ouzy
Tatterdemalion
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Post by ouzy on Nov 18, 2022 18:09:46 GMT
Damn the DTS mixed on the promo videos on the Blu Ray are absolutely awesome. My Sony 4k player makes them look a heck of a lot better then the vhs/dvd version too.. Well happy with this release. For me it's pretty much all I'd ask of a SDE release.
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Lord Fickle
Global Moderator
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Post by Lord Fickle on Nov 18, 2022 18:11:56 GMT
Damn the DTS mixed on the promo videos on the Blu Ray are absolutely awesome. My Sony 4k player makes them look a heck of a lot better then the vhs/dvd version too.. Well happy with this release. For me it's pretty much all I'd ask of a SDE release. Yeah, a DTS mix of the entire album might have been awesome.
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ouzy
Tatterdemalion
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Post by ouzy on Nov 18, 2022 18:21:25 GMT
Damn the DTS mixed on the promo videos on the Blu Ray are absolutely awesome. My Sony 4k player makes them look a heck of a lot better then the vhs/dvd version too.. Well happy with this release. For me it's pretty much all I'd ask of a SDE release. Yeah, a DTS mix of the entire album might have been awesome. Well a DTS mix of every album like Night at the Opera and The Game on the DVD Audios would be amazing but this is better then nothing. I thought we would get nothing tbh.
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Dimitris
Politician
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Post by Dimitris on Nov 18, 2022 18:49:01 GMT
Some initial observations: The 'intro' jazzy bit on IWIA definitely sounds stitched on from somewhere else. Otherwise it sounds great, but still seems to have that slightly processed snare, rather than the full on natural drum sound. I think that part or idea from it was used on Hang on in there, towards the end just before the "pour some sugar on me" riff fade.
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emrabt
Wordles & Heardles
Politician
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Post by emrabt on Nov 18, 2022 18:56:54 GMT
Calling most of the alternative tracks ‘original take’ is off though - they’ve got fully complete vocal harmonies, some final parts, multi layered rhythm and lead guitars etc…they’re certainly not an “original take”!! Oh the plus side, the drum sound on the early takes is superb! I think this is why I was so shocked, I fully expected early versions with adlibbed DA DA DA's and maybe a chorus. These ("I Want It All", "Breakthru", "party" and "Was It All Worth It" especially) are fairly complete, but stripped back alternative versions with earlier vocals, instrumentation and so on. Listening to this I can totally understand the "Back to our roots" stuff they were talking about, But like others have said, "how on earth did they get from THIS to THAT" The choices they made for the final release are baffling.
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Lord Fickle
Global Moderator
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Post by Lord Fickle on Nov 18, 2022 19:45:08 GMT
Listening to this I can totally understand the "Back to our roots" stuff they were talking about, But like others have said, "how on earth did they get from THIS to THAT" The choices they made for the final release are baffling. Fairly or unfairly, I blamed David Richards at the time, as the sound seemed to deteriorate when he came on board. Sadly, we can't ask him now. 🙁
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nickip
Dragonfly Trumpeter
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Post by nickip on Nov 18, 2022 20:05:04 GMT
So - My ears are not good enough to easily identify auto tune or other musical nuances. But my heart, which as a 20 year old was absolutely thrilled to hear this album previewed to the fan club at Southport, is once again full.
Yes Queen made better albums. Yea there was better production. No they were never going to please everyone.
But, my luxury on a desert island would be their complete works. However I am feeling there is a song to match. Whatever has happened there is a song that fits. Whatever style of music I fancy it’s there in that catalogue. You can’t say that of many other bands (if any). Much as I love the Foos or the Struts neither have the breadth that four writer with different tastes brought to the band.
So. Listening to the second CD in particular I had an enormous grin on my face and an excitement that this is what these songs might have sounded like if they’d toured in ‘89/‘90.
What might have been.
But all our lives have had turns and twists that hurt and that we wouldn’t change. How lucky we are to be able to hear this stuff.
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Post by thesirhc on Nov 18, 2022 20:06:10 GMT
Damn the DTS mixed on the promo videos on the Blu Ray are absolutely awesome. My Sony 4k player makes them look a heck of a lot better then the vhs/dvd version too.. Well happy with this release. For me it's pretty much all I'd ask of a SDE release. Is the sound significantly different from the Greatest Video Hits release?
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Post by angusscrimm on Nov 18, 2022 20:09:46 GMT
I've been like a kid at Christmas all day. I don't mind admitting I was a bit emotional on hearing some of this stuff. My interest in Queen has peaked again and I'm really excited about that.
Only down side - my box was split at the top and some of the CDs marked. I've requested a replacement, hopefully doesn't take too long.
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emrabt
Wordles & Heardles
Politician
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Post by emrabt on Nov 18, 2022 20:09:58 GMT
Listening to this I can totally understand the "Back to our roots" stuff they were talking about, But like others have said, "how on earth did they get from THIS to THAT" The choices they made for the final release are baffling. Fairly or unfairly, I blamed David Richards at the time, as the sound seemed to deteriorate when he came on board. Sadly, we can't ask him now. 🙁 Yes, I can see how the producer would be driving towards the current "In" sound thinking it would be more radio friendly. It's bittersweet in a way, we are left with these wonderful windows into what could be, what could have been done live, what could have been done with less machines, if they stayed raw and went with an earlier release, more development of other ideas and so on. The roads not taken.
