An interesting tribute album (Greatest Hits Vol.3 - Queen)

Member Name: SimonCook

Product:	Greatest Hits Vol.3 - Queen
Date:	23/06/01 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent cross section of Queens style, Interesting combination of artists

Disadvantages: May not appeal to hardened Queen fans

With the success of the two Greatest hits albums by Queen, it was inevitable that after Freddie Mercury’s death, there would be a third Greatest hits album. Queen have literally hundreds of great tracks that could be combined into several albums, so it is difficult to collate a greatest hits album.

Finally the album came out, and rather than just being a re-mastering of the original hits, the album became more of a tribute album to Freddie featuring several songs from the tribute concert. In a unique twist the band collated several songs from the tribut concert and added several other 'mixed' songs to make this an interesting album.

There are seventeen tracks on the album featuring some strange and wonderful combinations of artists. The music is typical of queen mixing their rock and roll style with a few ballads.

The better songs on the album are:-

Under Pressure (mix with David Bowie).

This was an excellent combination track that was produced with David Bowie while Freddy Mercury was still alive. The combination of the two great vocalists add a lot to this up-beat rock and roll tune. Although the lyrics are unmemorable, the song is generally good to listen to. This is typical of the stlye that Queen tried to adopt in the early eighties and was more 'poppy' than earlier queen.

Show Must Go On with Elton John

This song was undoubtebly written when Freddy was dying of AIDS. It is a melancholy song that almost looks back at Freddies life and says that life will continue without him. It is a celebration of life, but is tinged with sadness and regret. It is a larger than life song that is a mix between rock and ballad. The melody is often haunting a touches you deeply as you can almost feel the pain that Freddie Mercury must have felt as he wrote this!

Somebody to Love – George Michael

One of my favorite songs of Queen is performed by George Muchael. His
exhuberance and energy captures the feel of the song perfectly. It is a wonderful rock song that basically says that all people need someone to love. The lyrics are not over zealous, but the melody is excellent and one of those songs that you will want to hum for hours.

Driven by You – Bryan May

This song wasn’t actually a Queen song originally. It was part of Brian May’s solo career. Perhaps more famous for it’s Ford commercial in Uk, it is an invigorating song that demonstrates Brian’s guitar prowess, but also proves he has a decent voice. It is a power rock song that is invigorating, with an excellent chorus.

The Great Pretender – Freddie Mercury

This song, originally performed by Elvis is the perfect song for Freddie. It is almost a self mocking song, explaining how the Freddie we see on stage is not the real Freddie but is simply a performer. The song is performed with Freddie’s normal power and passion. It really isn't the classic Queen style and is more akin to Opera than rock, however it is a powerful and pignant performance.


Another One Bites The Dust - (with Wyclef Jean/Pras Michael/Free)

This is perhaps the strangest song on the album. Wyclef more famed for rap, takes the classic Another one Bites the Dust song and transforms it into a song similar in style to Run DMCs & Aerosmith’s Walk this way.

The combination of classic Queen Rock n Roll and Wyclef’s rap is strange at first, but the song is interesting and although not a classic, is a good tribute to Freddie from the rap industry. It really was strange to hear this Rock Anthem changed in this way, but Wyclef does do it justice.

These Are The Days Of Our Lives

This song is not the greatest Queen song ever, however the fact that this song was released the day after Freddie’s death gives it added significance. It is Freddie's goodbye to the world a
nd is very sad.

It is a ballad that is looking back on life with sadness realizing that it is all over. Many of Queen’s later songs were almost Freddie’s auto-biography as we can really feel Freddie’s heart coming through into his music. The song is both haunting and beautiful.

Conclusion

There are 17 good tracks on the album. The combination of pure Queen and the Queen with guests is interesting and make this a unique greatest hits album. It is worth owning the album just for the diversity it offers.

The tracks are all good examples of the Queen style and although I do not think that this album will gain new fans for Queen, most existing Queen fans will like it.

Summary: