OT: Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic

[Deb]

Has anybody else seen this documentary? They have showed it a few times on MuchMoreMusic (Canada's version of VH1). I just finished watching it and found it extremely interesting, although got teary by the end of it. They talk to his mom, sister, partner, Roger Taylor and other friends and singers. Quite the life and career he had.

I'd also never saw the video (last one he made) or really heard the song "These are the days of our Lives". Roger Taylor said he was very sick during it and so thin by then. After listening to that song, I realized just what a great job Jeff does on that one on the JSS Queen 2003 dvd. Actually, on all of them. Didn't realize how many Queen songs I liked until I saw that dvd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjiapiq-hqY

Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic

Freddie Mercury was an accomplished musician and legendary showman. His band Queen sold a staggering 80 million albums around the world and helped define popular culture in the 1970's and 80's. But the fiercely private Freddie was equally famous for the gossip surrounding his colourful love life as well as a hedonistic lifestyle. This fascinating and entertaining documentary includes exclusive interviews with Mercury's mother Jer Bulsara and sister Kashmira Cooke - and never heard before audio interviews of the great man himself. Unparalleled and exclusive interviews with Freddie's close friends and collaborators are at the heart of this documentary, and include: his boyfriend Jim Hutton, his personal assistant Peter Freestone; close friends David Evans and Peter Straker; musical collaborators Roger Taylor and Montserrat Caballe; and celebrity fans including Robbie Williams, McFly and Mike Myers.

[MCC620]

Jeff does all the Queen songs amazingly. I'm sure Mr Mercury looks down and smiles. The video you posted is one of my favorites, I think it was done right before he died. Such a great gift to music gone too soon.

[Trailblazer]

Beautiful, soulful song. Thanks very much for sharing, Strungout.

[squirt1]

Deb- I remember hearing of Freddie's death . I told the my daughters that I felt like I lost a friend. I think it was 1991. So much talent !!!! That last album was for the fans. Google Mary Austin for more info. She must have been his best friend.

[squirt1]

I forgot.....if anyone is interested check out the opera he wrote. It is on YouTube in 3 parts. It is live in Barcelona .

[Just_Plain_Eric]

Check out the Freddie tribute concert from 92 or so...very moving...a great sendoff to THE most talented voice ever to grace the R and R stage!

E

[Paul_UK]

The man was was/is my idol, the showman of showmen and a truly amazing musician and vocalist.

On the day it was announced that he had died, my friend and i went up to his home in South Kensington in London to lay flowers and there were crowds of people there sharing their memories and stories of Freddie and singing his songs. One of the most moving days of my life.

During the filming of the "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" video, they had to shoot the Freddie footage in short 10 second sections as he was in terrible pain and had to keep sitting down. Can you believe the video was show just 7 weeks before he passed away?...a true professional to the very last.

RIP Freddie.

[conversationpc]

The man was was/is my idol, the showman of showmen and a truly amazing musician and vocalist.

On the day it was announced that he had died, my friend and i went up to his home in South Kensington in London to lay flowers and there were crowds of people there sharing their memories and stories of Freddie and singing his songs. One of the most moving days of my life.

During the filming of the "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" video, they had to shoot the Freddie footage in short 10 second sections as he was in terrible pain and had to keep sitting down. Can you believe the video was show just 7 weeks before he passed away?...a true professional to the very last.

RIP Freddie.

It's very poignant that the last song he ever sang was "Mother Love" from the "Made in Heaven" album. He was so physically weak that he could not finish the last verse. That's why Brian May sings it. The obvious mental anguish he was in was very evident on that song. Very poignant and very sad.

[SusieP]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

[NealIsGod]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

Hopefully not TOO much.

[SusieP]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

Hopefully not TOO much.

[Just_Plain_Eric]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

Hopefully not TOO much.

Not that there's anything wrong with that....

[chf34jmac]

Freddie definitely rates as one of my top 5 greatest singers of all time.

[Behshad]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

Hopefully not TOO much.

Good one NIG



Freddie was a great singer/performer/sogwritter/showman/entertainer.
He was one of Jeffs influences as we all know and you can see clearly how much passion Jeff puts into performing Freddie's song.
One of my favorite Queen songs is from 1990 called "I want it all". Did you guys know that he was half persian/half british and his given name was Farrokh Freydoon Bulsara!? and he was born in Africa!?

