You must do "Ogre Battle", "Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke", "Nevermore" Queen II brilliant and amazing in any way you could possibly analyze them. They need to be heard with no break in between songs.
yes please do this medley of songs doug! theres a video available in youtube that merges all three of them so it feels seemless! please react to it, its by far my favourite medley ever in music
I love early Queen. "The Lap of the Gods" both parts are great. Roger really gets to show his vocal abilities and they're phenomenal. This music shows how great Freddie's voice really is. "White Queen" live is a great song. Freddie's voice is beautiful. This whole album is just great. I like their early music better.
It's interesting because people usually either love this album or consider it one of the weakest ones from the Queen portfolio.It's a departure from Queen/Queen II direction but it's not A Night At The Opera yet.
@@SpadajSpadaj I'm in the "it's my favourite album" corner. The only dud for me is 'Misfire' (I'm not generally a fan of the Deacs songs - not sure why!) but the rest is just class song after class song. Probably because as a very young boy of 6 or so, I had the single of Killer Queen with Flick of the Wrist as its B-side. And I still put Flick of the Wrist as one of my favourite songs ever still today, so heavy!! Love the connected 3 songs from Tenement Funster to Lily of the Valley. As an LP, side A of Sheer Heart Attack is perfection!! Oddly, whilst I don't hate Quuen/Queen II, I'm not that fussed on the at all. I'm listening to QII to now to see what I'm missing out on! [OK, it's pretty darned good!] There are only a few Queen albums I can listen to from start to finish and love every one, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races are great but then I'm not that fussed until Innuendo maybe A Kind of Magic and The Works. There are some amazing individual songs on the rest, but there's some diabolical stuff in there!!
yes, but freddie‘s overall voice and his many tones are unbeatable. that‘s why he was the main vocalist of queen. also roger stated in an interview „there‘s been a reason why we’ve decided him to be the singer....he‘s been the best of us four“. also for every situation in life they‘ve got something in their huge catalogue. try „all dead, all dead“, a brian may song for queen where he works out his struggle with the death of his cat when he‘s been a teenie. a wonderful video and the music is also not really depressing....very interesting.
I adore In The Lap of the Gods. We all joined in n concert, completely enthralled. I love Queen songs but this one takes me back to being a teenager. Such brilliance to create such variety and interesting music. Legends all. ❤
Doug, I'm surprised that you didn't say anything about the intriguing effect the band created with Freddie's voice on the first song. Apparently, the tape was sped up while recording the vocal, and then slowed down, which makes Freddie's voice sound deeper and a little otherworldly. The contrast between that and Roger's "castrato" highs is amazing to hear. Queen has always been a band that likes to feature contrasts of various kinds.
@@vladalexeev8529 I don't that they would make any faults - but Montserrat Caballè one of the greatest opera singers of all time made an album with him in the late 80's - she told him that he was a natural baritone - - the voice between bass and tenor.
Queen were still in their 'cult band becoming widely accepted' phase when Sheer Heart Attack was released. These two tracks, Killer Queen, Now I'm Here and Brighton Rock (hell, and all the other tracks) were exceptional and pointed to a unique band, unafraid to experiment, yet still very much in touch with pop roots. Bohemian Rhapsody was just around the corner.
@@ben1ben It might be an English expression. When a boy becomes a man their voice goes lower and for a year or so their voice is wobbling up and down. Very unpredictable. Roger was still able to hit Those very high notes.
@@ben1ben Lots of very good male child singers don't sound great after puberty and their voice changes. Roger kept that ability and sang all the highest harmony notes live. Freddie had to be careful not to damage his throat overdoing it live.
I really enjoyed Dougs reaction to these songs, as a musician himself, I would bet a penny to a pinch of snuff that he was elated. I would love to have him do Innuendo, I harp on about it and I make no apology for this. Its an underrated masterpiece in my opinion.
Really cool reaction, thanks for this one Doug! As a life-long Queen fan, I always love it when someone comments on their less well known material! From the same album, on the A side there are 3 songs that you should listen and react to at some point: "Tenement Funster / Flick of the Wrist / Lily of the Valley". They are quite different, but they do that flow onto one another thing and are best listened to as a whole unit Thanks for all these awesome reactions!!
I know Revisited is the more popular one, but my God does the first one hit differently! Roger's insane vocals aside, the harmonies, unique chord changes, Freddie's arpeggios on the piano, Brian's amazingly smooth guitar tone through John's own Deacy amplifier, it represents everything truly beautiful about early Queen! I even played the song on piano for my High School talent show freshman year! It's one of my favourite songs to play and quite easily the 3rd best song on the album imo (this album is phenomenal) behind only Killer Queen and Stone Cold Crazy! While this song doesn't necessarily transition into another track, it does immediately cut back to the percussion with a quick tempo shift into arguably the first ever Thrash Metal song Stone Cold Crazy! That would be a good song for a Metal Monday, though it is rather fast and short.
This is probably my fav album by Queen, Saw them in 76 with Thin Lizzy opening for them. Back when concerts were long, They played a few songs from their debut album & the majority of Sheer Heart Attack along with a good portion of A Night At The Opera as well A good chunk from A Day At The Races which was released in 76. Agreeing with other's You would really enjoy Brighten Rock & Brian does a fantastic guitar solo in it.
