14. Spread Your Wings (Queen-Live In Newcastle: 12/4/1979) (Remaster)

As if one Newcastle upload wasn't enough, I am going to upload the remastered version of the SECOND Newcastle concert on the Crazy Tour! For this upload, I corrected the pitch/speed, and did some minor EQing work (brought out the mids slightly, and eliminated the tape hiss). Like the first Newcastle show, I will leave up the original upload from a couple years back (to compare the quality--and to show how bad the original description was). This recording has pretty decent quality and is 99% complete (there's a cut on "Love Of My Life").
This legendary concert has been cited numerous times as being either the "best Queen show ever" and/or "Freddie's best show." It also has been ranked highly on various polls and videos all across the internet. The overall performances on this show do suggest that those possibilities are likely! Do you guys think it's the #1 Queen show (either overall, or for Freddie)?
Freddie's voice starts off in superb shape (up to "Save Me"). After "Save Me" is played, his voice actually blossoms up to another level: "Amazing." By this point in the show, Freddie's voice is well-oiled, and he sings nearly every song at "studio-level" (in some cases he eclipses the studio renditions). This show has many performances that rank high on "Freddie's best live vocals" list! Now it's time to describe the performances...
"Jailhouse Rock" is an awesome rendition (with Freddie embellishing random high notes that touch as high as C#5), the fast "We Will Rock You" has Freddie switching the lyrics around, but he makes up for that by throwing in some more high notes (B4s and a C5), "Let Me Entertain You" is a great version--but is surprisingly not the best version (the 1st Newcastle and Hammersmith are better), "Somebody To Love" ranks extremely high--with Freddie sounding awesome and nailing those high notes, "Mustapha" is an elite version, "Death On Two Legs" sounds great, "Killer Queen" is a solid version (with NOTW and pre-Game Tour phrasing) but there's better versions out there, "I'm In Love With My Car" is great, "Get Down Make Love" is a great version, "You're My Best Friend" sounds nice, and "Save Me" is brilliant (although the 1st Newcastle night is better)!
Now, this is where the show really starts to explode: The version of "Now I'm Here" from this show is absolutely amazing (plus the improv section is superb)! "Don't Stop Me Now" is great--but is slightly overshadowed by the 1st Newcastle and Hammersmith renditions (the guitar solo is better and Freddie sings it slightly better), "Spread Your Wings" is breathtaking and is one of Freddie's all-time best live performances, "Love Of My Life" is cut--but what we have is excellent, "'39" is thunderous (both Newcastle versions tie for the best version), "Keep Yourself Alive" shows off Freddie's awesome vibrato and is possibly the best version of the song, "Liar" is so epic--that it'll make grown men cry (this smashes the studio version), "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is one of the best pre-1982 versions (before they added the external keyboard player) and is possibly the best Crazy Tour version, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the best version ever (Freddie nails the C5 in the rock section, hits the "Carry On" Bb4, and generally sounds beastly), "Tie Your Mother Down" has Freddie bungling the first couple lines--but otherwise sounds great, "Sheer Heart Attack" is beastly, "We Will Rock You" is another fantastic rendition, and "We Are The Champions" is very strong!
ENJOY!!!
Note: I lost track at how many high notes (B4 and higher) Freddie hits on this recording!
Note 2: The "Bohemian Rhapsody" performance is only one of two (known) times where Freddie hits the C5 on the rock section.
Note 3: "Now I'm Here," "Spread Your Wings," "'39," "Keep Yourself Alive," "Liar," and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are sometimes brought up as being Freddie's best live performances!
Note 4: Compare this show with the first Newcastle show (which one is better?)!!!
Note 5: Here's a thought: As great as this show is, imagine if there's ANOTHER Crazy Tour show that rivals this one or beats this! We only have four recordings from this tour. Maybe there's shows that will totally knock us on our backs (when comparing them to the Newcastle shows)!

[@karenhokanson6107]

The audience participation must have made John's heart sing! What a great song, performed to the max by the best band ever!!

[@jalisco1102]

John's work of art, one of the best songs _ever_ composed...to say it's underrated is an understatement. *Freddie performs it to perfection*

[@giovannigobbi4832]

It's a fricking single, how is it underrated?

[@mrfarenheit26]

@@giovannigobbi4832 it was overlooked by WWRY and WATC as they were the biggies. Also wasn’t released in America as a single. If you think about how globally well known WATC and WWRY are compared to Spread Your Wings then you can see. I agree with what you say that it was a single but it didnt really do much in the charts for Queen standards.

[@giovannigobbi4832]

@@mrfarenheit26 Didn't do much? Not being liked by everyone doesn't mean it's an underrated singles. Even amongst the fanbase it's always loved. Think about Jealousy instead, even being a single it is underrated (you are right about singles not necessarily being hits, but I'd say SYW was one of the most known songs), while Spread Your Wings had the chance to shine

[@shahaffiq5860]

According to Wikipedia: "Spread Your Wings" was not released as a single in North America. However, the live version from Live Killers was featured as the B-side to Queen's 1979 hit, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

[@JLaRoc7]

The crowd is just awesome.

