Customer Reviews

Absolute Greatest (2 CD Slipcase Version) (2009 Remasters)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

no, sadly, i cannot recommend this album. i am a long-term queen fan, and purchased this new compilation for the remastered sound and photo booklet. the remastered sound is, indeed, good quality, however, several key tracks are missing from this compilation, most notably Innuendo off eponymous 1991 album. for a more complete introduction to this band, better purchase the Queen - Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 &2 box set

I LOVE Queen. They are one of my favorite bands. That's why I'm painfully giving this new Queen collection 'Absolute Greatest' one star. Read on for further details.

In 2009, Queen released their umpteenth compilation, 'Absolute Greatest.' A career-spanning retrospective, the record spans many classic tracks of theirs, including a track from their incredibly underrated 1995 record, 'Made in Heaven.'

This record is a cash cow. That's the bottom line. If you have 'The Platinum Collection: Greatest Hits I, II & III' and 'Classic Queen,' plus the studio records, you have this already. It's a massive ripoff from Queen and the folks at Hollywood Records. How disappointing -- it seems Queen has to release a compilation rehashing all of their classic tracks every several years or so.

If you thought 'Stone Cold Classics' was bad, you'll probably flinch at the sight of this. 'One Vision' is horrendously edited, chopped down to 3:59 as opposed to the classic 5:11 studio version. That's one of my favorite Queen songs -- and what a shame that this collection offers it edited. 'Greatest Hits II' and 'Classic Queen' suffer the same problem -- 'Queen Rocks,' it seems is the only collection that offers this song in it's full-length album version.

Overall, don't buy this record. It's Hollywood Records once again trying to deprive you of your hard-earned dollar by making you pay for another useless Queen compilation. If you are new to Queen's legendary catalogue, start with 'Greatest Hits I & II' or perhaps if you want to take it a step further 'The Platinum Collection: Greatest Hits I, II & III.' And, better yet, you could buy all of the studio records, which is definitely the best way to listen to Queen.

But don't buy this record. By buying this, you're simply encouraging Hollywood Records to rehash the same material AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN. I can almost guarantee you this set will be out of print, by, say 2013.

NOT RECOMMENDED.

Best Buy has the U.S. exclusive on this collection, so don't waste your money on the import. It's the same thing. The 2009 remasters are incredible on this CD. GET IT!

Still not sure what the "2009 Digital Remaster" could really mean. It doesn't even mention it anywhere on the packaging itself. They sound pretty much the same. The vinyl reissues from the past two years sound better. Seven Seas Of Rhye seems a little clearer, but it could just be me. There also seems to be something different about the last gong crash at the end of Bohemian Rhapsody. It seems to be quieter or it fades out a little earlier or something.

If you want to start listening to Queen music, start with the albums! If you like their '80s sound, start with '80s albums like The Works or The Miracle and if you like their earlier sound, start with Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. If you absolutely want only their greatest hits, do not start with Absolute Greatest.

The commentary was interesting, but still a lot of the same stuff Queen fans already know about and things they mentioned on the commentary to the video collections on DVD. The packaging leaves much to be desired. Even the plastic case seems flimsy and not the same quality as previous releases.

It is impossible to put all of Queen's hits on to a single disc. However, this cd makes a nice effort to do so. Every song here is great. My only complaint is the exclusion of "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Bicycle Race." For my money, I would have included those and omitted "Heaven for Everyone" and "A Kind of Magic."

The real gem here is the second disc. This disc is like listening to the audio commentary on your favorite movie. Each track is played (in a shortened format), while Roger and Brian comment about the song- how it was written, produced, etc.- and it is really cool to listen to.

If you are a new fan of Queen, I would recommend picking up "Greatest Hits" (the US version, so as to get the full length version of "Fat Bottomed Girls") and "Classic Queen." But if you insist on a single disc collection of Queen, this one does a pretty good job.

Being fairly new to listening to Queen I bought this CD because I wasn't sure what to expect. After one hearing I was totally into it. Amazed by the vocals and music arrangement, it was awesome and a great listen. Now I will go ut and purchase the 2 disc set because by reading the reviews apparently I am missing out on the best songs.

This is a nicely remastered set of all their great hits. The sound quality is a noticeable improvement over my original greatest hits CD.

Tracks
1 We Will Rock You (Brian May)
2 We Are The Champions (Freddie Mercury)
3 Radio Ga Ga (Roger Taylor)
4 Another One Bites The Dust (John Deacon)
5 I Want It All (Queen)
6 Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Freddie Mercury)
7 A Kind Of Magic (Roger Taylor)
8 Under Pressure (Queen-David Bowie)
9 One Vision (Queen)
10 You're My Best Friend (John Deacon)
11 Don't Stop Me Now (Freddie Mercury)
12 Killer Queen (Freddie Mercury)
13 These Are The Days Of Our Lives (Queen)
14 Who Wants To Live Forever (Brian May)
15 Seven Seas Of Rhye (Freddie Mercury)
16 Heaven For Everyone (Roger Taylor)
17 Somebody To Love (Freddie Mercury)
18 I Want To Break Free (John Deacon)
19 The Show Must Go On (Queen)
20 Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury)

I love this band! Freddie Mercury is amazing! He had an amazing voice! I just love all of their songs on this album. My favorite song is Somebody to Love. Queen still plays on the radio, and I just love their music! Freddie Mercury will always in our hearts forever.

For any first timer's on Queen music this is a great buy, those of us which have bought countless versions of this tracklisting, we are drawn in by the little extra's Brian May and Roger Taylor wish to market to us. The cover shows the band vibrant, youthful, and full of mystique.

Long live the legacy's of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. Go on then, and give them some of your cash, it's money well spent.