So, Doug, I’m a composer myself, and I do enjoy your channel When Queen recorded Sheer Heart Attack, they were broke. Dead broke. Their manager had a deal with them where all of the money flowed through him, and he gave them £10 each, per week, to live on. Literally. Roger was actually told he was not allowed to break drum sticks because he would not be given the money to buy a new pair. Then Freddie saw said manager drive to a meeting with them for Sheer Heart Attack in a new Rolls Royce from the money generated by Killer Queen. Still on £10 each. Freddie wrote Flick of the Wrist about their manager, and In The Lap of The Gods, Revisited, as he was despondent about their dire financial situation. They hired Elton John’s manager who sued Queen’s way out of their previous contract while they recorded A Night at the Opera. Death On Two Legs was Freddie’s final musical jab at the previous manager. See “… you’re a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride Should be made unemployed, make yourself null and void Do you feel good … I feel good” Check out that action as well as Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
Excellent choice! They always ended their gigs with _"In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited"_ until they had _We Are the Champions._ My parents bought me this album for Christmas, 1974, when I was 12. They also bought me _Kimono my House_ by Sparks and Slade in _Flame._ {:-:-:}
I still highly suggest that you do a full listen of Queen II! That's an album that must be heard all the way through with no breaks in between songs so they can flow together! I'm sure there are some videos on UA-cam with the full album, but if not, if you have Spotify or any kind of streaming account, that would be the best option!
Live, Roger attempts a *sonic impregnation* _(for those who consent, of course)_ on the audience during the '74 Rainbow show for 'In The Lap Of The Gods', casually (yet clinically) hitting legato phrases from the higher portion of a typical soprano range. Oh, and he does it while playing drums, near the end of their show. No big deal, it's Queen, 😎 for they just 'did such things' regularly.
Hey Doug Glad you enjoyed this, pure class from Queen You mentioned how good Freddie’s vocals are, you need to listen to one of his so tracks from when he recorded with Monserrat Caballe The track is called “ exercises in free love” it will show you how much of a great vocalist Freddie was…. Please give it a listen and let’s see your reaction
Oh Doug Thanks for your humour, intelligence, appreciation, insights and joy at celebrating musicianship, artistry and anthems ❤😊 Greetings from Africa Cape Town 🇿🇦
Hi Doug! The ending, where they're singing Wo Wo La La, is in 3 with a long 4 drumbeat underneath, which has been playing in 3/4 since the beginning of the song. 😊
Loved the songs, ever since they came out, but you (Doug) have added a layer of musical-understanding to my listening to them that to me, is priceless. Thank you so much for lending us your incredible ears and knowledge to make the harmonic element of the song clear and even enhance further listenings. With Queen songs, especially, it's not always so easy to understand how the harmony was built up, but using the Nashville numbering system (instead of only the note-names), makes it easy-peasy in analysis/understanding. One last thing, the excitement with which you actively listen to these songs is contagious. (as if I needed more stimulus to be a music-junkie) ;) Can't wait for the next ones...thanks again.
What other rock band does these unexpected key changes, chord progressions, and chord structures, and also writes in 6/8 time? Of course the lyrics are just fantastic, and the lead vocals, and the harmonies, and the instrumentation, and... and... and... I can't think of any other band who can do all of this. And almost every style of music is represented in their catalog.
@@the_judge_8262 yes they are each members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their individual songs. All of them wrote hits. And they all played multiple instruments. John didn’t do much back up singing, but sometimes even that happened.
A lot of artists do that and more complex things if you want. But they fail miserably to create engagement and stay niche or unknown. Queen didnt even need chords to produce a stadium classic (we will rock you) thats why they are genius. Only Beatles and Pink Floyd are comparable, maybe Police or some other. The rest of rock are basically extended blues bands. Love all of them though.
@@Paulnap many of their most popular hits are relatively simple, which is in no way a criticism. They are also timeless and cherished and memorable and catchy. But as I’m sure you’re aware, if you dig into the catalog, you find a lot of complex music that even classically trained aficionados will appreciate. Right now I’m thinking of Prophets Song. Many pop/rock bands just do I, IV, V, I progressions with a ii thrown in for a little variety. Not saying Queen is the only one who strays from the formula, but it’s not common.
Love what you do Doug! My favourite channel by far - I’m a Freddie Mercury tribute artist so I know how challenging this material is to perform and how complex it is when you start to dig into it… keep doing what you do - thanks for sharing you love of music and your talent 🙏
You are certainly a fun guy, Doug ... and I'm not talking mushrooms! So much fun reliving the experience of listening to it for the first time with somebody so knowledgeable and insightful. I remember listening to this nearly 50 years ago with my bandmates and just being wowed! Almost all of early Queen is special and unique, and you really can't go wrong with any of it. Thanks for what you do.
I saw Queen live in 1986 and singing along to this in the middle of a huge crowd of people singing their hearts out is one of my favourite memories of the concert.
Hi Doug, I think you'd enjoy a track called 'Was It All Worth It' from 'The 'Miracle' LP. It has elements of hard rock with a fantastic orchestral part at its climax. I also think you'd like 'The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke' from 'Queen 2'- it features Freddie on harpsichord and is definitely worth a listen.
Hey Doug, you probably know of Alan Parsons. He got his start as an assistant producer working for the Beatles at Abbey Road. He later produced Dark Side of the Moon and contributed a lot to the album's distinctive sound. He produced his own work as Alan Parsons Project. It's grandiloquent prog, less pretentious and more dramatic than a lot of stuff out there. His best album is probably I, Robot. You might get a kick out of it, though it is musically pretty simple. And of course you should listen to Rick Wakeman, the virtuoso keyboard player who performed some of Yes's greatest songs. You've heard his work on the Cat Stevens song "Morning Has Broken." Wakeman's Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973) is a solo project of keyboard works. I prefer Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974), a live performance by his small rock band, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the English Chamber Choir. If you don't know the album, you will definitely find lots to react to. It may remind you of Renaissance's Scheherazade. Like Keith Emerson, Wakeman helped popularize the first generation of analog synthesizers. Emerson and Wakeman were friendly rivals who always intended to make an album together but never got around to it.
