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glad your finally on the queen journey. hope vlad choose the millionaire waltz for you as well as spread your wings, my favorite queen song. ah yes and one thing, there is no live version of barcelona. what you saw was just a live performance but with a tape which sadly even run to fast.
Are you going to do more from the Barcelona album? I think you should do the whole album! With the original instrumentation. Mike Moran has said Freddie liked the original and wouldn't re-do it. Every song is different and interesting
Freddie Mercury as a young college student, studied fashion design. He was a person, clearly consumed by creativity in many forms. The musical kaleidoscope that was Queen's output, over twenty years, is truly multifaceted. It would have been fascinating to see how his creative energies would have progressed, had his life not been cut short.
I'm really enjoying your Queen journey, and it would appear Vlad is too. They were my band growing up. I regard myself as 'brought up by Queen, married to Radiohead'. This is such a good way for your viewers to dip back into the magic of Freddie and co. I'm doing the full Queen marathon here right now. Thank you for these.
i met freddie once, i was 20 at the time, he looked at me and said "ive only i was younger, i would be all over a handsome boy such as yourself, oh who am i kidding id still be all over you" and then we talked for about 10 minutes about the gay scene and how to cope with the prejudice then as he walked off he leant over and kissed me on the cheek and said "the secret to coping is to simply not give a shit, be yourself and , MAKE everyone around you love you for it", it was because of freddie i gained the confidence to come out as gay to my family, they were disgusted at first, but i kept being me, i worked hard at the local steel mill, and played darts with the lads down the pub, and my family came to realise that i was still me, i just liked men
I was oblivious to Freddy and Queen back when I should have been paying attention, and wouldn’t have given him a second look even if I had been as mind bendingly fortunate as you were to just run into him at a club. But I’m glad you had that experience, I thank you most sincerely for sharing it, and rest assured, I am terminally envious. And, if I could magically transport myself into your spot, I would, of course, take him up on whatever he had in mind.
@@sfkeepay the least amazing thing is that i was a guy freddie kissed, hes probably kissed hundreds of men, but that one on my cheek felt reasuring, like he was showing that its ok to be gay
I enjoyed watching your analysis. One error mentioned was that the performance was live. It was the vocal recording with all singers including back up singers miming, with the instruments played live.
Freddie touched us all in such personal ways. You don't have to be be gay to feel that you are hiding your true self. He opened himself up to the world to let us all know that none of us should be afraid to show who we really are.
I just love listening to QUEEN and Freddie - major fan. But I love even more when my love for their/hus music is validated by someone who really has an expertise. I can see Freddie in heaven listening to this grinning and laughing that we are still loving his music. He wrote for the best reason - that we would enjoy it and would take us out of our daily problems for a bit. No doubt God blessed him with talent but I believe sent him with that mission. I can’t wait t hear what he’s written in heaven! Thank you for this video - and I will be so sad when this series is over!
wonderful analysis, just a point, the language is Spanish, not Italian. As a Barcelonian, I was moved and amazed by this performance as much as I was disappointed that it was not reproduced on video at the opening of the Olympic Games as a tribute to Freddy Mercury, who had passed away shortly before, just on my 17th birthday.😢
Strange to see someone mourn the loss of Freddie after such a long time. I mean, we all miss him but to witness the realisation of the loss for the first time is quite moving.
@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 That's fine for young people to experience, and Brian & Roger want to do that, but to us older people who saw Freddie perform, it just isn't the same. And John Deacon said no to going on with the band after Freddie passed.
@@treetopjones737 Well I am 72 - and I'm not (yet) familiar with Adam's solo stuff but he can sing all the songs - his voice is powerful and he does not try to be Freddie - so we can watch UA-cam and enjoy Freddie - and go to concerts with Adam as lead singer.Freddie is brought alive on a screen - singing and interacting with the audience. It is also fair that they want to sing their own songs - Brian wrote 46 songs - + those they wrote as a group in the end The last three albums were not credited to a single person but to the group . Roger also wrote many songs - but he had a solo carrier too - so perhaps it was easier to compose for himself?? Btw. Brian is 76, Roger is 74 - and they enjoy that all generations come along.
@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 I agree about Adam. Brian and Roger clearly still want to be out there playing to huge audiences and Adam allows them to do that. And he's very clear that he knows he's not a replacement, such a thing is impossible. But he is a respectful stand in and I'm ok with that. Still, "Queen", to me, will always be Freddie, John, Brian and Roger. I appreciate most everything about Adam but I don't think I'd pay for a ticket to see him with Queen. If I had the chance to travel back in time and see Queen with Freddie, I'd pay with body parts, if necessary 😂.
They were such dear friends. In fact Monsty was the first to know of Freddie's diagnosis of Aids, he trusted her that much, maybe even more than Mary. When he kisses her hand he tears up because he told her that he won't be there in 92 to sing the song for the opening of the games.
