Another odd thing about Jazz is that it was the first album since Queen that didn't include the lyrics. Especially as there was so much room on one side of the inner sleeve or the back of the bicycle race poster.
A few weeks after release the fan club did send out a poster with the lyrics on the reverse. They were printed in white on a black background and in the same typeface as the rest of the album inner sleeve, which makes me think they were typeset ready for use but a decision was then made not to include them on the cover.
I've only found a pic of the poster side.
scottmax · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
I think they were all 'snow blind' back then, which is probably why they don't remember much about it.[/QUOTE]
All of them?
Haha Brian doesn't come across as the mi da bloke that'd partake in hoovering up copious amounts of Columbian marching powder!
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
I think they were all 'snow blind' back then, which is probably why they don't remember much about it.[/QUOTE]
Almost certainly a couple of them, but not all of them...
Excellent pics here !! I wish there were more answers, but clearly there are reasons why there aren't. No band protects their history and the creative process this tightly unless it's a conscious choice to.
IanR · Member since
In a 2002 article for Record Collector, Greg Brooks stated that 'Don't Say No' was a working title.
In a 2002 article for Record Collector, Greg Brooks stated that 'Don't Say No' was a working title.[/QUOTE]
Right - but is this based on listening to tapes, or simply seeing the same piece of paper we just looked at?
strangefrontier · Member since
The US Jazz press kit claims 4/5 tracks were discarded and that they could of easily have put out a double album of material.
Vocal harmony · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b]
I wish there were more research and stuff about the 'Jazz' era. I really love the album. Unfortunately, it seems they disowned it as soon as it was released, and on the 'Days of Our Lives' doco they devoted more time to talk about the infamous launch party than to the album itself.[/QUOTE]
Agreed, I've always liked the album.
I wonder, and this is just speculation, if they weren't happy with Baker's production. They obviously chose to work with him again but only on this album. Their is a harshness and brittleness to the sound, compared to past albums. Also did the album take longer then planned, the release date falling two weeks into the US tour to promote it.
I would assume that the emphasis at that point would be on the live dates and new production.
The launch party has become a major part of Queen's history as a band who over did everything. The stories attached to the party have gone down in Queen folklore as being more important then the reason for the party.
As an album I think it was the end of the overblown 70's production and so much of what had become Queen trade marks. The album had everything that fans would have expected at that point.
The next time they'd go into a studio, in the late 70's would be with Mack and the result as we know was very different.
mooghead · Member since
I was disappointed when I first heard it and still am a little bit. Queen were touring so much at the time that it was rushed and contained filler and the production is bad.
Oscar J · Member since
Yeah, some of the songs on there would be much more listenable if the snare didn't sound like it was played through a small radio for example.
One thing the album misses is an "epic".
Queen had Liar, to name one.
Queen II - MOTBQ.
SHA - ITLOTG and Brighton Rock
ANATO - BR and Prophet's Song.
ADATR - White Man and STL.
NOTW - It's Late.
Jazz had nothing over four minutes or so, and the most complex song is probably the light hearted Bicycle Race. It lacks any sort of pinnacle, and is just a bunch of songs scrambled together. And from that point on they ceased making those big songs until Innuendo.
Sebastian · Member since
'Who Wants to Live Forever' clocks at 5.15 (making it longer than 'White Man', 'Brighton Rock', 'Lap of the Gods' and 'Somebody to Love') and it's got orchestration.
'Was It All Worth It' is another pre-Innuendo epic.
dysan · Member since
I think it benefits from being 'shorter' songs. My only quibbles are Jealousy and IO7D which are a bit of a drag. Probably their most ridiculous album.
Saint Jiub · Member since
Radio Ga Ga clocks in at 5:44 which makes it 97% as epic as Bo Rhap which clocks in at 5:55 ... Unfortunately, Bo Rhap does not have synths.
Oscar J · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Sebastian wrote: [/b] 'Who Wants to Live Forever' clocks at 5.15 (making it longer than 'White Man', 'Brighton Rock', 'Lap of the Gods' and 'Somebody to Love') and it's got orchestration.
'Was It All Worth It' is another pre-Innuendo epic.[/QUOTE]
Good point. But they are far in between and not as good. :)
