Still Royally Great! (Greatest Hits Vol.3 - Queen)

Member Name: TheChocolateLady

Product:	Greatest Hits Vol.3 - Queen
Date:	17/07/06 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good production of good songs, proves that Queen is not dead!

Disadvantages: not all artists are compatible to original voices/songs

I'm writing this opinion with and for my (now 21 year old) son (we originally wrote this when he was 17 and posted it on Ciao). When Queen first appeared, I personally wasn't their biggest fan, but the truth is, they seem to grow on you. So, I had no problem with purchasing this third Greatest Hits album for my son (knowing full well that short of leaving the house, I'd have to hear it at one time or another). I was pleasantly surprised at this album. But this isn't my review - it's my sons. So here we go:

"I know Queen and have always thought they were a good group and could make a good album - even after the death of Freddy Mercury. Even though I have their Greatest Hits I album, I wanted this one as well.

"This particular album has tracks that were recorded originally by Mercury but here are sung by other artists such as Elton John, George Michael, David Bowie and Wyclef Jean. It also includes the live recorded track of "Barcelona" with Montserrat Cabale which he sang with her at the Barcelona Olympics ceremonies. Not many people would enjoy this track, if they haven't been exposed to operatic singers. I'm lucky in this, and I think that people my parent's age and older would appreciate this track (too bad :-})!

"Aside from this, there are some older Queen songs, songs by the artists of Queen on their own, and songs by Mercury himself alone. The disk includes the only Christmas song Queen ever wrote "Thank God Its Christmas" which is, in my opinion, a delightful Christmas Carol.

"Still, the Queen songs recorded by other artists in Mercury's stead don't ever seem to achieve the vocal or performance quality of Mercury himself. I think this is because it is hard to match Mercury's ability, and 'hard core' Queen lovers might be disappointed. On the other hand, it certainly is a tribute to Mercury's artistry that such big name singers felt the need to record his songs.

"Personally, my favorite track on this album is 'Las Palabras de Amor' (The Words of Love). This is a touching, heartfelt track that everyone can appreciate - sung by Queen themselves.

"My least favorite song on this album is the new mix of 'Under Pressure' with Queen and David Bowie. Bowie's rough, harsh voice doesn't fit this song and clashes with Mercury's clear and strong voice, and this makes this song is a disappointment.

"In sum, this album is a nice tribute to Mercury and his music, which completes the series of Hits albums very nicely, with late works as well as earlier ones which have been re-mixed. All in all, with its faults, it is still a must for any Queen lover."

And from me – I think what I like about this album is that it is both varied and consistent. It’s the type of album you might want to put into your car CD player when you've got a slightly long trip to take, or perhaps listen to in the house when you need to get some work done. What I'm trying to say here is while there are some quieter tracks, it's mostly and upbeat and exhilarating collection that isn't for relaxing to. I have listened to this album with my son as well as stolen it from him to listen to on my own. Not many albums can say the same thing, can they? That's a pretty good recommendation in my book. We'll give it four stars.

Thanks for reading!

Davida (and Oren) Chazan © July 2002, updated July 2006

(By the way, my son's still a Queen fan today.)

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Technical Stuff:

This album is available through the Amazon marketplace from £2.50, or from www.cd-wow.com for £6.99.

The best website I found for Queen is http://www.queenonline.com/index2.php but I didn't find this particular album listed there.
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Summary: A very good collection of some of Queen's best songs (and one or two not so great ones).