Hi SammyFF (Brady Love),
I was thrilled to hear your wonderful vocals on a fine selection of Freddie's music. "Who Wants to Live Forever" stirred up plenty of emotions in me. The other two were completely enjoyable to listen to as well. Thank you, my friend, for sharing these covers with all of us.Well done!
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Posts in chronological order
Freddienotfreddy,
I can absolutely see why Peter Straker could be so wickedly annoying in trying to dominate the conversation with Liza. Every time I met him, he always pulled that same act. I said already, somewhere on this thread, that Peter Straker always came off as the "star in his own mind" and you could easily tell that he fancied himself somewhat equal to Freddie in talent, wit and cleverness.
...Nonsense!
I can absolutely see why Peter Straker could be so wickedly annoying in trying to dominate the conversation with Liza. Every time I met him, he always pulled that same act. I said already, somewhere on this thread, that Peter Straker always came off as the "star in his own mind" and you could easily tell that he fancied himself somewhat equal to Freddie in talent, wit and cleverness.
...Nonsense!
Lee, I asked you the question about the al fresco Garden Lodge film. I noticed that you said something that made Freddie burst into laughter and he immediately covered his mouth. I knew he did that when in public, but I was kind of surprised to see him to that at home. Did he often cover his mouth around you guys? Was it that much of a habit that it was natural even among close friends? Did he ever just throw his head back and let loose with a laugh? One other question that someone else asked me in PM. We can see Joe Fanelli filming the group, but someone is behind him also filming. Do you remember who that was?
Thor, there is a long tape on YouTube of Freddie, Peter Straker , Mike Moran and a few others spending an evening singing at Freddie's home. Mike would play requests and Freddie and Straker would sing. It's kind of silly because there had obviously been a lot of drinking going on, but it is also fun to listen because they are having such a good time. One song that comes to mind was "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, and they also did "I Could Have Danced All Night", plus others. You have to work sometimes to hear Freddie though because Straker is so loud and seems to be trying to dominate the songs. I often wonder what Freddie enjoyed about him, but it's clear from all the pictures, videos, etc. that he did consider him a close friend. I find him pretty hard to take.
Lee, your description of your last visit with Freddie warms my heart. Such a thoughtful man and I'm so glad that though he may not have been able to go around with you during the day, he was able to enjoy the evenings with you. You must get a copy of Phoebe's cookbook. You guys are in a lot of the photos! Phoebe also lists some of the menus that Freddie liked to serve at his dinner parties along with the recipes for a lot of the food. You'll have to see if you recognize anything!!
Very Interesting Katydyd,
I know that Freddie considered Straker a friend, I think because of his often entertaining conversations, however dominating of the conversation that they were. I think perhaps, in that last year Freddie finally took the step of sorting out who were real friends and who were hangers-on. Jim Hutton, Mary Austin Dave Clark, Phoebe, Joe Fanelli and even Lee and I, were considered real friends in 1991.
My apologies to any "real friends" who I did not meet and therefore did not have any firsthand knowledge of the sincerity of their individual relationship with Freddie.
I know that Freddie considered Straker a friend, I think because of his often entertaining conversations, however dominating of the conversation that they were. I think perhaps, in that last year Freddie finally took the step of sorting out who were real friends and who were hangers-on. Jim Hutton, Mary Austin Dave Clark, Phoebe, Joe Fanelli and even Lee and I, were considered real friends in 1991.
My apologies to any "real friends" who I did not meet and therefore did not have any firsthand knowledge of the sincerity of their individual relationship with Freddie.
Thor-
I'm totally not surprised Freddie included you and Lee in his final group of friends. He knew you two truly cared for him as a person and not as a rock star.
I know Jim alluded to Peter showing up at a lunch drunk and causing a scene about Freddie's health. I can see why he cut him off.
I'm totally not surprised Freddie included you and Lee in his final group of friends. He knew you two truly cared for him as a person and not as a rock star.
I know Jim alluded to Peter showing up at a lunch drunk and causing a scene about Freddie's health. I can see why he cut him off.
sammyfrankfreddie! OMG! You have an amazing talent, my friend!
What a fabulous voice you have.
You were so brave to attempt (and you totally did justice to it!) The Show Must Go On. This seems to be such a challenging song to sing. For me, your version is far better than that attempted by Elton and Alfie Boe.
My favourite was The Great Pretender. I don't know why, it just touched me, the way you sang it. This song when I listen to Freddie's version is bitter-sweet. It makes me smile with the joyfulness of the melody and Freddie's exuberant performance, but it makes me sad to think that Freddie, or indeed any of us, can often not feel that he/we have the freedom to really be ourselves, and not have to present a more "acceptable" us to the world.
Thank you, SFF96 great sharing your immense talent with us! Would love to hear you sing Somebody To Love. The only person I've ever heard sing it with anything like Freddie's great talent is George Michael, but I have a feeling that you would totally nail it!
P.S. adored your rendition of WWTLF, too!
What a fabulous voice you have.
You were so brave to attempt (and you totally did justice to it!) The Show Must Go On. This seems to be such a challenging song to sing. For me, your version is far better than that attempted by Elton and Alfie Boe.