I'm so glad they 'revisited'! I went to see Queen and Adam Lambert in 2014. It was a ripper concert and, I'm so glad, they had "Lap of the Gods" in there, along with so much other awesome music and surprises! That was the closest I ever came to Queen. I wish I'd got a ticket extra to take my Mum! Love your reactions, Doug! And I love it even more when you don't talk over the music! All the best from Western Australia 😊
They were having problems with management at the end of Sheer Heart Attack leading in to A Night at The Opera. Death on Two Legs follows this up on the new album. It was some of the truly interesting time for Queen.
... with a very unusual song structure, and none of the excess of overdubbing (e.g.), such as from the early days. Unusual in many ways, mournful, and touching. A tremendous tune - please do this one, Doug!
If you haven't heard it, Innuendo needs to be next. If you have, go for either The Millionaire Waltz or the sequence of Tenement Funster, Flick Of The Wrist and Lily Of The Valley.
In my humble opinion, the live version at wembley 86 is the best one. Is performed a little different from the revisitedone, but is soooo much better. Is similar to fear of the dark from maiden, sooo much better live.
You really should have gone to the next song...Stone Cold Crazy! Proof that Queen were possible forefathers, if not influencers of thrash metal! (Metallica did a pretty awesome cover) Such amazing, but short, pieces. Their harmonizing was always superb!!
This is definitely an album that needs to be heard front to back in a single sitting. You need to do "Good Company" from A Night At The Opera". Brian May's Dixie jazz band will knock you out.
You need to do something by Boston, preferably something other than "More Than a Feeling" for instance. Perhaps one of their two epic pieces "Foreplay/Long Time" from their debut or "The Launch/Cool the Engines" from "Third Stage". "Hollyann", also from "Third Stage", is a really, what I would call "majestic" piece that I think you might like as well. Even "A New World/To Be a Man" from that same album is really good.
I'd love your take on Freddie Mercury and Monserrat Caballé's Barcelona and/or The Golden Boy. Barcelona has been reacted to many times but the reactors are always pretty much speechless. The Golden Boy is less talked about, I think, but just as incredible a performance. The love of Freddie and Montsy is a great story.
Probably my favourite Queen album. It's got everything - still a touch of the very early Queen and just starting on their later journey of more 'commercial' music.
In the lap of the gods (the first one you reacted to in the video) is my fav Queen song!!! And I love the album version of the song!!! But the Live at the Rainbow 1974 version of that one is insanly perfect and awesome!!! Pd: I do love the Revisited one too lol
One amazing Queen song is Innuendo, from the homonymous album. This is one of their masterpieces and have never been played alive due to Freddie's illness.
Well, this song is technically part of a medley, but that's just because of the beggining drum beat of Stone Cold Crazy. Just one beat, so... You didn't loose anything.
@@clintonsmith5163 yes, sorry about that. Just wanted to correct my comment, but you already did, so I leave it. I don’t know why I wrote 82. Getting older…
Loved this reaction and commentary! Would love to see you do the live versions from the Rainbow in 74. I believe the revisited version became just "In the Lap of the Gods" in subsequent performances. I think the rainbow version is the only time they did the original "In the Lap of the gods". Roger is amazing!
Doug, my interpetation of this is of the Norman brothers. Queens management prior to "A night at the opera". If you follow this on to the opening track of ANATO, you'll see. Queen were a a crossroads in their careers. "My money- that's all you want to talk about" It was straight after this album that Queen ditched Trident. Being rock stars, but only getting a paltry weekly wage, whilst the management were driving around in Rolls Royces. Leaving Trident gave Freddie the go ahead to release his fury with "Death on two legs". . . as Freddie wrote- "but now you can kiss, . . my ass goodbye!"
I think you're right on the money here Paul. Queen was at the end of their rope with Trident. Queen were in massive debt and were stuck in a lopsided contract. I think In the Lap of the Gods was written by Freddie to express to Trident that he was done being their puppet but they were too dense to see it for what it was. That's why it made the album. After Queen left Trident and signed with Joh Reid, Freddie was able to pen a more straightforward lyric (Death on Two Legs) to get his point across.
Greetings Doug. Love your analysis of songs. Just so you know, Freddie wrote a lot of those songs that sound like love songs about being wrong done by about the music industry, record companies and Jim Beach in particular. When you listen to the songs knowing this it changes the meaning even more. I'd love to hear your reaction to "You take my breath away" or "White Man" from the album "A day at the races" but all of those albums were meant to be listened to as a whole from start to finish. Like Dark Side of the Moon. These albums take you on a journey. Peace... ✌️
Another great song by a remarkable band analyzed by a master composer. Always love your thoughts on the music I love. This album was my first exposure to Queen, and some people in my circles wrote them off as shock-pop like they were some sort of Alice Cooper show for the hit "Killer Queen". Some genius disc jockey played "Lap of the Gods" on the air (WBCN) and I went out to buy the album knowing they were gonna be amazing. Thank++ for bringing this back.
My first theory professor in Music School gave Queen more praise than he gave any other rock band. Thank you for sharing your insight and reaction, maestro!
So delighted to see your reaction to these tunes, thanks! For your own benefit don't miss this 1986 performance of "... Revisited" at Wembley. ua-cam.com/video/aMhQyuS_lYA/v-deo.html ABSOLUTELY the best because by this time Freddie has turned it into a real power ballad, and the audience is ready for it! He looks glorious! The only problem is it's short because it's the first of a 3 song medley. Don't miss it tho.
Revisited was my introduction to line cliches. The intro accenting the 6th is sublime. One of my favorite Queen tracks - from someone who was a fan before anyone knew them.
I think, about that 2 songs, the case was about the businessman Norman Sheffield, who were not giving to the band the money and the respect the band was already deserving for what the band had been worked for. They fired Norman just after this. Notice, it is all about money and confidence the 2 songs. And plus, just the next album A night at the opera, the first song was written by Brian Death on 2 legs, and it is about money the fired businessman had got (read the lyrics >>> You suck my blood like a leech You break the law and you breach Screw my brain till it hurts You've taken all my money, and you want more Misguided old mule with your pigheaded rules With your narrow-minded cronies who are fools Of the first division ). Hope I have helped, Doug! Request>>> do a short react to NEVERMORE from Queen II. A magical piano and vocal song. That what's Freddie was for....to make masterpieces!