Freddie and Monserrat were definitely forerunners. One particular song, "How Can I Go On" is very personal to Freddie as to what was going on in his life and his illness. Monserrat took hold of his hand, and gave him the courage to go on in this beautiful video of them singing this together. They truly loved one another. It's magical ❤
Oh Amy, where to begin! 1. You’re analysis was absolutely spine-tingling. It was wonderful to have someone with your expertise critique this song. Barcelona is a work of genius! Interestingly, John Deacon (Queen’s bassist) was featured in the track How Can I Go On. 2. I’ve been a Queen fan since 1974 whilst in college. It was love at first hearing. Queen is a group who wasn’t afraid to step out of the box and give us a plethora of genres showcasing Freddie’s amazing voice…rock( glam, psychedelic, hard, prog, punk), blues, gospel, disco, anthems, pop, country, soul, ragtime. As time went on, Freddie became one of the greatest frontmen of all time. 3. Liking Queen as a group, I still say my favorite album is Barcelona, which showcases Freddie’s voice and composing talents from start to finish. I hope you will take the time to listen to the full album. La Japonaise was written predominantly by Freddie, even the Japanese lyrics. How talented is that. The album is bittersweet as many of the songs are a foreshadowing of his final years. 4. I agree with you, and I’ve always said that Freddie sings every song with a passion coming from his inner most being…body, mind, and soul. When you see live performances, his passion just exudes from him. He and his audience become one. 5. If you watch live performances, you will find that Freddie was quite gifted as a pianist. He received several years of classical piano lessons. 6. As you go through Queen’s history, you will find a metamorphosis of Freddie’s voice. I read somewhere (can’t remember where or I’d cite it) that Freddie’s voice was the best and clearest between 1979-1982. Drinking and smoking eventually gave him that more punching voice. 7. I know you said that you were going to critique Queen from Queen I to Barcelona. May I suggest that you include Freddie’s final video with Queen as they perform These Are Days Of Our Lives. It’s heartbreaking yet shows Freddie’s passion for music to continue to perpetuity despite his physical pain. Thank you again, Amy, for an inspiring, insightful, and brilliant commentary ❤
Today is the anniversary of the live aid, the concert of artists for Ethiopia in 1985. The Queen stole the show and for 20 minutes "another queen rules the world". Take a look to see how Freddie mastered the scene making sing 80.000 people all together😉
@@hozzer68 I think that the one from Budapest was even better. And the 8mm filming was superb there - at the Wembley they only had a few TV cameras on stage...
A part of the back story here was about AIDS and the massive ignorance and fear around the disease. AIDS victims were shunned by many like lepers. Montserrat, retrospectively, like Lady Diana, showed so much compassion and fearlessness, they both greatly helped foster a better understanding of the disease.
Freddie and Queen ended up beyond normal classifications, they swapped styles and genres effortlessly and yet remained distinctively themselves at all times, they were and will remain unique.
Incredible piece. The duet of these two amazing singers performing together left me in awe. I have been a Freddie fan my whole life and this might be my favorite song he performed. Freddie's interest and appreciation of classical music shone through in this song. Such a powerful performance. Bravo Freddie.
These 2 artists had a very beautiful platonic relationship. Monserrat Caballé was totally enamoured with Freddie and his voice, and he treated her like a proper lady to look up to which she of course loved. You can see it in her eyes when she looks at him, she had this special glow just for him
Great reaction to one of the best. Can't wait to see your Queen journey. Freddie was an absolute genius, his loss was the world's loss. To my mind, Queen are probably the best band of all time
I am certain (right, Vlad…RIGHT?) that at some point in your Queen journey, Vlad intends for you to watch a fair amount of live Queen. You must see his charisma and the control of an audience Freddie had, and how wonderful the four members worked together. Live at Montreal and Live Aid are musts…
Freddie Mercury was born to music. He was a passionate man, full of emotions and he could deliver his feelings by his own very special way. His greatness lies therein that he didn't play an opera singer, he was completely aware of his abilities and admired the workload of the trained opera singers that they had to put into their vocals. Freddie said to Brian's later wife Anita "I'm going to die when I can't sing anymore, darling." And he really gave up the fight against his illness when he couldn't sing anymore.
The live version made me cry. I am glad to have had the honour of being one of Freddie's 'instruments' at Knebworth in 1986 along with the other 125000 'instruments'. He was one of a kind. Thanks Amy.
Freddie grew up in Feltham once his family moved to the UK. The town is next to my hometown. Brian May went to my school. (Years before me) plus I once served him a pint of beer!
Monseratt said that his voice covered from baritone to tenor to falcetto. What a range. No one could outsing Freddie. Mike Moran said Freddie told him he would have to tone down his act. Mike laughed and said She is a world class opera dive.
You'll have to listen to "Exercises in Free Love"; it's a demo sang in falsetto by Freddie so Montserrat could learn it later, then it finally turned into a duet called "Ensueño" for the Barcelona album where Freddie sings in a lower tone. The whole Barcelona album and the demos that Freddie recorded are gold. Thanks for this beautiful analysis.
The story goes that Freddie went to a performance of Pavarotti and Montserrat was performing with him. The minute he heard Montserrat he forgot about Pavarotti and became enthralled with Montserrat’s voice. Your commented about Freddie composing Barcelona. You can appreciate Freddie musical genius when you consider his musical education. He said, “When I was about 7 years old, I did piano lessons and I did up to grade 4 classical, practical and theory. Then I gave it up, as I basically play by ear really and I can't sight read at all. So I gave that up and all my playing is done by ear.” So someone who can’t read was able to compose this. You really need to do Golden Boy. Freddie fuses opera with rock/gospel/soul. Love your analysis.
Freddie did not think one-time, thematically...he took music as a link between different genres of music and wanted to make people listen to classical music as well. Which he succeeded perfectly. The album "Bacelona" is very timeless and will be fully appreciated only by the next generation and probably already you.The "Barcelona" album is Freddie's cry..."People this is ME, this is what will stay behind me and I'm proud of it"
A life well lived; filled with love for his fans and in return, a love for Freddie. This is our opportunity to celebrate our affection. Thank you, Freddie, for all you shared with us.
