Tater Thoughts

I had a rough day, so I thought I'd talk about something happy and encouraging. I've talked about this a lot , but it's never enough. If you're on social media, or online at all, you're engaging with people. When we stare at a screen,  and see or read something that bothers, offends or angers, it's so easy to be tempted to respond in a negative way. Maybe, sometimes, a harsh response is neces...

" Dragon Attack " is one of my favorites from Queen. Let's just get that out of the way. I love this creation from Brian. What began as a late-night/early-morning probably drunk jam session became this addicting, funky, and hot number. You can dance to this. It's packed with solos from not one or two, but three of our boys. And Freddie? His vocals are razor-sharp, gritty and dirty and in your face...

A lot of firsts happen in " Play the Game ", Freddie's opening number for The Game. The first song on Queen's first '80s album. The first Queen song with a proper synthesizer. The first time the guys open an album with a ballad! And what a stunning piano rock ballad it is. Freddie shines here, especially vocally. But Brian, Roger and John all have their glorious moments. Live , it's even more ench...

As we kick off the boys' 8th album The Game, we dive into the '80s, and for the first time the guys feature a synthesizer. Gone are the harder rock and elaborate melodies of yesteryear. The guys embraced funk, pop, a more stark and minimal production approach with a new engineer (Mack) and brought lots of attitude to this new sound, which affected their image across the board. And thanks to two so...

Recently, I saw something online that stunned me. You may think that's not a big deal, but what I saw was on a platform that's all about business and employment. It stunned me, yes. But it also made me think about the bigger picture, about culture and the importance of honesty when it comes to corporate identity. Moreover, it made me think about honesty in general, and embracing who and what you a...

I'm officially closing out Jazz before we dive into the '80s with Queen by announcing who stole my ears the most on the album. "Dead on Time". That's all it took to win me over. It's my favorite song on Queen's funnest album and one man's performance in this song steals all of my attention, and then some. And really, this same man just wows me all the more on this entire album.

It's ironic that Roger Taylor's " More of That Jazz " is the last track on Queen's album Jazz. But that's the point. Roger's experimental, progressive and distorted rock number is filled with guitars, syncopation and an amazing hook of a drum riff. His voice is crystal clear and gritty and aggressive as he performs lead and all backing harmonies. Brian appears briefly with a little extra guitar, b...

Freddie's poppin' rocker, " Don't Stop Me Now " just keeps getting bigger. With it's more simplistic song structure (though it does impress with its syncopation and phrasing), it didn't overly impress at first. But over the years, it's endured, and lives on all the more; topping many best of lists. Freddie's piano is incredible, and his bright lead vocal is perhaps one of his most loved. Brian, Ro...

In a rare move, Freddie sits one out, and Brian takes the lead on vocals in his own folk-like " Leaving Home Ain't Easy ". Brian also provides all backing vocals, with Roger and John holding down the low end on tight and light percussion and melodic bass. This song employs many seventh and diminished chords, creating a complex sound among the simple instrumental structure. And Brian takes his guit...

Do we remember how absolutely complete, amazing and wonderful everyone around us is? Not just those closest to us, but everyone? And what about you? When was the last time you thought about your worth? Maybe you haven't thought about it much lately, or ever. Maybe it's always been about trying to be something you're not. But you already are everything you need to be.

Take a fantastic rock 'n' roll drummer with an affinity for emerging trends of new wave, give him electric and bass guitar and what do you get? " Fun It ". This is Roger's first contribution to the Jazz album, and it's one of my favorites. Total funk and disco with an edgy rock twist, this is unique not just in Queen's catalog, but in similar songs of the time. Something about this stands out. Fre...

Brian's brilliant " Dreamer's Ball " takes us into a jazzy dream, with Freddie crooning soulful perfection. All acoustic and electrics from Brian, and he creates a brassy warmth. Surprisingly, no Roger on backing vocals here, but his brushed percussion sparkles as we trudge along that shuffle beat. John glides delicately up and down on glissandos. An early acoustic take is slower, heavy on the cym...

