Freewheel

[swizz]

Thought I would make some sort of history by being the first to post in this section. What better thing to post about than Freewheel?? I just love it - its one of my favourite songs by anyone!

[duke of hal]

Thought I would make some sort of history by being the first to post in this section. What better thing to post about than Freewheel?? I just love it - its one of my favourite songs by anyone!

Freewheel is good, but on behalf of my good lady wife I commend John lennon Love as Duke's best work!

[echomusic]

Heard freewheel live at oxford
WOW :lol:

I have never heard a song that was so powerfull with just two musicians. The drums were great and added so much to a top song

[The Gramophone]

I heard Freewheel live for the first time just over two years ago - it was my favourite song of the set then, and it's still my favourite now.

[swizz]

Yeah, I think its just such a classic tune. It feels like you've heard the chorus before somewhere but somehow it still sounds really original. And I really love the line about the colours at my fingertips. Magic!

[Guinness]

Freewheel was my favourite song at the beginning but when he brought out Low on the EP it was mind blowing! really made me think about things differently...... i suppose thats what all artists on stage are trying to do... make people think about something more than they normally would!

[Stephen]

I particularly like the video to Freewheel. Also, I'm only used to one version of this song (well, two if you count the single version with the better drums) so I'm not sure how I'm going to like a completely rerecorded version :-|

[rachelirwin]

ah yes freewheel
its def the one that got me at the beginning, lived in my car for a fair few months
and the my drunk alter ego decided to buy the vinyl at the last gig...i dont have a player here, its back in N.I. ... IDIOT!
john lennon love though, that's the new fav
x

[Rogue]

I kind of went backwards! John Lennon Love was my favourite, when I only had "Your Vandal".

There's something about Freewheel, especially the "Jew Street" version that shimmers, though. Makes you catch your breath, even after the hundredth listen.

[jan]

Just a note that I'm very new to Duke Special. Caught him live at a David Ford gig at Newcastle Uni in Feb and have only just got his album today in HMV -under D for Duke and not S for Special!
Still totally blown away by his talent, gorgeous voice and lyrical beauty.
Favourite track so far is 'Closer to the Start' - really speaks to me.
Lovely guy - lovely album.

[fire_vampyre_d]

Thought I would make some sort of history by being the first to post in this section. What better thing to post about than Freewheel?? I just love it - its one of my favourite songs by anyone!

Freewheel is good, but on behalf of my good lady wife I commend John lennon Love as Duke's best work!

John Lennon Love, its such a sad song.... It breaks my heart. Duke's music is so very special, and I'll always wish him the best luck in the world.

And I also think Freewheel is "proper rate good" as they say around here... Lol

[missbee100]

I can just agree with you , "Freewheel" is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard. I just love it! ......

[Steely]

I think Freewheel is beautiful. I remeber gasping at the lyrics the first time I heard them (When the Duke supported Hal at King Tuts last September). The whole bit from "Face in the distance " to "look into your eyes". Stunning.

I think that this song could really break him. I think it's certainly the most commercial, not that that is a bad thing. Just feel it has such obvious connection appeal. If that makes sense!

[lander]

Would anyone happen to have a bootleg version (live) of Freewheel? Something suitably crackly but that captures the Duke at his best?

Freewheel is so passionate with the piano in the live version, and it seems to go on for a good five minutes. it's become my favourite version of this song out of all that I've heard ... original, jew street and the new songs from the deep forest. On saying that, they're all excellent versions (and it's great to hear one of my favourite songs in so many different flavours!).

Cheers if anyone can help with that one! :)

Rich

[thesneakybandit]

http://www.dukespecial.com/audio-live.htm#

versions from the gideon coe show and first stop.

[socleirigh]

I love Freewheel -- but having heard the 'new' version on "Songs from the Deep Forest" I have to admit I like the "Gramophone" version better...it's still a great song though--I just wished the new version had more of the pulsing rhythm of the original, and fewer strings. But that's just me...and I admit I still like it quite a bit. Maybe I'm just "used to" tho older version (even though I only first heard it 11 days ago!)

Overall the boxed set is superb, too.

[Nigel]

Freewheel is such a classic. I lent my original duke ep (along with some of the duke's earlier 'booley' work) to a friend of mine going on holiday on Canada a couple of years ago. He spent the holiday driving round the Rockies with a young lady some friends out there introduced him to... and last autumn they got married, and had Freewheel as their first dance at the reception. A perfect choice, I felt.

I haven't heard the Jew Street version or the Songs from the Deep Forest version yet (yeah, I know, what sort of lazy-assed fan am I!), but I must confess I'm quite partial to an earlier version of the song he did with his previous band "Benzine Headset". I suspect their cd is pretty hard to find outside Belfast, but a worthy item to get hold of for the true collector - much more guitar pop rock than his current incarnation, but the same strong songwriting, memorable tunes and vocals. The version of Freewheel is more upbeat and guitary than the more ethereal "Adventures in Gramophone" version, but the chorus vocals are really arresting - the vocal is double-tracked, with one of the voices clean, and the other crackly and distorted. The words of the chorus are slightly different as well - "I don't want to lose this moment". I always end up singing that version to myself at his gigs, because it feels right to me.

