QUEEN Discography- MONTREAL '81 in theaters near you

[KevShmev]

Focused is a good word for what they were. They knew Freddie was short on time, so they knew it would be their last album.  I cannot remember his exact quote, but Freddie basically told them, "Give him whatever you can for me to sing while I still can."

[Stadler]

So it seems I'm the only one here, who doesn't think Innuendo is that great.

The title track and Show Must Go On are among the best songs the band has recorded, but eveything in between is just okay I guess, it never really clicked with me.

So for starters it has two of the best songs the band has ever recorded...

To me, what makes this album great are a couple of things...

1. The band seems more focused and together on this. The songs are more purposeful and feel more complete. The other 80's albums just feel more scattered.

2. It's basically a full return to actual instruments. Most of the electronic stuff has been removed. That was a huge hinderance for me of the 80's albums.

I went back and listened to it yesterday while working and this is an accurate assessment. It IS one of their better albums; for all Fred was going through, his vocals are so solid on this record.  No fuckin' around, just straight up heavy (in the emotional sense) singing.  "Don't Try So Hard" is just breathtaking what he does on that song. 

Look, it's a shame whenever someone dies too soon, but I was listening to Wembley '86 over the weekend, and I was so amazed at how good he was singing for those last couple years of his life, ironically once he started taking care of himself a bit.   I forget the song - might have been Tear It Up, or Now I'm Here - and I noticed he didn't do any grace notes; he just sang each of the notes.  I'm not a professional singer, but I've sung in bands, and that is SO hard to do, because your pitch has to be SPOT ON.  The only two other singers that I know that regularly do that are Paul McCartney/John Lennon ("Day Tripper" is an example) and Paul Stanley ("Silver Spoon" is an example). 

[TAC]

What on earth is a grace note?

[Stadler]

What on earth is a grace note?

When you start at one note and sort of slide into the proper note.  It makes it easier to sing, because you don't really have to be as precise on the grace note as long as you STOP on the correct note.  If you don't use the grace note, you have to start and stop at exactly the right note every time.

Listen to Ozzy on "Suicide Solution" for an example.  "Wine is fine but whiskey's quicker..."  The "Wine" starts a little low and by the time he says the "n" he's on the proper note.  On "Silver Spoon" where Paul sings whoa-o-o-WHOA-oh!" that fourth "WHOA" he doesn't slide up to it, he just sings it.   On "Day Tripper", John doesn't slide up to "Got a good reason..." he just sings it.   It's a fine line because you don't want to sound mechanical, but it is harder (at least for me) to do.   I'll find the Queen song so you can hear what I mean.


EDIT:  It's "Now I'm Here" from Wembley.   Listen to when Freddie sings "A baby I was when you took my HAND!" and "the people all stared didn't underSTAND!" and "don't worry BABY, I'm safe and SOUND!"   Maybe it's just me and I'm a Freddie fan boy, but that was one of the biggest concerts by a single act in the history of Britain and Freddie not only delivered but took it to the next level. He sounds SO FREAKIN' GOOD on that Saturday show. 

[DragonAttack]

What on earth is a grace note?

When you start at one note and sort of slide into the proper note.  It makes it easier to sing, because you don't really have to be as precise on the grace note as long as you STOP on the correct note.  If you don't use the grace note, you have to start and stop at exactly the right note every time.

Listen to Ozzy on "Suicide Solution" for an example.  "Wine is fine but whiskey's quicker..."  The "Wine" starts a little low and by the time he says the "n" he's on the proper note.  On "Silver Spoon" where Paul sings whoa-o-o-WHOA-oh!" that fourth "WHOA" he doesn't slide up to it, he just sings it.   On "Day Tripper", John doesn't slide up to "Got a good reason..." he just sings it.   It's a fine line because you don't want to sound mechanical, but it is harder (at least for me) to do.   I'll find the Queen song so you can hear what I mean.

That is just plain interesting.  Thank you.  Curious as to others such as Tate and Perry fared throughout their high points.