Hi Pedro, Freddie wrote Death on Two legs, Flick of the Wrist, and Let me entertain you, all with references to Stickells. As a matter of fact, Brain was Leary about Death on two legs, He even has been quoted as saying “ he felt bad signing it”, LOL
One of my favorite concerts was this one in Detroit for this tour. Personally I love Sheer Heart Attack album as it was the last Queen that rocked hard (Brighton Rock, Now I'm Here) and then had more ballad songs like this on it. This is in my top five Queen songs.
A big theme of this album was them breaking loose of a very very bad manager/agent. I think that's what this is all about. I think the first one was about the feeling of trepidation when they first put themselves in the hands of this manager, as though it were like going into a romantic relationship, and then the reprise was how they feel now that they're oh-so-ready to leave. It's at least far kinder than the song they're going to open the next album with, Death on Two Legs, which Freddie described as being about "a motherfucker of a gentleman" on the Live Killers album.
This song exposes clearly how (often) Taylor overdubed drums. Listen to the "shhhhhHHH" cymbals all the time the second half of the song. Also, the beautiful accents of Deacon with the (high pitch) bass notes over the snare on verses of "Revisited".
Fabulous reaction Dr Doug. Please do the live version from Wembley '86 Saturday. Its been years since they played this but, if you listen as Brian plays the intro, you can hear some of us actually recognise the song from our past. Please stay well and - more Queen Please.
The '86 Wembley show has a nice snippet of revisited that really shows the audience reaction and of course the whole show is worth a view to demonstrate the band doing a later years show on home turf in front of a MASSIVE crowd.
You must do "Ogre Battle", "Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke", "Nevermore" Queen II brilliant and amazing in any way you could possibly analyze them. They need to be heard with no break in between songs.
Yes, please please please do this!!!!
Agreed, Queen II is my favorite for sure. Straight through from beginning to end.
yes please do this medley of songs doug! theres a video available in youtube that merges all three of them so it feels seemless! please react to it, its by far my favourite medley ever in music
Queen II is incredible
I love early Queen. "The Lap of the Gods" both parts are great. Roger really gets to show his vocal abilities and they're phenomenal. This music shows how great Freddie's voice really is. "White Queen" live is a great song. Freddie's voice is beautiful. This whole album is just great. I like their early music better.
The whole album is perfect.
Amen brother.
Masterpiece!!!
It's interesting because people usually either love this album or consider it one of the weakest ones from the Queen portfolio.It's a departure from Queen/Queen II direction but it's not A Night At The Opera yet.
@@SpadajSpadaj I think it’s better than ANATO! Queen II is their best and my favourite album of all time!
@@SpadajSpadaj I'm in the "it's my favourite album" corner. The only dud for me is 'Misfire' (I'm not generally a fan of the Deacs songs - not sure why!) but the rest is just class song after class song. Probably because as a very young boy of 6 or so, I had the single of Killer Queen with Flick of the Wrist as its B-side. And I still put Flick of the Wrist as one of my favourite songs ever still today, so heavy!! Love the connected 3 songs from Tenement Funster to Lily of the Valley. As an LP, side A of Sheer Heart Attack is perfection!!
Oddly, whilst I don't hate Quuen/Queen II, I'm not that fussed on the at all. I'm listening to QII to now to see what I'm missing out on! [OK, it's pretty darned good!]
There are only a few Queen albums I can listen to from start to finish and love every one, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races are great but then I'm not that fussed until Innuendo maybe A Kind of Magic and The Works. There are some amazing individual songs on the rest, but there's some diabolical stuff in there!!
Yes Roger's high notes were so angelic.
yes, but freddie‘s overall voice and his many tones are unbeatable. that‘s why he was the main vocalist of queen. also roger stated in an interview „there‘s been a reason why we’ve decided him to be the singer....he‘s been the best of us four“. also for every situation in life they‘ve got something in their huge catalogue. try „all dead, all dead“, a brian may song for queen where he works out his struggle with the death of his cat when he‘s been a teenie. a wonderful video and the music is also not really depressing....very interesting.
@@greenogre22 yes I know
@@VOID-bw5jc the "only dogs" can hear his high notes was a joke, because of how high he could sing
#ledgerlines
Sheer Heart Attack is a pure immersion work.
A completely fully formed masterpiece. Arguably Queen's first "perfect" album.
Queen II - for me
Queen II?
Roger Taylor's voice is just insane. Queen's 70's stuff is just fantastic. More PLEASE more!!
I adore In The Lap of the Gods. We all joined in n concert, completely enthralled. I love Queen songs but this one takes me back to being a teenager. Such brilliance to create such variety and interesting music. Legends all. ❤
Doug, I'm surprised that you didn't say anything about the intriguing effect the band created with Freddie's voice on the first song. Apparently, the tape was sped up while recording the vocal, and then slowed down, which makes Freddie's voice sound deeper and a little otherworldly. The contrast between that and Roger's "castrato" highs is amazing to hear. Queen has always been a band that likes to feature contrasts of various kinds.
Fantastic observation my friend I commend you.
Roger would have made an exceptional countertenor. It's just so natural for him.
I remember thinking that batteries on my walkman died
@@vladalexeev8529 I don't that they would make any faults - but Montserrat Caballè one of the greatest opera singers of all time made an album with him in the late 80's - she told him that he was a natural baritone - - the voice between bass and tenor.
@@bharp4390 As I recall, he went to school on singing scholarships as a boy soprano, but hated the idea of being a choir boy.