I'm guessing with so many versions of it kicking around, it must be one of Duke's favourite tunes as well!

[gangledoll]

The original has an old familiarity and the beauty of something precious that's been discovered. The SFTDF version has that bigger anthemic sound... possibility of wider market and more radio play, I suppose, but for me the original DS version has that sense of ownership and unearthed quality about it!!

As for the Benzine headset version... I haven't heard it!!... yet!!! :wink:

[Stephen]

I like the original Freewheel too, there's a much more poppy feel to it. You can't beat the Songs In Gramophone version though...

[rusty66]

Me dont like the Jew Street version so much or the older ones...

My fave is definately the one off Deep forest, don't know what it is but it is just so much more emotion-ladden [is that a word Sian?!] than the other versions...

[Herr_Dokter]

And I have just noticed that the "Listening post" version is a different mix from the Vinyl version!

It sounds great. But it confuses me. Is that the fifth version now?

Still one of my favourite songs, and one people love to sing along to.
I love the feeling of motion in the Benzine Headset version. Reminds me of bus journeys.

-Herr Dokter, esq.

[Guinness]

Some of the Benzine Headset stuff is ok, but freewheel I wouldn't say would be one of them.

The Duke puts more passion in it than in B.H!

[Lamposts]

freewheel is my favourite duke special song and i love the fact that theres a few versions to bring delight to my ears :)

[very_special]

You'll be glad to know there might be another version on the cards as it's going to be the new single :)

[Guinness]

So that will be four then?

:?

[very_special]

1. AIG version
2. Jew Street version
3. SFTDF version
4. 1868 version :D

[Guinness]

Are they not all already out?

All of those songs have been either released or released as B-sides...

I think :wink:

[thesneakybandit]

not to mention the benzine headset version and the countless live versions lol!

[ICOF]

Just watched the video....Another lovely & brilliant piece of animation :D

[Guinness]

It reminds me of a mixture between childhood thoughts, LSD and fantasia!

The explosion of the music brought through with the vivid colour splattered across the screen is astounishing and I have a soft spot for the dancing flamingos!

Is the writing before going into the theme park significant?

And I also think that I hear extra wee vocals in this that arn't in any of the other versions...

[ICOF]

The video is up on the VIP Section :wink:

[rusty66]

Tis fabulouso all right!

[Cofa's Tree]

I absolutely loved the first video which went so perfectly with the song - but this animation is really lovely. :) And I do prefer the newer more "anthemic" version...

If there's any justice this single ought to be a major hit...fingers crossed.

[PD]

I loved this song right from the beginning. Tis Gary from the Patrol's favourite too, his song of the year, seemingly he wreaked everyones heads with it he was playing it so much, sings it in the shower and all apparently...lol.(according to a very recent radio interview) Anyway, it gives me goosebumps, it's just a really uplifting song, pure magical... :)

[Noel]

This song is my favourite from the Deep Forest album, but when I heard it on the radio the other day, after initially being pleased, I then just sat there saying 'Nooooooooo'!

Other than the beginning it hardly sounded like the same song - all the soaring clarity of the album version seemed to have vanished under a blanket of noise! At one point I even began to wonder if another track was accidentally being played over the top. :(

I know there are lots of versions of this song, but I don't understand why the album version has been messed with so much - it was perfect as it was, (IMHO!:)) Sorry for the mini rant but it really upset my day! :wink:

[thesneakybandit]

i still maintain the benzine headset version was best!

[jan]

On the other hand.........
the song is gaining a lot of commercial recognition which can only be good for Duke's career.
I don't wanna stand still............
xx

[Guinness]

i still maintain the benzine headset version was best!

I am in partial agreement with this, however I do love the haunting feeling of the "lucky me EP"

The originals are usually the best anyway!

[cosmo]

i still maintain the benzine headset version was best!

I am in partial agreement with this, however I do love the haunting feeling of the "lucky me EP"

The originals are usually the best anyway!

My favourite is definitely the Lucky Me EP version.

I also love the solo version from First Stop that's on the site here (http://www.dukespecial.com/audio-live.htm#firststop2005). It would be great to hear him do a version like that live again.

[anniemac]

My favourite version of this song has to be the one recorded for Other Voices in Dingle last year. It wasn't broadcast on the initial show where they had Duke playing Portrait and Last Night I Nearly Died, but on the end of series roundup when he got the most votes for a repeat appearance they aired this version.

[thesneakybandit]

Freewheel single review here...
Let the slating commence :D

http://www.drop-d.ie/archive/article.asp?article=411

[guyphenix]

Awesome song. Favourite of the album.

[Alice_]

Love it, it makes me grin so much when I hear it regardless of where I am. It's too good not to. I bought the single today and am getting used to the two b-sides just now :)