Welcome back, music lovers. It’s Wednesday somewhere, yeah? I have another hectic week that is only half behind me So it goes anymore.
I promised some themed diaries. Last week featured ABBA (I hope an ABBA fan or two appreciated it). This week it is Queen. Reviews of the biopic (Bohemian Rhapsody) have been decidedly mixed. I have not had a chance to see it, or really any other films due to a lot of time constraints. Whatever the shortcomings of that film may be, the band itself was solid, especially at its peak.
Let me start with a hit from the early 1980s (which seems to be my go-to decade), featuring David Bowie:
The 1980s was unkind to a lot of progressive rock bands. Somehow Queen seemed to make the transition from the 1970s to the 1980s with their artistic integrity essentially intact. There was always a bit of creative curiosity among that lot, and that helped a good deal. Their later LPs didn’t always hit their marks, but it was obvious a lot of care went into whatever was on those later recordings. To this day, I urge caution to anyone who dares to cover a Queen song.
I loved hearing this song used in a pivotal scene in Shaun of the Dead. I would have been almost a teen when that song was released.
Here’s a cover by the band I’ll be posting in comments this week, Queen – Dont Stop Me Now (by Broken Peach)
Now, the band’s most popular video, “This is Halloween.”
That’s certainly appropriate for the holiday!
For tonight’s drink, I’m sharing Tipsy Bartender’s Cocktail Artist Mar-Gore-ita.
Step 4 was orginally step 5, which prompted me to be a bit silly in the comments.
Let’s see if Skyy John corrects it.
The bartender is taking requests.
Any recommendations for dia de lose muertos, or any other November themed drinks?
In 1980, you could not escape this song. Not that I would have wanted to.
And one from around the end of Freddie Mercury’s life:
This video seemed to do quite well back in 1984, as a homage to the radio era. I never thought of Queen as especially nostalgic, but this was one of those moments where they indulged a bit. MTV was already ruling the world by then (although that reign was short-lived).
Sticking with their later work for a bit longer. I am convinced that their later work was relatively underappreciated. It’s easy to post hits from the 1970s. That’s the Queen everyone seems to know, if they even remember the band. But this was the stuff that showed they could adapt and evolve.
I’ll end tonight with their set from Live Aid about 33 years ago.
This is one of the greatest live performances ever. Talk about commanding a stadium full of people! They blew away the world famous performers who took that stage before and after them.
For all who have commented and recommended these diaries. I made a decision when I started this series and tried to revive the foto flogs that I wanted to communicate something – perhaps a bit to subtly – compatible with a generally liberal worldview, and to offer a response of sorts to the decision to shut down the old Froggy Bottom Cafes. It is truly impossible to replace the original, and that was never the intent. Hopefully the message about community did get across.
Election season will be over soon, and I am hoping to go on another one of my walkabouts – for how long I do not yet know. I’m sure I’ll pick right back up when it seems right to return. Haven’t left yet of course. Nov. 6th still has not quite come and gone. In the meantime enjoy the tunes if nothing else.
I have made good faith efforts to follow the instructions which would allow me to post videos, to no avail. Maybe I’ll get there, but in the meantime if you could post this video, Don, I sure would appreciate it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfzXZZSot0
Deacon was a badass who people are appreciating more and more.
Never mind that other link- the audio malfunctioned on that one near the end. Please load this link instead, if you will:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DbNa5lUTo
Respect.
While I have y’all here:
There are some wonderful diaries and diary series. There are folks with expertise who are well worth reading, considering, and engaging. Neon Vincent is on a roll with his series of diaries on various documentaries – each of which tackles some current issue of critical importance. If you want to know what is going on with Brexit, Frank Schnittger is an invaluable resource. I think Massappeal has done some wonderful diaries on nonviolent action in the past. There are others who sometimes dive in because they realize they have a particular area they know a bit about. If you want to take your mind off politics, check out boran2’s weekly painting series. Witnessing the creative process unfold is itself educational.
There is a lot in the diaries section that is a bit click-baity. There are better uses of the diaries and better ways to spend one’s time. Maybe that’s just me. Anyway, something to think about.
Thanks for the good word. However, I was planning on taking a break from documentaries to return to winners of the other Grammy Awards before returning to the documentary winners. Do you think I should keep going with the documentary winners? I have a few posts of those stored up.
My thinking is follow your muse. If you have stuff readied up for Grammy Awards, go for it. You consistently post diaries that fit in with the vibe of this blog (well at least the vibe as intended). Give it a go. See what happens. Even while on a walkabout, I’ve been known to pop in every once in a while. I have no doubt you’ll make that worth doing so.
Just for fun: An organization I sponsor was doing a pumpkin carving this week. Queen featured prominently on the playlist, including a selection that was on the Shaun of the Dead soundtrack. Warms my heart.