| mickyparise 03.03.2011 04:14 |
US: Queen's 40th Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off With Deluxe Reissue Of First Five Studio Albums, Plus Greatest Hits Ii, “Stormtroopers In Stilettos” Gallery Exhibition And More… Queen’s 40th anniversary is now upon us, and the band plans to pull out all the stops to celebrate this historic occasion. “2011 is an important year for Queen,” said Brian May “and there will be a lot of activity.” Adds Roger Taylor, I can’t believe it’s been that long and that we are still around in such a big way. I’m amazed and grateful!” This yearlong event will be marked by a series of releases, re-releases, special limited-edition items and events around the world. It was in March 1971 that bassist John Deacon joined May and Taylor’s buzzed-about London group, which had changed its name from Smile to Queen nine months earlier, following the addition of multitalented singer/pianist Freddie Mercury, thus completing the classic lineup. The four simpatico musicians proceeded to take the world by storm. The band has released a total of 18 chart-topping albums and 18 #1 singles, while selling more than 300 million albums worldwide, making them one of the biggest rock acts of all time. They’ve received seven Ivor Novello awards in the U.K., were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and even received their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in October 2002. As live artists, Queen literally conquered the world. Acknowledged as one of the greatest stadium bands of all time, Queen performed over 700 concerts, reaching into every corner of the world. They achieved rock history by being the first band to open up South America and the Eastern Bloc, with world record- breaking concerts in Argentina, Brazil and Hungary. This is a timeless band whose music retains such immediacy and undiminished power that new fans continue to discover and embrace it, along the way inspiring a host of diverse artists from Lady Gaga (who took her name from Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga”), and Katy Perry, through to the Foo Fighters. It’s worth noting that Queen’s videos have collectively generated well north of 300 million views online—a remarkable figure that figures to expand exponentially with the launch of a dedicated Vevo channel this spring, in yet another iteration of the anniversary rollout. As the centerpiece in the 40th anniversary celebration, Queen’s entire 15-album studio catalog is being reissued in a series of deluxe editions. Every note is being tweaked, every piece of artwork is being cleaned, freshened up and resourced, wherever necessary, with the legendary Bob Ludwig doing the remastering, working from the original source material. The albums will be released in three waves, staggered over the next year, with the first wave—comprising the first five LPs—coming this spring. Each studio album will be released in a new two-CD edition, the first containing the updated, remastered original LP, the second disc packed with rarities—and we don’t use the term lightly. Some of these gems have never before seen the light of day, even in crappy bootleg form. To cite a particularly fascinating example, five first-album demos recorded at London’s De Lane Lea Studios in December 1971 were pulled from the only existing copy on the planet—an acetate from May’s personal archives. Not even his bandmates had a copy. “A huge amount of work has already been put in behind the scenes to unleash a completely newly mastered set of the original Queen LPs and CDs,” May noted. “I know our fans will appreciate the attention to detail, bringing the early albums closer than ever to the magic of the vinyl originals, but with the benefit of up-to-the-minute quality technology.” In other anniversary activity, the gallery exhibition “Storm Troopers in Stilettos” opens in London on Feb. 25, with plans in place to tour the exhibit around the world. According to May, this unprecedented event “will highlight in some innovative ways the growth of the ‘Early Queen.’” On April 12, Hollywood will reissue Queen’s debut single, “Keep Yourself Alive” b/w “Son and Daughter,” on seven-inch vinyl in a limited edition coinciding with Record Store Day. And on April 19, the label will issue the band’s Greatest Hits II for the first time in North America. This classic collection includes the rock standards “Under Pressure” and “Radio Ga Ga,” plus many other classics from the second half of Queen’s run, including the worldwide smashes “I Want It All” & “Innuendo.” Additionally, the “Queen on Vinyl” reissue program will be completed this year with the release of the final five studio albums. In the UK, Queen’s Greatest Hits 1 holds the record of being the biggest selling album of all time ahead of albums by The Beatles, Oasis, Dire Straits, and Abba. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a treasure trove of must-have pieces for Queen fans. More will be revealed in the coming months, so stay tuned. Bonus Tracks on the First Five Studio Albums: QUEEN (1973) 1. Keep Yourself Alive (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971) 2. Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971) 3. Jesus (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971) 4. Liar (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971) 5. The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971) 6. Mad The Swine (June 1972) QUEEN II (1974) 1. White Queen (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975) 2. See What A Fool I’ve Been (BBC Session, July 1973 - 2011 Remix) 3. Seven Seas Of Rhye (Instrumental) 4. See What A Fool I’ve Been (B-side Version, February 1974) 5. Nevermore (BBC Session, April 1974) SHEER HEART ATTACK (1974) 1. Now I’m Here (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975) 2. Flick Of The Wrist (BBC Session, October 1974) 3. Tenement Funster (BBC Session, October 1974) 4. Bring Back That Leroy Brown (A Cappella Plus) 5. In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited (Live at Wembley Stadium, July 1986) A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1975) 1. Keep Yourself Alive (Long-Lost Retake, June 1975) 2. Bohemian Rhapsody (Operatic Section A Cappella) 3. I’m In Love With My Car (Guitar & Vocal Version) 4. You’re My Best Friend (Backing Track) 5. ‘39 (Live at Earl’s Court, June 1977) TBC 6. Love Of My Life (Live Single Version, June 1979) A DAY AT THE RACES (1976) 1. Tie Your Mother Down (Backing Track) 2. Somebody To Love (Live at Milton Keynes, June 1982) 3. You Take My Breath Away (Live in Hyde Park, September 1976) 4. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy (Top Of The Pops, July 1977) 5. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) (HD mix) link |
| mickyparise 03.03.2011 04:42 |
In other anniversary activity, the gallery exhibition “Storm Troopers in Stilettos” opens in London on Feb. 25, with plans in place to tour the exhibit around the world. Hopefully this means coming to the States? |
| marvinp01 03.03.2011 10:29 |
oh yes definitely! |
| AlexRocks 03.03.2011 11:25 |
I've been freaking out in all of the good ways on how "Greatest Hits II" will be released for the first time as a single disc in the U.S. of A.!!!! That is mindblowing to me!!! I am SOOO excited!!! With that said it already has been released in the U.S. of A. on "The Platinum Collection: Greatest Hits I,II, & III" but this is the first time as a single disc. I wonder what this means for "Classic Queen" and the 1992 "Greatest Hits" compilations which are also amazing? |
| bojo86 03.03.2011 18:23 |
Try as I might, I really can't get excited about these re-releases. As a die-hard Queen fan and collector, I already have every single album, on record and on CD. I have all the Greatest Hits albums, and even warily forked out £12.99 for Absolute Greatest. Likewise I have most of the bootlegs, such as the De Lane Lea Demos which I've had for years. Reading through the track lists I can only see what I already have (bar the 2011 remixes.) Everything else you can find on DaveRfuller's Youtube channel. I know 40 years is a big occasion to celebrate, but surely something new would have been a better reward to fans. The Cosmos Rocks was excellent, and although Rodgers has left, I can't see why Brian and Roger can't make an album together. Even without Freddie and John, to me they are still Queen. |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 09.03.2011 20:37 |