EDIT:  It's "Now I'm Here" from Wembley.   Listen to when Freddie sings "A baby I was when you took my HAND!" and "the people all stared didn't underSTAND!" and "don't worry BABY, I'm safe and SOUND!"   Maybe it's just me and I'm a Freddie fan boy, but that was one of the biggest concerts by a single act in the history of Britain and Freddie not only delivered but took it to the next level. He sounds SO FREAKIN' GOOD on that Saturday show. 

Well, you and many others would have sat and listened to him sing a phone book!

My wife was away for a few days last week.  I had picked one night to close the windows and crank up the home stereo in the evening, an opportunity that does not arise much anymore. The Wembley DVD ended up being my choice.  That takes me back and makes me smile big time.  Glad you enjoyed your recent purchase.

[DragonAttack]

INNUENDO Album    12” (and CD) Single Releases and DEMOS
 
The various 12” and CD singles (saving one for a later post



Innuendo (Explosive Version) b/w Under Pressure / Bijou

Final thirty seconds has nothing more than white noise added    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC_48p_zTYc


 

I'm Going Slightly Mad    b/w The Hitman / Lost Opportunity

Lost Opportunity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwB76OiaIiM

I remember getting this from a gentleman in the UK in the late 90s (along with all ‘The Miracle’ CD singles) for around 30 pounds each, just for this non album B-side.  The first song Brian had the majority of the LVs since ‘Sail Away Sweet Sister’.  A nice blues tune that almost feels more like a funeral durge due to its incredibly slow molasses pace. 



Headlong  b/w   All God's People / Mad The Swine

‘Mad The Swine’ was recorded during the Queen I sessions, and was originally to be placed on Side One between ‘Great King Rat’ and ‘My Fairy King’.  This would be the first time it was released in the UK.  It was released on the Hollywood Records reissue of Queen I in '91 (and later on the 2011 Universal remaster).  More on the HR reissues Friday.

The Show Must Go On / Keep Yourself Alive / Queen Talks
(not posted here yet for a reason)

ALBUM SONG DEMOS

HEADLONG …  different than the released demo  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GIAbr_RIA&list=PLKs3n06AJtMI0hKuyQ-_czjPFLbL1lLVy&index=5     

THE HITMAN (a minute or so) Brian LVs    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6GFWZqslEA   Bite the bullet…..

DELILAH (a minute or so)    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ighcqh3xBs8

GOING SLIGHTLY BONKERS MIX     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KvHkuIoAmA
This one minute audio (and very good matching fan made video) was for the Queen International ’91 Fan Club convention.  ‘Frederick Mercury, signing off’.
******
The press kit for the release of 'Innuendo'.  It lasts twenty minutes, but one can skip through to the interviews with Brian and Roger   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQDZDsEoAyE

Brian:  “We sometimes ask: ‘What’s Mary Potts going to think of this?”  Well, I think Mary Potts quite liked this album 😉

Roger:  "I feel Queen believes, and  I’d like to think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done….and I’d just like to rest a little bit now."

NON ALBUM DEMOS

AFFAIRS  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMUfqFwfveA&list=PLKs3n06AJtMI0hKuyQ-_czjPFLbL1lLVy&index=14

ALL GOD’s PEOPLE (Queen/Moran),   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipLfSxl365c  (also posted for 'The Miracle')

GRAN DAME  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jNcCFO0-Xo  the real version, and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH2c7PUX-e8   Included for the cleaner sound.  This gentleman does Queen and various other artist guitar covers.  It's like watching a young and cleaner shaven John Petrucci show off how good he is.  And I hate him for that

MY SECRET FANTASY  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXuimb-J4AI 

ROBBERY    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELXk2UieEOY

SELF MADE MAN  https://aminoapps.com/c/officialqueen/page/blog/self-made-man-single/zjr6_0qcxugEz0YDV0KLmBB7PwYPgQoMX
(weird web site)

Nothing spectacular, as it sounds like these were never given more than one go through before being dropped.  And at this point, there wasn't much available time left to try and flesh things out further if there were any doubts.

Had forgotten to show the original Grandville 'Juggler of the Universe' drawing,  next to the 'Innuendo' rendition that was slightly mad.....

