Classical Composer Reacts to A Winter's Tale (Queen) | The Daily Doug (Episode 303) 

The high level of Freddie's singing, even at his final days, always moves me. I always repeat to myself, "this man was dying, and he sang his balls off because he loved to make music". I miss Freddie like an old friend. I still cry out of missing him, such a beautiful human being that he was. Brian May once said in an interview that he never, ever heard Freddie complain or be miserable about his disease or his inevitable fate. "I want to make music until I fucking drop dead", Brian quoted Freddie.

A dying man singing about how beautiful the world he sees is... never ceases to amaze me, how much Courage and love he had to the end. Singing, making music kept him alive, literally: when he bacame top weak to sing, he stopped all medication except for the pain. By this point, he had lost part of a foot, could barely walk or stand for longer Intervalls, he kept singing, urging the Band to give him anything. The last Song he sang is "Mother love". Brian had to finish it, because he died before he could do the last Verse. That whole Album is a Gift and a labour of love by the other Band members for their dead friend, collecting and refining what they could from those last months in Montreux, when they had worked whenever Freddie fehlt up to it, but had almost nothing finished when he had to leave. Not as good as Innuendo, nur still one of their best albums.

Mother Love is another off this album to check out. He died while they were working on it and Brian sung the last verse.

You need to do "Mother Love", which is the last song Freddie ever recorded vocals for. He was never able to finish the song, so Brian May sings the last verse. It's a very dark, depressing song, but would be worth doing a reaction for. The vocals on it are incredible despite Freddie's very frail health at the time.

He is incredible.Sadly missed as no one can ever match his talents. Spectacular...do not ever forget him.

I'm a massive Queen fan, and this song is on my Christmas playlist every year. May not be an outright Christmas song but it always gives me that feeling. Would be great to hear you react to more from Made In Heaven.

Always tragic to think of all the amazing music the world missed out on with the passing of this genius. RIP Freddie, greatest singer and song writer of all time.

Queen is my favorite band in terms of musical feeling as they are tied to my childhood and to the untimely death of my mother. This album is a huge milestone for me as Freddie dies in 91 and my mother in 92 (also November). I remember very well getting this from the store and listening on repeat over and over, and over again. This is one of the songs that brings me to tears easily and one of the ways for me to feel closer to my dead mother as I have no memories of her. Another track from this album that I am deeply connected to and recommend for you to listen to is «Mother Love», as it was recorded during Freddie's last days, with him barely standing, downing whisky to try to channel his voice and endure the pain of his illness. Freddie died without being able to record all of it and had to be finished by Brian May (you can notice the sorrow in his voice as he sings). Thank you for your channel Doug, really enjoy your chill attitude and great musical taste (and of course knowledge). Wish you a great year from Portugal.

I know nothing about the technicalities, but I do know that this is a magical song, beautifully performed, and I love it.

Freddie was not at the hospital when he wrote the song, but in his appartment in Montreux...he was describing what he was seeing from the window or balcony of the appartment...and yes, it's Freddie's handwriting 😉

I love this brother! Thank you so much!

There is a song on the Made In Heaven album called You Don’t Fool Me, which David Richards Queen’s studio engineer put together, when Freddie could get in the studio he would record as little or as much as he could David pieced together this song from snippets of songs & riffs like a jigsaw puzzle the others then added their instrumentation I love it maybe you could do a reaction to it see what you think x

You know, most RU-vidrs only talk about the most popular songs. And here, not only one of the lesser known songs but probably one of the least known. I've been a Queen fan since the age of 6 and I don't think I discovered this song for myself until about 20 years later. And it's been my favorite ever since. It's so stunningly lovely - appreciating the little things in life.

Wonderful. I absolutely love this album, it FEELS like heaven. Please do "The Millionaire Waltz" next, you will not regret it!

This song is pure magic…

One of may favorite albums. Freddie near his death bed....still outperforms any contemporary artist in their prime....of any generation.

A Winter's Tale is beautiful, but Mother Love is the standout track on that album for me, just because of the context in which it was recorded. It was the last thing Freddie ever recorded, and he got half way through and then said "I'm sorry, I can't do any more today, I'll have to come back later and finish it." which of course he never did. So Brian and Roger finished it for him, posthumously. The title of 'Mother Love' is significant, as they always said that being in Queen was "like coming home to Mother." It was really important to Freddie to keep working, so the others had as much they could use as possible, and he did so up until about 6 weeks before he died. I'm glad it exists, but I find it a really tough album to listen to for that reason.

It's tragic to think that in an interview he did he actually said he knew that he wouldn't reach old age, that he wouldn't live to be an old man😪😔 We lost a truly remarkable man, a true musical genius of which we all know we shall never ever see again.