Queen were still in their 'cult band becoming widely accepted' phase when Sheer Heart Attack was released. These two tracks, Killer Queen, Now I'm Here and Brighton Rock (hell, and all the other tracks) were exceptional and pointed to a unique band, unafraid to experiment, yet still very much in touch with pop roots. Bohemian Rhapsody was just around the corner.
Now listen to In the Lap of the Gods (not revisited] Live at the Rainbow ‘74 - stunningly beautiful version!!
Totally agree. He just needs to see Revisited Live!!
Yes & yes!! Absolutely love the live versions!!!
Yes, that version of the song made me put that song as my fav one from Queen lol....
Roger was a vocal beast when he was young but that man can still whack those drums
He was a choir boy when he was at school. He was trained when young. After his voice broke he kept the skills.
@@brianholden8357 what do you mean his voice broke?
@@ben1ben It might be an English expression. When a boy becomes a man their voice goes lower and for a year or so their voice is wobbling up and down. Very unpredictable. Roger was still able to hit Those very high notes.
@@ben1ben Lots of very good male child singers don't sound great after puberty and their voice changes. Roger kept that ability and sang all the highest harmony notes live. Freddie had to be careful not to damage his throat overdoing it live.
@@ben1ben When boys hit puberty and their voice drops.
I really enjoyed Dougs reaction to these songs, as a musician himself, I would bet a penny to a pinch of snuff that he was elated.
I would love to have him do Innuendo, I harp on about it and I make no apology for this. Its an underrated masterpiece in my opinion.
I love Innuendo too! Steve Howe's flamenco lead break is stellar on it!!
Really cool reaction, thanks for this one Doug!
As a life-long Queen fan, I always love it when someone comments on their less well known material!
From the same album, on the A side there are 3 songs that you should listen and react to at some point: "Tenement Funster / Flick of the Wrist / Lily of the Valley". They are quite different, but they do that flow onto one another thing and are best listened to as a whole unit
Thanks for all these awesome reactions!!
Doug and I were happy to bring it to you my friend.
Yes....those are gold. Great point.
I mentioned that exact trio of songs in another thread here. Flick of the Wrist is so heavy followed by the beautiful Lily!
I second Irene's thought!
@@jasonfrost2527 Count me in "ya'll" ! Tenement funster trio is one of my favourite songs ever. =)
Innuendo would be interesting to react to!
I know Revisited is the more popular one, but my God does the first one hit differently! Roger's insane vocals aside, the harmonies, unique chord changes, Freddie's arpeggios on the piano, Brian's amazingly smooth guitar tone through John's own Deacy amplifier, it represents everything truly beautiful about early Queen!
I even played the song on piano for my High School talent show freshman year! It's one of my favourite songs to play and quite easily the 3rd best song on the album imo (this album is phenomenal) behind only Killer Queen and Stone Cold Crazy!
While this song doesn't necessarily transition into another track, it does immediately cut back to the percussion with a quick tempo shift into arguably the first ever Thrash Metal song Stone Cold Crazy! That would be a good song for a Metal Monday, though it is rather fast and short.
This is probably my fav album by Queen, Saw them in 76 with Thin Lizzy opening for them. Back when concerts were long, They played a few songs from their debut album & the majority of Sheer Heart Attack along with a good portion of A Night At The Opera as well A good chunk from A Day At The Races which was released in 76. Agreeing with other's You would really enjoy Brighten Rock & Brian does a fantastic guitar solo in it.
Millionaire waltz is a...waltz.., and You take my breath away is a wonderful song. Two early queen songs you could consider :)
This was the first album I ever bought, way back in 1974. Still love it today.
Same. Beanos in Croydon. Intro and first few bars of Brighton Rock and I was hooked.
So, Doug, I’m a composer myself, and I do enjoy your channel
When Queen recorded Sheer Heart Attack, they were broke. Dead broke. Their manager had a deal with them where all of the money flowed through him, and he gave them £10 each, per week, to live on.
Literally.
Roger was actually told he was not allowed to break drum sticks because he would not be given the money to buy a new pair.
Then Freddie saw said manager drive to a meeting with them for Sheer Heart Attack in a new Rolls Royce from the money generated by Killer Queen.
Still on £10 each.
Freddie wrote Flick of the Wrist about their manager, and In The Lap of The Gods, Revisited, as he was despondent about their dire financial situation.
They hired Elton John’s manager who sued Queen’s way out of their previous contract while they recorded A Night at the Opera.
Death On Two Legs was Freddie’s final musical jab at the previous manager.
See “… you’re a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride
Should be made unemployed, make yourself null and void
Do you feel good …
I feel good”
Check out that action as well as Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
Excellent choice! They always ended their gigs with _"In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited"_ until they had _We Are the Champions._ My parents bought me this album for Christmas, 1974, when I was 12. They also bought me _Kimono my House_ by Sparks and Slade in _Flame._
{:-:-:}
“Wow Roger!” Indeed.
Lair is a great song, Great King Rat, Stone Cold Crazy, Seaside Rendezvous, 138 Tracks to work with, Doug, great reaction
Seven Seas of Rhye
I still highly suggest that you do a full listen of Queen II! That's an album that must be heard all the way through with no breaks in between songs so they can flow together! I'm sure there are some videos on UA-cam with the full album, but if not, if you have Spotify or any kind of streaming account, that would be the best option!
I concur.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Wouldn't that prevent Doug from playing any more songs from Queen II then as he had already heard them?
@@pauldover1403 He's only heard 2 so far. There's still all of Side White and 4 more songs on Side Black.
Live, Roger attempts a *sonic impregnation* _(for those who consent, of course)_ on the audience during the '74 Rainbow show for 'In The Lap Of The Gods', casually (yet clinically) hitting legato phrases from the higher portion of a typical soprano range.
Oh, and he does it while playing drums, near the end of their show.
No big deal, it's Queen, 😎 for they just 'did such things' regularly.