[@Imgonzaloyes]

RockNRoll Star so much love

[@erdave2309]

I don't know what to say... This version is just superb... oh God I'm literally in tears for the emotion that this version gave to me... wow. Just wow.

[@rohanr.9714]

4:49 WOW!

[@ahaaaihittop7515]

What a beautiful song from a beautiful band.What a voice from the greatest singer ever.I love you Freddie Mercury

[@mjp96]

written by John Deacon, who also wrote Another One Bites the Dust, and Under Pressure. A true super group.

[@darkotonkic9980]

off courseee

[@darkotonkic9980]

for sure

[@KevinRandomRecordsKRREC]

Michael Pordan he didn’t write under pressure

[@spyonhead]

@@mjp96 He didn't actually write UP, he composed the bass line.

[@imgoodatmoaning9561]

Love the intro in this performance. The piano and guitar sound sublime.

[@hugool240]

2:16

[@rickysld]

3:02 Very powerful

[@hammy_1979]

3:28 B4 I was moved...

[@Dirtcowboy95]

This piano intro is just awesome!

[@imgoodatmoaning9561]

I agree.

[@doorreviewer7902]

reminds me of the piano intros of death on 2 legs and in the lap of the gods revisited...

[@janetkamal1421]

Yes it was the best Queen gig I ever saw, I was only 14! I also was at the previous night’s performance, Live Aid and Friday night Wembley 86, saw them also on Hot Space & a few gigs on The Works tour.

[@lightningj8954]

You're so lucky! Do you have any recordings or photos from those shows?

[@janetkamal1421]

@@lightningj8954 no recording but I do have photos from the Newcastle gigs, and one of the Wembley Arena performances in 1985 The Works tour.

[@milesfernando]

@@janetkamal1421 That's awesome, do you still have them?

[@srirahulpremkumar1600]

@@janetkamal1421were queen as big as led zeppelin, pink flyod in the uk during the 70s and 80s??

[@smokkus]

In this version Brian plays fantastic guitar solo with virtuoso feeling and tone.

[@TOADS_127]

Bro if I was there I would have been singing my lungs out

[@janetkamal1421]

I did, and I also had tinnitus after the gig 😂

[@spider-man120]

Despite Brian shitting the bed for most of show, he is absolutely amazing here, and of course Freddie is at his all time best

[@m1co294]

2:25 "wishin' he was many MIIIIIILES and MIIILES and miles awAaAaAy"

[@dugl]

awAaAaAayyyyyy

[@RingoMonsanto]

The crowd singing along with the song throughout the duration.. was just awesome.

[@yetz2291]

One underappreciated thing about this tour(I think) was the affect that the more intimate venues had on the show. This gig and Liverpool have fantastic atmospheres.

[@DarthInsomnis]

Is the audience an instrument? Freddie: you better believe it darling

[@じゅん-p1b]

3:12 "now listen boii" I fucking love that 🤣🤣

[@JJ-om1qm]

Lmfao

[@James-fx8eb]

This show was something else!

[@marriusmal]

What a fantastic version. What a pity he sings It like this once in a lifetime...

[@marriusmal]

But that's what makes his best performances so special. If he sang l always ike this it wouldn't just be the same.

[@ariesmercurio1869]

A live version with the high notes!!

[@stevennace6319]

The crowd is amazing

[@James-fx8eb]

I cry every time.

[@joaofernandes9614]

Melhor versão dessa música.

[@neiltaylor1524]

Just so so wonderful ...❤ thanks for posting

[@hugool240]

Imagine Freddie singing this in Fukuoka 5/1! That version could be the best.

[@SimonChristensen]

LOTS of high notes :D

[@BobHarley]

4:48

[@smokkus]

Masterpiece. Great performance. Is this song a good example of his fantastic vibrato?

[@thiagoromero6816]

Si

[@James-fx8eb]

Dang the notes in this, so, wonderful!!!!!!!

[@bettybaby63]

Dear god, finally delving into this. Holy eargasim Batman.why oh why wasn’t it filmed?

[@giovannigobbi4832]

So you could just listen at it

[@janetkamal1421]

There is some of it on KZbin now! Or it might be the previous nights performance.

[@amoe2021]

OMG!!♥♥♥♥♥ Totally perfact!!!

[@jotamercury5182]

Fabulous, spetacular !!!!!

[@marielat9176]

Por dios, que hermoso público

[@toonman6382]

Remastered is such a strong word.

[@jks5256]

oh, tears.

[@bettybaby63]

Loving it & thoroughly enjoyed your review. 🥂

[@dpm103151]

This is great and a wonderful song by John. But my very favorite version of "Wings" is during the '79 tour on the Live Killers album where Freddie sings, "you know, you know, you know, you know, you know should do better." Also great audience participation! Love Queen, adore Freddie, listen to them every single day.

[@gi0seppe]

Maybe the best vocal performance of all time? L'intro e' fantastica, peccato per la qualita' non ottimale :(

[@MrSuperMarioKid]

gi0seppe this is definitely up there!

