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Freddie - A Life In His Own Words

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I just received the new book and I had a quick look at it. It's printed on good paper and has some nice photographs, most of them have been published elsewhere already but probably there are not many unpublished photos left.

The book is divided into 20 chapters, for example one about Freddie and Mary (it's not a joke), one about Live Aid, one about Making Video, one about Writing Songs etc.

In each chapter quotes by Freddie himself are written with no hint about the when and where. There are just these quotes following each other and you just have no idea where they come from - and at which point in life Freddie said what has been printed there.

The book says that the quotes were compiled and "edited" by Greg Brooks, but there is never the slightest hint if and where something was edited. There is also no list of sources to show which interviews or other sources where used to extract these quotes.

At some points the well informed fan sees that the quotes were re-written, that is to say when we own the interview on audio and video we see where they were changed. It makes me think that the interviews were changed whenever the authors thought it was a good idea and I think they should not call it "In His Own Words"

Actually, it's utterly useless.
I do not want any google ads here.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]YourValentine wrote: [/QUOTENAME]

The book says that the quotes were compiled and "edited" by Greg Brooks, but there is never the slightest hint if and where something was edited.

.....

At some points the well informed fan sees that the quotes were re-written, that is to say when we own the interview on audio and video we see where they were changed.

[/QUOTE]

That's the editing that Greg did.
DJ's the man we love the most
Heh, I'll start the countdown until Greg flies in here, his feathers all a-ruffled.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]YourValentine wrote: [/QUOTENAME]

At some points the well informed fan sees that the quotes were re-written, that is to say when we own the interview on audio and video we see where they were changed. It makes me think that the interviews were changed whenever the authors thought it was a good idea and I think they should not call it "In His Own Words"

Actually, it's utterly useless.
[/QUOTE]
Hm... I already noticed that only by reading the Record Collector article...
It's very common practice when writing out an interview that the writer modifies the language where needed. If the actual meaning of the words remain in tact.

But if there are EDITS in a quaote, it's BAD if they don't acknowledge where things have been edited because it's an attack to the right understanding of the context. They should have used (...) or similar, official annotations.

So there are no sources mentioned for any of the words?? That's not only bad but could also be regarded as violation of copyright law or intellectual property!
Let's hope Greg made some agreements with the inital interviewers...

Still waiting for the book to arrive, myself btw
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]YourValentine wrote: [/QUOTENAME]

The book says that the quotes were compiled and "edited" by Greg Brooks, but there is never the slightest hint if and where something was edited. There is also no list of sources to show which interviews or other sources where used to extract these quotes.
[/QUOTE]

If Freddie uses the word "Moanzone" in a quote, it was probably edited by GB.
Very true, Fireplace:)

To answer your question, Jeroen,

under "Acknowledgements "David Wigg" is mentioned (among Jim Beach, John Libson and other people who definitely never made an interview with Freddie) but at no point any of the quotes is allocated to a David Wigg interview. None of David Wigg's interviews is mentioned or listed.


Under "Credits" there are some newspapers mentioned like The Sun, NME, Melody Maker and others but there is no issue, year, title of an interview or anything that would enable the reader to find the source of ANY of Freddie's words unless the reader happens to own the specific newspaper issue or audio or video of the interviews.

It would not have been much work to at least add a year in brackets to each quote because it makes quite a difference if Freddie talks about "Bohemian Rhapsody" in 1975 or 1985. As it is, it does not make any sense to me. If I don't know the context of a quote and if I have no clue which part of the quote was edited or not, it could be just as well be written by anyone else. but Freddie. It does not give me much insight in the thoughts and opinions - not even the published thoughts and opinions - of Freddie Mercury.

If they had only published one complete and unedited interview with Freddie (for example the 1985 David Wigg interview) on the Double DVD instead of this book which is as random as it gets.
I do not want any google ads here.
What I've read of the book so far has been enjoyable and I think it reads quite well. An interesting idea in my opinion. And many of the pictures are new to me. I like the section with Freddie along with various other artists, like Meat Loaf.

Having said that, along with the fact that it's a beautifully made book (btw, under the jacket is the dark version of the artwork, as seen on the DVD cover, which I like much better than the white)..

It's taking me awhile to read because it doesn't hold my attention, perhaps because I recognize so much of it, I dunno. And the fact that I can't for the life of me order a Freddie product without it arriving damaged (corners crushed, booklets jammed into tray hinges, cases cracked) is making me anxious to just get rid of the fucking thing when I'm done with it.
http://queenguy.50webs.com
Hey there YourValentine. SOUR GRAPES or what!


You dont like GB because he upset you once on this site. Thats no excuse to misrepresent his book, just because YOU have issues with him. Your critique is a joke, and it is unbalanced as everyone can see. You are still smarting from GB having a go at you, which you deserved, and you havent forgot it, and you are very obviously envious. That shouldnot have been allowed to influence your comments on his book.