 

[The Curious Orange]

What on earth is a grace note?

Just listen to any Jerry Garcia solo, my friend.

[Kwyjibo]

If I understand the term grace note correctly  then it's something that almost every instrumentalist and almost every singer does. Not necessarily because they aren't able to hit the note otherwise but to add some phrasing and variety to their playing/singing.

[Deadeye21]

If I understand the term grace note correctly  then it's something that almost every instrumentalist and almost every singer does. Not necessarily because they aren't able to hit the note otherwise but to add some phrasing and variety to their playing/singing.

Generally, yes. But it’s how it’s used. It’s not just sliding into the note, some of it is about how you save a bung note

[Stadler]

If I understand the term grace note correctly  then it's something that almost every instrumentalist and almost every singer does. Not necessarily because they aren't able to hit the note otherwise but to add some phrasing and variety to their playing/singing.

That was the reason for my "it's a fine line" and "you don't want to sound mechanical".  It IS a fine line, because it DOES add character and variety.  But I still maintain, at least for me and I think Deadeye is sort of agreeing, it's technically harder to jump from correct note to correct note like that. 

[DragonAttack]

INNUENDO LP and Hollywood Records Launch Party/reissues



The launch party….  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKtV1AkRcT4    Nice to know at 440ish, as to song writing credits, that ‘bass player’ Roger Taylor received the same amount of royalties as Freddie did for the  ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ single.    The first seven minutes is ‘new’, the rest a rehash and the Innuendo video.

Again, the very amateurish video     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GreL9Suzpbs&t=1180s

Roger and Brian keeping the brave face about Freddie and future touring.  Brian confided to a friend that attended that there would be ‘big news’ about another release, and some concert news within a year, not on the scale as their last tour.

Throughout 91, Brian toured North America playing the Red Special to various Queen songs.  Later on, these recordings were often passed off on bootlegs as demos    Knowing ahead of time what one was getting, they were fun listens.

Such as this recording of ‘Under Pressure’      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LolomCs408M 
and ‘Headlong’    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd4YbiWPzh0  at station KEWB in San Jose.

These appeared on a very popular bootleg called ‘Demories Please Majesties’
https://www.discogs.com/release/3491202-Queen-Demories-Please-Majesties

Too Much Love Will Kill You (Demo)   
A Kind Of Magic (McLeoud Version)   
Stone Cold Crazy (Trash Version)   
Tie Your Mother Down (KEWB Version)   
Killer Queen (KEWB Version)   
Headlong (KEWB Version)   
Under Pressure (KEWB Version)   
Brighton Rock (Alternate Guitar / KEWB)   
The Miracle (First Take)   
The Invisible Man (First Take)   
Rough Mix Part  (Hit-Mix)   
I Want It All (First Take)   
The Hitman (First Take)   
Scandal (First Take)   
New York, New York (Highland-Take)
Staying Power ( 12” Version)   
Friends Will Be Friends (Video Version)   
Too Much Love Will Kill You (Piano Version)
Rough Mix Part 2 (HitMix)   11:56


Moving on…….

If one wanted to purchase a Queen compact disc in the late 80s in the States, it was not an easy task.  Having switched record labels from Elektra to Capitol Records after ‘Hot Space’, one could only purchase the Capitol CD releases of ‘The Works’, ‘A Kind Of Magic’, and ‘The Miracle’.  ‘The Game’ (and I believe the North American version of ‘Greatest Hits’) being the only Queen release(s) made available by Elektra on CD. 

In order to get the back catalogue, myself and many others had to go to record stores and order the UK versions of Queen I up through ‘Hot Space’.  Eleven of those releases cost me $22 each, ‘Live Killers’ $33 in 1989.

When Queen signed on to Hollywood Records in 1991, all of their albums were made available on CD, along with a bonus track or two.  And a production error or two.

