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Bohemian Rhapsody Documentary
47 Answers
I watched and enjoyed this - apart from two parts.
I wonder how they persuaded a lot of Oxford Dons to sit around a table and dissect a pop song with full earnestness and nonsensical conclusions - they looked and sounded ridiculous.
But not as ridiculous as Richard E Grant declaiming the lyrics as though he was delivering a speech from Macbeth - he also looked and sounded ridiculous.
The entire point about pop is that it doesn't have to mean anything - why waste time pretending to find something that does not exist?
Other than that - it was good.
Anyone else see it?
I wonder how they persuaded a lot of Oxford Dons to sit around a table and dissect a pop song with full earnestness and nonsensical conclusions - they looked and sounded ridiculous.
But not as ridiculous as Richard E Grant declaiming the lyrics as though he was delivering a speech from Macbeth - he also looked and sounded ridiculous.
The entire point about pop is that it doesn't have to mean anything - why waste time pretending to find something that does not exist?
Other than that - it was good.
Anyone else see it?
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Hi Andy and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
I've 3 Queen documentaries/concerts to watch.....one a special concert from Dec '75, a making of News Of The World album and the Bohemian Rhapsody one, which I will probably watch after we see Arsenal hopefully thump Chelsea in the footie later tonight......let you know my opinion when I've watched it. :-)
I've 3 Queen documentaries/concerts to watch.....one a special concert from Dec '75, a making of News Of The World album and the Bohemian Rhapsody one, which I will probably watch after we see Arsenal hopefully thump Chelsea in the footie later tonight......let you know my opinion when I've watched it. :-)
I didn't see this programme but I sometimes find the machinations of folk trying to unravel popular pieces of art,literature or music highly entertaining.
Rather like the urban myth (or is it) of a guide spending 20 minutes on the beauty of a piece of modern art in a quiet corner of a gallery that turned out to be a damp patch waiting repair. :-)
Rather like the urban myth (or is it) of a guide spending 20 minutes on the beauty of a piece of modern art in a quiet corner of a gallery that turned out to be a damp patch waiting repair. :-)
Mamya
It may or may not be true.
What is true, is Richard Williams' review of the Wedding Album from John and Yoko Lennon, advance pressings of which contained the studio stereo tone for the engineers to balance the sound, and which should have been edited out of the pressings.
Mr Williams waxed lyrical about the tones, much to the amusement of the media, and the appreciation of the artists -
The reception
The album did not chart in the UK, but peaked at number 178 in the United States. Because of it poor sales and the various elements to the release, mint condition copies are highly sought after by collectors.
The UK weekly music newspaper Melody Maker ran a notorious review written by Richard Williams, who had been given a promotional copy containing two discs, each of which contained a test signal on one side. Williams duly reviewed what he thought was a double album, noting that "constant listening reveals a curious point: the pitch of the tones alters frequency, but only by microtones or, at most, a semitone. This oscillation produces an almost subliminal, uneven 'beat' which maintains interest. On a more basic level, you could have a ball by improvising your very own raga, plainsong, or even Gaelic mouth music against the drone."
Lennon and Ono were greatly amused by Williams' review, and sent a telegram of thanks.
DEAR RICHARD THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC REVIEW ON OUR WEDDING ALBUM INCLUDING C-AND-D SIDES STOP WE ARE CONSIDERING IT FOR OUR NEXT RELEASE STOP MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THEY ARE THE BEST SIDES STOP WE BOTH FEEL THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A CRITIC TOPPED THE ARTIST STOP WE ARE NOT JOKING STOP LOVE AND PEACE STOP JOHN AND YOKO LENNON
It may or may not be true.
What is true, is Richard Williams' review of the Wedding Album from John and Yoko Lennon, advance pressings of which contained the studio stereo tone for the engineers to balance the sound, and which should have been edited out of the pressings.
Mr Williams waxed lyrical about the tones, much to the amusement of the media, and the appreciation of the artists -
The reception
The album did not chart in the UK, but peaked at number 178 in the United States. Because of it poor sales and the various elements to the release, mint condition copies are highly sought after by collectors.
The UK weekly music newspaper Melody Maker ran a notorious review written by Richard Williams, who had been given a promotional copy containing two discs, each of which contained a test signal on one side. Williams duly reviewed what he thought was a double album, noting that "constant listening reveals a curious point: the pitch of the tones alters frequency, but only by microtones or, at most, a semitone. This oscillation produces an almost subliminal, uneven 'beat' which maintains interest. On a more basic level, you could have a ball by improvising your very own raga, plainsong, or even Gaelic mouth music against the drone."
