Queen at the BBC

 

After purchasing the 40th edition of their debut, I revisited some of the other Queen CD's that we have (being one of Melanie's fave bands) and came across this one. This 8 song CD of BBC recordings from 1973 had never been released before, so was certainly a treasure at the time for Queen fans!

As with the bonus CD in the expanded version of the debut record, these versions show that the songs were essentially arranged and planned out well before any contracts were signed. This set opens with "My Fairy King", with its grand choirs and various sections sounding very similar to the song that appears on their first record, but there are a few intriguing differences here'n'there. "Keep Yourself Alive" is one of their more rollickin' numbers, and Brian's chuggin' guitar carries it here as Freddie duets with himself and entreaties us all to follow the title. Again, the break varies a bit with some extra drums and the harmonies are slightly adjusted, but otherwise, you won't be too startled. Brian's ballad, "Doin' Alright", sounds like it could be one of Freddie's, except that it is played on acoustic guitar instead of piano and then we get the massive guitar break where May gets to cut loose. Mercury's "Liar" also contains some of their more ferocious guitar sounds and this is probably even rawer than the album take, with more variations. "Ogre Battle" is quite rockin', as well, and again sounds like they've taken more liberties with the melodies and harmonies, although I must admit that I am not as familiar with the second album that this appears on. 

May also wails on Freddie's "Great King Rat", again sounding rawer and raunchier than the "official" take, which is great by me! Taylor's "Modern Times Rock'n'Roll" rocks frantically, with a couple variations and another truly heavy guitar workout and the set closes with May's "Son and Daughter", one more mighty rocker with a slightly religious lyrical content (and some different words here) and a wildly changed instrumental break where May just flies off - this is a pure 70's hard rocker - fine stuff!

Although brief at just 8 songs, this is well worth owning for any Queen fans. Not sure if it is still in print but search it out!