Sadly, most of the bonus tracks were simply album cuts remixed and reedited to various degrees.  Some were given a dance mix, such as ‘Ogre Battle’ and ‘Seven Seas’.   
I still remember taking ‘News Of The World’ back to the store for a refund, thinking that Rick Rubin’s ruined version of 'We Will Rock You' was scratched throughout.  Yes, he did ruin it.  Below is a list of remixes done before and after ’91.  Every Queen album entry in wikipedia lists those BONE US tracks. 

http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/hollywoodrecordsremixes.htm

Amongst all of our paraphenalia of Queen stuff, somewhere rolled up in the garage attic is a 36" x24" poster of



and the wife’s autographed copy of the album artwork in our TV room

[Kwyjibo]

If I understand the term grace note correctly  then it's something that almost every instrumentalist and almost every singer does. Not necessarily because they aren't able to hit the note otherwise but to add some phrasing and variety to their playing/singing.

That was the reason for my "it's a fine line" and "you don't want to sound mechanical".  It IS a fine line, because it DOES add character and variety.  But I still maintain, at least for me and I think Deadeye is sort of agreeing, it's technically harder to jump from correct note to correct note like that.

Don't know if it's harder, I'm not much of a singer. But regardless of what it is, Freddie's performance is amazing.

[Stadler]

You forgot one picture, boss.

"the wife’s autographed copy of the album artwork in our TV room after Stadler visited and asked to use the bathroom:"

[DragonAttack]

   

[DragonAttack]

Last call on the 'Innuendo' album and demos before the final Cross LP listing tomorrow.

As for me...gave the LP a 'second' recent listen today.  I love the little stereo effects throughout that added to the listening experience.  Due to how I had to record it onto a 45 minute cassette, I originally moved 'Days' onto 'The Miracle' after 'Breakthru' and removed 'Delilah' to make it fit.

Those congos were a bit loud, making 'The Hitman' seem a tad weak. 

'Don't Try So Hard' should have been the end of a 'normal' side one album.  I'd rank that amongst the top three Queen released.  What a great tune to play before a round of golf, an interview for a job or promotion.  Relaxing, but so frickin heavy with the lyrics.  Well done, John Deacon.

Kev had mentioned the 97 'retake' of 'I Can't Live With You'.  Yup, it's better than this album's version, but this is still damn good.  Another version made for a North American promo single released in September, remixed by Brian Malouf    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuVuCWJtuTk  is slightly different, but a good listen

'Ride The Wild Wind' makes, or would have made, a great Side Two opener.  Instead of the normal bombastic Queen BVs, we get somewhat gutteral. And then there's 'All God's People'.  Such power!  Wish a piano had been used at the beginning, and, just think of what a space would have made as to the apostrophe.

'The Show Must Go On'....damnit.......has any band gone out with such a powerful ending song, next to The Beatles 'The End'?  Or had such a stirring title track to open an album?   

tomorrow....the last Cross offering.  Tomorrow night:  Greatest Hits II

[Stadler]

So, question about the demos; are those official releases?  Or are those boots cobbled together from various sources?

[DragonAttack]

I'll answer when we get that autographed poster back 

It's an unofficial release with the stuff just cobbled together.  Before we met, we each had a copy.  We were desperate (over zealous?) to get our hands on anything back in the day.

[DragonAttack]

and now, the final offering of everyone's favorite side project here 

The CROSS   BLUE ROCK

Released:  September 9, 1991
EMI Electrola in Germany, Japan, Italy (vinyl only) and France (cassette only).

Charts and certifications:  none
   
Singles: 



New Dark Ages b/w Ain’t Put Nothin Down   Germany only



CD single
Life Changes (Single Edit) / Put It All Down To Love / Life Changes / Heartland

‘Heartland’ is a non album ‘B-side’ song.  This was released November 24th in Holland and pulled instantly, making it a highly sought after collectible.



