Customer Reviews

Classic Queen

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

(Note: this review is more or less a rewrite of my review for "Queen - Greatest Hits", except for a few minor differences)

I really wish Hollywood Records had released "Queen - Greatest Hits" and "Classic Queen" as a two disc collection rather than two single disc compilations. By themselves, the albums don't hold much ground, as both are missing a great deal of Queen classics. But brought together, you could not ask for a more comprehenisve collection of Queen's work.

On to my review of "Classic Queen". After the untimely passing of the group's incomparable lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, Hollywood Records released two single disc, 17 track compilations of Queen's work. The first of two was this cd, "Classic Queen". How does it hold up? Read on for the positives and the negatives.

Positives:
-If you buy this with "Greatest Hits", you will have the most comprehensive Queen collection ever. You will have all the classic Queen hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody, "Killer Queen", "You're My Best Friend", "Somebody To Love", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Another One Bites The Dust".
-You will also get a great number of underrated masterworks such as "I Want It All", "Who Wants To Live Forever", "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie", "The Show Must Go On" (one of the all time greatest rock songs ever) and what may well be my favorite Queen song, the achingly beautiful "These Are The Days Of Our Lives".
-The songs sound fantastic.
-The liner notes are excellent.
-Both collections are relatively cheap, so you won't have to spend too much money on them.

Negatives:
-The main negative is if you don't buy this collection together with "Greatest Hits". If you only buy one but not the other, you will kick yourself for not buying both of them, as you will realize how many classics are missing.
-There's an excellent two disc collectin entitled "Greatest Hits Vols. 1 & 2". It is almost as concise as buying these two collections together. It also includes some great songs not available on either collection: "It's A Hard Life", "The Invisible Man", "Innuendo", "Friends Will Be Friends" and "Breakthru". My advice is to get the two single disc collections and download the other songs not on them, therefore having the greatest Queen collection known to man.

My advice is simple: if you want to get "Classic Queen", than you mus buy "Greatest Hits" as well, Then download all the missing songs that are on "Greatest Hits Vols. 1 & 2". That way, you'll be set.

When I got my Queen's Greatest Hits album, I could not believe it did not include the Bohemian Rhapsody or Under Pressure. Well, I guess that what the album makers decided was to make two great Queen albums, and this CD is in fact the second of those two albums!

This CD contains seventeen(!) great Queen songs, including the Bohemian Rhapsody, Under Pressure, Radio Ga Ga, and (one of my personal favorites) Who Wants To Live Forever? The quality of the CD is excellent, and I enjoyed the liner notes that cover each of the songs and has lots of great pictures of the band and their album covers.

So, if you are a fan of Queen, then you must get this wonderful CD. It is a great addition to anyone's CD library!

This is one of the better album's I've bought in a while. Before getting this, I borrowed "Greatest Hits" from a friend, and looked at Classic Queen." Later I saw Queen on VH1 Legends, and it was then I knew I had to get it. Once I did, I became hooked. There are so many great songs on this. I get withdrawal when I dont hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" for some time. I also love "Radio Gaga," "I'm Going Slightly Mad," "These Are the Days of Our Lives," "Headlong," and "Under Pressure," to name some. There is not one song on this album that I don't LOVE! One of the songs that really does it for me is "The Show Must Go On," the last song on Queen's swansong album, "Innuendo." It is exactly what Freddie was feeling inside during that era, in great pain, and forced himself to make music, and he pushed so hard that some of the songs on that album are some of the best vocal work I've ever heard. The end of the song also sends a chill down the spine, as the words "go on, go on" echo and fade out, almost as if Freddie died while recording this. Freddie had nothing to worry about, Queen's show will forever go on.

One can only imagine the difficulties faced by producers trying to put together "Greatest Hits"-type compilation CDs for bands such as Queen. Their music ranges from straight heavy metal ("Stone Cold Crazy") to soft rock ("These Are The Days of Our Lives"). Their career was a nonstop ride of hit followed by hit followed by hit.

"Classic Queen" is a perfect compilation. This is not a greatest hits album. Instead, the listener will be treated to an extensive compilation spanning an incredibly-wide range of musical genres. This album perfectly demonstrates the genius of the band. You get the heavy metal ("Stone Cold Crazy," "Tie Your Mother Down," "One Vision") as well as the melodic synth-driven songs like "I'm Going Slightly Mad," "The Show Must Go On," and "Under Pressure."

By the end of this collection of masterpieces, you should be convinced that Queen was more than showmanship and over-the-top stage antics. They were musical geniuses, and this CD is proof that they deserve their place in rock history.

