Solo [Box set, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Freddie Mercury | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: December 5, 2000
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000053GU7
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,416 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Let's Turn It On

2. Made in Heaven

3. I Was Born to Love You

4. Foolin' Around

5. Your Kind of Lover

6. Mr. Bad Guy

7. Man Made Paradise

8. There Must Be More to Life Than This

9. Living on My Own

10. My Love Is Dangerous

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Barcelona

2. La Japonaise

3. The Fallen Priest

4. Ensueño

5. The Golden Boy

6. Guide Me Home

7. How Can I Go On?

8. Overture Piccante

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Queen's American stock may have fallen somewhat in the 1980s. By following singer Freddie Mercury's lead and embracing more club- and cabaret-oriented music, however, the band saw its international appeal explode. During that era, Mercury also launched a promising solo career that produced two wildly disparate albums, a handful of singles, and contributions to other projects that are documented in this three-disc collection. While 1985's "Mr. Bad Guy" finds Mercury's melodramatic vocal flair struggling to overpower his sometimes patchy songwriting and the dated Euro-disco production of Reinhold Mack, the singer rose to the campy heights of "Bohemian Rhapsody"--and then some--on "Barcelona," his grand, neo-operatic collaboration with Spanish diva Montserrat Caballe and one of the most deliriously ambitious pop albums of modern times. Both are available here in sharp, digitally remastered sound. The third bonus disc gives another broad outline of Mercury's talents, from the rare, surprising slightly pre-Queen (1972) Phil Spector tribute single, "I Can Hear Music" through his contributions to Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis soundtrack, Dave Clark's musical theater piece Time, and the singer's delightfully overwrought remake of "The Great Pretender," a song he claimed as autobiography. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Specially-priced U.K.-only release featuring the late great Queen vocalist's first two solo albums, 1985's 'Mr. Bad Guy' & 1988's 'Barcelona', teamed up with a seven track bonus CD featuring non-album singles he cut, including his first solo venture from 1973 (a remake of the Beach Boys' 'I Can Hear Music'), plus his campy cover of The Platters' classic golden oldie 'The Great Pretender' and two versions of 'Love Kills (his contribution to Giorgio Moroder's 1984 remake of director Fritz Lang's historic 1926 sci-fi film 'Metropolis'). Listeners are treated to a total of 26 tracks, each of which has been digitally remastered. This set comes housed in a slipcase with a full color 28 page booklet. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good acquisition for the economically impaired, April 7, 2001

By 

Rafael FERNANDEZ (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Solo (Audio CD)

First of all, the display picture is inaccurate; It refers to the 10 CD + 2 DVD British edition of the complete solo recordings.

This 3 CD (2 1/2) collection brings back to life a remastered version of the exquisite "Barcelona", and the rare, melodic and strong "Mr. Bad Guy". The sound is crystal clear, and it does pay up for its price.

An excellent choice for the Mercury fan who won't spend 120+ on 10 CDs which can be "resumed" in this edition. I would recommend getting both "The Great Pretender" and "The Freddie Mercury Album" as accompanying audio selections and "The Freddie Mercury Video Collection DVD" for viewing pleasure. A great gift for a friend, lover or relative.

65 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shame on Hollywood Records, December 9, 2000

By 

ilgemino "ilgemino" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo (Audio CD)

I am really disappointed with this CD set. Not because of the music. It is great, but because Hollywood Records that possess exclusive rights to produce Queen music in the USA refused to release the 10CD set that has many new original records. A number of songs have never been released before. Also, the 10 CD set has some rehearsal pieces (e.g. The Golden Boy sung without Caballe, etc). Hollywood Records said they are not releasing the full set because it will not sell effectively. However, I doubt that this 3CD set will sell better as it has only very little new music. I would strongly recommend all Queen fans to ignore this production and get the 10CD/2DVD) set from England where this set was released in two different versions: with PAL and NTSC DVD format.(It was nice of them to think about fans from North America and Japan).Only this way you will be able to enjoy Freddie Mercury Solo Collection because the 3CD set that basically repeats previously released Freddie Mercury's albums does not really qualify for this name.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get "The Solo Collection" Instead, February 7, 2001

By 

Carrie Margulies (Santa Cruz, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solo (Audio CD)

As someone commented earlier, it is pretty unfortunate that Hollywood Records only chose to release this 3-CD set, as opposed to the far superior 10-CD set that includes 2 DVDs.

Yes, it is exciting to have the long since deleted "Mr. Bad Guy", and "Barcelona", which is by far one of the most beautiful and heartfelt pieces of music ever written. However, once one has listened to these CDs and enjoyed them, it's hard to not want more. Especially knowing that a 10-CD set exists, with all the exciting demos and Freddie's solo videos.

If I were Hollywood Records, and I wanted to produce a scaled down version of the bigger box set, for people who aren't willing to spend over $100, I would have made the bonus CD have been a sort of "highlights" complilation of the best demos and rare tracks from "The Solo Collection". Instead, we are given tracks that most Freddie fans have known about for a while. Again, you're left hungry for the special features on the 10-CD set.

Needless to say, I returned this set, and opted for the 10-CD set. I know it's a lot more money, but if you're a die-hard Freddie fan, it's worth it without a doubt. It's just too bad that Hollywood Records didn't come through for us American fans on this one.