23. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen-Live In Leiden: 6/12/1986)

[FreddieMercury1994]

Well this version version is great.....i think this and the previous nigth are at the sam level, because here i nail the ending, but in the previous nigth he hit a GREAT C5

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Agree!

[lugtigheida]

Oh mijn god! Daar was ik bij in 1986, en kom er nu achter dat er opnames van zijn! Wát ben ik blij en gelukkig dat ik ze in de groenenoordhallen mee heb mogen maken. Al die look-a-likes, leuk geprobeerd, maar het is gewoon helemaal niks. Dan liever "oud" en authentiek materiaal. De grootste rockster ooit, ik krijg er nog steeds tranen in mijn ogen van! Love you Freddy!!!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

You were lucky: You caught them on some of the best gigs on the whole tour! All three Leiden shows are on Youtube!

[lugtigheida]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Yes, thers are three shows on Youtube, but only sound en the crowd. Are there any youtube movies, expessiale from Leiden 1986?

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

There's footage of "One Vision" from the 2nd show!

[chrisys93]

Hey greg, im thinking about making a compilation of the best bohemian rhapsody versions. Which verses do you think are the best? I know for sure im putting the cologne 1982 rock section, and maybe the brussels 1984 ending.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Newcastle 1979 (2nd night), Glasgow 1979, Live Aid, Any Leiden 1986 gig, and Brussels 1986 are some of the best verses I've heard!

[gunnersorginal2010]

The more I hear this version the better I like it, he is just so nice and subtle sometimes, for example that Carry on is a beautiful note, wonderful way of singing it!

Yes it oprobably does edge out the 1st night overall...though the 1st night is EPIC as well for slightly different reasons (Those Bb4s and C!)

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Yeah, both Leidens are the best versions overall on the tour! This one is probably #1, then the previous night could be #2!

At 0:51-0:56, that proves that smoking didn't affect his voice that much: He does those chesty Bb4s, then goes back to his "original" tone on the "all away" line! If he smoked, that line wouldn't sound "gentle!"

[Ikeisbo]

Take that back... This is the best on the tour... Nailed the Bb4!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

He also nails the "Born at all" note!

[gunnersorginal2010]

Ps, I sing Bo Rhap this way nowdays with that rollercoaster note choice, easier then to hit the Bb4s on the 2nd verse...though I'm sometimes real daring and go for a C on the "face"...sod it why not lol!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Haha! Go for the C5 during the rock section! haha

[gunnersorginal2010]

@Gregsynthbootlegs Ha! I'm doing karaoke on Sunday, i'm gonna do this version and try the C5...my voice has been in good shape the last few weeks, hope it doesn't die on me in the next few days!!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Get that C5!!!!

[gunnersorginal2010]

Alll awayyy...love that part, his voice almost has that 70s tone to it again, love the contrast between that and the previous few words which are squeezed out.

Wonderful!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Yeah, he hit those Bb4s in pure chest, then does some really nice "soft" singing for the "all away" part!

Do you think this edges out the 1st night (here he actually hits the "born at all" on the Bb4)!

[BoozerNut]

Born aaat aaaalll

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Gotta love that line!

[thebiggestqueenfan]

I think this should go up to the 2nd greatest Queen concert. It really is magical.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

It's got it all!

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@Gregsynthbootlegs Except for Friends Will be Friends...it's not the best from this gig.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

That belongs to Munich (second night)!

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@Gregsynthbootlegs Probably.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Well he does sing all the notes (and sounds good)!

[thebiggestqueenfan]

I have to say, I've never really noticed how epic this version is. He sings the first verse nearly identical to Brussels yet it is better. I say this version is tied with Cologne but I give this one the egde because of the ending and atmosphere.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

This version is a little underrated (because of the 1st night's version)! He sings this very similar to Cologne, but there is better phrasing on both verses (and the awesome ending)!

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@Gregsynthbootlegs Plus the awesome intro which is probably the 2nd best intro the song ever. (No 1 goes to his speech at Wembley 1st night where he talks and then just jumps right into the song with an enormous applause).

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Gotta love the improvs before the song!

[FreddieMercury1994]

My favourite version in 80's with Cologne and Edinburgh ! All the three concerts of Leiden are epics, and I agree with Gregsynthbootlegs when he says they are the best of Magic tour !

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Yeah, the Magic Tour really showcased how great this song was (especially Freddie's improved voice and technique)!

One of the most underrated versions is from the first Munich gig (will be going up). The power is awesome on that version!

[gunnersorginal2010]

I ADORE the way he sings this version, firstly there is the solid Bb4s before he drops away to one of the softest notes I've heard on the magic tour on the words "all away", the gentle "carry on" he does (what note is that by the way he gets upto at the end of that phrase?), then there is the great rollercoaster effect on the 2nd verse high notes.

Oh and there is the SUPERB ending as well...grand version, maybe only bested by the 1st and 3rd Leidens IMO!

Leiden was damned lucky!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

It's a Eb4 slide to a C4!

This version is epic!

[carooomargheee]

MARVELLOUS! I like this version better than the 11/6 one!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Wow! The first Leiden is getting its ass kicked! LOL

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Well, they're both great "magic" versions!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Freddie was in "magical" voice!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Yes, he was!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Indeed!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Did you know something about the video of this concert? We can find "One Vision", but the others...?