A jazzy and poppy dream, John's " In Only Seven Days " is a one-off in Queen's catalog that sees our bassist contributing on both acoustic and electric guitars. Brian sweeps in with orchestra-like swells. Roger's cymbals are soothing and sweet. And Freddie croons away while providing elegant and glittering piano. It was never performed live, but that makes it all the more special.

When you're facing a challenge, focus only on the challenge. Don't continue to carry everything you've ever faced. Don't dwell. What's done is done. And with the strength you've gained, you can clear the next hurdle(s), no matter how high or numerous. Cheers to a new year, cheers to you! Thank you for listening. I can't thank you all enough for geeking out with me. P.S. Failure does not equal fini...

Featuring a loud thunderclap, " Dead on Time " is Brian's number and kicks off side two of Jazz in perfectly furious form. Everything about this is buttoned up loud rock. It's fast. It's intense. It's dynamic, with moments of quiet teases and massive crescendos. Freddie delivers vocals so quickly, I can't keep up. John's basslines are as unpredictable and awesome as ever. Roger? CYMBALS. And Brian...

They'd like to say hello and give us a show! One of Freddie's most aggressive and risque numbers, " Let Me Entertain You " is one of the best examples of a band celebrating their own awesomeness (as well as a nod to those who helped them achieve success). The boys are all in fiery form here: Tons of clever vocals from Freddie, furious riffs from Brian, many a surprising move from John on bass and...

The hardest rock number we ever get from bassist John Deacon, " If You Can't Beat Them " is a catchy and encouraging number that includes some of Brian's funnest and longest guitar solo arrangements. As we would expect, John bops along with incredibly melodic bass. Roger adds fun and interest in the drum riffs and Freddie is assertive and aggressive in his lead vocals. But live is where the magic...

One of Queen's most complex, innovative, creative and fun numbers, " Bicycle Race " packs so many chord variations, key changes, and energetic shifts, it could very well be many songs. Instead, Freddie wrote this and threw in everything and the kitchen sink, inspired after witnessing the Tour De France. Live, it flew by in a flash as part of a medley, but dropped off setlists entirely after '79.

Powerful. Evocative. Brooding. Pulsing. Pounding. Emotional. There aren't enough words to describe this song. Kate Bush's " Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) " is the first song that made me think. And it's stayed with me all these years; a constant on my favorites list. Salon recently wrote an epic retrospective review about it. And Reverb Machine broke down the song's construction , further...

A gorgeous ballad from Freddie, " Jealousy " is a quiet gem in Queen's catalog. Brian feels almost entirely absent, as he seldom appears playing his sitar-like modified Hallfredh guitar. John moves elegantly on his bass with surprising intervals; it's almost another voice altogether. Roger's gentle percussion and plenty of cymbals sparkle. But this is all Freddie, his sweeping piano and his aching...

Hard rock and bluesy with plenty of sexiness and attitude, Brian brings us " Fat Bottomed Girls " which comes to life with Freddie's sharp vocal delivery in the verses. But it's Brian's voice that carries the chorus; and his syncopated hard guitar riff. And John rolls on his bass in the verses; wow. Roger stomps and bursts in with memorable fills on the drums. This song is fire, especially live ....

Leave it to Freddie Mercury to kick off a Queen album with " Mustapha " and its passionate, Arabic flare. This innovative and surprising number is another one-off in a style that we never get again from the boys. And Freddie wows with plenty of languages, key changes, impressive vocals (lead and backing) and aggressive piano. Brian, Roger and John surround us with typical Queen awesomeness. And li...

The last Queen album without synthesizers, Jazz from '78 is the boys' funnest, and one of their most energetic, sleekest albums. At this point, the guys are flying high with great record sales, money flowing, and they're certainly having a good time. They recorded this outside the UK, and when they kicked off the tour, it was their biggest yet with 79 shows, and an even bigger lighting rig called...

Reconnect. See new sights. Experience something amazing. Learn something, even when challenges come your way ! Reset your brain. A good road trip, no matter how long or short, can make all the difference.

I've officially wrapped Queen's sixth album, and as I did previous albums before it, I revealed my pick for the band member who wowed me and stole my attention more than the others. Even though, yes, they're all brilliant, of course. To me, the stellar production of this album highlighted one element more than the rest.