"Lap of the gods - revisited" was used as a finale for the 1975 Queen Christmas concert, recorded and broadcast by the BBC. Its a classic performance.
"Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)", is slso a VERY cool Song by Queen!
You win that bet ;-)
The next song is Stone Cold Crazy, one of the first Thrash Metal Songs.
Hey Doug
Glad you enjoyed this, pure class from Queen
You mentioned how good Freddie’s vocals are, you need to listen to one of his so tracks from when he recorded with Monserrat Caballe
The track is called “ exercises in free love” it will show you how much of a great vocalist Freddie was…. Please give it a listen and let’s see your reaction
Solo tracks
The Revisited version live on Wembley 1986 is the best versión!!
It sure is.
Yes, it is actually the best version, Budapest is also good.
And from the other In The Lap Of The Gods song (not the revisited one) the best live version is obviously the Live at the Rainbow 1974 one
that they played this stuff live, as a four piece, without the technology available to bands nowadays, is amazing
Oh Doug
Thanks for your humour, intelligence, appreciation, insights and joy at celebrating musicianship, artistry and anthems ❤😊
Greetings from Africa
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Yes, please.
Thank you Freddie for your perfect voice
"Sheer Heart Attack" is a fantastic work. You must hear it.
Lap of the Gods reminded me of the Beach Boys sound.
Hi Doug! The ending, where they're singing Wo Wo La La, is in 3 with a long 4 drumbeat underneath, which has been playing in 3/4 since the beginning of the song. 😊
Loved the songs, ever since they came out, but you (Doug) have added a layer of musical-understanding to my listening to them that to me, is priceless. Thank you so much for lending us your incredible ears and knowledge to make the harmonic element of the song clear and even enhance further listenings. With Queen songs, especially, it's not always so easy to understand how the harmony was built up, but using the Nashville numbering system (instead of only the note-names), makes it easy-peasy in analysis/understanding.
One last thing, the excitement with which you actively listen to these songs is contagious. (as if I needed more stimulus to be a music-junkie) ;)
Can't wait for the next ones...thanks again.
Hi Doug have a go at It’s Late. A real bluesy song and hugely underrated.
Misfire , short and perfect , one of my top 3 Queen songs , I've been there since 1974 ! 👍
What other rock band does these unexpected key changes, chord progressions, and chord structures, and also writes in 6/8 time? Of course the lyrics are just fantastic, and the lead vocals, and the harmonies, and the instrumentation, and... and... and... I can't think of any other band who can do all of this. And almost every style of music is represented in their catalog.
Agree, and pretty much have a university degree each, pretty much all contributed to their own number one single, and damn fine musicians to boot
@@the_judge_8262 yes they are each members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their individual songs. All of them wrote hits. And they all played multiple instruments. John didn’t do much back up singing, but sometimes even that happened.
A lot of artists do that and more complex things if you want. But they fail miserably to create engagement and stay niche or unknown. Queen didnt even need chords to produce a stadium classic (we will rock you) thats why they are genius. Only Beatles and Pink Floyd are comparable, maybe Police or some other. The rest of rock are basically extended blues bands. Love all of them though.
@@Paulnap many of their most popular hits are relatively simple, which is in no way a criticism. They are also timeless and cherished and memorable and catchy. But as I’m sure you’re aware, if you dig into the catalog, you find a lot of complex music that even classically trained aficionados will appreciate. Right now I’m thinking of Prophets Song.
Many pop/rock bands just do I, IV, V, I progressions with a ii thrown in for a little variety. Not saying Queen is the only one who strays from the formula, but it’s not common.
Cardiacs
I love both of these songs, thank you for reacting. I think that revisited is about their management issues.
Death on Two Legs….first track on A Night at the Opera
Love what you do Doug! My favourite channel by far - I’m a Freddie Mercury tribute artist so I know how challenging this material is to perform and how complex it is when you start to dig into it… keep doing what you do - thanks for sharing you love of music and your talent 🙏
@freddieforever4516
That's an impressive gift you have! 💞
@@juliesadler6481 @supersonicqueen7741
@@juliesadler6481we are lucky to love what we do in honouring Freddie's music x
@@freddieforever4516
Fabulous dahlings!
You're all SO talented.
You are certainly a fun guy, Doug ... and I'm not talking mushrooms! So much fun reliving the experience of listening to it for the first time with somebody so knowledgeable and insightful. I remember listening to this nearly 50 years ago with my bandmates and just being wowed! Almost all of early Queen is special and unique, and you really can't go wrong with any of it. Thanks for what you do.
I saw Queen live in 1986 and singing along to this in the middle of a huge crowd of people singing their hearts out is one of my favourite memories of the concert.
Hi Doug, I think you'd enjoy a track called 'Was It All Worth It' from 'The 'Miracle' LP. It has elements of hard rock with a fantastic orchestral part at its climax.
I also think you'd like 'The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke' from 'Queen 2'- it features Freddie on harpsichord and is definitely worth a listen.
Hey Doug, you probably know of Alan Parsons. He got his start as an assistant producer working for the Beatles at Abbey Road. He later produced Dark Side of the Moon and contributed a lot to the album's distinctive sound. He produced his own work as Alan Parsons Project. It's grandiloquent prog, less pretentious and more dramatic than a lot of stuff out there. His best album is probably I, Robot. You might get a kick out of it, though it is musically pretty simple.
And of course you should listen to Rick Wakeman, the virtuoso keyboard player who performed some of Yes's greatest songs. You've heard his work on the Cat Stevens song "Morning Has Broken." Wakeman's Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973) is a solo project of keyboard works. I prefer Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974), a live performance by his small rock band, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the English Chamber Choir. If you don't know the album, you will definitely find lots to react to. It may remind you of Renaissance's Scheherazade. Like Keith Emerson, Wakeman helped popularize the first generation of analog synthesizers. Emerson and Wakeman were friendly rivals who always intended to make an album together but never got around to it.
