The Concert for Life Chapters 10 - 14
It has come to my attention that this blog has been a little Queen heavy. I agree. Once this review of The Concert For Life is over you shan't be reading much about Queen for a long while.
Let's continue.
Chapter 10
James Hetfield
Stone Cold Crazy
In the early 90's Elektra records put out a compilation CD called "Rabaiyat", featuring contemporary Elektra artists covering songs by "classic" Elektra artists. I was not much for tribute albums (except for the occasional String Quartet tribute, which is just ridiculous and fun, but mostly ridiculous), so I never got it.
But I had heard Metallica's version of "Stone Cold Crazy", a song which first appeared on Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack" album in 1974. Interestingly, it is one of the first (if not THE first) and few songs credited to the entire band. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing except that future songs that were written by the entire band like, "One Vision" and "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie) pale in comparison.
"Stone Cold" is a tight, taut, predecessor to speed metal, recorded at breakneck speed, it was a perfect match for Metallica. I always found it weird that Hetfield would sing it with the band without Kirk Hammet since Hammet was the self described Queen fan in that band. But, Hetfield is fantastic and the band, while almost not able to keep up with each other, rises to the challenge.
Instead of Freddie-esque "yeahs" and such we are treated to intermittent Hetfield growls and his voice sounds like the rapists in the movie "Boys Don't Cry" act. A perfect match. And he gets away with a couple "fuck"s in the song.
Awesome.
Chapter 11
Robert Plant
Innuendo
Okay. I've never been a Led Zeppelin fan. In the battle between Queen and Zep it was ALWAYS cooler to be a Zep fan, I know that. And Chuck Klosterman accurately depicts why Zeppelin will always be an important band for any young man in his book "Killing Yourself to Live", I recommend that book highly. And you would think that Plant would be the perfect match for "Innuendo" which marked Queen's return to medieval-quasi rock. But, he just isn't up to the task. It's interesting to note that Zep were one of the few bands to withhold their performance from the "Live Aid" release last year. He just can't power rock like he wants to.
But, then there's the breakdown. The band gets quiet and he can suddenly sing. And the lead solo (which was recorded by, I believe Steve Howe for the recording) is just shredded by Brian. And when the band comes back to that plodding melody, Plant has suddenly returned to form.
Visually, it is still important for me to remind you all that the director isn't just cutting away every 2 seconds. We linger. On vocalists. Lead guitarists. Even the bassist gets a few seconds of air time. Dammit, I'm not just pining for something from the past with a "Oh, it was better in my day" bullshit. It really was.
Queen was also about giving the people what they want. And what they wanted, but probably didn't know it, and weren't expecting it, was a taste of Zeppelin. It might be Kashmir, I don't know. I don't care, I really am not a Zep fan.....But, it's really nice when they blast into...
Chapter 12
Robert Plant
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Oh, poor Plant. Robert. Robert! The Honeydrippers were fun, but it wasn't really any good and you are not Elvis! So, why? WHY?? Why is Plant given the task of singing one of Queen's biggest, most popular, singalongs?
Oh, I'm not gonna fight it. You really can't kill this song. Dwight Yoakum couldn't kill it. Michel Buble couldn't kill it. Brian Setzer couldn't kill it. It's a testament not to Queen, but to the power and longevity of the three chord song. It's a classic 1-4-5, by a band that were so earnest in their desire to please. When they had written this, Queen hadn't totally figured out how to sell out. Yet.
And what this performance shows is just how great a drummer Roger Taylor really is, was...whatever.
Chapter 13
Seal
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Queen used to point out on their early records that there were "no synthesizers" used on their albums. Throttle Back Sparky paid homage to them on our CD (check out the back cover).
But, this song was always kind of weird for me. First off, it's 75% synthesizer and it didn't need to be. Feels like a cop out. Secondly, Queen did the music for "Flash Gordon". Hawkman would dive into battle shouting "Who wants to live forever!?!?". So, is THAT where Brian got the inspiration for the song? And the song was recorded for the album "A Kind of Magic" which was SUPPOSED to be the soundtrack album for the movie "Highlander". I can't recall if this song was used in that movie but it fits, obviously. So, it might be the first time a song recorded by a band for one movie was inspired by a line of dialogue in another movie the same band did the soundtrack for.
Whew.
It also fits as a tribute to Freddie's memory. So, it's fine.
Oh, yeah, Seal sings it here. I think the words, "Pitchy", "Sharp", "Got away from you" are the words we would use for that today.
But, it's a fine intro to the mid-point high-points of the show.
But first, a ditty....
Chapter 14
Lisa Stansfield
I Want to Break Free
Remember Lisa Stansfield? Yeah, me neither. I mean, she had a hit, right? In England I think she's a superstar, but to me she's just another resident of the "Where are they now?" file.
But, she comes out, in discowear, her hair in curlers, pushing a vacuum, which is great because this is the song that killed Queen in the States.
This is the one where they appeared as characters in a British TV show, but they were all women. (And then Freddie slid around like a serpent for no reason at all). Remember? John was dowdy and old? Brian looked like your ugly, older sister? Freddie was....well.....Freddie. I think it Roger Taylor that caused all the furor. From behind Roger was hot. When he turned around, all trailer trashy, I think American guys got confused and couldn't hack the fact that they were turned on by a dude.