I hope your Queen journey will include live performances. They earned their reputation as one of (if not THE) best live band of all time. All four musicians are powerhouses.
Freddie was one of the very few rock singers who could do something like this, and not just 'get away with it', but master it, while also keeping his very recognizable style.
Just a quick comment Amy, which I forgot to do back when I first watched this video of yours, the language spoken all throughout Barcelona, not only the song but album, is in fact Spanish. I know Spanish being a Romance language and descending from Latin as same as Italian, it sounds quite similar and it has many similar words, phrasings, etc but I just wantaed to comment on that, it's a song about and a singer from Barcelona, Spain, so that's why Spanish was featured so prominently alongside English, as well as a sprinkle of at least another language but I wouldn't want to spoil it for you if you're planning on reacting to and analyzing more of this amazing album. Great reaction as always! Thank you for the amazing commentary and analysis!!!
Freddie Mercury left such an incredible legacy of all genres of music. We are so lucky to still have them and listen again and again. He found 3 other incredible musicians to compliment and grow together. ❤
Hi Amy. I laughed with you when You showed the video of Freddie saying ‘ forget rock n roll now I’m into opera’ 😂 Freddie adored opera and he especially loved Montserrat . He had a dream of writing music for her and he sent her his voice singing Exercises in Free Love The test is history. They became very close friends and he told her his secrets RE his battle with aids. There is an audio of them singing and having fun around his piano in London at his home Garden Lodge. It was an all nighter of fun✌🏼😂 On the album there is a fabulous song The Golden Boy . I believe and so do most Queen fans believe that the golden boy is Freddie! I also particularly like La Japonaise. I got very emotional at the end of your video when you talked about the music Freddie would have written had he lived. It was only a couple of years later that there were treatments for the dreaded virus. For me Freddie was an amazing composer. I have always thought Killer Queen which was written in 1974 when Freddie was in his mid twenties was strangely advanced musically for a kid raised in a boarding school in India . Brian May said in an interview that it was a ‘ perfect song’ Can’t wait to see what you do next 😂♥️……… ps Freddie called Montserrat ‘ Montsy’ and of course we Queen fans do as well 😊
when i saw the length of this video, i thoght maybe i'll see the first ten or fifteen minutes, i've now seen it till the end, what a jouney, i was swept along, captivated, lol, great video.
This is by far the best analysis of this song and masterpiece (collaboration, creation from God above) that I have ever seen. I watched this performance many times and am still in awe, not only from Freddie Mercury but also from Montserrat Cabelle (she was so fantastically beautiful and so very, very talented). This performance should be watched by generations to show that music can reach all people no matter the form and also the incredible legacy that both performers had. They both were beyond belief and I am so glad that two worlds (and many worlds) could be bridged by this. Your analysis of this is perfect. His voice, simply perfect! Her voice simply perfect! Both strengthening each other especially when we hear them together almost brings me to tears. I have heard many other singers out today like Dimash Qudaibergen as an example but he nor any others hold a single candle to this. Excited to see what the future has to hold to bring all of this together in collaboration but I will say that for this to have occurred at this time in history is simply monumental and I think I might call this my most favorite song and performance at this time even given other relative newer performers (including Whitney Huston, Ceolin Dion, Josh Groban, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Dimash Qudaibergen, Ed Sheeran, Billy Eilish, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Adelle, Linkin Park, etc. - too many that I listen to and love to report here from all genres). To see them both together with this magnificent performance come together at the end holding hands, showing the clear love and appreciation for each other even with totally different backgrounds. Wow. It is a message that all of us should follow. Speechless.
I suggest 'White Queen at the Odeon' as one of the best ever live songs to react to, with heavy classical influences, and some of the best piano work that Freddie ever delivered.
Absolutely ... please react to live Queen, White Queen at Hammersmith Odeon. Somebody to Love live at Montreal. Great examples of how amazing they are live. Happy to join you on your Queen journey. Thank you.
He & Montserrat were best of friends. After Freddie died, she said many men offered to sing Barcelona with her at the Olympics. But she told them she'd never sing this song with anyone other than Freddie. In fact, she did sing it at the Olympics but Freddie sang it with her on a screen above the audience. There's a video of that performance on UA-cam. 😊
Wish we'd had him around a few more years. Not sure anyone else has matched that stage presence and charisma. So much music left in that man that could never be realised.
If you go to Queen's deep cuts you will find they did classical, opera, jazz, rag-time, blues, music hall, vaudeville, funk, disco, electronica, rock n' roll, and heavy metal. Just incredible variety.
Love the program. You should consider reaching out to Brian May he has done other interviews with people who do reactions. I think he would enjoy talking to you. He does watch reaction videos.
Yeah, Freddie was very well known for his incredible, dynamic, electrifying stage presence and showmanship in Queen's live performances. He really connected with the audience; an example demonstrating that would be in his famous vocal exchanges with the audience, or when he would let the audience do some of the singing for Love of My Life.
You must hear Ensueno from the Barcelona album, it's absolutely beautiful and Freddie sings completely in Opera vocals, baretone/tenor. Freddie did a demo for Montserrat all in falsettos it's working name was Exercises in free Love which became Ensueno. Thank you for your review.
