Let's see. Lots of heated discussions here, so I thought I could give myself a try at the thread.
IMO, Freddie's post-80s vocal change was in 1988. Around the time of The Works and Kind of Magic, he had certain vocal qualities, and right after Barcelona, he came back with different qualities.
He came back with less of an edgier voice, improved low notes, lower tonal center (almost pure baritonical), lower passaggio, and cleaner, brighter, and purer highs.
The blend between chest overtones and head overtones changed since Barcelona. He was using his voice wiser, and probably, at the peak of his vocal capacities (as long as the disease allowed him to, right?)
My own theory is that his work with Montserrat made him question about his technique. Undoubtly, he came back singing better, more powerful, cleaner, and higher than ever, with better control in his upper range, and his lower range.
And, IMO, what is the most amazing feature of them all, is the insane control he has over his voice, specially when one of the symptons of AIDS is losing some control over the voice, both spoken and sung.
My guess? Probably Montserrat helped him, technique wise. Such a pity it didn't came before.
Best song, vocal wise, in my opinion? All God's People. That song is a vocal marvel ;)
And forgive me for my lousy, lousy english. I'm at work, and I shouldn't be wandering around here xD
Take care, you guys
A.
http://www.f-mercury.com.ar
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I agree about the improvement after 'Barcelona'. Not only as singer, but as all-round musician too: after working with Mike he came up with such wonderful tunes like 'Innuendo' and 'Was It All Worth It' ... he'd been nearly 13 years without writing things like those!
"Was It All Worth It" would definitely be my favourite from their 80's catalogue. It's this sprawling massive thing and I honestly would love to have seen it as a single (probably would've flopped, I don't think the timing would've been right...)
It's just so damn... awesome. The whole band shines in that song, beginning to end.
It's just so damn... awesome. The whole band shines in that song, beginning to end.
Wow. What an interesting and insightful post! [QUOTE][QUOTENAME]AndresGuazzelli wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Let's see. Lots of heated discussions here, so I thought I could give myself a try at the thread.
IMO, Freddie's post-80s vocal change was in 1988. Around the time of The Works and Kind of Magic, he had certain vocal qualities, and right after Barcelona, he came back with different qualities.
He came back with less of an edgier voice, improved low notes, lower tonal center (almost pure baritonical), lower passaggio, and cleaner, brighter, and purer highs.
The blend between chest overtones and head overtones changed since Barcelona. He was using his voice wiser, and probably, at the peak of his vocal capacities (as long as the disease allowed him to, right?)
My own theory is that his work with Montserrat made him question about his technique. Undoubtly, he came back singing better, more powerful, cleaner, and higher than ever, with better control in his upper range, and his lower range.
And, IMO, what is the most amazing feature of them all, is the insane control he has over his voice, specially when one of the symptons of AIDS is losing some control over the voice, both spoken and sung.
My guess? Probably Montserrat helped him, technique wise. Such a pity it didn't came before.
Best song, vocal wise, in my opinion? All God's People. That song is a vocal marvel ;)
And forgive me for my lousy, lousy english. I'm at work, and I shouldn't be wandering around here xD
Take care, you guys
A.
http://www.f-mercury.com.ar[/QUOTE]
IMO, Freddie's post-80s vocal change was in 1988. Around the time of The Works and Kind of Magic, he had certain vocal qualities, and right after Barcelona, he came back with different qualities.
He came back with less of an edgier voice, improved low notes, lower tonal center (almost pure baritonical), lower passaggio, and cleaner, brighter, and purer highs.
The blend between chest overtones and head overtones changed since Barcelona. He was using his voice wiser, and probably, at the peak of his vocal capacities (as long as the disease allowed him to, right?)
My own theory is that his work with Montserrat made him question about his technique. Undoubtly, he came back singing better, more powerful, cleaner, and higher than ever, with better control in his upper range, and his lower range.
And, IMO, what is the most amazing feature of them all, is the insane control he has over his voice, specially when one of the symptons of AIDS is losing some control over the voice, both spoken and sung.
My guess? Probably Montserrat helped him, technique wise. Such a pity it didn't came before.
Best song, vocal wise, in my opinion? All God's People. That song is a vocal marvel ;)
And forgive me for my lousy, lousy english. I'm at work, and I shouldn't be wandering around here xD
Take care, you guys
A.
http://www.f-mercury.com.ar[/QUOTE]
Wow! You know your sh!t. One of the most insightful post I've read in a long time.
It is interesting that people have raised weight loss as a potential factor. What definite effect would it have on a voice? There is little evidence of it removing the power because Freddie's voice was very strong on Innuendo, whih was the only album he recorded underweight. Does it make the voice less gravelly maybe?
Just listen to some of the later demos, like deliah or TMLWKY. These songs show that his voice was not always a powerfull nor controlled...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Panzerwerk wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Just listen to some of the later demos, like deliah or TMLWKY. These songs show that his voice was not always a powerfull nor controlled...[/QUOTE]
That's why they're demos. They're just takes. I don't think their flaws have anything to do with his illness.
Great post, Dusta.
That's why they're demos. They're just takes. I don't think their flaws have anything to do with his illness.
Great post, Dusta.
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It is interesting that people have raised weight loss as a potential factor. What definite effect would it have on a voice? There is little evidence of it removing the power because Freddie's voice was very strong on Innuendo, whih was the only album he recorded underweight. Does it make the voice less gravelly maybe?
i think it does quite honestly.
if you compare my voice for example with overweight and underweight then you can here that your voice is a hell different.
but it also caused because he didnt tour for 5 yyears
It is interesting that people have raised weight loss as a potential factor. What definite effect would it have on a voice? There is little evidence of it removing the power because Freddie's voice was very strong on Innuendo, whih was the only album he recorded underweight. Does it make the voice less gravelly maybe?
i think it does quite honestly.
if you compare my voice for example with overweight and underweight then you can here that your voice is a hell different.
but it also caused because he didnt tour for 5 yyears