You dislike Greg and so, really childish, you are now having an insult at his book just because of that. Your comments are tainted and biased, not constructive or fair. You have axe to grind with Greg Brooks and there so would have said negative things whatever he did.


Did you point out one single thing that you did like? No you did not, not one thing at all. You are very transparent. What's the matter with you, with so much nastyness? A simple case of BIG BIG sour grapes. You got it bad. There must have been things you like about the book because you are a Freddie fan, some things you read which youd not seen before, which you liked. But even so you failed to mention anything. You should be ashamed of your conduct you jealous person.


This is 100% SOUR GRAPES. Shame on you YV. Why cannot you be constructive for once? Would you have said such things if Brian May had offered the same book? Or anyone other than Greg? No way. Because its Greg you came on here and got all personal and most people will see this bad aspect of you, even when you cannot. Good job you don't work for The Guardian paper or Independent or ITV or BBC, because you don't know what impartial and unbiassed means. You are resentful envious woman and it shows much in your unbalanced unfair 'summary'. Everyone can see it.


Greg has at least give fans something new and fresh. It's like GB said to you last time, what the hell have YOU ever done? Other than insult someone else's work, what have you written about Queen? You have chip on BOTH shoulders, so you well balanced in that poor aspect, but only this. Beyond that you dont understand concept of being balanced and not personal. I bet you are moody dragon to live with when someone else does something you think you could have done better, but which you never actually got off your fat arse and did. People like you get irritated at others who get out there and create. Good or bad, or "utterly useless", as you call it, Greg at least did something, while you did nothing. Are you so lazy you can write no book or magazine things?


I got Greg's book today. It's good. It is not FANTASTIC, but it's a well conceived and thought out and put together book well. The covers are both nice, its got great chapter titles, mostly, good text, and its well edited... whether you can see it or admit it or not. Do not pollute all people with your clear bitterness. Give it a proper review if you must review it at all. Review it impartially. Greg's book is funny and amusing, sad and seamlessly presented in paragraphs that go well together in this seqence. I been a fan only since 1989 so lots of stuff is new to me. I think its good and funny so keep your envious comments to yourself. He did a better job that YOU could ever do, YV, because he at least makes an effort, and you don't... you lazy, bad tempered, miserable bat.


=
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Ray Pugh wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Hey there YourValentine. SOUR GRAPES or what!


You dont like GB because he upset you once on this site. Thats no excuse to misrepresent his book, just because YOU have issues with him. Your critique is a joke, and it is unbalanced as everyone can see. You are still smarting from GB having a go at you, which you deserved, and you havent forgot it, and you are very obviously envious. That shouldnot have been allowed to influence your comments on his book.


You dislike Greg and so, really childish, you are now having an insult at his book just because of that. Your comments are tainted and biased, not constructive or fair. You have axe to grind with Greg Brooks and there so would have said negative things whatever he did.


Did you point out one single thing that you did like? No you did not, not one thing at all. You are very transparent. What's the matter with you, with so much nastyness? A simple case of BIG BIG sour grapes. You got it bad. There must have been things you like about the book because you are a Freddie fan, some things you read which youd not seen before, which you liked. But even so you failed to mention anything. You should be ashamed of your conduct you jealous person.


This is 100% SOUR GRAPES. Shame on you YV. Why cannot you be constructive for once? Would you have said such things if Brian May had offered the same book? Or anyone other than Greg? No way. Because its Greg you came on here and got all personal and most people will see this bad aspect of you, even when you cannot. Good job you don't work for The Guardian paper or Independent or ITV or BBC, because you don't know what impartial and unbiassed means. You are resentful envious woman and it shows much in your unbalanced unfair 'summary'. Everyone can see it.


Greg has at least give fans something new and fresh. It's like GB said to you last time, what the hell have YOU ever done? Other than insult someone else's work, what have you written about Queen? You have chip on BOTH shoulders, so you well balanced in that poor aspect, but only this. Beyond that you dont understand concept of being balanced and not personal. I bet you are moody dragon to live with when someone else does something you think you could have done better, but which you never actually got off your fat arse and did. People like you get irritated at others who get out there and create. Good or bad, or "utterly useless", as you call it, Greg at least did something, while you did nothing. Are you so lazy you can write no book or magazine things?


I got Greg's book today. It's good. It is not FANTASTIC, but it's a well conceived and thought out and put together book well. The covers are both nice, its got great chapter titles, mostly, good text, and its well edited... whether you can see it or admit it or not. Do not pollute all people with your clear bitterness. Give it a proper review if you must review it at all. Review it impartially. Greg's book is funny and amusing, sad and seamlessly presented in paragraphs that go well together in this seqence. I been a fan only since 1989 so lots of stuff is new to me. I think its good and funny so keep your envious comments to yourself. He did a better job that YOU could ever do, YV, because he at least makes an effort, and you don't... you lazy, bad tempered, miserable bat.