I especially like the debut 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' and 'Turn of a friendly Card' 🙂
I like to think Eye In The Sky is his best work, being from Arizona, it hits different when driving through the desert at night with it playing!
It is great how Alan Parsons found the right singers for some of his songs, legends like Colin Blunstone, Roger Chapman and more
@@erickvermeulen9734 On his last album, he features a whole bunch of singers including Lou Gramm.
"Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record" is well worth reacting to - say "Statue of Justice" and/or "Judas Iscariot"
I'm so glad they 'revisited'!
I went to see Queen and Adam Lambert in 2014.
It was a ripper concert and, I'm so glad, they had "Lap of the Gods" in there, along with so much other awesome music and surprises!
That was the closest I ever came to Queen.
I wish I'd got a ticket extra to take my Mum!
Love your reactions, Doug! And I love it even more when you don't talk over the music!
All the best from Western Australia 😊
They were having problems with management at the end of Sheer Heart Attack leading in to A Night at The Opera. Death on Two Legs follows this up on the new album. It was some of the truly interesting time for Queen.
Bijou is a beautiful song worth a listen.
... with a very unusual song structure, and none of the excess of overdubbing (e.g.), such as from the early days. Unusual in many ways, mournful, and touching. A tremendous tune - please do this one, Doug!
If you haven't heard it, Innuendo needs to be next. If you have, go for either The Millionaire Waltz or the sequence of Tenement Funster, Flick Of The Wrist and Lily Of The Valley.
In my humble opinion, the live version at wembley 86 is the best one. Is performed a little different from the revisitedone, but is soooo much better. Is similar to fear of the dark from maiden, sooo much better live.
Thank You for the video!!!
Exercise in free love
The millionaire waltz
You and I
Tenement / Flick / Lily
White queen + white queen live
Jesus
You really should have gone to the next song...Stone Cold Crazy! Proof that Queen were possible forefathers, if not influencers of thrash metal! (Metallica did a pretty awesome cover)
Such amazing, but short, pieces. Their harmonizing was always superb!!
This is definitely an album that needs to be heard front to back in a single sitting.
You need to do "Good Company" from A Night At The Opera". Brian May's Dixie jazz band will knock you out.
Thanx Doug and Seth!
Can never go wrong with Queen. 👍 👑
Leroy Brown is a joy, all over the place, damn fun song!
The masterpiece from Sheer Heart Attack is "Brighton Rock".
goosebumps every single time. Great live!
Yessss. The best Queen Album. Now do yourself a favor and listen to Tenement Funster/ Flick of the Wrist/ Lily of the Valley of the same album. :-)
You need to do something by Boston, preferably something other than "More Than a Feeling" for instance. Perhaps one of their two epic pieces "Foreplay/Long Time" from their debut or "The Launch/Cool the Engines" from "Third Stage". "Hollyann", also from "Third Stage", is a really, what I would call "majestic" piece that I think you might like as well. Even "A New World/To Be a Man" from that same album is really good.
Sheer heart attack is a masterpiece
And my introduction to Queen at release.
The early years where and still are epic.
Sheer Heart Attack is an awesome album. Love LotG Revisited
The song that precedes this is pretty much perfect, by itself and how it transforms into the Revisited song.
I'd love your take on Freddie Mercury and Monserrat Caballé's Barcelona and/or The Golden Boy. Barcelona has been reacted to many times but the reactors are always pretty much speechless. The Golden Boy is less talked about, I think, but just as incredible a performance. The love of Freddie and Montsy is a great story.
Love the Golden Boy and How can I go on, Lori
If you want to listen to a song that is the soundtrack in heaven. Give "Nevermore" from the album Queen ll a chance.
This is a beautiful little song but it’s only 1:24 long so you might want to pair it up with My Melancholy Blues. Love your in depth reactions.
Too fabulous - the music and you! Thanks . . .
Probably my favourite Queen album. It's got everything - still a touch of the very early Queen and just starting on their later journey of more 'commercial' music.
In the lap of the gods (the first one you reacted to in the video) is my fav Queen song!!! And I love the album version of the song!!! But the Live at the Rainbow 1974 version of that one is insanly perfect and awesome!!!
Pd: I do love the Revisited one too lol
One amazing Queen song is Innuendo, from the homonymous album. This is one of their masterpieces and have never been played alive due to Freddie's illness.
Well, this song is technically part of a medley, but that's just because of the beggining drum beat of Stone Cold Crazy. Just one beat, so... You didn't loose anything.
Thank you, Doug! Please listen to Queen’s Somebody to Love Live in Montreal, 1982. Please!
Actually, it was 1981. Would love to see Doug react to that one.
@@clintonsmith5163 yes, sorry about that. Just wanted to correct my comment, but you already did, so I leave it. I don’t know why I wrote 82. Getting older…
Montreal is good but I prefer the the intro of the Milton Keynes version personally.
Live showing of Queen Live at Wimbley. Who's with me
Loved this reaction and commentary! Would love to see you do the live versions from the Rainbow in 74. I believe the revisited version became just "In the Lap of the Gods" in subsequent performances. I think the rainbow version is the only time they did the original "In the Lap of the gods". Roger is amazing!
Yup, the Sheer Heart Attack tour (1974-1975) was the only one where they played the original one.
@@Alfonso162008 oh really? I didn't know that, thank goodness they did it!!! That's my fav song and the Rainbow 1974 version is my fav one!!!
"In the Lap of the Gods" segues in to "Stone Cold Crazy." Definitely worth a listen as is the whole album!
QUEEN!
"In the Lap of the Gods" segues into the proto-thrash rocker "Stone Cold Crazy" on the record.
In the Lap of the Gods perfectly ends to Stone Cold Crazy in best tradiotions of prog rock.
