NOTW 40th anniversary - "Raw sessions" track descriptions

So, spoilers. Click at your own risk!

[url=http://www.queenvault.com/newsoftheworld.html]http://www.queenvault.com/newsoftheworld.html[/url]

Details on all 11 tracks from disc 2, it seems like it's out in the wild already. I'm not quoting anything for those who want to be surprised.

Thanks. Sounds hardly surprising but it's still the most interesting thing they've done with the catalogue since like. .....17 years ago

Link don’t work for me

The kink doesn't work for me either. Can you say if this is more extensive info than has already been released several weeks ago regarding these tracks?

Thanks

Sheer Heart Attack (Original Rough Mix) 4:17
Written by Roger Taylor
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
Sheer Heart Attack was originally written for the album of the same name. It didn't make the cut for that album, or the two that followed. Finally, Roger and the band decided it fit the stripped down, raw concept of News Of The World. This original rough mix starts with some banter from Roger before it goes into it's original long-lost intro. The whole track is instrumental, except for some backing vocals... "Sheeeeeeeer Heart Attack!" Roger plays all the instruments along with some guitar from Brian. Also of note, this version has a longer, uncut ending that didn't appear on the album version.

Spread Your Wings (Alternative Take) 4:56
Written by John Deacon
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
Spread Your Wings has always been a fan favorite; this alternative version will likely be just as loved as it's album counterpart. Freddie starts this version with a different, longer piano intro that isn't used on the album version. His piano performance continues to be unique throughout the rest of this take. The whole band are playing soulfully and with passion, proving that this version could have been used on the album. Brian's guitar parts are noticably different in parts of the song as well. Roger's drumming is similar to the final version, but no less aggressive. The song breaks down at the end with no real ending. Freddie exclaims "what a jam!"

Fight From The Inside (Demo Vocal Version) 3:08
Written by Roger Taylor
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
The demo vocals on this take originated from Roger's home studio in preparation for the next sessions. The backing track largely doesn't change in it's evolution to the final version. Roger's vocal performance is not as polished as the final album version; instead it is more utilitarian as he works through pacing and lyrics. The "ooooooohs" are not present on this version, instead there are additional lyrics that are not decipherable. Roger plays all the instruments here except for some additional lead guitar from Brian.

Get Down, Make Love (Early Take) 4:02
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
This early take of Get Down, Make Love is very lively and possibly more listenable than the final album version. Before the take starts, Brian asks Freddie if he "likes the sustained note". Freddie and Roger both agree that it is good, while Freddie offers some more advice on how to play the guitar parts. Freddie's pulsating piano beat moves this performance along while he exhibits some excellent playing, taking the song to different places. The band sounds much more live and less produced, which really helps the song move along. The guitar/feedback effects on the final version are missing here and are replaced with an excellent jam by the band. Freddie proclaims at the end of the take that "the piano fell down!"

Sleeping On The Sidewalk (Live in the USA, 1977) 3:49
Written by Brian May
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
Sleeping On The Sidewalk, unlike the other "raw sessions" outtakes on the News Of The World 40th Anniversary boxset, is actually a live performance as opposed to a studio take. The song was performed live only a few times within the first week of the 1977 US News Of The World Tour. The only confirmed venue was the Portland Civic Centre on November 11, 1977. It is unknown which venue this recording is taken from. What makes this live version so special is that Freddie sings lead vocals instead of Brian. The performance for the most part is faithful to the studio version. Freddie's vocal performance is reminiscent of live versions of See What A Fool I've Been.

Who Needs You (Acoustic Take) 2:46
Written by John Deacon
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
The acoustic take of Who Needs You starts with some studio banter between Freddie and John. Freddie excitedly demands, "let's have a run through, come on!" John responds, "okay, should we start with that old intro?" Freddie comes back and suggests that John should "keep it flowing." The engineer then announces that this is "Take 2". John's acoustic playing really shines here, sounding fresh and lively. Freddie handles lead vocals on this take, which largely has incomplete lyrics compared to the final version. An example is in the second line. Instead of "always trying to keep me hanging round", the verse on this early take is "what you trying to tell me, please explain." After the take John asks "how was that?" Freddie rightfully responds, "that was lovely!"


It's Late (Alternative Version) 6:44
Written by Brian May
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
The engineer can be heard at the start of this version saying "Take 2". Freddie has a false start at the beginning as he tries to get confortable with the song. The lyrics are mostly complete with a few minor differences in the first third of the song (particularly in the first few verses). In terms of structure and performance, the song stays pretty true to the final version used on the album. The backing vocals are very similar, if not the ones used on the final album version. The rest of the performance is unique. Of note, Freddie's piano playing can be heard during some of the jamming sections of the song, which is a welcome addition. At the end, the engineer comments that he "likes that", while Brian comments that he wants it a bit "angry".

My Melancholy Blues (Original Rough Mix) 3:36
Written by Freddie Mercury
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
This is not a modern mix, instead this is a rough mix completed during the original production of the album. Of all of the takes on the "rough mixes" CD, this original rough mix of My Melancholy Blues is the most similar to the final version. The backing track may very well be the one used on the final version. Freddie's vocal take is different from the one used on the album, but the performance is similar.

Thank you very much . And where did queenvault get this information.
Still astonished there hasnt been previews for these song yet......

[QUOTE] [b]MrFunster wrote:[/b]

Thank you very much . And where did queenvault get this information.[/QUOTE]

Either insider knowledge or someone already has it, not far-fetched since it's out next week.

Thanks a lot to you and to Queenvault. Oh, the wating,.. the waaaiting!!! :)

Cheers,

Ogre-

nice...

In looking forward to spread your wings and its late

Thanks for this info.
It would be interesting to know wether the "SOTD" live version is from polished multitrack or raw stereo tape...

[QUOTE] [b]MrFunster wrote:[/b]

Thank you very much . And where did queenvault get this information.
Still astonished there hasnt been previews for these song yet......[/QUOTE]

Copies went out for press review a couple of weeks ago I believe.

Not gonna lie: a tad pissed-off that Roger's demo vocals for SHA won't be on the set. Would've made sense in light of Fred's version of AD,AD.

[QUOTE] [b]Kuijpy wrote:[/b]

Spread Your Wings (Alternative Take) 4:56
Written by John Deacon
Appears on: News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition
Spread Your Wings has always been a fan favorite; this alternative version will likely be just as loved as it's album counterpart. Freddie starts this version with a different, longer piano intro that isn't used on the album version. His piano performance continues to be unique throughout the rest of this take.

[/QUOTE]

I thought the piano on the album version was played by John....