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Post by Queen II 74 on Apr 17, 2020 5:06:05 GMT
I didn't know until I saw in Queenpedia's "Sessiongraphy" session that Silver Salmon was a composition made by Tim Staffell.
I didn't find any interview of him talking about the song so I decided to ask directly via Instagram, and here is the conversation which I found very interesting.:
Me: Hello Tim, how are you ? I was researching complete songs and demo takes used by Smile and Queen during 1970 and 1973, and I came across Silver Salmon, a composition that according to some Queen sites is yours. Could you tell me if this information is correct or maybe make a video about it? Because there are studio recordings of this track and it has never been re-released by the band. Thank you !
Tim Staffell: Yes, that was a song I was working on when I quit Smile. I was astonished to learn that Brian, Roger & Freddie had recorded it; The version they perform, however is very different than my own. I recorded it myself many years ago when I was signed to Dick James Music during a demo session - but all of that work was lost (including another half-dozen original songs).. I’ve not felt tempted to re-record it since, though... it belongs to an earlier period and a different stylistic idea.
Me: The lyrics were inspired by what? There's a deeper part: "Seems to me sometimes the trees She burns leaves Her body lies a burning And falls into the cold sunrise" - would it have any meaning on top of that?
Tim Staffell: It’s about a spacecraft, burning up on re-entry... I think Freddie may have creatively adjusted some of the lyric....
Me: What about the lost songs, do you still remember them? The melodies or bases?
Tim Staffell: Well; only one has survived, intact (ish) and I’ve planned to feature it on my next album; The remainder exist as scraps of memory, but not in any redeemable form.
Me: I will love to hear that song !! There are fragments of Silver Salmon on youtube, maybe to work on, or make some small changes to the lyrics...
Tim Staffell: Maybe sometime...👍
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cmi
Ploughman
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Post by cmi on Apr 17, 2020 6:03:01 GMT
Great! Thanks a lot. Finally the mystery is solved...
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Golden Salmon
Wordles & Heardles
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Post by Golden Salmon on Apr 17, 2020 6:20:20 GMT
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Golden Salmon
Wordles & Heardles
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Post by Golden Salmon on Apr 17, 2020 6:37:11 GMT
But wait a minute:
I hadn't read this before. It was Pim Derks who asked him too, haha. Is there any info or download available of this "1984" live performance?
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onedunpark
Wordles & Heardles
Apothecary Man
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Post by onedunpark on Apr 17, 2020 7:23:18 GMT
Fascinating stuff here. I'd love to hear a Smile version of SWAFIB.
I presume the 1984 gig is in the hands of the group from QZ (can't remember their name), so may never appear.
I'm sure there's still loads in the hands of collectors we have yet to see.
Fingers crossed.
Some day, one day.
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Post by Queen II 74 on Apr 17, 2020 16:22:45 GMT
The band Morgan had their debut in 1972, so it is plausible that Silver Salmon was recorded at that time, at Queen's debut sessions.
I really didn't think he would answer me, especially about something so old. And today he posted the setlist for his new album, let's wait for the result and what is the supposed lost song.
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Post by pokemaniacjunk on Apr 18, 2020 20:43:19 GMT
But wait a minute:
I hadn't read this before. It was Pim Derks who asked him too, haha. Is there any info or download available of this "1984" live performance? well first of all which one is it, According to the site Queenconcerts.com there was two both with recordings www.queenconcerts.com/live/brian-may/early.html
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Dimitris
Ploughman
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Post by Dimitris on Apr 29, 2020 19:03:30 GMT
Very good topic thank you! I always wanted to clarify what theyrics was all about. Beautiful rocker!
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amason
Tatterdemalion
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Post by amason on Oct 28, 2020 20:26:34 GMT
Interesting, never would have pegged Silver Salmon for a space craft at re-entry. Thank you for that.
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emrabt
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Post by emrabt on Oct 29, 2020 7:50:41 GMT
I once tried to make my own "Queen" concept album, it started with the first half of 39, then went on to "Earth", then silver salmon for the spaceship crashing into a planet....
I then tried to weave the fantasy tracks into a narrative...
The idea was for the spacemen to help defeat the black Queen after descending to the earth from the sky and rebuilding the spaceship.
It would have ended with the last half of 39, they return but the earth is old and grey.
I couldn't get it to work.
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