Doug, thank you. No wonder this sounds so magical: it's all over the key map so it never stays in one place. Next? PLEASE go back to Innuendo for the song "Bijou". It'll blow your mind!!! And it might bring a tear to your eye, too. Who knows?

I think you would love to analyze "The milionnaire waltz" by Queen. One of the most intricate and beautiful compositions by Freddie. It's genius. Obviously, I'd love to hear you doing it. 🙏🙏 Thanks for your work. It's fantastic!

I have always loved this song. a beautiful song with a beautiful guitar solo. Tq for reacting to this. Happy New Year.

A miracle to hear his music.

Great reaction to a beautiful song. When talking of a beautiful song. Have you already heard White Queen (live from the Hammersmith Odeon)?

I just stumbled across this beautiful song a few weeks ago & played it over & over. Saw Queen live in 1975 & 77. One of the best live bands ever.

I think I had something in my eye for every track on this album when it came out.

i used to play this song so many times, daily, when it came out. whole album is amazing, more so knowing Freddie was so ill. that voice tho, incredible.

Os solos de guitarrra de Mr. Brian May são de um sentimento incrivel !! Congratulation from Brasil !!

He was never in the hospital. He was in his apt in Montreau and their studio. He wrote what he saw from his penthouse window.

You should do 39' or LAZING ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Not sure this was composed from a hospital bed in Montreux but rather from his home there. But grateful indeed that Queen gathered his bits and pieces and heard how it would be crafted. Other songs from past recordings were also assembled to do service to their frontman, say their goodbyes...a way of working through grief. It was not done hastily...but with care and love.

I remember waitng for Made in Heaven to come out as a college freshman, and getting it as soon as it showed up at my local record store, birthday gift to self. Don't recall exactly what I was expecting, other than it would be the very last Queen record, but I do remember that gut-wrenching feeling on pretty much every song, brought on by the knowledge this was practically Freddie's dying breath... and that there would be no more. Gave all those great songs the extra impact - Let Me Live and Too Much Love were the standouts for me, but this song is a beauty as well...

You also need to listen to "Mother Love." Very emotional. Brian had to sing the last verse because Freddie was too sick to finish the track. Near the end, you hear what sounds like a tape reel fast-forwarding. Supposedly, that's a micro-second of every Queen song passing by in the blink of an eye.

Thanks Doug, i was fortunate enough to see Queen in 1986 at Wembley and this is the best album by Queen musically, There is also a great song that you would like called "Mother Love" also a band called Extreme who were very similar but later in 1992, a long song you could review is on the third album 3 sides to every story - the 3rd side on the album is a 23 minute masterpiece that has so many movements in the song that it goes in every direction imaginable, thanks for the review of Queen!!!!!

this album is amazing... for me it's the height of Queen's technique... you could react the whole album... it would be really cool

Doug - yes, Mother Love is an extraordinary song. But seriously, you need to do Innuendo - an amazingly powerful and meaningful track, with the brilliant interlude by Steve Howe of Yes fame. Most worthy of your time and evaluation ☺

I don't know how to read or write music but I'm listening to what you have to tell us and I'm learning little by little. The good teacher also learn by teaching.

I loved this, thank you. It's definitely in my top five of Freddie Mercury songs. And it was also suggested by me in YT comments just a few weeks ago when asking about Christmas tracks, but not to worry, it was great to have the analysis and appreciation of the song. And yes, the rest of the album is also worth a good listen. Incidentally, this song is also included on the "Deep Cuts 3" compilation (a series I like for its reach away from some of the mainstream Queen songs).

The E to C#m to what you call "D# diminished" sounds like a B chord (The V chord in E) with D# in the bass to me? But instead of going back to the "tonic" E, they just "jump" up a minor third from D# to the F# -- or alternately treat the B as the IV of F#? Kind of brilliant regardless. Nice analysis on how they move from F# to "settling home" into E. Good observation. I've enjoyed your channel greatly after discovering it about a month ago due to my being a "progrock" fan. Got to love the youtube suggested vids vortex. :-) How about Queen's song "Innuendo" next? The middle section with Steve Howe (of Yes) on guitar (and the whole song) is epic.

Hello from Greece

You really have to visit Montreux one day Doug. They still the control room from the studios inside the casino. They have a mock up recording console where you can "remix" some of the songs from Made In Heaven. Listening to Freddies vocals on their own in the very place he sang his very last songs is really something very moving.

Man sang better on his deathbed than some people do these days in the best of health. Simply astonishing to me. My favorite on the album is "Heaven For Everyone," but it's not necessarily the best; it just speaks to me. The best, IMO, is probably "You Don't Fool Me."