Without a doubt, two talents came together: on the one hand, the composer Freddy Mercury and the classical voice of Monserrat Caballe, With the interpretation of the show at the Olympic Games, Modernity and classical music
I just “stumbled upon” you. I haven't seen anything else from you yet, I'll catch up. My children's music teacher spent an entire school year picking apart this album and Bohemian Rhapsody in high school. I can assure you, for the first time in their school careers, they didn't do their homework in music class. Your analysis of this song and their music teacher's analysis are so similar.
Totally agree. Buuut, although not the same, as there will never be another Freddie, have a listen to Marc Martel. He’s not Freddie, sounds like Freddie and is doing some of the things that, should he have lived longer, I think Freddie would have done. Too much love will kill you with Jonathon Cilia Faro
Queen are one of the biggest reasons that I have developed a recent interest in classical music. I guess my journey is sort of the opposite to yours. I'm in my late twenties and as far back as I remember I only listened to rock and metal. It's what grabbed my attention and connected with how I felt, especially as a teenager. Hearing musicians like Freddie talking about classical music and how it influenced them got me listening and I am now hooked
Sadly Freddie didn't live long enough to perform this for the Olympics but the song was used. While listening to studio versions is important nothing comes close to Freddie's live performances. I'm always happy to see an actual musician reacting, you know the nuances and appreciate what some people miss...so count me in!
Roared a massive CHEER inside my mind when you mentioned his stage presence!!!!!! This is probably Freddie's finest trait. It's what drew everyone in! I can't wait for you to see their Live Aid performance!
This SO rock. If Freddy is singing rock is being performed. In the live performance although Monsserat is singing in a purely operatic voice she is deferring to Mercury knowing this is his swan song and his night to shine. This shows what a consummate performer she is. It's like she knows Mercury is giving the performance of his life and she does whatever is necessary to let Freddy's performance shine brightest. I thought your story about how you didn't know who Freddy Mercury was was priceless. I love what you said about picking 50 Queen songs and listening to them in chronological order so you can observe the evolution of a band. This is critical for new listeners especially with the Beatles so I love watching your Beatles reactions. I listened to all the Beatles music in chronological order since I was there when the stuff first came out in '64 in the states. It's great to watch you reacting to the Beatles in the order the stuff was released. It gives me a chance to listen to those same songs 50 years later and see how your reactions compare with what I thought some 50 years ago. Also as I look back at the Beatles I began to realize that their musical evolution was what really made them the force of nature they were. So it will also be great for me to rewatch that evolution and also your reaction to it. I think you will come away in awe when you reach 150! And lastly my generation lived their lives to the music of Freddy Mercury and Queen so when he passed it was like we had lost a friend. RIP FREDDY!!
![Couple First Reaction To - Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé: Barcelona [Live]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EHMc7h1GG5w/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Complete Story of Destiny! From origins to Shadowkeep [Timeline and Lore explained]](/img/n.gif)
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Have you considered doing something classical, something in your wheelhouse?
I would be curious to see what you would choose and your interpretation.
glad your finally on the queen journey. hope vlad choose the millionaire waltz for you as well as spread your wings, my favorite queen song. ah yes and one thing, there is no live version of barcelona. what you saw was just a live performance but with a tape which sadly even run to fast.
You are talking TOO much. Listen more.
@@lorddaver5729 not the point of the channel.
Are you going to do more from the Barcelona album? I think you should do the whole album! With the original instrumentation. Mike Moran has said Freddie liked the original and wouldn't re-do it. Every song is different and interesting
Freddie Mercury as a young college student, studied fashion design. He was a person, clearly consumed by creativity in many forms. The musical kaleidoscope that was Queen's output, over twenty years, is truly multifaceted. It would have been fascinating to see how his creative energies would have progressed, had his life not been cut short.
I'm really enjoying your Queen journey, and it would appear Vlad is too. They were my band growing up. I regard myself as 'brought up by Queen, married to Radiohead'. This is such a good way for your viewers to dip back into the magic of Freddie and co. I'm doing the full Queen marathon here right now. Thank you for these.
i met freddie once, i was 20 at the time, he looked at me and said "ive only i was younger, i would be all over a handsome boy such as yourself, oh who am i kidding id still be all over you" and then we talked for about 10 minutes about the gay scene and how to cope with the prejudice then as he walked off he leant over and kissed me on the cheek and said "the secret to coping is to simply not give a shit, be yourself and , MAKE everyone around you love you for it", it was because of freddie i gained the confidence to come out as gay to my family, they were disgusted at first, but i kept being me, i worked hard at the local steel mill, and played darts with the lads down the pub, and my family came to realise that i was still me, i just liked men
I was oblivious to Freddy and Queen back when I should have been paying attention, and wouldn’t have given him a second look even if I had been as mind bendingly fortunate as you were to just run into him at a club. But I’m glad you had that experience, I thank you most sincerely for sharing it, and rest assured, I am terminally envious. And, if I could magically transport myself into your spot, I would, of course, take him up on whatever he had in mind.
@@sfkeepay the least amazing thing is that i was a guy freddie kissed, hes probably kissed hundreds of men, but that one on my cheek felt reasuring, like he was showing that its ok to be gay
I enjoyed watching your analysis. One error mentioned was that the performance was live. It was the vocal recording with all singers including back up singers miming, with the instruments played live.
Freddie touched us all in such personal ways. You don't have to be be gay to feel that you are hiding your true self. He opened himself up to the world to let us all know that none of us should be afraid to show who we really are.
@@sfkeepayso you’re a little poefter too? Stick to the music and forget about arseholes and the smell of turds which turn you on.