Doug, my interpetation of this is of the Norman brothers. Queens management prior to "A night at the opera". If you follow this on to the opening track of ANATO, you'll see. Queen were a a crossroads in their careers. "My money- that's all you want to talk about" It was straight after this album that Queen ditched Trident. Being rock stars, but only getting a paltry weekly wage, whilst the management were driving around in Rolls Royces. Leaving Trident gave Freddie the go ahead to release his fury with "Death on two legs". . . as Freddie wrote- "but now you can kiss, . . my ass goodbye!"
my bad- Norman Sheffield- Queens original management of Trident Studios.
I think you're right on the money here Paul. Queen was at the end of their rope with Trident. Queen were in massive debt and were stuck in a lopsided contract. I think In the Lap of the Gods was written by Freddie to express to Trident that he was done being their puppet but they were too dense to see it for what it was. That's why it made the album. After Queen left Trident and signed with Joh Reid, Freddie was able to pen a more straightforward lyric (Death on Two Legs) to get his point across.
I think that March of the black queen was the first bohemian rhapsody and flick of the wrist was the first death on two legs.imho
Greetings Doug. Love your analysis of songs. Just so you know, Freddie wrote a lot of those songs that sound like love songs about being wrong done by about the music industry, record companies and Jim Beach in particular. When you listen to the songs knowing this it changes the meaning even more. I'd love to hear your reaction to "You take my breath away" or "White Man" from the album "A day at the races" but all of those albums were meant to be listened to as a whole from start to finish. Like Dark Side of the Moon. These albums take you on a journey. Peace... ✌️
You have to do The Millionaire Waltz next.
"I can see what you want me to be" definitely sounds like he's talking about his parents' expectations.
Yep, the song rips right nto "Stone Cold crazy" on the album.
Another great song by a remarkable band analyzed by a master composer. Always love your thoughts on the music I love. This album was my first exposure to Queen, and some people in my circles wrote them off as shock-pop like they were some sort of Alice Cooper show for the hit "Killer Queen". Some genius disc jockey played "Lap of the Gods" on the air (WBCN) and I went out to buy the album knowing they were gonna be amazing. Thank++ for bringing this back.
My first theory professor in Music School gave Queen more praise than he gave any other rock band. Thank you for sharing your insight and reaction, maestro!
So delighted to see your reaction to these tunes, thanks! For your own benefit don't miss this 1986 performance of "... Revisited" at Wembley. ua-cam.com/video/aMhQyuS_lYA/v-deo.html ABSOLUTELY the best because by this time Freddie has turned it into a real power ballad, and the audience is ready for it! He looks glorious! The only problem is it's short because it's the first of a 3 song medley. Don't miss it tho.
Please listen to The Millionaire Waltz sometime.
Revisited was my introduction to line cliches. The intro accenting the 6th is sublime. One of my favorite Queen tracks - from someone who was a fan before anyone knew them.
I think, about that 2 songs, the case was about the businessman Norman Sheffield, who were not giving to the band the money and the respect the band was already deserving for what the band had been worked for. They fired Norman just after this. Notice, it is all about money and confidence the 2 songs. And plus, just the next album A night at the opera, the first song was written by Brian Death on 2 legs, and it is about money the fired businessman had got (read the lyrics >>> You suck my blood like a leech
You break the law and you breach
Screw my brain till it hurts
You've taken all my money, and you want more
Misguided old mule with your pigheaded rules
With your narrow-minded cronies who are fools
Of the first division ). Hope I have helped, Doug! Request>>> do a short react to NEVERMORE from Queen II. A magical piano and vocal song. That what's Freddie was for....to make masterpieces!
Hi Pedro, Freddie wrote Death on Two legs, Flick of the Wrist, and Let me entertain you, all with references to Stickells. As a matter of fact, Brain was Leary about Death on two legs, He even has been quoted as saying “ he felt bad signing it”, LOL
One of my favorite concerts was this one in Detroit for this tour. Personally I love Sheer Heart Attack album as it was the last Queen that rocked hard (Brighton Rock, Now I'm Here) and then had more ballad songs like this on it. This is in my top five Queen songs.
Respectfully disagree. Queen rocked hard on subsequent albums, and did so until the end.
A big theme of this album was them breaking loose of a very very bad manager/agent. I think that's what this is all about. I think the first one was about the feeling of trepidation when they first put themselves in the hands of this manager, as though it were like going into a romantic relationship, and then the reprise was how they feel now that they're oh-so-ready to leave.
It's at least far kinder than the song they're going to open the next album with, Death on Two Legs, which Freddie described as being about "a motherfucker of a gentleman" on the Live Killers album.
Also was "Flick of the Wrist" about the band being sucked dry by their agent? If so, then "Death on Two Legs" was the final get-square.
@@tullfan2560 Yep
I read that Revisited was about Freddies mother.
This song exposes clearly how (often) Taylor overdubed drums. Listen to the "shhhhhHHH" cymbals all the time the second half of the song. Also, the beautiful accents of Deacon with the (high pitch) bass notes over the snare on verses of "Revisited".
Freddie's voice was at it's peak here
Fabulous reaction Dr Doug.
Please do the live version from Wembley '86 Saturday. Its been years since they played this but, if you listen as Brian plays the intro, you can hear some of us actually recognise the song from our past.
Please stay well and - more Queen Please.
I think you should listen to the Neal Morse Band next. "The Call" or "Alive Again" are songs that I'm sure you would like.
The '86 Wembley show has a nice snippet of revisited that really shows the audience reaction and of course the whole show is worth a view to demonstrate the band doing a later years show on home turf in front of a MASSIVE crowd.
Roger Taylor has always been my favourite member of Queen.
The live version at the Odeon it's perfect.
ubelievable song by freddie blew my mind when i first heard it ..rogers high notes ..great
It might already be mentioned, but have you seen the recent interview of Rick Beato with Brian May? Very interesting!