In my opinion, there is none higher than Freddie Mercury....no voice has matched his nor come close..... Not only do you get to listen to the rock virtuoso himself, but you can hear Brian May's awesome guitar licks....the great bass sounds of John Deacon....and Roger Taylor's impeccible drumming. I'm sure all hard-core fans own this, but even if you've never listened to much of Queen before and are beginning to explore their sound, I would suggest making this your first "core" purchase..it will take you from the classics they created in the 70's (who out there can ever forget "Bohemian Rhapsody" and the cranking "Tie Your Mother Down") up through the 80's (including "Radio GaGa" and the Queen/David Bowie classic "Under Pressure") and the 90's (including the poignant "These are the Days of Our Lives"...if you have a chance to view the video for this song, please do..it was Freddie's last performance on film and so very touching)...The great thing about their music is that it still sounds fresh today as it did back then....Even though Freddie tragically passed away in 1991, his (and Queen's) music will live on forever....I highly recommend this CD! Enjoy it!

What hasn't been said about Queen? They are definitely one of the best classic rock bands of all-time. Led by Freddie Mercury, they made some of the best rock of the '70s, '80s and early '90s.

And now to the review. 'Classic Queen' is full of five star music. But, is this really necessary? I don't think so. Yes, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is here, but like 'I Want To Break Free' on the American version of 'Greatest Hits,' it's out of place. 'Classic Queen' mostly focuses on the 1981-1991 time period, so why are these '70s tracks here?

Thank goodness for 'The Platinum Collection' and 'Greatest Hits I & II.' Those are the original U.K. hit collections. Do yourself a favor and seek that out instead. There, you will find most of the songs offered on 'Classic Queen' and 'Greatest Hits (American version).' I suggest 'Greatest Hits I & II' because of how mediocre 'Greatest Hits III' is (that appears on 'The Platinum Collection'; it doesn't on 'Greatest Hits I & II.')

Overall, save your hard earned cash. If you want a Queen collection, 'Greatest Hits I & II' is the way to go. The good news is, disc one focuses on 1973-1980 and disc two focuses on 1981-1991, meaning that it devotes one disc per phase for Queen. Disc one is phase one, disc two is phase two.

Save your money. You will be glad you did. This isn't a bad compilation, and again, everything here is five stars, but the three stars are here because there are so many better options.

Recommended for the easily pleased Queen fan.

Freddie Mercury has one of the most identifiable voices in rock. A wonderful singer and showman, he is sorely missed. This album puts together some of Queens best work, albeit not necessarily their greatest hits. This is, as the album title says, Classic Queen. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' surely has to be one of, if not 'the' greatest songs of all time. The epic scope of it, is pure magic. I haven't met anyone who can honestly say they don't like it. The 24 page booklet that comes with this album is a nice bonus. Filled with tons of colour photos and track-by-track information make it an interesting read. A must for any fan of Queen.

"Classic Queen" is a very strong collection of some of Queen's greatest songs. It contains a nice mix from the normal Greatest Hits albums; with a few songs from each of the three compilations gives you a better glance through the years where Queen were the Kings of Rock and Roll. This is a very good addition for any Queen music library, unless you own the Greatest Hits I , II, and III. All of these songs, except for "Stone Cold Crazy", "Keep Yourself Alive", These Are The Days Of Our Lives", and "One Year Of Love" appear on one of the three Greatest Hits albums.

This collection is a great starter album for new Queen fans. It includes many of their most popular and well known songs, like: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Under Pressure", "The Miracle", and "Who Wants To Live Forever". This would be an excellent first Queen compilation to own. A strong recomendation to Queen fans, and rock fans in general; you will almost without a doubt truly enjoy listening to this album over and over.

Queen were one of the most unique, original and talented bands to ever grace the music industry, and their command and mastery of multiple styles in the music world was really something that shouldn't have been taken lightly.

This second (of a three-part) volume of greatest hits is a perfect sampler for the newbie to Queen. It should be noted that there is a boxed set where you can get this, along with the other two volumes for a cheaper price than you would if you were to buy all three separately. But, the catch is, there are some slight differences in song selection. To be more specific, this second volume, appropriately, and for the most part, covers the second decade of Queen's music, which was, the 80s and early 90s phase, while there are a few songs from the 70s thrown in (long story behind the reason for this.)

Indeed, these Queen compilations are good introductions to one of the most brilliant bands in rock history. However, these compilations do not cover *all* of Queen's musical territory, as you'd really have to buy many of Queen's studio albums to get a more accurate picture as to what this band were about; they were more of an album-based band, than a singles band, contrary to the popular belief of the latter. These hit singles are only part of the story, and don't give you as complete an overview as many would lead you to believe. This compilation -- and any other compilation concerning Queen -- only scratches the surface as to what this multi-dimensional, creative, versatile, and overwhelmingly talented band had to offer.

I have listened to queen ever since I was a kid. There music is so kinetic and inspiring. Freddie Mercury had a voice that couldn't be beaten. This album is one of my favorites. It contains a great selection of their best stuff, from "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "These are the Days of Our Lives", early and new. I also believe Queen to be highly underated. I rarely hear them on the radio and many people I have talked to can only think of "We will Rock You" when I ask them if they have heard of Queen.

I believe anyone interested in Queen should start here. You can't go wrong with Classic Queen.