Yes! That is Freddie’s handwriting 😀

I'm a huge Freddie/Queen nerd and I believe this is a particular case, meaning that this was literally the last song Freddie wrote and soonly after recorded, (but not the last one he recorded, that being "Mother Love") because most of all other songs contained in Made In Heaven were in one form or another already written, demoed or recorded but didn't make the cut of their last few albums, so this album was pieced together from these thematically fitting songs that they had been working on, technically speaking this is more of a compilation or pastiche of sorts, containing some of Freddie's last work, a posthumous project/tribute to his memory, while the final album that Queen worked on as a band was Innuendo, in which Freddie passed during production, in fact, some of the unfinished material from the Innuendo sessions ended up going to Made In Heaven. It's widely know that Freddie said in his last years that he wanted to work, create and record as much as he could and was possible for him because he knew he didn't have much time, so a lot of the last days material is in part unfinished and lots of it haven't even being unveiled to this day. Hopefully we'll have more of that sooner or later. Also, I believe Freddie wrote this song while at his home in Montreux, (I'll have to check that) where Queen had their Mountain View studios (which they bought a few years earlier) and where Freddie spent some of his last days certain seasons. In retrospect Made In Heaven may not be a project Freddie intended/planned for him nor for the band to partake in but it is a worthy beautiful homage to Freddie, full of beautiful passages, insightful lyrics and touching songs. Just a comment to add to what has been said. Great video as always Doug!

It is indeed his handwriting.

Brilliant. Thank you, Doug

I've never heard that before and I generally don't care for Queen's post-70's work, but this was just gorgeous and moving.

He wasn’t in the hospital - he was in his home in Montreux - quite ill. He went back to England shortly after to die.

Released this morning, "Queen the Greatest Episode 41" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_urF6sJcmGk.html, a short recap about making the album with Roger and Brian.

Such a great album!

Talking about winter, Doug, can you do In A Winter's dream (both parts together) by Symphony X? I realize that the keyboard/orchestral sounds from them sound outdated but it's a really beautiful and interesting (musically speaking) track. Keep it on, I love your channel!

I wish Freddie had lived to see today but the music on _Innuendo_ and _Made In Heaven_ are maybe the best music Queen ever released. And if Freddie wasn't dying, these song wouldn't exist.

You need to do "Too much love will kill you". Wonderful

😎🎸 🎤😎🎤 😎🥁🎤😎🎸🎤

Anything from the Highlander soundtrack would be good too.

It's not quite their final studio album, as Brian and Roger released an album called The Cosmos Rocks with Paul Rodgers on vocals in 2008 🤷‍♂

The lyrics throughout the Made in Heaven album are just so poignant, Freddie did an amazing job of maintaining the quality of his delivery throughout his final years.

Freddie was singing and playing on the piano and it was recorded in the studio in one take. Later they've added other instruments. PS This is Freddie's handwriting.

Hey Doug…love your channel but I have a theory question. I don’t doubt your ear at all but I don’t understand how an Adim resolves to F# since the chord contains F#. If you know what I mean all rules say it should go to a G (or a Bb, C# or F) which is a half step up. Is there a music theory reason why this works? I ask because I wrote a piece that does pretty much the same thing going from an Abdim to Ab major and it sounds like it totally belongs and I really couldn’t do anything else at that spot but I can’t wrap my head around WHY and HOW this works. Thanks again for the great musical insights and keep up the great work!

Such a poignant song ( for obvious reasons) one of Queens masterpieces

Doug, Watching your reaction to this recording was classic. Yeah, this album didn't come with a great deal of support from their label and, obviously, there was no tour to support the album. Unfortunately, this LP was not all on the level of this particular song. Freddie was a one-off, I'm glad I saw Queen back in the day!

Hi Doug, love your Friday epics in particular, please check out a beautiful festive song by Lindisfarne called 'Winter Song'

Please doug do a review of face it alone

Awesome stuff, I think you should check out Paul Gilbert or RacerX stuff

Are you still taking requests for your wacky Wednesday selections?

Anyone know what make/model Doug's new headphones are?

Hi

That's awesome Doug, but please I think it's time for you to listen to Dream Theater-In The Presence of Enemies Part 1&2 Full Parts.. You will not regret it..

Freddie Mercury was a great singer not just a vocalist.

Please react to a mexican band of regional music, they call "el gran silencio" and their song "dormir soñando"

Beautiful Queen song. Would you react to te song Psychopomp by The Tea Party ...thanks

I don't literally know how to thank you for bringing this, Doug. This track is a bloody tattoo in every Freddie's fan heart. Thank you, thank you so much.

Endless appreciation for the surviving Queen members for finishing Freddie's last songs. RIP Freddie ...

Mother Love is the song I cherish most on this album. Those chilling final vocals from Freddie haunts me from time to time, and what a performance it was! At this time he was so sick that he never sang the final verse, Brian had to sing it. I highly recommend it, hauntingly beautiful.