My favourite was The Great Pretender. I don't know why, it just touched me, the way you sang it. This song when I listen to Freddie's version is bitter-sweet. It makes me smile with the joyfulness of the melody and Freddie's exuberant performance, but it makes me sad to think that Freddie, or indeed any of us, can often not feel that he/we have the freedom to really be ourselves, and not have to present a more "acceptable" us to the world.
Thank you, SFF96 great sharing your immense talent with us! Would love to hear you sing Somebody To Love. The only person I've ever heard sing it with anything like Freddie's great talent is George Michael, but I have a feeling that you would totally nail it!
P.S. adored your rendition of WWTLF, too!
Freddiedarling,
Oops,
Freddiedarling have you seen/heard this version of "Somebody to Love" by Jordan Smith winner of 2015s
The Voice?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+voice+smith+singing+somebody+to+love&view=detail&mid=8BD8F6FF77AAC8893D3E8BD8F6FF77AAC8893D3E&FORM=VIRE
Freddiedarling have you seen/heard this version of "Somebody to Love" by Jordan Smith winner of 2015s
The Voice?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+voice+smith+singing+somebody+to+love&view=detail&mid=8BD8F6FF77AAC8893D3E8BD8F6FF77AAC8893D3E&FORM=VIRE
I too love that Garden Lodge tapes. Wow it'll be 31 years ago (almost) at the end of the month as it was taped on February 29th 1988.(1988 was a leap year!)
Brian was there for awhile, too.
I love this tape so much, we even get to hear Freddie sneeze. Bless you, Freddie!
I agree that Peter was a lime-light hogger. Even when he attended a lecture about Freddie as a guest speaker, with Peter Freestone and Mike Moran, in Montreux, at the end when Phoebe was giving his heartfelt appraisal of Freddie as the best, most generous, kind and loyal friend a person could have he was piping in, rudely shouting over Phoebe, about how Freddie was also "impossible"! I wanted to shout, "shut up and let Freddie's _real_ best friend talk to us!
He also went through his pretence of not wanting to perform his Brel songs, before launching into a medley of them at the top of his voice!
Personally I'd find him very wearing and can quite understand that with his strength and stamina waning Freddie felt he could no longer keep up toward the end of his life.
I don't dislike Peter Straker per se, but feel he's rather like Belgian chocolate. A little goes a very long way!
Brian was there for awhile, too.
I love this tape so much, we even get to hear Freddie sneeze. Bless you, Freddie!
I agree that Peter was a lime-light hogger. Even when he attended a lecture about Freddie as a guest speaker, with Peter Freestone and Mike Moran, in Montreux, at the end when Phoebe was giving his heartfelt appraisal of Freddie as the best, most generous, kind and loyal friend a person could have he was piping in, rudely shouting over Phoebe, about how Freddie was also "impossible"! I wanted to shout, "shut up and let Freddie's _real_ best friend talk to us!
He also went through his pretence of not wanting to perform his Brel songs, before launching into a medley of them at the top of his voice!
Personally I'd find him very wearing and can quite understand that with his strength and stamina waning Freddie felt he could no longer keep up toward the end of his life.
I don't dislike Peter Straker per se, but feel he's rather like Belgian chocolate. A little goes a very long way!
No, Thor I haven't but I definitely will. Thank you for the link. :-)
Whoeee! That Boy can SING! Do you know if he is out performing professionally now? I hope so, it'd be a single for that voice not to be heard. He sung it with such passion and eloquence. Thanks for sharing!
Holy WOW!!!!
That Jordan Smith has a Set of pipes on him!!!! An Amazing falsetto......i think he was channelling some Aretha too!!!
Thanks for the link!!
That Jordan Smith has a Set of pipes on him!!!! An Amazing falsetto......i think he was channelling some Aretha too!!!
Thanks for the link!!
@thundergod:
Oh my GOODNESS thank you SO much for listening! It means the world to me that a close friend of Freddie would take time to listen, and even moreso that you had such kind words to say afterward. Thank you thank you thank you! This made my night :D
@FreddieDarling:
Thank you SO much for your kind words as well! :D You and I feel the same way about the lyrics of "The Great Pretender" and that was indeed a big reason I wanted to give the song a try. So glad you enjoyed it :)
...so I actually DID record "Somebody to Love" about a week ago after a friend had requested it on FaceBook...you can see it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9HKWclvDMw
I hope you enjoy it! I was nervous about how I sounded on this one, stylistically a little out of my usual comfort zone, I sincerely hope you'll enjoy it though! :)
Oh my GOODNESS thank you SO much for listening! It means the world to me that a close friend of Freddie would take time to listen, and even moreso that you had such kind words to say afterward. Thank you thank you thank you! This made my night :D
@FreddieDarling:
Thank you SO much for your kind words as well! :D You and I feel the same way about the lyrics of "The Great Pretender" and that was indeed a big reason I wanted to give the song a try. So glad you enjoyed it :)
...so I actually DID record "Somebody to Love" about a week ago after a friend had requested it on FaceBook...you can see it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9HKWclvDMw
I hope you enjoy it! I was nervous about how I sounded on this one, stylistically a little out of my usual comfort zone, I sincerely hope you'll enjoy it though! :)