Roger Taylor – lead vocals
Spike Edney – keyboards, backing vocals
Clayton Moss- guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Heartland"
Peter Noone – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Heartland"
Josh Macrae – drums, backing vocals
Geoffrey Richardson - viola, violin
Helen Liebman - cello
Candy Yates - backing vocals
Clare Yates - backing vocals

Recorded   February–August 1991
Studio   Real World Studios
Producer   Mark Wallis

ALBUM AUDIO     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAy5eBz66L0&list=PLy4WrzwXrRyXC6UfiiR1nOUrcsK2Gp0nF

Heartland    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgVQHUJYowY
LV Peter Noone and Roger

SIDE ONE
Bad Attitude (Noone, Moss, Edney, Macrae, Taylor)  4:45
New Dark Ages (Taylor)  4:58
Dirty Mind (Edney)  3:30
Baby It's Alright (Edney)  4:06
Ain't Put Nothin' Down (Moss)  4:30

SIDE TWO
The Also Rans (Roger Taylor)  5:27
Millionaire (Moss, Edney, Noone, Macrae)  3:43
Put It All Down To Love (Edney)  3:34
Hand Of Fools (Noone, Edney)  4:31
Life Changes (Moss, Noone, Spike Edney, Macrae)  5:56

NonAlbum Track
Heartland (Noone)  4:45

************
The third and final album released by The Cross. Spike Edney contributed a lot more to the record, writing or co-writing seven of the ten tracks of the album.  Roger was decompressing somewhat from the ‘Innuendo’ sessions and promoting the album and the Hollywood Records signing in the States.  Also during '91, he was in Montreux spending what little time was left for Freddie to lay down whatever vocals he could on whatever songs Queen had available.

Because of the failure of their previous albums, 'Blue Rock' was only released in four countries. It failed to sell many copies where it was available. This contributed to the disbanding of The Cross two years later.

The band had toured a few months in 89, May through June in ’90. In October ’91, they performed twenty concerts, the vast majority in Germany, and a couple in Switzerland and Sweden with Magnum.  Late in ’92 they would perform a couple of shows at The Marquee in London while reuniting the original members of Smile (Brian, Roger, and Tim Staffell). 

I didn’t get my hands on this until the late 90s.  It’s a ‘nothing special again’ album with a few choice songs, a couple of which would have been fine additions on a Queen album with the added Queen 'touch'.  ‘Bad Attitude’ is a good opener.  ‘New Dark Ages’ is a good mid tempo rocker with some nice shared drum work (for once) at the end.   ‘Dirty Mind’ is fun.  The final track, ‘Life Changes’, is the best song on the album.  Nice acoustic beginning, moody and some times powerful, good additional viola, violin and cello thrown into the mix, and a semi Sgt. Pepper-ish instrumental fade out. It does make for a very good finale for the band. 
 

[Stadler]

That's not THE Peter Noone, is it?  From Herman and the Hermits?

[DragonAttack]

^
This Peter Noone was born a year before Herman's Hermits formed.

[DragonAttack]

The Best of The CROSS

A version I made up decades ago, and still give it a spin more than a few times a year. 



Manipulator  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78PZVTzLPrg
 
Hijack My Heart     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOUJghzUywA  (yeah, I know it’s a Queen b-side, but I needed something to fill out my ‘best of’ decades ago, and gives me the chance to listen to it a bit more than I would otherwise).

Love Lies Bleeding (Brian on lead guitar)    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3901IrwrUnM

Shove It    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=146U3CGl0zM

Rough Justice  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kx79Aw-LEg

Vinyl outro (begins at 3:19)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBxyjj7zyNk

Heaven For Everyone [Freddie LVs]     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nga9cSW5e_4

On Top Of The World Ma     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Z2a4hCXOg

Power To Love (ext version)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7fr_6kTtAc

New Dark Ages    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwWDg3amSWI

Life Changes      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5hE9C9kJXA

Heaven For Everyone [Roger LV]   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtJckYrjr9o

And a few more
In Charge Of My Heart  7”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs6-zrnAyCw

Or the extended version  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nw2r9w2KKY

Feel The Force     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjaa5A2pR2M

Dirty Mind   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdGVBlVHAcM

Bad Attitude    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS3FLLUCtr0

Heartland    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgVQHUJYowY&list=RDEgVQHUJYowY&start_radio=1

[TAC]

You're not going to make me listen to more Cross are you? 

[DragonAttack]

You're not going to make me listen to more Cross are you? 

Nope   I would suggest you give 'New Dark Ages' and 'Life Changes' a listen though, and then you can permanently 'cross' them off your list <groan>

[TAC]

That's bad, even for me.

