As usual, I really enjoyed the deep dive and learning more. Buuuuuuut, I had to stop listening when Angela started talking about recording Bohemian Rhapsody, because that's just not how that works. It was *not* a single tape that was recorded over 300 times. The Wikipedia entry for the song gives a non-technical description of multi-track recording and over dubbing. Check the references and linked articles for more. (I did finish listening to the episode after I got all the "Aaugh!!!! NOOOOOOO!" out of my system.
"Since the studios of the time only offered 24-track analogue tape, it was necessary for the three to overdub themselves many times and "bounce" these down to successive sub-mixes. In the end, eighth-generation tapes were used. The various sections of tape containing the desired sub-mixes had to be spliced (cut and assembled in the correct sequence). May recalled placing a tape in front of the light and being able to see through it, as the tape had been used so many times."
Oops! Thanks for the fact check and tasty info-bites! I'm so not musical, that the quote you included here makes about as much sense as to me as Klingon, but I trust that you understand it and I appreciate your insights!
I’m loving this episode! I grew up as a child in the 80’s, so Queen were everywhere. My mum was a huge fan, and even though they weren’t my favourite, I have huge respect! I learned so many new fun facts in this ep! I didn’t know about the graphic design or their infamous logo being their astrology signs!
I loved hearing that Angela’s SPIN is Crowded House! I’m from Australia, so this is most welcome here! I watched their Farewell to the World - Live at the Opera House VHS about 5000 times! And have seen the full band, original lineup as well as Neil Finn solo live. I love that he has a new chapter with his sons and Nick now.
My special interest is George Michael - he has a lot of similarities to Freddie. I suspect George was autistic too! I could write an essay on the traits I see! He was a musical savant, a true genius and perfectionist. A couple are that he was pitch perfect with 3 octave vocal range, could mimic any other singer for a cover performance - but make it his own and better than the original, high masking behind an image, sexual identity confusion and fluidity, hated interviews, spoke honestly and articulately, sunglasses everywhere and no eye contact, and addictions. George was incredibly private but when he opened up he let you in. He was so loyal to his musicians and had most of the same band and backing vocalists for 30 years, they were a family. He was such a generous philanthropist, which he did anonymously. He is also the only artist that came close to Freddie at his tribute at Wembley!
I also think Michael Hutchence from INXS is autistic. He and George had some parallel life experiences and traits too. ❤️
Haha it really was a mini info dump on George Michael! It is his birthday today too ☺️ He was also super shy, nerdy child. He spoke about how he would wake early in the morning to watch insects at the back of his house. And then he had an accident at school where he fell down the stairs and had a head injury - after that he became completed obsessed with music. He was writing, producing, arranging, singing, doing all the harmony recordings for Wham while still under 21. Truly exceptional.
I love that you can see the autistic traits in him now too. Many of the points you both made about Freddy made me see even more of George’s!
Please feel free to reach out if you do an episode on George! I’ve got loads of notes, of course I do! He also touched his face a lot in interviews, it looks like a covert stim to me, and something I do myself as highly masked late diagnosed.
George had an acute sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice. He famously took Sony to court during the peak of his career. Not just disputing his own recording contract, but the principle of the entire music industry contracts.
PS My new favorite part of this (through and through awesome) episode is the little laugh Matt makes when Angela talks about needing to fund expensive SPINs.
I’m loving this episode! Two things: please yes on They Might Be Giants! And re collections and museums, please please please go visit the Sir John Soane Museum in London and do an episode about it. A little googling will hint to this, but it is the most amazing personally owned museum I have ever visited (and I may have written a dissertation about museums…). His museum would be such a great centerpiece for an episode about collecting and he is a pretty fascinating person in his own right—and then everyone will want to visit his museum!
I'm not a big Queen fan, but I know of them for sure. "Bicycle Race" is probably my favorite one, because of the complexity of the vocal and musical arrangements, and because I'm a cyclist when I get the chance.