Thank you - we are all getting wiser -
Somebody to Love, live from Montreal. A masterpiece.
He held a microphone in one hand, and the entire world in the other.
Underrated comment!
Thank you so much for doing this...
I just love listening to QUEEN and Freddie - major fan. But I love even more when my love for their/hus music is validated by someone who really has an expertise. I can see Freddie in heaven listening to this grinning and laughing that we are still loving his music. He wrote for the best reason - that we would enjoy it and would take us out of our daily problems for a bit. No doubt God blessed him with talent but I believe sent him with that mission. I can’t wait t hear what he’s written in heaven! Thank you for this video - and I will be so sad when this series is over!
His dream came true ..💖
wonderful analysis, just a point, the language is Spanish, not Italian. As a Barcelonian, I was moved and amazed by this performance as much as I was disappointed that it was not reproduced on video at the opening of the Olympic Games as a tribute to Freddy Mercury, who had passed away shortly before, just on my 17th birthday.😢
Strange to see someone mourn the loss of Freddie after such a long time. I mean, we all miss him but to witness the realisation of the loss for the first time is quite moving.
There are new fans all the time - my self included who do the same - but I am glad that Adam Lambert was able to step up.
Fauci killed Freddie Mercury
@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 That's fine for young people to experience, and Brian & Roger want to do that, but to us older people who saw Freddie perform, it just isn't the same. And John Deacon said no to going on with the band after Freddie passed.
@@treetopjones737 Well I am 72 - and I'm not (yet) familiar with Adam's solo stuff but he can sing all the songs - his voice is powerful and he does not try to be Freddie - so we can watch UA-cam and enjoy Freddie - and go to concerts with Adam as lead singer.Freddie is brought alive on a screen - singing and interacting with the audience. It is also fair that they want to sing their own songs - Brian wrote 46 songs - + those they wrote as a group in the end The last three albums were not credited to a single person but to the group . Roger also wrote many songs - but he had a solo carrier too - so perhaps it was easier to compose for himself?? Btw. Brian is 76, Roger is 74 - and they enjoy that all generations come along.
@@anne-mariesindruprix4792 I agree about Adam. Brian and Roger clearly still want to be out there playing to huge audiences and Adam allows them to do that. And he's very clear that he knows he's not a replacement, such a thing is impossible. But he is a respectful stand in and I'm ok with that. Still, "Queen", to me, will always be Freddie, John, Brian and Roger. I appreciate most everything about Adam but I don't think I'd pay for a ticket to see him with Queen. If I had the chance to travel back in time and see Queen with Freddie, I'd pay with body parts, if necessary 😂.
I cried when i first heard that production. Nothing has changed.
Queen is the classical music of the future. It is quality and timeless.
Did anyone else realize the drummer featured in the documentary is Roger’s son??
instantly -
@20:50 "He has quite a stage presence"
Understatement!
Freddy was that gifted, yes
I'm hoping All Dead will be on the list. It's hauntingly beautiful.❤
They were such dear friends. In fact Monsty was the first to know of Freddie's diagnosis of Aids, he trusted her that much, maybe even more than Mary. When he kisses her hand he tears up because he told her that he won't be there in 92 to sing the song for the opening of the games.
Freddie… Montserrat… Barcelona 💕💕💕 Always been giving me Gershwin vibes
9th August 1986, Knebworth, nobody knew then it would be the last ever live Queen performance. I was there. A long hot day. Vivid memories. I was 21
OMG .. I am in heaven.. 50 Queen songs 🥰
I don't see the comment when i unpacked "I wept"
Freddy was born to be a performer.
Freddie and Monserrat were definitely forerunners. One particular song, "How Can I Go On" is very personal to Freddie as to what was going on in his life and his illness. Monserrat took hold of his hand, and gave him the courage to go on in this beautiful video of them singing this together. They truly loved one another. It's magical ❤
Freddie did not have stage presence. Freddie OWNED the stage.
200 years from now people still sing “we are the champions” and “we will rock you” thanx Freddy
I can guarantee that there will be tears in your eyes by the time you get to How Can I Go On.
Oh Amy, where to begin!
1. You’re analysis was absolutely spine-tingling. It was wonderful to have someone with your expertise critique this song. Barcelona is a work of genius! Interestingly, John Deacon (Queen’s bassist) was featured in the track How Can I Go On.
2. I’ve been a Queen fan since 1974 whilst in college. It was love at first hearing.
Queen is a group who wasn’t afraid to step out of the box and give us a plethora of genres showcasing Freddie’s amazing voice…rock( glam, psychedelic, hard, prog, punk), blues, gospel, disco, anthems, pop, country, soul, ragtime. As time went on, Freddie became one of the greatest frontmen of all time.
3. Liking Queen as a group, I still say my favorite album is Barcelona, which showcases Freddie’s voice and composing talents from start to finish. I hope you will take the time to listen to the full album. La Japonaise was written predominantly by Freddie, even the Japanese lyrics. How talented is that. The album is bittersweet as many of the songs are a foreshadowing of his final years.
4. I agree with you, and I’ve always said that Freddie sings every song with a passion coming from his inner most being…body, mind, and soul. When you see live performances, his passion just exudes from him. He and his audience become one.
5. If you watch live performances, you will find that Freddie was quite gifted as a pianist. He received several years of classical piano lessons.
6. As you go through Queen’s history, you will find a metamorphosis of Freddie’s voice. I read somewhere (can’t remember where or I’d cite it) that Freddie’s voice was the best and clearest between 1979-1982. Drinking and smoking eventually gave him that more punching voice.