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Only One Vision was filmed! :)

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Damn.

Thanks.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Welcome!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

WTF

You're a rocket when you answer!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I'm a Rocket Man!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

I love that song!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I do to!

[queenandi]

@carooomargheee I was there. They filmed only 'One Vision' for Veronica's 'Countdown', with Adam Curry. After One Vison they wrapped up and left. It's a pitty because I think this concert was the best of The Magic Tour. With an awesome audience, Freddie singing the footballsong (ole ole) with the crowd, Big Spender, A full live version of 'Friends Will Be Friends'. Freddie singing a lot of high tones. This was the 3th concert in the tour. I think it was the best.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I would gladly take "Live In Leiden" over Wembley!

[carooomargheee]

@queenandi

You are very lucky! I wish I could have seen a Queen show! :(

I'm too young!

It's unfair: we have good filmed gigs, but other AWESOME gigs haven't been filmed :(

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Least we can hear the AWESOME gigs!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Yes, at least we can HEAR them...! :)

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Yes!

We can also hear gigs like Japan 1979! :)

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

xD

A pleasure for our ears!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Indeed!

[queenandi]

@carooomargheee Oh, I think Queen Live At The Bowl is an awesome gig!!! Realy. I mean, I saw them 7 times live. I think you can Live At The Bowl consider as one of their betst concerts.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Montreal and Milton Keynes are fantastic concerts--you'll get no argument from me about those getting filmed: As for Wembley, there's at least 7 other shows I'd GLADLY take over Wembley!

[queenandi]

@Gregsynthbootlegs O yes. Budapest was way better than Wembely. Wembley was released after Freddie's death. So for commercial reasons. I think it is about time that QP release Earls Court '77, Houston '78, Hammersmith Odeon '75 and '79 and then we should have the cherries on that wunderfull cake. The ones I mentioned are realy Queen on their finest!!!!!!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I totally agree!

[carooomargheee]

@queenandi

Yes, sure! As Greg said, Montreal and Milton Keynes are excellent concerts (I'm planning to buy the DVD of Milton Keynes as soon as possible! :D). Fortunately they have been filmed! But I wish they released some concerts from the 70s. I love the two Hammersmith gigs and Hyde Park! And who knows, maybe Tokyo 5/1/75...

[queenandi]

@carooomargheee You must go buy that DVD yesterday!!! ;) A great concert. Queen was in a very supurb shape during the Hot Spacetour in '82. I think QP planned releasing Hammersmith '75 for next year's Xmass. Let's keep fingers crossed for the extra's on that DVD. (Hyde Park? Or Hammy '79??)

[carooomargheee]

@queenandi

I'd like them to release separated DVDs (or Blu-Rays) for those concerts, I don't want too have only few songs as 'extras' :(

I have a curiosity: which Queen concerts have you attented? :D

[queenandi]

@carooomargheee Jazz/Live Killerstour Rotterdam 29/01/'79, The Gametour Leiden 27/11/'80, Hot Spacetour Leiden 24+25/04/'82, The Workstour Leiden 20/09/'84, The Magictour Leiden 12+19/06/'86, The Freddie Mercury tribute London Wembley 20/04/'92, Queen + PR Arnhem (NL) 10/07/'05, Aruba 07/10/'05

[carooomargheee]

@queenandi

Wow, very lucky... I envy you :(

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Hello! :D

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Hello, Greggie!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

How are you!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

I'm a little tired, but I'm ok. What about you?

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I'm fine! Just working on another concert!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Great!

But why did this conversation start here?

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Because I just felt like starting a conversation! :D

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

:D

So..what did you eat for lunch?

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I had a ham and cheese sandwich!

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

Sandwich is the greatest invention ever.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I agree! haha

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@carooomargheee And how would they be made without women?

[carooomargheee]

@thebiggestqueenfan

Is this a sexist comment?

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@carooomargheee No not at all.

[carooomargheee]

@thebiggestqueenfan

Sorry, I misunderstood.

[thebiggestqueenfan]

@carooomargheee Maybe I was just making a stupid joke

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

It was quite stupid, indeed!

:D haha

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

:D

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

I like your random emoticons put in my conversation with others XD

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I'm just doing my job! XD

[carooomargheee]

@Gregsynthbootlegs

:D

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Yep!

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Ha yeah sure yeah.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Brian isn't sexist--he just likes making funny comments.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

haha

[brifkius]

wow he sang 0:51-0:56 100% clean! Also the crowd is great. I think its better then first night [ in my opinion ]

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I can't believe that the 2nd night is kicking the 1st night's ass! LOL

[sephiroth34567890]

Yet another amazing Magic Tour version, I think in terms of phrasing I like this one better then the 1st night, esp the way he sings from 0:51 to 0;56 and the way he drops the note on "all away"...I think this is probably joint 2nd best version with Cologne because both versions are near identical...with maybe this one just ahead.

Indeed if Freddie hadn't got the Bb4s in the 2nd verse, I'd have gone for this as the best.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

I'd give this one a slight edge over Cologne--Freddie's voice sounds a bit more fresh here.

As for phrasing, this version is better than the 1st night--while at the first night, he nails Bb4s and a C5 in both verses! lol