[DragonAttack]

That's bad, even for me.

Thank you

Was just throwing in an additional note as to The Cross.  The last show on their last tour was on October 27th at the Forum in Ludwigsburg, Germany.  Capacity 3000.  Spike Edney and Roger's next appearance on stage together would be six months later at Wembley Stadium.

[DragonAttack]

The Show Must Go On   b/w  Keep Yourself Alive   

Released: October 14, 1991

Charts:  UK #16, USA (Mainstream Rock #40)
France #2, Italy #5, Netherlands #6, Germany #7, Switzerland #11, Finland #15, Ireland #17, Europe #19, New Zealand #20, Belgium #22, Sweden #30,  Australia #75

2022:  Poland #74

Certifications:  Gold in UK, Gold in USA
Silver in France
Platinum in Italy
 


VIDEO      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99KH0TR-J4        213 MILLION Views

Released as the promo single for the upcoming release of the ‘Greatest Hits II’ compilation in a couple of days.  Wise decision. 

The 12" vinyl had an etching on one side, with the other having 'The Show Must Go On', 'Keep Yourself Alive', and 'Queen Talks' (at 8:44).  Uhm,  ok...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Y5PZd7FOU

‘Keep Yourself Alive’ was not included on the UK ‘Greatest Hits I’ album.  It was not a Top Twenty release….therefore, it did not match the criteria for inclusion in spite of its enormous popularity and importance.  This release somewhat corrects that error regarding the Isles.

One cannot make an argument against using ‘The Show Must Go On’ to promote their second hits package.  This very easily could have hit #1 on its own had it been released before the ‘Innuendo’ LP, or not having to fight against the buying public purchasing GH II.

Regardless, the Queen marketing machine was working overtime yet again.  Quite smartly and successfully this time. 

The video is mostly a good collection of videos pieced together, as Freddie’s days of appearing on camera had long passed by this time.

[DragonAttack]

GREATEST HITS II   

Released:  October 28, 1991, UK (EMI /Parlophone)
1995 USA (Hollywood Records)

Charts: UK...entered at #1, four straight weeks at #1 in December, sixty nine straight weeks in the Top 75.
#1 in Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland
#4 in Australia

1992:
#1 in Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Spain
#2 in the UK, Germany, and Sweden
#4 in Norway

1993: UK #29

1994: UK #32 (and five of the next six years in the Top 80)

2006:  Italy #28

2012:  USA #25

2018:  Ireland #49

2019:  Belgium #25

Certifications:  13x Platinum in UK, Platinum in USA (GH Vol 1 & II ‘box set’)
9x Gold in Germany
Platinum in Italy, Mexico, and Sweden
2x Platinum in Brazil, Finland,
4x Platinum in Austria
5x Platinum in Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland
8x Platinum in Australia
Diamond in Argentina


UK vinyl cover

John Deacon - bass guitar, keyboards
Brian May - guitars, vocals, keyboards
Freddie Mercury - vocals, piano, keyboards
Roger Taylor - drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards
Producers:  Queen,  Mack and David Richards


SIDE ONE
A Kind Of Magic (Taylor) 4:22
Under Pressure (Queen, David Bowie)  3:57
Radio Ga Ga (Taylor)  5:43
I Want It All  4:01  *
I Want To Break Free (Deacon) 4:18 *

SIDE TWO
Innuendo  6:27
It's A Hard Life (Mercury)  4:09
Breakthru (Queen)  4:09
Who Wants to Live Forever (May)  5:16

SIDE THREE
Headlong  4:37
The Miracle  5:01
I'm Going Slightly Mad  4:22
The Invisible Man  3:58

SIDE FOUR
Hammer To Fall (May)  3:40 *
Friends Will Be Friends (Mercury, Deacon)  4:08
The Show Must Go On  4:37
One Vision  4:02 *

*  single versions
All tracks written by Queen unless otherwise noted
****************
The UK and ‘world’ version (minus North America). ‘Under Pressure’ was not available for the UK pressing of ‘Greatest Hits I’, thus its inclusion here. 


inner gatefold

 

 
sleeves

A somewhat different track order than I would have come up with.  ‘One Vision’ or ‘Innuendo’ would have opened, and ‘The Show Must Go On’ would certainly have closed out this collection, along with some changes throughout.  The album versions of ‘One Vision’ and ‘I Want It All’ would have been preferable, though I do prefer the 'Hammer To Fall' 45 with its different lead guitar during the instrumental.  It was a surprise that the full version of ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ was used.