7. I know you said that you were going to critique Queen from Queen I to Barcelona. May I suggest that you include Freddie’s final video with Queen as they perform These Are Days Of Our Lives. It’s heartbreaking yet shows Freddie’s passion for music to continue to perpetuity despite his physical pain.
Thank you again, Amy, for an inspiring, insightful, and brilliant commentary ❤
I couldn’t agree more.
This song is simply magical
Today is the anniversary of the live aid, the concert of artists for Ethiopia in 1985. The Queen stole the show and for 20 minutes "another queen rules the world". Take a look to see how Freddie mastered the scene making sing 80.000 people all together😉
the mark he left on the music word was remarkable
Freddie was so unique. It's so sad he had to go so early.😪
On this day in 1985, Queen performed one the best live shows in history at Live aid.
Only bested by Queen live at Wembley one year later, a whole concert to themselves.
I hope at some point she sees it!
YES OH YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@headrushindi I second this 👌
@@hozzer68 I think that the one from Budapest was even better. And the 8mm filming was superb there - at the Wembley they only had a few TV cameras on stage...
I’ve been crying throughout the entire video. Thank you for your appreciation and insight. What an emotional ride.
Amy and Vladd…… thank you so much for this episode…. Dare I become old…. Hmmm don’t think so….. there’s to much to discover and understand 🥰
A part of the back story here was about AIDS and the massive ignorance and fear around the disease. AIDS victims were shunned by many like lepers. Montserrat, retrospectively, like Lady Diana, showed so much compassion and fearlessness, they both greatly helped foster a better understanding of the disease.
Freddie and Queen ended up beyond normal classifications, they swapped styles and genres effortlessly and yet remained distinctively themselves at all times, they were and will remain unique.
Thank you for this video, it was a wonderful idea. Thanks Queen and your husband for giving birth to your channel as well. 😊
Incredible piece. The duet of these two amazing singers performing together left me in awe. I have been a Freddie fan my whole life and this might be my favorite song he performed. Freddie's interest and appreciation of classical music shone through in this song. Such a powerful performance. Bravo Freddie.
FREDDIE MERCURY BEST SINGER EVER 🎤🎤🎤🎼🎼🎼 RIP FREDDIE
These 2 artists had a very beautiful platonic relationship. Monserrat Caballé was totally enamoured with Freddie and his voice, and he treated her like a proper lady to look up to which she of course loved. You can see it in her eyes when she looks at him, she had this special glow just for him
Vladd Amy, magnificent episode….. I’m so happy…. Lots of lover and cuddles to you babe😘🥰
I think You just Fell 😂 in love with Freddie and Queen. Welcome in THE Club.❤
You nailed it, that is for sure.Another one joint Club and another and another yeah yeah.😊
Great reaction to one of the best.
Can't wait to see your Queen journey. Freddie was an absolute genius, his loss was the world's loss.
To my mind, Queen are probably the best band of all time
I am certain (right, Vlad…RIGHT?) that at some point in your Queen journey, Vlad intends for you to watch a fair amount of live Queen. You must see his charisma and the control of an audience Freddie had, and how wonderful the four members worked together. Live at Montreal and Live Aid are musts…
Freddie was getting over something with Live Aid, he wasn't in his top singing form.
@@treetopjones737yes, Laryngitis. He was advised by his Dr not to perform
A beautiful voice, a beautiful man. Missed so much. The joy in his face as he performs with his heroine has brought me to tears in the office today.
Freddie Mercury was born to music. He was a passionate man, full of emotions and he could deliver his feelings by his own very special way. His greatness lies therein that he didn't play an opera singer, he was completely aware of his abilities and admired the workload of the trained opera singers that they had to put into their vocals. Freddie said to Brian's later wife Anita "I'm going to die when I can't sing anymore, darling." And he really gave up the fight against his illness when he couldn't sing anymore.
Freddie was so special.
The live version made me cry.
I am glad to have had the honour of being one of Freddie's 'instruments' at Knebworth in 1986 along with the other 125000 'instruments'. He was one of a kind.
Thanks Amy.
Freddie grew up in Feltham once his family moved to the UK. The town is next to my hometown.
Brian May went to my school. (Years before me) plus I once served him a pint of beer!
You will never find a bigger stage presence than Freddie. He was a one-off in so many ways. A genius
Freddie was so beautiful! I wish he was still here.
Monseratt said that his voice covered from baritone to tenor to falcetto. What a range. No one could outsing Freddie. Mike Moran said Freddie told him he would have to tone down his act. Mike laughed and said She is a world class opera dive.
You'll have to listen to "Exercises in Free Love"; it's a demo sang in falsetto by Freddie so Montserrat could learn it later, then it finally turned into a duet called "Ensueño" for the Barcelona album where Freddie sings in a lower tone. The whole Barcelona album and the demos that Freddie recorded are gold. Thanks for this beautiful analysis.
The story goes that Freddie went to a performance of Pavarotti and Montserrat was performing with him. The minute he heard Montserrat he forgot about Pavarotti and became enthralled with Montserrat’s voice. Your commented about Freddie composing Barcelona. You can appreciate Freddie musical genius when you consider his musical education. He said, “When I was about 7 years old, I did piano lessons and I did up to grade 4 classical, practical and theory. Then I gave it up, as I basically play by ear really and I can't sight read at all. So I gave that up and all my playing is done by ear.” So someone who can’t read was able to compose this. You really need to do Golden Boy. Freddie fuses opera with rock/gospel/soul. Love your analysis.
