For those of you out there who are Monty Python fans, you will undoubtedly
remember when the Colonel (or someone else who held rank) would interrupt
the sketch saying how silly it was all getting and rapidly move it on to the
next subject, well, that's how I am getting to feel about the unending
debate about the merits and demerits of Brian, Roger, Freddie or John, well now
it must be time for "something completely different."

But before I move on, let me throw my extreme weight behind the argument
that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.

I happen to like almost everything that the band have done, collectively, or
individually.  "In the beginning" I must admit to not really liking, or
understanding the early Queen stuff, I was definitely middle of the road,
neither left nor right of the stuff that was 'rock' based.  I am now a
convert, I have seen "The Light" and am full of "Happiness".  I've said it
before and I believe that it stands argument but the lyrics that Queen and
its members wrote were, at the same time, original and yet harkened to other
genre.  Roger is, was and always will be a protest singer - a modern day
Dylan with style.  His songs evoke lots of memories ('cos I was there) of
the late sixties and early seventies.  Jennifer and I were weekend hippies -
photo's to prove it, and programmes (partially signed) from both Isle of
Wight festivals.  One can just imagine our RT with whispery beard, acoustic
guitar, harp (mouth organ) on a coat hanger round his neck, busking outside
Leicester Square with a bass drum on his back and cymbals attached to each
knee - does anyone remember Don Partridge?  (we can sell you an album,
extremely rare, virtually unplayed - would make a great plant pot)

On the other hand Brian might just have become a member of the Incredible
String Bag.  His style (with whispery beard as well - it must be catching)
is evocative of Fairplay Contention but with teeth.  He is extremely lyrical
and his songs are full of love unrequited, of lust unfulfilled and such thin
gs.  For me Brian is the epitome of "Will Scarlet" in Robin Hood, one can
just imagine those LEGS in TIGHTS and a cod piece.  (Whoa Jen, I know I'm
talking about Brian's legs!)  He would have a lute, the forbear of the
ukulele, and wouldst chant a merry tune, a veritable ditty about "Thrice
thirteen, hey nonny no".  His latest work Starfruit would be an ode to that
most comely of eastern delights and a rapture to Maid Mary Potts, Mistress
of Biggleswade.  Having persuaded Robin of Loxley to allow him to become the
band's minstrel and bard, he could be heard swinging in the forest.

So, my friends, the debate about whom is best, Roger or Brian, Brian or
Roger must be laid to rest, for once and for all.  This Diet of Worms, this
starchamber can be laid to rest with a quote (attributed to RT himself)
which goes (roughly paraphrased) "It was great to do things individually,
but coming back to Queen was like coming back to Mother".  Freddie always
referred to Queen as being "the glue (or cement) that bound the
individuals".  How perceptive.

I, for one, and Jen, for two, try not to differentiate, separate, compare or
contrast - it is only human nature,  but its sterile argument and takes us
nowhere.

TTFN

KYA & KGC

Frank & Jen