In a recent interview, famed Queen guitarist Brian May shared behind-the-scenes insights on the recently released song “Face it Alone”, which was recorded in the late 1980s, during the making of the band Queen’s 13th studio album, The Miracle.

“The crowning glory is, of course, Freddie’s voice,” he told the outlet. total guitar. “This is amazing. You hear that quality in his voice. You hear the passion in his voice. Y not afraid. The way he bends some of those notes is just beautiful.”

May also acknowledged that the song is extraordinary, with a moving backdrop, as it was recorded around the time Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with HIV. and remember, “We are dealing with Freddie’s failing health and supporting him together.”

Despite everything that happened and his deteriorating physical condition, it was the singer who took the lead during the recording. “There is always one of us in charge. He would compose the lyrics and walk us through the incredible material. And while we were working on it, we were really excited about it.”

During the record he explains that this is a set pieces to which all four band members contributed: Freddie, Brian, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon. “It is rare to find a fragment that encapsulates the four working together”he commented. “But John was there, actually living with Freddie. And Roger was there with his weird percussive atmosphere.”

“One of the discussions we had, and one of the reasons we wanted to release it, was because it was all original,” he said. “We improved it a little bit and I thought, yeah, I know, if we work a little more it will change. It could be a six minute epic. But I really like it the way it is. It’s very original. talk about time”.

On the other hand, the guitarist revealed that in his guitar solo “You can hear that I play this solo basically as a way of going from the first verse to the second verse. It was like, “This is how I feel right now, we might work on it later, but who knows what could happen.” So solo was happening a bit at that point. I tried to voice over Freddie to spread the vibe and message of the song. It’s something very real”.

In the notes May explains that his lead guitar break on Bohemian Rhapsody, voted the greatest solo of all time by TG readers in 2021, up to nine bars. Within seven bars, his solo in Face It Alone again eschews the traditional four/eight bar structure.

“He wasn’t aware like that. It’s not a matter of counting. But this is a way of consciously building something, so you leave the space open for sound to take over again. So aware in an unconscious way I think. It’s how we make songs, so there’s room to develop ideas and then move on.”

However, he commented on the note that there were some details Brian wasn’t sure about.

First, the odd and bold arpeggios sound on this track. “Basic background sound? Well, I don’t remember exactly. So it’s either the keyboard or it’s converted to keyboard sound via the device, and I don’t really know. I understand what you’re saying. I have to go back and take a look!”

Second, Does he solo with a pick or fingerstyle? It felt very personal conveyed the way fingerstyle often does, but it also sounded like tinkling metal on the strings.

“You asked all the right questions and I don’t have all the right answers! I think it’s possible only with fingers. This is a pretty sensitive part. Of course, with your finger you can flick it around, so it still has a kind of metallic edge, but it’s more pronounced. So I think it was done with the first finger.”

In reference to the 1975 Bohemian Rhapsody evolution video, he says, “As seen in the Rhapsody video, it is very short. Sometimes it makes me smile, because I didn’t realize I was doing it a long time ago. He hits with his right hand instead of tearing.”

total guitar he recalled that Miracle was the first Queen album where, as an expression of unity, the writing credits for all the songs were attributed to the group as a whole. But as Brian says now, “there was always one of us running the group.” And with face it alone it is Freddie. “He came up with the lyrics and walked us through this beautiful material. And while we were working on it, we were really excited.”

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