Only the genius that was Freddie could create such theatre and passion. RIP
My music history and conducting teacher used to say that Freddie Mercury was his favourite singer of all time and this song was the example he gave.
Whenever I hear this rendition, my posture improves immeasurably. Spine tingling ❤
Freddie did not think one-time, thematically...he took music as a link between different genres of music and wanted to make people listen to classical music as well. Which he succeeded perfectly. The album "Bacelona" is very timeless and will be fully appreciated only by the next generation and probably already you.The "Barcelona" album is Freddie's cry..."People this is ME, this is what will stay behind me and I'm proud of it"
Love Queen and have since the beginning. R.I.P. Freddy
On this day - July 13th, 1973 - exactly 50 years ago, Queen's first album was released, launching their recording career.
And then all hell broke loose! 😆
@@IwasInThe60s 😀
Heaven and hell, perhaps...
@@callumbruce4154 Yes, it was! In fact, Brian just posted a nice little video about it, on his YT channel, including lots of rehearsal footage. 🙂
RIP Loved Freddy, the one soul of humanity
A life well lived; filled with love for his fans and in return, a love for Freddie. This is our opportunity to celebrate our affection. Thank you, Freddie, for all you shared with us.
I hope your Queen journey will include live performances. They earned their reputation as one of (if not THE) best live band of all time. All four musicians are powerhouses.
AAAAAmen and Hell yes
Yes queen live is the only way to go, for me innuendo is the only studio album I enjoy, but live, they could do no wrong!!
I like how his stage presence and rock-style vocals mesh with her soprano, operatic style.
I’m so glad that you are helping everyone to appreciate the true genius that was Freddie Mercury.
Happy belated birthday Freddie. Queen will always be legendary as will you.
His rawness is what makes him special
Freddie was one of the very few rock singers who could do something like this, and not just 'get away with it', but master it, while also keeping his very recognizable style.
I wept! Thank you!
Wonderful song for a Wonderful city....!!!!! ❤❤
It's one of the only songs that tingles every part of my being every time I hear it, truly exceptional
freddie was the personification of music...it's impossible to listen to him an not cry...the best male voice in the rock history!
Just a quick comment Amy, which I forgot to do back when I first watched this video of yours, the language spoken all throughout Barcelona, not only the song but album, is in fact Spanish.
I know Spanish being a Romance language and descending from Latin as same as Italian, it sounds quite similar and it has many similar words, phrasings, etc but I just wantaed to comment on that, it's a song about and a singer from Barcelona, Spain, so that's why Spanish was featured so prominently alongside English, as well as a sprinkle of at least another language but I wouldn't want to spoil it for you if you're planning on reacting to and analyzing more of this amazing album.
Great reaction as always! Thank you for the amazing commentary and analysis!!!
Freddie Mercury left such an incredible legacy of all genres of music. We are so lucky to still have them and listen again and again. He found 3 other incredible musicians to compliment and grow together. ❤
Hi Amy. I laughed with you when You showed the video of Freddie saying ‘ forget rock n roll now I’m into opera’ 😂 Freddie adored opera and he especially loved Montserrat . He had a dream of writing music for her and he sent her his voice singing Exercises in Free Love The test is history. They became very close friends and he told her his secrets RE his battle with aids. There is an audio of them singing and having fun around his piano in London at his home Garden Lodge. It was an all nighter of fun✌🏼😂 On the album there is a fabulous song The Golden Boy . I believe and so do most Queen fans believe that the golden boy is Freddie! I also particularly like La Japonaise. I got very emotional at the end of your video when you talked about the music Freddie would have written had he lived. It was only a couple of years later that there were treatments for the dreaded virus. For me Freddie was an amazing composer. I have always thought Killer Queen which was written in 1974 when Freddie was in his mid twenties was strangely advanced musically for a kid raised in a boarding school in India . Brian May said in an interview that it was a ‘ perfect song’
Can’t wait to see what you do next 😂♥️……… ps Freddie called Montserrat ‘ Montsy’ and of course we Queen fans do as well 😊
I love La Japonaise and almost no one has reacted to it.
What an amazing video.
These are the days of our lives. It's a must listen. He's last ever single
no matter how many times i see this i always get goosebumps
One song he sang was those were the days of our lives . He was really sick then but the song was touching
when i saw the length of this video, i thoght maybe i'll see the first ten or fifteen minutes, i've now seen it till the end, what a jouney, i was swept along, captivated, lol, great video.
This is by far the best analysis of this song and masterpiece (collaboration, creation from God above) that I have ever seen. I watched this performance many times and am still in awe, not only from Freddie Mercury but also from Montserrat Cabelle (she was so fantastically beautiful and so very, very talented). This performance should be watched by generations to show that music can reach all people no matter the form and also the incredible legacy that both performers had. They both were beyond belief and I am so glad that two worlds (and many worlds) could be bridged by this. Your analysis of this is perfect. His voice, simply perfect! Her voice simply perfect! Both strengthening each other especially when we hear them together almost brings me to tears. I have heard many other singers out today like Dimash Qudaibergen as an example but he nor any others hold a single candle to this. Excited to see what the future has to hold to bring all of this together in collaboration but I will say that for this to have occurred at this time in history is simply monumental and I think I might call this my most favorite song and performance at this time even given other relative newer performers (including Whitney Huston, Ceolin Dion, Josh Groban, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Dimash Qudaibergen, Ed Sheeran, Billy Eilish, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Adelle, Linkin Park, etc. - too many that I listen to and love to report here from all genres). To see them both together with this magnificent performance come together at the end holding hands, showing the clear love and appreciation for each other even with totally different backgrounds. Wow. It is a message that all of us should follow. Speechless.