Lennon and Ono were greatly amused by Williams' review, and sent a telegram of thanks.
DEAR RICHARD THANK YOU FOR YOUR FANTASTIC REVIEW ON OUR WEDDING ALBUM INCLUDING C-AND-D SIDES STOP WE ARE CONSIDERING IT FOR OUR NEXT RELEASE STOP MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THEY ARE THE BEST SIDES STOP WE BOTH FEEL THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A CRITIC TOPPED THE ARTIST STOP WE ARE NOT JOKING STOP LOVE AND PEACE STOP JOHN AND YOKO LENNON
Hi again Andy,
I watched the Bohemian Rhapsody documentary after the football, and thought it was very good indeed and I enjoyed it immensely, just apart from the segments, exactly, that you mentioned in your question......
Oxford dons sitting around a table, talking waffle and dissecting the lyrics as if they were experts......and Richard E Grant hamming it up OTT, with his pompous monotones.....he peaked with 'Withnail and I' and not one of my favourite actors since.
I did especially like and enjoyed the return to the original recording studios in Monmouth, South Wales by Brian May and Roger Taylor, and they chatted in detail about their memories recording the song and then even recreated their guitar and drums roles on the track. Brilliant to see Roy Thomas Baker there too, playing with the mixers in the studio and choosing segments of the backing track, and vocals independently. That the 24 track original tape had to be baked in an oven before attempting to play it, otherwise it would disintegrate....sheer brilliance.
Freddie Mercury.....what can you say about him?.....just that he was, and still is today, a true musical genius and legend, and the exclusive material of him in rehearsals with the rest of the group etc, was a really nice touch.
There was a great quote from the Melody Maker, who's record reviewer hated the record so much and said it sounded like a very bad Balham Amateur Operatic Group was singing it.
Really fond memories of when I saw them in concert in the past, and at Live Aid......I only wish I was old enough then in the early to mid 70's to catch them in their absolute peak......but feel they always peaked when performing live.
I enjoy playing Queen tracks whenever I can, and pretty much always will.
Andy, it makes you feel lucky and privileged that you're in the music business.....
A bona fide treat to all Queen fans......now gotta watch The making of their 'News Of The World' album documentary and their 1975 concert at Hammersmith Odeon.....think I can manage that. :-)
I watched the Bohemian Rhapsody documentary after the football, and thought it was very good indeed and I enjoyed it immensely, just apart from the segments, exactly, that you mentioned in your question......
Oxford dons sitting around a table, talking waffle and dissecting the lyrics as if they were experts......and Richard E Grant hamming it up OTT, with his pompous monotones.....he peaked with 'Withnail and I' and not one of my favourite actors since.
I did especially like and enjoyed the return to the original recording studios in Monmouth, South Wales by Brian May and Roger Taylor, and they chatted in detail about their memories recording the song and then even recreated their guitar and drums roles on the track. Brilliant to see Roy Thomas Baker there too, playing with the mixers in the studio and choosing segments of the backing track, and vocals independently. That the 24 track original tape had to be baked in an oven before attempting to play it, otherwise it would disintegrate....sheer brilliance.
Freddie Mercury.....what can you say about him?.....just that he was, and still is today, a true musical genius and legend, and the exclusive material of him in rehearsals with the rest of the group etc, was a really nice touch.
There was a great quote from the Melody Maker, who's record reviewer hated the record so much and said it sounded like a very bad Balham Amateur Operatic Group was singing it.
Really fond memories of when I saw them in concert in the past, and at Live Aid......I only wish I was old enough then in the early to mid 70's to catch them in their absolute peak......but feel they always peaked when performing live.
I enjoy playing Queen tracks whenever I can, and pretty much always will.
Andy, it makes you feel lucky and privileged that you're in the music business.....
A bona fide treat to all Queen fans......now gotta watch The making of their 'News Of The World' album documentary and their 1975 concert at Hammersmith Odeon.....think I can manage that. :-)
yogi - // Andy, it makes you feel lucky and privileged that you're in the music business..... //
It does indeed.
I was invited to write and record my observations on the 'A Night At The Opera' album for a local student project which reminded me just how creative and ahead of their time Queen were.
I also had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice, once as a support band in 1974, their only support tour, and then again at Stafford Bingley Hall in front of eight thousand adoring fans - both were great in different ways.
I am incredibly lucky to see so many bands, and have the access to them that their fans would kill for - but I do completely appreciate it, and never ever take it for granted.
It does indeed.
I was invited to write and record my observations on the 'A Night At The Opera' album for a local student project which reminded me just how creative and ahead of their time Queen were.
