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covering *gasp* Bohemian Rhapsody...

powderfinger

powderfinger

Feb 24, 2009
791
53
#1
So, everyone knows the old "rules".... you can't cover Stairway To Heaven, Freebird, et al onstage. I've always thought growing up that was a silly "rule"... I mean, play what you want, and what sounds good, right? And heck, that's the old generation's rule anyhow....

I began jamming with a new group last weekend. They want to cover Bohemian Rhapsody.... they got this "hot idea" after I played part of it in practice as a joke to lighten the mood. I am on keys in this group. So the bassist was all about it. So I kinda showed him the root notes of the chords I was playing. He and the drummer joined in (the guitarist was outside smoking). I sang it (which I can actually pull off "ok"... I was trained in performance choir back in the day).

So the dilema? They REALLY wanna pull it off and do it. I am not opposed to trying but I want everyone's thoughts on trying something like this? Im most concerned about the middle section (the operatic part). Queen didnt even do this live onstage. Im thinking it MIGHT could work as an audience participation thing, which I think would be fun for an audience honestly.

Im wondering what others think about this? Tips? Suggestions? Words of caution? lol
 
#5
Ha. The only time Ive ever heard this rule broken was when a 3 piece redneck band near Greenville covered Freebird. They too should have not played that song. I think Freebird needs like 6 guitars... they had 1. It sounded quite hollow. And crappy.
 
#6
If you have a guy who can sing the "... For MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" line at the end of the opera section then go for it. I dunno how much crowd participation youde have on a song like this though.
 
#10
MatticusMania said:
Ive seen Freebird covered really well.
Click to expand...

I could see Freebird being pulled off well. Just not necesarily by a 3 piece... namely, the turkeys I saw butchering it that time.

Also, Ive never seen Pink Floyd pulled off well either. Ive seen wretched versions of Comfortably Numb from time to time. I did see a band do a decent version of Young Lust once, but any other attempt at Floyd usually ends badly.
 
#12
bassistjoe93 said:
If you have a guy who can sing the "... For MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" line at the end of the opera section then go for it. I dunno how much crowd participation youde have on a song like this though.
Click to expand...

I guarantee the ladies would be singing along with the "Mama, oooOOOooooOOOOOO" part. If not, it means they don't know the song and you might as well segue into some Nicki Minaj song.
 
#13
powderfinger said:
I could see Freebird being pulled off well. Just not necesarily by a 3 piece... namely, the turkeys I saw butchering it that time.

Also, Ive never seen Pink Floyd pulled off well either. Ive seen wretched versions of Comfortably Numb from time to time. I did see a band do a decent version of Young Lust once, but any other attempt at Floyd usually ends badly.
Click to expand...

You can get by with two guitars on Freebird, but you have to actually be good and KNOW THE SONG. I've done it a few times. Floyd isn't that hard to get right, but you have to pick the right song for your band.
 
#14
powderfinger said:
I could see Freebird being pulled off well. Just not necesarily by a 3 piece... namely, the turkeys I saw butchering it that time.

Also, Ive never seen Pink Floyd pulled off well either. Ive seen wretched versions of Comfortably Numb from time to time. I did see a band do a decent version of Young Lust once, but any other attempt at Floyd usually ends badly.
Click to expand...

Id agree, you need more than a 3piece to pull off Freebird.
As for Floyd, our band has done Comfortably Numb and Happiest Days of Our Lives/Another Brick in the Wall really well. Theyre really not hard songs to pull off.
 
#16
My sister's ex-husband's band was doing a killer version of Bohemian Rhapsody back when it was a current song. I've seen a few other bands try it but none came close to how well they did it.

However, I watched the video of Yellow Brick Road's version and thought it was outstanding. I watched some of their other videos and all of them were as good as their Bo Rap. Really impressive stuff, and their singer is a vocal chameleon.

EDIT - And, as long as you still have a pulse (get it? Pulse? That's a Pink Floyd joke! :D), the singer they got to help out on their version of Great Gig In The Sky will give you chills, and probably something else too!
:hiding:
 
#17
dave64o said:
My sister's ex-husband's band was doing a killer version of Bohemian Rhapsody back when it was a current song. I've seen a few other bands try it but none came close to how well they did it.

However, I watched the video of Yellow Brick Road's version and thought it was outstanding. I watched some of their other videos and all of them were as good as their Bo Rap. Really impressive stuff, and their singer is a vocal chameleon.

EDIT - And, as long as you still have a pulse (get it? Pulse? That's a Pink Floyd joke! :D), the singer they got to help out on their version of Great Gig In The Sky will give you chills, and probably something else too!
:hiding:
Click to expand...

brody is an animal when it comes to mimic'ing voices, the whole band is a tight outfit and they really toil over theyre set during rehersals, they actually at one time did the entire "dark side of the moon" album and i was quite impressed.
 
#19
powderfinger said:
So, everyone knows the old "rules".... you can't cover Stairway To Heaven, Freebird, et al onstage. I've always thought growing up that was a silly "rule"... I mean, play what you want, and what sounds good, right? And heck, that's the old generation's rule anyhow....
Click to expand...
Based on the cover bands I've seen, this "rule" sure isn't widely followed.:confused: I wish it was...
 

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