Although it's been said that Freddie was in-hospital in Montreaux (which he may have still been going to hospital for early morning treatments like he had been in London, IDK)... The viewpoint of the song is actually from a cozy little waterfront house on the shore of Lake Geneva where Freddie was staying during this time... Freddie called it "The Duck House". It's shown in silhouette a few times during the video, along w Freddie's statue which also stands overlooking the water in Montreaux. The Made In Heaven album is actually my FAVORITE... I feel like everything Freddie is "saying" to us, is of importance, since he knew these were his last words to his listeners.💕

Even though his voice is a bit thinner, more with a raspy sound, he still manages to make the vocals sound so good. During the typical Queen choir parts, I think I only hear Brian and Roger, so that must have been recorded after Freddie had passed away. Such a beautiful song.

Freddy was a brilliant artist, and we were all very lucky to have witnessed him performing in our lifetimes.

Freddie said to the boys, let's make songs until I keel over. Fuck this, let us just keep making songs! He didn't lie. He gave it ALL for music and his brothers in arms.

The story of my life. Listen a Queen song and say "listen one more time". I cant stop listening Queen.

“It’s bliss.” Just wonderful. (yes it’s his handwriting. )

"I won't be a rockstar; I will be a legend." - Freddie Mercury And who will say he was wrong?

Watching your reactions to the key changes and transitions is delightful! You truly recognize and understand what a fantastic musician he was, not just a flamboyant performer.

Great reaction to a beautiful song. To think that Freddie could still appreciate such great beauty so close to end and write this song is such a gift.

Also, the song “Time” which Freddie sings during a musical narrated by Laurence Olivier, produced by Dave Clark. On the anniversary of Freddie’s death a few years ago Dave Clark, stripped the song of the backing vocals, choir, etc. and it’s just Freddie. Time Waits for no one.

In the long distant future some old man will be asked…You were alive and saw Freddie Mercury perform live!!? Like the great composers his work will outlive us all… thanks Freddie…

IMHO this song contains the most haunting solo Brian ever composed and played.

Doug please react to Exercises in free love or Guide me home. U Will not believe what Freddie could do with his voice!,,

I've been waiting for you to review White Queen at Hammersmith from 1975. I would love to get your take on it. It's hard to believe it's live.

Mother Love still gives me goosebumps

Those are Freddie's written lyrics, they are displayed at the Queen museum near Lake Genevre in Montreaux, this song is exactly how it is there, fabulous and emotional place with Freddie's statue looking over the lake.

I'm a lifelong Queen fan, and probably older than you Doug. Quite frankly what you've been saying makes my head spin- in the nicest possible way! I have no musical training or knowledge so you may as well be talking in Japanese- but it's not WHAT you say that I find so engrossing, but the way you say it; with warmth, enthusiasm and honesty- and that's truly compelling. Deepest thanks.

I’m not sure Freddie ever wrote a song without a key change…(I’m sure there must be a few). This album was stunning, comprised of a couple of older recordings reworked, and new material finished by the band after his death. As soon as they finished Innuendo, he sang what he had, but also told the band to give him everything they had so he could sing them before he was gone. It took the band a while before they were able to handle going back to the studio, and then they had to piece together what they had. The last three albums (The Miracle, Innuendo, and Made in Heaven) have some of Freddie’s, and the band’s, best.

Immortal hero, if there ever was one in the music worid.

Love this song and appreciate your intelligent and emotional reaction. Yes, that is Freddie's handwriting. He was a brilliant musician, performer, singer, and person. 💖👑

This was the last song Freddie wrote - inspired from the view from his flat in Montreux. ( he was in London in his last days - at his home in Garden Lodge

If you want hear something very interesting, listen to Freddie Mercury's Rachmaninoff Revenge. It's not Queen, it's just Freddie. Fantastic. Great reaction ☺️

Possibly the greatest rock voice of all time.

The night Freddie died, i had a dream: i was knocking the door of his house. He opened the door and he said: you are too late, I am already dead, but you will see me again. Woke up and cried and shocked my husband: he had heard the message of Freddies death on the radio. So i am pretty sure he's still alive.....

I hadn't heard this album or song(s)?before either.glad to have heard it!

PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH ME BUT THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM OF QUEEN FINAL TESTIMONY OF FREDDIE AND INCREDIBLE PIECE OF ART

Bliss indeed. It is such a beautiful song. Freddie giving his best until the very end. The entire album is pretty wonderful. At the end, following 'It's a Beautiful Day (reprise)', keep playing. There is about 10 minutes of quiet, ambient music from Brian, John, and Roger. It's really different, and made me think they wanted the music to continue on for as long as possible before it was finally over. I know I didn't want it to end. What a beautiful album.