I'm sure I'm not alone here, but... having shelled out paper route, lawnmowing, snow shoveling, hardware store, and record store wages for all the vinyl albums, then later, record store wages and college TA stipend money for the Hollywood CDs, I was highly unamused to find out some 4 years back that the Japanese 20bit masters blew the Hollywood ones away (they really do - just check out the fantastic dynamic range on Mustapha/Jazz, if you need convincing). So I just finished buying all those (friggin pricey) little gems about 2 years back. "Thank gawd they're done recording" I said. I found it easy to say "no" to the CD singles, and the vinyl in general, buying only the odd, and hopefully collectable Cosmos Boxed set, and Innuendo, previously missing from my collection. But these new editions from hell... I have to say that, in light of how nice a job they did on that DA CD of ANATO, I lack a good reason to say "no" to these bonus editions. DAMN THEM!!!!! I'm looking forward to the first three in partiicular. Wonder if they found the bass tracks? And given that, will they be "revisionist", akin to "remixes", or will we think they're faithful to the original sound, I wonder... |
| dowens 09.03.2011 22:10 |
Help an American out here...so, the CD's will be released in America in May (even though I think I'll order them from the UK next week). So, will these CD's include the videos, or will are those only available through the iTunes releases??? |
| flashbolton 10.03.2011 12:06 |
I agree with bojo86. I also have all their recording materials in cds, records,...and even cassettes. Anything else that is not found on those, you can download from youtube. I think that Brian, Roger, and John should release an album with rare songs that are not found in their cd catalog...For example, Stealin, Silver Salmon, Soul Brother, etc.. and record them again but with a new musical input (like the Made in Heaven album) or they could record Freddie's solo songs like Stop All The Fighting and most of Mr. Bad Guy's album and make another Made in Heaven type of album!!! You know, like the songs Made in Heaven and I Was Born To Love You from the Made in Heaven album. They sound so much better than just the way Freddie recorded them. THAT would be worth buying. Furthermore, look in youtube... Queen has a lot of "unreleased" songs and demos. An album like THAT would be worth buying. Long live QUEEN. |
| saj ditta 10.03.2011 13:30 |
its the same ol story over again@again last several years all the albums have bin released on cd lp etc thers nuffing really rare or special on these awful deluxes i do believe these companys are cashing again im honestly so peed off with bri@rog and whoevers involved in these track selection progress,sum of the music or most is available on yotube dave fullers channel plus the ones if we wouldnt of got to hear its becuase of guys like d,fuller we owe so much,wats in stock for the future shitty deluxe burger selection im running out of patience with queen@co i trully hope legs crossed that further album the nex 5 plus 5 better have sum real diamonds real quality gems or given a freshen up on the songs that we,v heard on youtube by d,fuller miracle magic innuendo session come on guys stop taking thee peeeessss |
| pestgrid 13.03.2011 01:46 |
I love the fact that queen are now releasing some unreleased gems,and celebrating their 40th, but as every die hard queen fan will tell you,most of this has been collected over the years anyhow, with a few exceptions.....Last year I became bored with waiting for a queen anthology and began making my own for my own use.....here is what was included in the first boxset...which was a double set with the made in heaven album material......... ? Contents: Disc One - CD Digital Remaster of Original Master 1. "Keep Yourself Alive" Brian May …………3:46 2. "Doing All Right" May, Tim Staffell …4:09 3. "Great King Rat" Freddie Mercury …..5:42 4. "My Fairy King" Mercury …………...4:07 5. "Liar" Mercury …………..6:26 6. "The Night Comes Down" May ………………..4:23 7. "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll" Roger Taylor ………1:48 8. "Son and Daughter" May ……………….3:20 9. "Jesus" Mercury ……………3:44 10. "Seven Seas of Rhye…" Mercury ……………1:06 Disc Two – DVD Original Master from Vinyl recorded at 96hz 24bits with accompanying videos Side one 1. "Keep Yourself Alive" Brian May …………3:46 2. "Doing All Right" May, Tim Staffell ….4:09 3. "Great King Rat" Freddie Mercury ……5:42 4. "My Fairy King" Mercury……………..4:07 Side two 1. "Liar" Mercury …………….6:26 2. "The Night Comes Down" May …………………4:23 3. "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll" Roger Taylor ………..1:48 4. "Son and Daughter" May …………………3:20 5. "Jesus" Mercury …………….3:44 6. "Seven Seas of Rhye…" Mercury …………….1:06 . Disc Three – CD Instrumentals,Singles and remixes from the Album Singles 1. "Keep Yourself Alive"……………………3.49 Released: 6 July 1973 2. “ Son and Daughter”…………………...