And then there's that oddity, the 45 version of 'I Want To Break Free', which is longer than the album version

At the end of the day, with GH I and II, listeners had 33 Top Thirty UK songs available on two discs (minus ‘Las Palabras de Amor (Words Of Love)’, ‘Thank God It’s Christmas’, ‘Scandal’, and uh, er, well ‘Body Language’).  ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ (#31), ‘Spread Your Wings’ (#34), and ‘Keep Yourself Alive (NR) still were not part of these UK packages.  They would certainly be included on their next hits compilation, right? 

Everyone has other favorites to include for their own ‘best ofs’….but there is no filler per se.  Personal preference:  I replaced 'Radio Ga Ga' with 'Keep Passing The Open Windows', but that's it. 

These were their greatest hits after ‘The Game’,  and you can’t say they shortchanged the buying public....

....who would rush out to purchase GH II even more so a few weeks later.
 

[DragonAttack]

Slightly jumping the gun a bit, but including this due to its familiarity to North American fans...and since GH II was not initially released over here.

CLASSIC QUEEN

Released:  March 3, 1992  CD only
Charts:  Canada #1, USA #4
Certifications: 3x Platinum in USA, 5x Platinum in Canada



A Kind Of Magic / Bohemian Rhapsody / Under Pressure / Hammer To Fall / Stone Cold Crazy / One Year Of Love / Radio Ga Ga / I'm Going Slightly Mad / I Want It All /
Tie Your Mother Down / The Miracle / These Are The Days Of Our Lives / One Vision / Keep Yourself Alive / Headlong / Who Wants To Live Forever / The Show Must Go On
*************
Sales of ‘Classic Queen’  are included with those of  ‘Greatest Hits II’.  It's 'sister' North American release, Greatest Hits, was mentioned back on page 19

[DragonAttack]

GUITAR LEGENDS  Seville Spain October 19, 1991

I was just putting in an added touch to the next Queen related release, clicked a link, went to youtube, and found this concert which was uploaded only a year ago (and probably posted in other artists' threads on DTF and missed it).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3G6M2sM8R8

Brian introduces Joe Satriani, and later performs 'Driven By You' for the first time.

Holy crap on a cracker!  Where has this been all my life!!!

1:25 Joe Satriani – Satch Boogie
5:10 Joe Satriani – Surfing With Alien
9:49 Joe Satriani – Always With Me Always With You
14:11 Joe Satriani (ft. Brian May) – Big Bad Moon
20:33 Steve Vai (ft. Brian May) – Liberty
23:03 Steve Vai – Greasy Kids Stuff
26:01 Steve Vai – For The Love Of God
34:34 Nuno Bettencourt / Gary Cherone – More Than Words
40:41 Brian May (ft. Steve Vai) – Driven By You
44:54 Brian May – Guitar Solo
48:08 Brian May – Tie Your Mother Down
54:51 Joe Walsh – Funk #49
59:42 Joe Walsh (ft. Brian May, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai) – Rocky Mountain Way
1:08:43 Paul Rogers (ft. Brian May, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai) – All Right Now
1:15:48 Brian May (ft. Gary Cherone, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai) – Now I'm Here
1:23:07 All Stars – Hey Joe

Brian May (Guitars,Vocals)
Joe Satriani (Guitars,Vocals)
Steve Vai (Guitars)
Nuno Bettencourt (Guitars)
Joe Walsh (Guitars,Vocals)

Plus
Paul Rogers (Vocals)
Gary Cherone (Vocals)
Nathen East (Bass)
Steve Ferrone (Drums)
Neil Murray (Bass)
Cozy Powell (Drums)

[Kwyjibo]

I saw that back then when it was aired, I might even have an old video recording somewhere.