The song was okay. A big hit that no one really cares about, a ditty, a throwaway. Lisa did fine.
Let's continue.
Chapter 10
James Hetfield
Stone Cold Crazy
In the early 90's Elektra records put out a compilation CD called "Rabaiyat", featuring contemporary Elektra artists covering songs by "classic" Elektra artists. I was not much for tribute albums (except for the occasional String Quartet tribute, which is just ridiculous and fun, but mostly ridiculous), so I never got it.
But I had heard Metallica's version of "Stone Cold Crazy", a song which first appeared on Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack" album in 1974. Interestingly, it is one of the first (if not THE first) and few songs credited to the entire band. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing except that future songs that were written by the entire band like, "One Vision" and "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie) pale in comparison.
"Stone Cold" is a tight, taut, predecessor to speed metal, recorded at breakneck speed, it was a perfect match for Metallica. I always found it weird that Hetfield would sing it with the band without Kirk Hammet since Hammet was the self described Queen fan in that band. But, Hetfield is fantastic and the band, while almost not able to keep up with each other, rises to the challenge.
Instead of Freddie-esque "yeahs" and such we are treated to intermittent Hetfield growls and his voice sounds like the rapists in the movie "Boys Don't Cry" act. A perfect match. And he gets away with a couple "fuck"s in the song.
Awesome.
Chapter 11
Robert Plant
Innuendo
Okay. I've never been a Led Zeppelin fan. In the battle between Queen and Zep it was ALWAYS cooler to be a Zep fan, I know that. And Chuck Klosterman accurately depicts why Zeppelin will always be an important band for any young man in his book "Killing Yourself to Live", I recommend that book highly. And you would think that Plant would be the perfect match for "Innuendo" which marked Queen's return to medieval-quasi rock. But, he just isn't up to the task. It's interesting to note that Zep were one of the few bands to withhold their performance from the "Live Aid" release last year. He just can't power rock like he wants to.
But, then there's the breakdown. The band gets quiet and he can suddenly sing. And the lead solo (which was recorded by, I believe Steve Howe for the recording) is just shredded by Brian. And when the band comes back to that plodding melody, Plant has suddenly returned to form.
Visually, it is still important for me to remind you all that the director isn't just cutting away every 2 seconds. We linger. On vocalists. Lead guitarists. Even the bassist gets a few seconds of air time. Dammit, I'm not just pining for something from the past with a "Oh, it was better in my day" bullshit. It really was.
Queen was also about giving the people what they want. And what they wanted, but probably didn't know it, and weren't expecting it, was a taste of Zeppelin. It might be Kashmir, I don't know. I don't care, I really am not a Zep fan.....But, it's really nice when they blast into...
Chapter 12
Robert Plant
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Oh, poor Plant. Robert. Robert! The Honeydrippers were fun, but it wasn't really any good and you are not Elvis! So, why? WHY?? Why is Plant given the task of singing one of Queen's biggest, most popular, singalongs?
Oh, I'm not gonna fight it. You really can't kill this song. Dwight Yoakum couldn't kill it. Michel Buble couldn't kill it. Brian Setzer couldn't kill it. It's a testament not to Queen, but to the power and longevity of the three chord song. It's a classic 1-4-5, by a band that were so earnest in their desire to please. When they had written this, Queen hadn't totally figured out how to sell out. Yet.
And what this performance shows is just how great a drummer Roger Taylor really is, was...whatever.
Chapter 13
Seal
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Queen used to point out on their early records that there were "no synthesizers" used on their albums. Throttle Back Sparky paid homage to them on our CD (check out the back cover).
But, this song was always kind of weird for me. First off, it's 75% synthesizer and it didn't need to be. Feels like a cop out. Secondly, Queen did the music for "Flash Gordon". Hawkman would dive into battle shouting "Who wants to live forever!?!?". So, is THAT where Brian got the inspiration for the song? And the song was recorded for the album "A Kind of Magic" which was SUPPOSED to be the soundtrack album for the movie "Highlander". I can't recall if this song was used in that movie but it fits, obviously. So, it might be the first time a song recorded by a band for one movie was inspired by a line of dialogue in another movie the same band did the soundtrack for.
Whew.
It also fits as a tribute to Freddie's memory. So, it's fine.
Oh, yeah, Seal sings it here. I think the words, "Pitchy", "Sharp", "Got away from you" are the words we would use for that today.
But, it's a fine intro to the mid-point high-points of the show.
But first, a ditty....
Chapter 14
Lisa Stansfield
I Want to Break Free
Remember Lisa Stansfield? Yeah, me neither. I mean, she had a hit, right? In England I think she's a superstar, but to me she's just another resident of the "Where are they now?" file.
But, she comes out, in discowear, her hair in curlers, pushing a vacuum, which is great because this is the song that killed Queen in the States.
This is the one where they appeared as characters in a British TV show, but they were all women. (And then Freddie slid around like a serpent for no reason at all). Remember? John was dowdy and old? Brian looked like your ugly, older sister? Freddie was....well.....Freddie. I think it Roger Taylor that caused all the furor. From behind Roger was hot. When he turned around, all trailer trashy, I think American guys got confused and couldn't hack the fact that they were turned on by a dude.
The song was okay. A big hit that no one really cares about, a ditty, a throwaway. Lisa did fine.
posted by Allen Lulu | 2:38 PM
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