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Lord Fickle
Global Moderator
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Post by Lord Fickle on Nov 18, 2022 20:14:27 GMT
I've been like a kid at Christmas all day. I don't mind admitting I was a bit emotional on hearing some of this stuff. My interest in Queen has peaked again and I'm really excited about that. Only down side - my box was split at the top and some of the CDs marked. I've requested a replacement, hopefully doesn't take too long. Did that come from the QOL shop? Hopefully mine will be delivered in one piece!
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Lord Fickle
Global Moderator
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Post by Lord Fickle on Nov 18, 2022 20:22:49 GMT
What strikes me is how much fun they seem to be having. Obviously we are only hearing carefully selected snippets of conversations, but they all seem to be relaxed and enjoying themselves, which is great to hear, given the circumstances. I wonder if they were determined to get as much pleasure out of recording this album as possible, not knowing (or, knowing) what the future held?
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NathanH
Politician
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Post by NathanH on Nov 18, 2022 20:28:22 GMT
I had an early start for work today so I went to bed for about an hour then woke up at midnight to listen to The Miracle Sessions on Spotify. I listened to all the songs except The Invisible Man and Face It Alone (for obvious reasons).
The one thing which stuck out for me is Freddie. His singing was amazing and extreme - he oversang on all the songs. He properly went for it performing some powerful vocals.
Also, you can tell that the band were recording together as a group for the first time in years. Although it feels like they may have never worked so closely, it honestly feels incredibly upbeat and it sounds like there was no tension like on earlier albums.
These sort of things can make me change an opinion on an album and hearing these alternatives takes really makes me think positively of the album. Maybe it's not as bad as I have regarded it over the years. Like A Kind Of Magic, it's got songs I love and songs I hate but now if songs like Party had used these versions, I might never have said I hate it.
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Post by angusscrimm on Nov 18, 2022 20:33:08 GMT
I've been like a kid at Christmas all day. I don't mind admitting I was a bit emotional on hearing some of this stuff. My interest in Queen has peaked again and I'm really excited about that. Only down side - my box was split at the top and some of the CDs marked. I've requested a replacement, hopefully doesn't take too long. Did that come from the QOL shop? Hopefully mine will be delivered in one piece! Yeah, that's where it came from. Good luck when yours arrives, fingers crossed it's in good shape.
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NathanH
Politician
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Post by NathanH on Nov 18, 2022 20:36:22 GMT
My favourites on The Miracle Sessions are Breakthru, Water and You Know You Belong To Me. I'm also addicted to The Miracle, that ending is so bonkers that I keep on wanting to hear it!
Water sounds so unique in the Queen catalogue, if it was finished I'd probably regard it as one of my favourite 80s Queen tracks. There's something about it which I love but can't make out.
I Guess We're Falling Out has always been my favourite Queen outtake but this version hasn't wowed me like I was hoping for. It's not massively different to the version we've always heard.
Dog With A Bone is one I've never seemed to have enjoyed and this version still hasn't grown on me. I don't really like Roger's voice on this, he sounds really husky especially compared to Freddie. But duets in the Queen catalogue are rare especially one with Freddie and Roger. (From what I've read it's just an edited version of the one we've had for years but I honestly can't remember as I've rarely heard it.)
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manymilesaway
Politician
Cookin' up remasters
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Post by manymilesaway on Nov 18, 2022 20:41:01 GMT
Holy shit it's going to be so hard to go back to the original Breakthru after hearing this.
These alternate versions make me long for a Miracle tour.
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Post by alston1984 on Nov 18, 2022 20:49:12 GMT
Breakthru is an absolute joy! Freddie sounds like he is having so much fun and Roger and John sound brilliant. What might have been. Really happy and surprised at how well this has been handled. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last one.
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Post by mercurialfreddie on Nov 18, 2022 21:09:41 GMT
What strikes me is how much fun they seem to be having. Obviously we are only hearing carefully selected snippets of conversations, but they all seem to be relaxed and enjoying themselves, which is great to hear, given the circumstances. I wonder if they were determined to get as much pleasure out of recording this album as possible, not knowing (or, knowing) what the future held? My thoughts exactly! Do you guys remember how Brian suddenly seemed radiant in the interview (Days of Our Lives) when he was talking about Miracle and the band taking a step back (speaking ego-wise), working like a family. His face lit up, you could tell that he has fond memories of that time and now, when I have heard the studio banter and how relaxed all four grand dames were in the studio, Dr May's words resonate with me strongly.
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Post by mercurialfreddie on Nov 18, 2022 21:13:38 GMT
Do you guys hear Freddie ad-libbing and using falsetto during the coda of Scandal ("Today the headlines, tomorrow hard times...") ? It's barely barely audible but he's there!
To my ears it seems that they have more takes of IGWFO and they could have finished it if they wanted to. I wonder was any demo from that era considered for completion as a B-side / companion to FIA ?
