I generally don't like compilations. I feel that, specially when they include
the so-called "unreleased" songs which partially force the
die-hard fan to purchase the CD in order to complete the collection. Such is the case of this new
one. The non-collector fan is, however, toasted with
this fine selection of songs released after Freddie
Mercury's untimely 1991 death and some strangely left
out of Greatest Hits II.
The CD opens with a new live version of Innuendo's
"Show Must Go On", recorded in 1997 in Paris(of all places)
with Elton John on vocals. It is followed by and arguably bettered remix of
1981's "Under Pressure". The rest are obvious singles
from 1995's "Made In Heaven", Brian May's first solo
single("Driven By You") and three of Freddie's solo outputs, followed
by three songs which should never have been ommited from the second
compilation: "Princes Of The Universe"(made popular by
the Highlander TV series), "Las Palabras de Amor"(from
1982's Hot Space) and the group's only Christmas single, first time
present on a Queen album(and also for the first time on CD outside the UK).
Also present and worth of mention is the Freddie Mercury Tribute's
"Somebody to Love", a highlight with George Michael on vocals, which is
also present on Michael's "Ladies and Gentlemen" hits album, a number
one song in 1992. Finally, Queen's first single as a three-man lineup,
the poignant "No-One But You". The only bad one is Wyclef Jean's rap
version of "Another One Bites The Dust", which was present on
the Small Soldiers soundtrack but could be forgotten for this
compilation.
I feel this compilation quite competes Queen's Greatest Hits
triology, only missing Roges Taylor's beautiful 1993 tribute
to Freddie, "Old Friends", and Brian May's solo rendition
of "Too Much Love Will Kill You", even though Queen's 1995
version is present.
Bottom line: Might be another money maker for Queen Productions, but it is still a wonderful album for average
fans of one of the best post-sixties British bands
Links
Buy the CD
Queen's Official Page
Last month's review
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