We were in the studio in the control room, close to a big mixing desk. Our conversation started on Freddie Mercury.
Me - I was wondering... would you mind if I ask you some questions about Freddie ? I mean... aren't you tired talking about him ?
Brian - Oh no, no... Not at all ! It's always a pleasure to talk about Freddie ! I am glad to pass on his legacy
- Thank you so much... How was Freddie in the studio, I mean during the making of a song ?
- Freddie always came up (Brian smiles) with a very precise and clear idea of what he wanted. He knew exactly what he wanted: about the drums, the bass part, the piano of course, but also the guitar and the vocals, of course! The vocal harmonies and all that stuff... He was driving us, in a clear yet never blunt way, you know, to get what he had in mind. He was incredibly talented to talk to each of us to get our very best. In the end, he always managed to assemble the parts of the song that he had in mind.
- Without any friction?
- (Brian chuckles) I have to admit no... when you have such a mind, I mean... Freddie was a true genius and you certainly won't deny it
- No... (I smile)
- With such a clear view of what you want, there not much room for the others creativity
- Really? I mean, all your sounds, the guitar harmonies...
- Yes, I added all theses guitar orchestrations, but always supervised by Freddie. And, especially later in the eighties, some tensions might have appeared...
Later in my dream (which can happen in a heartbeat), we were in a large rehearsal room, with few lights. I had my Lady Blue, he had his marvellous Red Special. We were playing so loud ! I was asking him how to play the arpeggios at the end of the What Is All Worth It guitar solo. He showed me:
- You have to put your thumb under the neck just like this
He played the whole solo and I remember that the sound was so beautiful. [note: the real Brian May never put the thumb under the neck. This is a typical technique of The Edge from U2]
Later in my dream, we were sitting in the back of a bus in Antibes, early in the morning. I remember we were cruising along the coast of Cap d'Antibes and the rising
sun was bright. Some kids were playing and laughing without noticing our presence.
- They don't recognize you, I said
- Of course not, and I can't blame them! I come from another era that is, well... (Brian sighs) coming to an end, you know...
My dream ends just like that, in the morning sun, chatting with with Brian May.