RIP Mr Mercury.

[Deb]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

I agree, I think he would have been impressed with Jeff's performances on that Queen dvd. And Jeff's look skyward saying "we love you Freddie", at the end of his performance of These Are The Days of Our Lives was a very poignant ending to that song. That dvd is a must-have for any JSS or Queen fan.

[nutz4Neal]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

Hopefully not TOO much.

[SusieP]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

I agree, I think he would have been impressed with Jeff's performances on that Queen dvd. And Jeff's look skyward saying "we love you Freddie", at the end of his performance of These Are The Days of Our Lives was a very poignant ending to that song. That dvd is a must-have for any JSS or Queen fan.

Yes, and when I watch the 'Queen & Paul Rodgers' DVD, I can't help thinking - If only this were JSS I was watching with Brian and Roger.

But then, maybe he wouldn't now be in Journey.
So - you can't have everything.

[Deb]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

I agree, I think he would have been impressed with Jeff's performances on that Queen dvd. And Jeff's look skyward saying "we love you Freddie", at the end of his performance of These Are The Days of Our Lives was a very poignant ending to that song. That dvd is a must-have for any JSS or Queen fan.

Yes, and when I watch the 'Queen & Paul Rodgers' DVD, I can't help thinking - If only this were JSS I was watching with Brian and Roger.

But then, maybe he wouldn't now be in Journey.
So - you can't have everything.

LOL, ya you gotta give Jeff credit for having the balls to tackle probably 2 of rock's most unique and talented vocalists..........and do them both justice yet.

[SusieP]

Freddie was unique.

And I have a feeling he would like JSS very much.

I agree, I think he would have been impressed with Jeff's performances on that Queen dvd. And Jeff's look skyward saying "we love you Freddie", at the end of his performance of These Are The Days of Our Lives was a very poignant ending to that song. That dvd is a must-have for any JSS or Queen fan.

Yes, and when I watch the 'Queen & Paul Rodgers' DVD, I can't help thinking - If only this were JSS I was watching with Brian and Roger.

But then, maybe he wouldn't now be in Journey.
So - you can't have everything.

LOL, ya you gotta give Jeff credit for having the balls to tackle probably 2 of rock's most unique and talented vocalists..........and do them both justice yet.

Being a Perry Lover, I didn't think I would 'take to' JSS, but I have.
And he seems so TALL at the side of the others, and don't ask me why, but it makes me grin.
He's feisty too, and big hearted, and he posts on here - all great points in his favour IMO.
The guy is a Rock God.

And I really do think Freddie would have loved him.

[Jeremey]

Something I've always loved about Freddie's voice, and who he was, was just the total lack of pretention in his voice and style. He didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and he just had the most amazing voice. Live, he wasn't the circus freak that Perry was, but this was a guy who lived every day as if it were his last, and the smoking and drinking never seemed to adversely touch his pipes. You really have 2 sides of the spectrum between Perry and Mercury - Perry, the reclusive "don't touch me"/wrap my throat in linen approach to singing, and then Mercury, the drink a bottle of wine, smoke a pack of cigarettes, party all night approach to singing. Freddie sang almost to the end with that approach, and his delivery and conviction rivaled Perry at his best.

[SusieP]

Something I've always loved about Freddie's voice, and who he was, was just the total lack of pretention in his voice and style. He didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and he just had the most amazing voice. Live, he wasn't the circus freak that Perry was, but this was a guy who lived every day as if it were his last, and the smoking and drinking never seemed to adversely touch his pipes. You really have 2 sides of the spectrum between Perry and Mercury - Perry, the reclusive "don't touch me"/wrap my throat in linen approach to singing, and then Mercury, the drink a bottle of wine, smoke a pack of cigarettes, party all night approach to singing. Freddie sang almost to the end with that approach, and his delivery and conviction rivaled Perry at his best.

But one died too young.
So it took it's toll in the end.

[Jeremey]

So it took it's toll in the end.

Not even going to touch that one.

I know what you mean, though...