I cried watching the live performance on this video. It was so special. Freddie was amazing, lovely, and such a loss. Beautiful
I suggest 'White Queen at the Odeon' as one of the best ever live songs to react to, with heavy classical influences, and some of the best piano work that Freddie ever delivered.
Totally agree !
YES ✌🏼🥰
Absolutely ... please react to live Queen, White Queen at Hammersmith Odeon. Somebody to Love live at Montreal. Great examples of how amazing they are live. Happy to join you on your Queen journey. Thank you.
Please make sure you keep reacting to the live versions as well as the studio versions, Queen are without a doubt THE BEST live band of all time.
He & Montserrat were best of friends. After Freddie died, she said many men offered to sing Barcelona with her at the Olympics. But she told them she'd never sing this song with anyone other than Freddie. In fact, she did sing it at the Olympics but Freddie sang it with her on a screen above the audience. There's a video of that performance on UA-cam. 😊
Wish we'd had him around a few more years. Not sure anyone else has matched that stage presence and charisma. So much music left in that man that could never be realised.
If you go to Queen's deep cuts you will find they did classical, opera, jazz, rag-time, blues, music hall, vaudeville, funk, disco, electronica, rock n' roll, and heavy metal. Just incredible variety.
You left out rockabilly and probably some others.
Love the program.
You should consider reaching out to Brian May he has done other interviews with people who do reactions.
I think he would enjoy talking to you.
He does watch reaction videos.
Yeah, Freddie was very well known for his incredible, dynamic, electrifying stage presence and showmanship in Queen's live performances. He really connected with the audience; an example demonstrating that would be in his famous vocal exchanges with the audience, or when he would let the audience do some of the singing for Love of My Life.
You must hear Ensueno from the Barcelona album, it's absolutely beautiful and Freddie sings completely in Opera vocals, baretone/tenor. Freddie did a demo for Montserrat all in falsettos it's working name was Exercises in free Love which became Ensueno. Thank you for your review.
Without a doubt, two talents came together: on the one hand, the composer Freddy Mercury and the classical voice of Monserrat Caballe, With the interpretation of the show at the Olympic Games, Modernity and classical music
I just “stumbled upon” you. I haven't seen anything else from you yet, I'll catch up. My children's music teacher spent an entire school year picking apart this album and Bohemian Rhapsody in high school. I can assure you, for the first time in their school careers, they didn't do their homework in music class. Your analysis of this song and their music teacher's analysis are so similar.
54:27 "had he lived longer I wonder what we would have had. And it's painful to think that we will never be able to find out"
My thoughts exactly.
Made me weep to think about. Mercury was unique. ❤
Totally agree. Buuut, although not the same, as there will never be another Freddie, have a listen to Marc Martel. He’s not Freddie, sounds like Freddie and is doing some of the things that, should he have lived longer, I think Freddie would have done. Too much love will kill you with Jonathon Cilia Faro
I think your comments nailed it. Freddie owned his work. He was a frontman and a singer before anything else.
Queen are one of the biggest reasons that I have developed a recent interest in classical music. I guess my journey is sort of the opposite to yours.
I'm in my late twenties and as far back as I remember I only listened to rock and metal. It's what grabbed my attention and connected with how I felt, especially as a teenager. Hearing musicians like Freddie talking about classical music and how it influenced them got me listening and I am now hooked
Sadly Freddie didn't live long enough to perform this for the Olympics but the song was used. While listening to studio versions is important nothing comes close to Freddie's live performances. I'm always happy to see an actual musician reacting, you know the nuances and appreciate what some people miss...so count me in!
Please consider "You Take My Breath Away" Queen live at Hyde Park 1976 as part of your queen odyssey.
Roared a massive CHEER inside my mind when you mentioned his stage presence!!!!!!
This is probably Freddie's finest trait. It's what drew everyone in! I can't wait for you to see their Live Aid performance!
Of course it's completely different with a _really_ live show instead of this playback one.
This SO rock. If Freddy is singing rock is being performed. In the live performance although Monsserat is singing in a purely operatic voice she is deferring to Mercury knowing this is his swan song and his night to shine. This shows what a consummate performer she is. It's like she knows Mercury is giving the performance of his life and she does whatever is necessary to let Freddy's performance shine brightest. I thought your story about how you didn't know who Freddy Mercury was was priceless. I love what you said about picking 50 Queen songs and listening to them in chronological order so you can observe the evolution of a band. This is critical for new listeners especially with the Beatles so I love watching your Beatles reactions. I listened to all the Beatles music in chronological order since I was there when the stuff first came out in '64 in the states. It's great to watch you reacting to the Beatles in the order the stuff was released. It gives me a chance to listen to those same songs 50 years later and see how your reactions compare with what I thought some 50 years ago. Also as I look back at the Beatles I began to realize that their musical evolution was what really made them the force of nature they were. So it will also be great for me to rewatch that evolution and also your reaction to it. I think you will come away in awe when you reach 150! And lastly my generation lived their lives to the music of Freddy Mercury and Queen so when he passed it was like we had lost a friend. RIP FREDDY!!