As usual, I really enjoyed the deep dive and learning more. Buuuuuuut, I had to stop listening when Angela started talking about recording Bohemian Rhapsody, because that's just not how that works. It was *not* a single tape that was recorded over 300 times. The Wikipedia entry for the song gives a non-technical description of multi-track recording and over dubbing. Check the references and linked articles for more. (I did finish listening to the episode after I got all the "Aaugh!!!! NOOOOOOO!" out of my system.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bohemian_Rhapsody&diffonly=true
"Since the studios of the time only offered 24-track analogue tape, it was necessary for the three to overdub themselves many times and "bounce" these down to successive sub-mixes. In the end, eighth-generation tapes were used. The various sections of tape containing the desired sub-mixes had to be spliced (cut and assembled in the correct sequence). May recalled placing a tape in front of the light and being able to see through it, as the tape had been used so many times."
Oops! Thanks for the fact check and tasty info-bites! I'm so not musical, that the quote you included here makes about as much sense as to me as Klingon, but I trust that you understand it and I appreciate your insights!
I’m loving this episode! I grew up as a child in the 80’s, so Queen were everywhere. My mum was a huge fan, and even though they weren’t my favourite, I have huge respect! I learned so many new fun facts in this ep! I didn’t know about the graphic design or their infamous logo being their astrology signs!
I loved hearing that Angela’s SPIN is Crowded House! I’m from Australia, so this is most welcome here! I watched their Farewell to the World - Live at the Opera House VHS about 5000 times! And have seen the full band, original lineup as well as Neil Finn solo live. I love that he has a new chapter with his sons and Nick now.
My special interest is George Michael - he has a lot of similarities to Freddie. I suspect George was autistic too! I could write an essay on the traits I see! He was a musical savant, a true genius and perfectionist. A couple are that he was pitch perfect with 3 octave vocal range, could mimic any other singer for a cover performance - but make it his own and better than the original, high masking behind an image, sexual identity confusion and fluidity, hated interviews, spoke honestly and articulately, sunglasses everywhere and no eye contact, and addictions. George was incredibly private but when he opened up he let you in. He was so loyal to his musicians and had most of the same band and backing vocalists for 30 years, they were a family. He was such a generous philanthropist, which he did anonymously. He is also the only artist that came close to Freddie at his tribute at Wembley!
I also think Michael Hutchence from INXS is autistic. He and George had some parallel life experiences and traits too. ❤️
Love the mini info-dump on George Michael!! I never thought about it, but you're right--so many Autistic traits!
Haha it really was a mini info dump on George Michael! It is his birthday today too ☺️ He was also super shy, nerdy child. He spoke about how he would wake early in the morning to watch insects at the back of his house. And then he had an accident at school where he fell down the stairs and had a head injury - after that he became completed obsessed with music. He was writing, producing, arranging, singing, doing all the harmony recordings for Wham while still under 21. Truly exceptional.
I love that you can see the autistic traits in him now too. Many of the points you both made about Freddy made me see even more of George’s!
Happy (belated) birthday, George Michael! Hahaha perfect!
Please feel free to reach out if you do an episode on George! I’ve got loads of notes, of course I do! He also touched his face a lot in interviews, it looks like a covert stim to me, and something I do myself as highly masked late diagnosed.
George had an acute sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice. He famously took Sony to court during the peak of his career. Not just disputing his own recording contract, but the principle of the entire music industry contracts.
Great info! I added your input and name to the list of "to be considered" episodes. Thank you for listening and for your suggestion!
PS My new favorite part of this (through and through awesome) episode is the little laugh Matt makes when Angela talks about needing to fund expensive SPINs.
Classic.
I’m loving this episode! Two things: please yes on They Might Be Giants! And re collections and museums, please please please go visit the Sir John Soane Museum in London and do an episode about it. A little googling will hint to this, but it is the most amazing personally owned museum I have ever visited (and I may have written a dissertation about museums…). His museum would be such a great centerpiece for an episode about collecting and he is a pretty fascinating person in his own right—and then everyone will want to visit his museum!
Interesting!! I added these to the list of "to be considered"...and now I'm off to research this museum--this is the way!
I'm keen to hear what you think!
I'm not a big Queen fan, but I know of them for sure. "Bicycle Race" is probably my favorite one, because of the complexity of the vocal and musical arrangements, and because I'm a cyclist when I get the chance.
Cycling can be such an enjoyable stimmy experience!
Also not a Queen Super Fan, but Tim Curry is my favorite actor and it was fun to hear the connection! Thank you!