[conversationpc]

Something I've always loved about Freddie's voice, and who he was, was just the total lack of pretention in his voice and style. He didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and he just had the most amazing voice. Live, he wasn't the circus freak that Perry was, but this was a guy who lived every day as if it were his last, and the smoking and drinking never seemed to adversely touch his pipes. You really have 2 sides of the spectrum between Perry and Mercury - Perry, the reclusive "don't touch me"/wrap my throat in linen approach to singing, and then Mercury, the drink a bottle of wine, smoke a pack of cigarettes, party all night approach to singing. Freddie sang almost to the end with that approach, and his delivery and conviction rivaled Perry at his best.

The power and emotion in his last vocal performance on "Mother Love" was amazing. Listen to the section of the song with the following lyrics and tell me you can't FEEL what he was feeling at the time...

I've walked too long in this lonely lane
I've had enough of this same old game
I'm a man of the world, you say that I'm strong
But my heart is heavy and my hope is gone
Out in the city, in the cold world outside
I don't want pity, just a safe place to hide
Mama please, let me back inside

[AR]

Something I've always loved about Freddie's voice, and who he was, was just the total lack of pretention in his voice and style. He didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and he just had the most amazing voice. Live, he wasn't the circus freak that Perry was, but this was a guy who lived every day as if it were his last, and the smoking and drinking never seemed to adversely touch his pipes. You really have 2 sides of the spectrum between Perry and Mercury - Perry, the reclusive "don't touch me"/wrap my throat in linen approach to singing, and then Mercury, the drink a bottle of wine, smoke a pack of cigarettes, party all night approach to singing. Freddie sang almost to the end with that approach, and his delivery and conviction rivaled Perry at his best.

The power and emotion in his last vocal performance on "Mother Love" was amazing. Listen to the section of the song with the following lyrics and tell me you can't FEEL what he was feeling at the time...

I've walked too long in this lonely lane
I've had enough of this same old game
I'm a man of the world, you say that I'm strong
But my heart is heavy and my hope is gone
Out in the city, in the cold world outside
I don't want pity, just a safe place to hide
Mama please, let me back inside

Think I'll go check that one out.

[SusieP]

So it took it's toll in the end.

Not even going to touch that one.

I know what you mean, though...

But Freddie was ready to go. I think. {Mother Love}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLDsd6lUiR8

[conversationpc]

Something I've always loved about Freddie's voice, and who he was, was just the total lack of pretention in his voice and style. He didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and he just had the most amazing voice. Live, he wasn't the circus freak that Perry was, but this was a guy who lived every day as if it were his last, and the smoking and drinking never seemed to adversely touch his pipes. You really have 2 sides of the spectrum between Perry and Mercury - Perry, the reclusive "don't touch me"/wrap my throat in linen approach to singing, and then Mercury, the drink a bottle of wine, smoke a pack of cigarettes, party all night approach to singing. Freddie sang almost to the end with that approach, and his delivery and conviction rivaled Perry at his best.

The power and emotion in his last vocal performance on "Mother Love" was amazing. Listen to the section of the song with the following lyrics and tell me you can't FEEL what he was feeling at the time...

I've walked too long in this lonely lane
I've had enough of this same old game
I'm a man of the world, you say that I'm strong
But my heart is heavy and my hope is gone
Out in the city, in the cold world outside
I don't want pity, just a safe place to hide
Mama please, let me back inside

Think I'll go check that one out.

Here's a link to a video that NIG posted earlier. It's one that some Queen fan put together. The end of the song always gets me. It's kind of an audio montage of Freddie's career that goes backwards through time and ends with the sound of a baby crying. Gets to me every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLDsd6lUiR8

[SusieP]

Whoops just went to look for a clip and edited it into my post and you'd done it, too.

Great minds think alike conversationpc.

[AR]

Cool clip. Saved me from popping "Made in Heaven" in. I have almost every Queen CD, but I haven't necessarily listened to everything. Thanks Dave and NIG

[*Laura]

The end of the song always gets me. It's kind of an audio montage of Freddie's career that goes backwards through time and ends with the sound of a baby crying. Gets to me every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLDsd6lUiR8

Very touching... Days Of Our Lives is heartbreaking,too.Puts a lump in my throat when I hear it...
And the way he was looking there...smiling,but so close to death.

Freddie sure was one of the greatest singers that ever walked on a stage.

[heardonthestreet]

Thanks for that link. A kind of magic is right.