Post by Aksel on Oct 3, 2024 8:32:34 GMT
I just read a similar thread about Save Me, and figured no one has apparently made a thread about '39.
So, what is your favorite Queen live rendition of '39?
Here are some of my picks.
Earl's court 07-06-1977: The sound quality obviously is a factor here, this being the official version. Other than that, I like the simplicity of this version, not adding too many things that wasn't there already, compared to later versions. However, Brian plays some nice things on the guitar from time to time, that I' haven't heard in other performances, which I think compliments the music really well. Listen for example to 2:02 or 2:42. Small things, but I like it. He certainly doesn't do this in 06-06-1977. I also like that there's no bass drum in the interlude before the second verse.
Long Beach 20-12-1977: Similar to the earl's Court one, though I think Brian's guitar has a much better sound in this one. Sounds more like a 12-string guitar to me than the Earl's Court one, in this one, like others from the NOTW tour. Freddie hits G4 here in stead of B3 in "This can not be". It works really well.
Liverpool 06-12-1979: Probably Freddie's best vocal performance that I've heard in this song. He hits B4 in "This can not be", but doesn't stay up there too long, as I think he does in Newcastle 04-12-1979. There is a bass drum here in the interlude, but I think it works in this case, since the song is played much faster than 1977 or 1978 renditions. Epic guitar playing from Brian.
Hammersmith 26-12-1979: Similar to the Liverpool one, though in much better sound quality. The only drawback for me here is, that I find Freddie's vocal performance a little disappointing compared to other Crazy tour versions. He goes up to A4 in stead of B4, and the first two words of the song is closer to A#3 than B3. Otherwise I think it's really great.
I also really like the Edinburg and Hyde Park ones from 1976, since they're played completely different from later renditions, though the sound quality is a bit too restricted for my taste. Another reason why a official Hyde Park release could have been really great.
I personally really dislike the renditions from the Jazz tour, since they add a snare drum in the last chorus, which I feel doesn't work at all for the song. If this wasn't the case, the Live Killers version could have been a favorite. It's really great up to that point.
So, what is your favorite Queen live rendition of '39?
Here are some of my picks.
Earl's court 07-06-1977: The sound quality obviously is a factor here, this being the official version. Other than that, I like the simplicity of this version, not adding too many things that wasn't there already, compared to later versions. However, Brian plays some nice things on the guitar from time to time, that I' haven't heard in other performances, which I think compliments the music really well. Listen for example to 2:02 or 2:42. Small things, but I like it. He certainly doesn't do this in 06-06-1977. I also like that there's no bass drum in the interlude before the second verse.
Long Beach 20-12-1977: Similar to the earl's Court one, though I think Brian's guitar has a much better sound in this one. Sounds more like a 12-string guitar to me than the Earl's Court one, in this one, like others from the NOTW tour. Freddie hits G4 here in stead of B3 in "This can not be". It works really well.
Liverpool 06-12-1979: Probably Freddie's best vocal performance that I've heard in this song. He hits B4 in "This can not be", but doesn't stay up there too long, as I think he does in Newcastle 04-12-1979. There is a bass drum here in the interlude, but I think it works in this case, since the song is played much faster than 1977 or 1978 renditions. Epic guitar playing from Brian.
Hammersmith 26-12-1979: Similar to the Liverpool one, though in much better sound quality. The only drawback for me here is, that I find Freddie's vocal performance a little disappointing compared to other Crazy tour versions. He goes up to A4 in stead of B4, and the first two words of the song is closer to A#3 than B3. Otherwise I think it's really great.
I also really like the Edinburg and Hyde Park ones from 1976, since they're played completely different from later renditions, though the sound quality is a bit too restricted for my taste. Another reason why a official Hyde Park release could have been really great.
I personally really dislike the renditions from the Jazz tour, since they add a snare drum in the last chorus, which I feel doesn't work at all for the song. If this wasn't the case, the Live Killers version could have been a favorite. It's really great up to that point.