…3.20 Released: 6 July 1973 B-side 3. Keep Yourself.Alive U.S Single Edit...….3.34 4. Liar U.S Single Edit………………...…...3.02 Added as a Bonus: 5. "Goin' Back."……………………………..3.16 Released: 1972 6. "I Can Hear Music"……………………….3.16 Released: 1972 Intrsumentals 7. Keep Yourself Alive…………………….3.17 8. Doing All Right………………………....4.02 9. Great King Rat………………………….5.56 10. My Fairy King………………………….4.06 11. Modern Times Rock N Roll……………1.42 12. Liar……………………………………...6.28 Remixes 13. Liar by John Luongo and Gary Hellman..6.26 Disc Four - CD Rarities - Demos and B-sides from album sessions DEMOS De Lane lea Centre 1. Keep Yourself Alive…………………………..3.46 2. The Night Comes Down………………………4.26 3. Great King rat…………………………………6.09 4. Jesus…………………………………………...5.08 5. Liar…………………………………………….7.47 Trident Studios 6. See What a Fool Ive Been (early version)……...4.38 7. My Fairy King demo …………………………………3.12 8. Silver Salmon Part 1…………………………...2.10 9. Silver Salmon Part 2……………………………3.10 10. Silver Salmon Part 3……………………………2.31 11. Polar Bear Take 2………………………………4.33 12. Mad the Swine B-side…………………………3.21 13. Keep Yourself Alive Retake 2 Acetate….……..3.35 Early Versions and Alternate Takes 14. Keep Yourself Alive Retake 5 …………………4.01 15. See What a Fool I’ve Been B-Side……………..4.20 16. Modern Times Rock n Roll (freddies vocals)….2.31 17. Doin All Right Alternate……………………….3.04 18. The Night Comes Down Work in Progress…...…56 19. Great King Rat Version 1………………………3.19 20. Liar Work in Progress………………………….1.26 Disc Five - CD Rarities – BBC Sessions and Out takes from sessions BBC SESSIONS Session One Recorded at Langham Studio 1 on 5th February 1973 1. My Fairy King……………………………………….4.06 2. Keep Yourself Alive…………………………………3.48 3. Doin All Right……………………………………….4.10 4. Liar………………………………………………..….6.30 Session Two Recorded at Langham Studio 1 on 25th July 1973 5. Keep Yourself Alive………………………………….3.39 6. Son and Daughter …………………………………….5.57 7. Liar……………………………………………………6.27 8. See What a Fool I’ve Been……………………………4.20 Session Three Recorded at Langham Studio 1 on 3rd December 1973 9. Ogre Battle……………………………………………3.57 10. Great King Rat………………………………………..5.59 11. Modern Times Rock n Roll…………………………...2.00 12. Son and Daughter …………………………………….7.08 Out Takes from Queen Sessions 13. Rock n Roll Medley……………………………………6.58 14. Son and Daughter Take 2………………………………2.11 15. Son and Daughter Take for Lead Guitar……………….3.43 16. Bama Lama Bama Loo Take 1…………………………1.06 17. Doin All Right Take 2……………………………………38 18. Doin All Right Take 4……………………………………29 Disc Six - CD Live versions of the Songs handpicked from every Queen Concert. Song picked not on audio quality but on best performance of song. 00. Intro..............................................1976, 30 January, Boston Music Hall, USA 01. Keep Yourself Alive.....................1975, 1 May, Tokyo Budokan, Japan 02. Doing All Right............................1976, 30 January, Boston Music Hall, USA 03. Great King Rat.............................1974, 21 April, New Orleans Civic Hall, USA 04. My Fairy King (Intro)..................1984, 19 October, Sun city 05. Liar...............................................1975, 24 December, Hammersmith London, UK 06. Modern Times Rock N Roll........1974, 28 April, Portland EXPO, USA 07. Son and daughter.........................1974, 31 March, Rainbow Theatre, UK 08. Seven seas of rhye.....................1976, 30 January, Boston Music Hall, USA |
| queenUSA 25.03.2011 23:30 |
I could not risk missing the Queen exhibition ... it was GREAT. Arrived at 10am on March 5th and stayed till close (took one break for a quick bite to it). The exhibit is essential for all fans of Queen. Was I crazy to travel so far - no. I'm just living it all and giving it all! So think about hitting the road for that next city when announced and you too can be "down in the city just Queen and me." |
| GinjaNinja 26.03.2011 17:33 |
@pestgrid That's quite a box set, are all those demos and instrumentals a part of your collection? I've never heard of an instrumental of Liar, that would make a great listen. |