That was five or six nights, each with a different cast of guitar players. Fun event but if I remember correctly that night with May, Satch, Vai etc. was the most entertaining one. May also was some kind of musical director for that evening.

[TAC]

When I saw Brian May in Boston, Gary Cherone came out and sang Tie Your Mother Down.

[TAC]

Joe, I'll try and catch up tomorrow. I was basically out of commission today, and also updating my Concert Thread and compiling my Fates Warning Top 50...

[The Curious Orange]

While Greatest Hits could excuse it's omission of certain key tracks by being Top-20 hits only (Tie Your Mother Down only reached #31, Spread Your Wings #34 and Love of my Life an appalling #63, proving what I've always said about the record buying public), the track selection on Greatest Hits II is a little more esoteric. I wish they'd have included Scandal, but it only hit #25, so fair enough, but Las Palabras de Amor hit #17 and Thank God it's Xmas #21, and they're not here either, while The Miracle also hit #21 and Who Wants to Live Forever only reached #24, and they're both included. I'd have swapped Scandal for Friends Will Be Friends and this would have been improved no end. GHII really does show just how well the big songs from their last albums do sit alongside each other really well, and it's a shame we never got to see them tour this stuff live.

[DragonAttack]

^
GH I had time restrictions, while the advent of CDs at the time of GH II eliminated that.   The buying public....no argument there.  

In the early days, release the big hit (if you had one), release the album a few weeks later, and then release another single a couple months later to keep you (or your band) in the ears of the consumer, and that might convince them to buy the LP as well.  I only bought a handful of their singles because of a bonus track, or I couldn't wait for the album release to hear the B side. 

The Queen machine of the 80s....four singles per album, gimmicks such as different covers or pictured discs, etc.....  and yet all those singles made the Top Thirty! And they couldn't fit all of them from '81 onwards onto a double album.  They certainly had a field day with the completists. 

[DragonAttack]

BRIAN MAY   DRIVEN BY YOU   b/w  Just One Life

Released:  November 25th, 1991
Charts:  UK #6, US Mainstream Rock #9
Luxembourg Radio #2, Portugal #9, Netherlands #10, Ireland #14, Europe #20, Belgium #35, Canada #70

Video   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_IkRDds4fI
 


Personnel
Brian May - lead and backing vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drum programming
Produced by Brian May, David Richards, Justin Shirley-Smith

CD  single
Driven by You  / Just One Life / Just One Life (inst)

12” single
Driven By You / Just One Life / Just One Life (inst) / Driven By You (Ford advert)

The Ford Ad   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT6jkcnaQ7c

Just One Life   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tMGsJiYHlk

Just One Life inst   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4-ky-BgRWc

Shortly before releasing it as single, May played it on the Guitar Legends concert in October 1991, with Cozy Powell on drums, Neil Murray on bass, Steve Vai on rhythm guitar, Rick Wakeman and Mike Moran on keyboards, Maggie Ryder, Miriam Stockley and Chris Thompson on backing vocals (as I found out yesterday! )

Driven By You   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vamy9bB4DiI
Last Horizon  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFpt1Mo2inc
Guitar solo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Qi3PJ0i78   
Tie Your Mother Down   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS5hGIWFb4k

I didn't hear the October ‘91 performance until yesterday, the single until '93.  I always enjoyed (loved) his LVs and the change of pace his songs brought to Queen albums.  Those absences took away something from their 80s albums.  Before I forget, it’s a damn good song, much more uptempo from anything before with his vocals as lead, great guitar work, and would have fit nicely on any of the last couple Queen albums. 

'Just One Life' was not about Freddie, though it can be implied.  With the little amount of drums and how they were mixed, I've included it on my version of 'A Kind Of Magic' after 'Princes Of The Universe' for a needed change of pace.

The instrumental included on the 12" vinyl and CD single has lead guitar replacing the vocals.  Quite nice.



********
Nine weeks in the UK charts, the first six in the Top 15.

Events of the prior day slightly overshadowed this release……