[@gi0seppe]

Best all time live performance?

[@iamjudy6518]

One of

[@iamjudy6518]

Top 5 best live performance of Mercury (IMO) 5 Somebody to love Newcastle 4 Radio gaga live aid 3 Hammer to fall live aid 2 Spread your wings newcastle 1 Glasgow Rhapspdy

[@ronaldreagan1068]

See what a fool I’ve Been Champions shoot 77

[@paulsimonhernandez1948]

Ju Diee Liar Newcastle is missing

[@iamjudy6518]

@@paulsimonhernandez1948 But it's not stuck in my top 5

[@Master356yt]

2:15 A4 2:26 B4

[@peepnox7747]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Andrew-pf7vl]

4:48 was a nice touch, did freddie ever do that in other shows?

[@dugl]

Rarely I think, and less expressive. this one is the brightest, loudest. I'm just melting hearing this vocal ornamentation, Freddie is legendary..

[@andrewhurst5935]

2:15 b4

[@daverossonero8592]

A4

[@ko4arughka]

Обожаю этот трек! С какого концерта?

[@EthanThompson-Murray]

4 декабря 1979 года (Ньюкасл).

[@vanos2194]

So what concert is actually the best? Newcastle or Hammersmith?

[@lucavespa1695]

Václav Mecner Not sure if you’re talking about this song or the concert in general, but it’s Newcastle either way

[@vanos2194]

@@lucavespa1695 Thanks, I was talking about the concert :D

[@ManUtdMrs]

Stafford Bingley hall 1977.

[@JohnnyLaps]

NC

[@dylanrinker6831]

Where's the comments

[@JourneyLiveCompilations]

It's not all gone. It's still here. Click on "newest comments" to see them.

[@JourneyLiveCompilations]

@@matiaseee8273 np

[@hejhopphejhejhaha]

This is crazy.

[@hugool240]

Yeah! it's The Crazy Tour!

[@shahaffiq5860]

It is the Crazy Tour

[@sugarvicted]

3:19

[@오서홍]

2:26 this vs hammy ??

[@iamjudy6518]

For me Hammy

[@SimonChristensen]

***** 1651997 How can this beat Copenhagen? Freddie hardly sings the choruses here haha

[@SimonChristensen]

BUT, he doesn't sing all of the intro, and the entire first chorus is sung by the audience alone.... :P

[@hejhopphejhejhaha]

***** Both are awesome.

[@1651997]

Amazing atmosphere and Freddie completely nails the song!

[@SimonChristensen]

1651997 Same thing at Copenhagen

[@1651997]

Simon Christensen I think he sings it better here and I love the audience participation!

[@수희-k8b]

¿En dónde fue este concierto? Las personas hablan español. Morí.

[@silvinagalde2348]

Live In Newcastle: 12/4/1979

[@thiagoromero6816]

En que parte hablan en español? xd

[@fluffypenguin888ramirez6]

Better than any magic tour concerts?

[@ImmortalSISU]

ARE YOU INSANE the magic tour concerts were their best and most iconic

[@fluffypenguin888ramirez6]

@@ImmortalSISU Lol I was just joking anyways hi how are you?

[@ImmortalSISU]

@@fluffypenguin888ramirez6 fucking hell you scared me man

[@fluffypenguin888ramirez6]

@@ImmortalSISU So how are you?

[@faultedsixsiege2676]

@@fluffypenguin888ramirez6 He is scared😂

[@jaimenava1931]

Definitely better than Adam Lambert.

[@MrSuperMarioKid]

Jaime Nava of course!

[@TOADS_127]

I saw a video where they performed this song and the crowd was dead asleep

[@RandomGuy-ct7ns]

True. Adam's voice is great but Freddie has something inside him that is very distinct, very powerful and energetic. I can't get enough.

[@HB-ow4yx]

obviously yes

[@barryallen7894]

Audience participation is the same in every song in every queen concert.you just heard it because freddie stopped singing

[@MilesAway]

The only thing I dont like about this performance is the wrong lyric by Freddie at 3:27 "You shouldve been sweeping" instead of "Why can't you be happy" Besides that, it's perfect.

[@KieranIsHome]

The only time he said the correct lyric was Zurich 1978, and he doesn't even sing it, it is speak sung.

[@MilesAway]

@@KieranIsHome THANK YOU ive been looking for ages

[@alfredoleonardovila139]

Why is this version better than Live Killers?

[@khiemvu8667]

Brian's solo is amazing and Freddie hits way more high notes here: 1:19, 2:13, 2:26, 3:02, 3:19, 3:28, 4:48.

[@Adam7600]

Live Killers is overdubbed

[@theguy6954]

Why did Freddie not hit the note at 1:28

[@KieranIsHome]

The second "sweeping" in the song is the only time he ever hit that note live. So it makes sense he didn't hit the first one.

[@juanvargaschavarria8772]

BAD VERSIÓN 🤮

[@silasaraujo2849]

you are crazy lol

[@m1co294]

We found the contrarian