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khizzy
Satyr
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Post by khizzy on Nov 18, 2022 21:31:14 GMT
Roger's comment at the start of Dog With A Bone is hilarious - "Supposed to be professionals...."
Love John's ending to The Miracle, never liked the rock ending (with the exception of the outro). Party sounds extremely fresh, as per everyone else's comments, Breakthru sounds like an approximation of what a live version could have sounded like. Shame they didn't include the guitar solo with it but it sounds like they are all having a whale of a time.
You Know You Belong To Me is a real surprise. Didn't think much of it on first listen but it's a real grower, why Brian didn't finish it or release it is a mystery.
Was It All Worth It sounds solid and isn't much different to the finished version aside from the intro, instrumental section and outro but it's interesting to hear how it started. I keep hearing Freddie exclaim "Look out, look out Photoshop" part way through the song....
I Guess We're Falling Out isn't arguably as good as the original leaked demo that we all know and love but it's still great to have an alternative version nonetheless. Interesting that part of the song idea was used in Hang On In There, I always thought it was part of the Fiddly Jam but it does sound like it may have started as part of the song.
Face It Alone is actually probably one of the weakest songs on the sessions CD now that I've heard all of the other stuff.
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nickip
Dragonfly Trumpeter
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Post by nickip on Nov 18, 2022 21:43:18 GMT
Just popping back in to say that i LOVE Water. It feels like a song I’ve always known.
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Sammy B. Willickers
Ploughman
"Blow it out your asshole!" - Freddie Mercury, 1985
Posts: 330
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Post by Sammy B. Willickers on Nov 18, 2022 21:43:41 GMT
Water sounds somewhat like a distant cousin to Hang on In There, but that could just be me.
I love how the demo of Breakthru sounds, I wish it was finished like that. And WOW, Party sounds great! Why they changed it to whatever THAT was is beyond me. Also, it was interesting listening to I Want It All, with the boys doing the jam bit with Freddie even joining in with the piano. Sounds nice!
Truly blessed to have been able to witness this
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dave76
Dragonfly Trumpeter
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Post by dave76 on Nov 18, 2022 21:57:33 GMT
I must admit, i really do like the second disc with the outtakes and demo's. But somehow i don't really feel the excitement anymore. The band make us wait insanely long for somethimg amazing like this makes it for me less and less exciting. 20 years ago i would've been over the moon with an announcement like this but now the excitement is almost gone. But once again, it's a joy to listen to the work in progress tracks and some new ones. But the band dissapointed so much in the past year (except from Rainbow and the second disc on the NOTW box) and makes us wait so long makes it for me that i'm not that excited anymore. But i love the second disc.
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Ri
Politician
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Post by Ri on Nov 18, 2022 22:02:17 GMT
The Miracle album has never been my favorite but this boxset made me view it in such a different, much more positive light. Totally agree re: Party, if that had been the released version my opinion of it would be so much better. The conversation snippets are also lovely, you can just picture the atmosphere and their chemistry. I guess they aimed to get the audience more emotionally attached to it and they succeeded with me!
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Post by pennyroyalty on Nov 18, 2022 22:37:10 GMT
I love the working version of "The Miracle". Don't you guys get the "One Vision in progress" vibe when listening to the improvised lyrics? I never thought of the similarity but here it is!
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Post by Mercury Roadrunner on Nov 18, 2022 22:46:30 GMT
Breakthru (Real Drums And Bass) is what I was hoping for! 😀 definitely, Lord Fickle, we got the third chorus of the song - and it's amazing!
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NathanH
Politician
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Post by NathanH on Nov 18, 2022 23:04:16 GMT
I'd love to hear what the final Breakthru vocals with the backing track with real drums and bass sounds like. Although the vocals do sound complete it does seem hard to get used to as they are different to the well-known version. It probably won't work as it's got a completely different structure.
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donovan
Dragonfly Trumpeter
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Post by donovan on Nov 18, 2022 23:32:09 GMT
That 2nd disc is worth the price of the set alone. I don't give a rat's cheese if it's stitched/manufactured, etc. Such a different vibe from what ended up on record. A complete redemption for Party and Kashoggi's Ship for me.
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baronlutenvank
Ploughman
The Username Formerly Known as Killer_queenIII
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Post by baronlutenvank on Nov 19, 2022 0:51:09 GMT
As soon as the album dropped on Spotify, I went straight to the 2nd disc. And it's definitely the main attraction. Party sounded more alive, I expected The Invisible Man to be the same thing as on the 2011 release, but it threw a surprise at me near the end, why Brian didn't pursue You Know You Belong To Me and Water further is beyond me. If not as Queen tracks, they could've had a future on one of his solo albums.
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Post by inuliger on Nov 19, 2022 1:01:04 GMT
Another note of disappointment: The Teaser Tape CD is somewhat pointless. It may even be LESS interesting than the original tape (didn't that have alternative mixes?). No, it's just the short edits of the album mixes. We’ve been through this already. I already explained about the tape either earlier in this thread or in another Miracle boxset thread…
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