=[/QUOTE]

Dude don't start on YV! It's not just her, it is about 80% of this site. It isn't just because we don't agree with him. When someone writes a book with 3 errors on each page about Queen, and says that Queen performed a certain song 2 years before another musician even had written it, then we have every right to bitch at him, and then when he comes to our home (QZ) he does nothing but bitch at us and call us Moanzoners, and he hasn't given even the slightest insight on anything Queen related since he became of here on QZ. Calling YV lazy, right, you are pretty stup
Hello you rock and rollers!
BTW, Barb, where can i purchase this new book?
Hello you rock and rollers!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lester Burnham wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Heh, I'll start the countdown until Greg flies in here, his feathers all a-ruffled.[/QUOTE]

Oh dear, lets not go back there, its been so peaceful around here...I enjoy it! :D
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=?B2F><b>Crezchi wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Ray Pugh wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Hey there YourValentine. SOUR GRAPES or what!


You dont like GB because he upset you once on this site. Thats no excuse to misrepresent his book, just because YOU have issues with him. Your critique is a joke, and it is unbalanced as everyone can see. You are still smarting from GB having a go at you, which you deserved, and you havent forgot it, and you are very obviously envious. That shouldnot have been allowed to influence your comments on his book.


You dislike Greg and so, really childish, you are now having an insult at his book just because of that. Your comments are tainted and biased, not constructive or fair. You have axe to grind with Greg Brooks and there so would have said negative things whatever he did.


Did you point out one single thing that you did like? No you did not, not one thing at all. You are very transparent. What's the matter with you, with so much nastyness? A simple case of BIG BIG sour grapes. You got it bad. There must have been things you like about the book because you are a Freddie fan, some things you read which youd not seen before, which you liked. But even so you failed to mention anything. You should be ashamed of your conduct you jealous person.


This is 100% SOUR GRAPES. Shame on you YV. Why cannot you be constructive for once? Would you have said such things if Brian May had offered the same book? Or anyone other than Greg? No way. Because its Greg you came on here and got all personal and most people will see this bad aspect of you, even when you cannot. Good job you don't work for The Guardian paper or Independent or ITV or BBC, because you don't know what impartial and unbiassed means. You are resentful envious woman and it shows much in your unbalanced unfair 'summary'. Everyone can see it.


Greg has at least give fans something new and fresh. It's like GB said to you last time, what the hell have YOU ever done? Other than insult someone else's work, what have you written about Queen? You have chip on BOTH shoulders, so you well balanced in that poor aspect, but only this. Beyond that you dont understand concept of being balanced and not personal. I bet you are moody dragon to live with when someone else does something you think you could have done better, but which you never actually got off your fat arse and did. People like you get irritated at others who get out there and create. Good or bad, or "utterly useless", as you call it, Greg at least did something, while you did nothing. Are you so lazy you can write no book or magazine things?


I got Greg's book today. It's good. It is not FANTASTIC, but it's a well conceived and thought out and put together book well. The covers are both nice, its got great chapter titles, mostly, good text, and its well edited... whether you can see it or admit it or not. Do not pollute all people with your clear bitterness. Give it a proper review if you must review it at all. Review it impartially. Greg's book is funny and amusing, sad and seamlessly presented in paragraphs that go well together in this seqence. I been a fan only since 1989 so lots of stuff is new to me. I think its good and funny so keep your envious comments to yourself. He did a better job that YOU could ever do, YV, because he at least makes an effort, and you don't... you lazy, bad tempered, miserable bat.


=[/QUOTE]

Dude don't start on YV! It's not just her, it is about 80% of this site. It isn't just because we don't agree with him. When someone writes a book with 3 errors on each page about Queen, and says that Queen performed a certain song 2 years before another musician even had written it, then we have every right to bitch at him, and then when he comes to our home (QZ) he does nothing but bitch at us and call us Moanzoners, and he hasn't given even the slightest insight on anything Queen relate
"I think now I can make love to your anus without making God angry" Registered: Friday, January 18, 2002
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Ray Pugh wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Hey there YourValentine. SOUR GRAPES or what!

[/QUOTE]

Could it be? Ray Pugh = Gregg Brooks? Sure seems like it.
"The others don't like my interviews. And frankly, I don't care much for theirs." ~ Freddie Mercury
Yes, and if it is, shame on you Greg.

That's NOT a funny user name. You all get it, right?

As in I'd like to....
hehe yeah, I just now got it since you pointed it out. Good one :-P

Rather than think it's Greg, I'd guess it's someone else wanting to make people think it's Greg.
http://queenguy.50webs.com

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