. Most of the time he preferred flats.
I am not saying this recording is not from Freddie. But it would be awesome if someone can prove that recording is playing too fast and consequently the pitch is raised by approximately one semitone. Again, this would not be a proof but it would add more credibility.
Just a thought
Actually at the moment I can’t remember even one of HIS songs that are PIANO based (played by HIM) and written in E major. I am NOT saying they don’t exist (there must be some of them) but I just can’t think any of the song at the MOMENT. Most of the time he preferred flats.
I am not saying this recording is not from Freddie. But it would be awesome if someone can prove that recording is playing too fast and consequently the pitch is raised by approximately one semitone. Again, this would not be a proof but it would add more credibility.
Just a thought