I also had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice, once as a support band in 1974, their only support tour, and then again at Stafford Bingley Hall in front of eight thousand adoring fans - both were great in different ways.
I am incredibly lucky to see so many bands, and have the access to them that their fans would kill for - but I do completely appreciate it, and never ever take it for granted.
Good man, Andy :-)...it's great not to take these things for granted...I certainly don't and know a lot of celebrities, mainly in the music business, some as my close friends, ...and loads of fellow DJ's/Broadcasters too....
I would have loved to see Queen perform live at their earliest gigs, think it would have been brilliant, during their 'Seven Seas Of Rye', 'Keep Yourself Alive' etc period from '73 on...up to 'Sheer Heart Attack' album, which is superb.
Been chauffeuring youngest daughter around tonight, and watching our son doing his football training, at local sports complex...had a big game on Saturday afternoon, so no chance to watch any other Queen and gigging tomorrow and Saturday nights, so will make a date on Sunday evening to watch them. Cheers, Andy :-)
I would have loved to see Queen perform live at their earliest gigs, think it would have been brilliant, during their 'Seven Seas Of Rye', 'Keep Yourself Alive' etc period from '73 on...up to 'Sheer Heart Attack' album, which is superb.
Been chauffeuring youngest daughter around tonight, and watching our son doing his football training, at local sports complex...had a big game on Saturday afternoon, so no chance to watch any other Queen and gigging tomorrow and Saturday nights, so will make a date on Sunday evening to watch them. Cheers, Andy :-)
I’ve just watched this – for anyone interested it’s available to download on demand - BBC4.
I agree with Zacsmaster. It isn’t a nonsensical pop song and actually the Oxford dons hit on something that had occurred to me previously …. that part of the lyric sprang from Freddie’s experiences of different countries and cultures. From the language used that, to me, is obvious. I have to wonder what was going on in Freddie’s head when he wrote it because I think it contains some of the most profound lyrics in the history of popular music.
My guess would be that when Freddie Mercury was asked what it meant, he couldn’t be bothered to explain. It’s a bit like people with little money looking at things in expensive shops. If you have to ask the price you can’t afford it.
Oh, and I enjoyed Richard E Grant’s reading and the drama he brought to it very much. I like him.
Love Queen – but that’s a by the bye. Thank you for posting it.
I agree with Zacsmaster. It isn’t a nonsensical pop song and actually the Oxford dons hit on something that had occurred to me previously …. that part of the lyric sprang from Freddie’s experiences of different countries and cultures. From the language used that, to me, is obvious. I have to wonder what was going on in Freddie’s head when he wrote it because I think it contains some of the most profound lyrics in the history of popular music.
My guess would be that when Freddie Mercury was asked what it meant, he couldn’t be bothered to explain. It’s a bit like people with little money looking at things in expensive shops. If you have to ask the price you can’t afford it.
Oh, and I enjoyed Richard E Grant’s reading and the drama he brought to it very much. I like him.
Love Queen – but that’s a by the bye. Thank you for posting it.
Andy, I think what Freddie meant when he said 'It's anything you want it to be darling' is that it is all things to all people, and whatever your level of understanding of why HE wrote it and what it means to him, to some, you for example it's only ever going to be just a 'pop song' whereas I, and a lot of others would never classify it as that and think it has a far deeper meaning. Nothing wrong with the Oxford Dons or Richard E Grant either, not everything has to be banal and boring.
kvalidir - // Nothing wrong with the Oxford Dons or Richard E Grant either, not everything has to be banal and boring. //
Indeed not, but I didn't say that the Dons and / or Mr Grant were banal and / or boring.
What they were though, was pretentious silly uncomfortable and utterly pointless additions to an otherwise enjoyable and informative documentary.
Indeed not, but I didn't say that the Dons and / or Mr Grant were banal and / or boring.
What they were though, was pretentious silly uncomfortable and utterly pointless additions to an otherwise enjoyable and informative documentary.
Naomi - // andy-hughes, //What they were though, was pretentious silly uncomfortable and utterly pointless additions //
I disagree for the reasons I've given. //
Then not for the first time, and certainly not the last, we can agree to differ.
I am always wary of people who appear to see things that are actually not there - I direct you again to Mr Williams' album review.
But I am glad you are a fellow Queen fan - a fine beat combo if ever there was one!!
I disagree for the reasons I've given. //
Then not for the first time, and certainly not the last, we can agree to differ.
I am always wary of people who appear to see things that are actually not there - I direct you again to Mr Williams' album review.
But I am glad you are a fellow Queen fan - a fine beat combo if ever there was one!!
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