NEWS OF THE WORLD 40th Anniversary box setIn 2017 came the release of some long awaited gems in one package (albeit overpriced). It included the vinyl, the 2011 remastered CD, a DVD, and two bonus discs. I would gladly have paid for a separate two disc offering of the 'Raw Sessions', BBC Session 6 with live material, but that wasn't offered. I thank my local library for the 'Raw Sessions' disc. Disc Three is available via youtube hunting.
Disc Two: Raw Sessions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-bzqylNf08&list=PL-sj4xR8SOmOHMY5KfsqykZgrxRfXxrl5 1. We Will Rock You (Alterative Version) 2:26
2. We Are the Champions (Alternative Version) 4:33
3. Sheer Heart Attack (Original Rough Mix) 4:17
4. All Dead, All Dead (Original Rough Mix) 3:08
5. Spread Your Wings (Alternative Take) 4:56
6. Fight from the Inside (Demo Vocal Version) 3:08
7. Get Down, Make Love (Early Take) 4:02
8. Sleeping on the Sidewalk (Live in Boston, November 1977) 3:49
9. Who Needs You (Acoustic Take) 2:49
10. It's Late (Alternative Version) 6:44
11. My Melancholy Blues (Original Rough Mix) 3:36
There is certainly a lot to like on this. Lots of noticeable differences throughout. '
We Are The Champions' has extra choruses at the end.
'Sheer Heart Attack' has an added guitar intro, an extended jam at the end, no vocals, but somehow the 'nails on the chalkboard' guitar still exists. I was really hoping for vocals minus that guitar.
The Freddie fans will love
'All Dead, All Dead' as he provides the lead vocals. Also of note, the original lyric sheet includes some line of text in italics. Those lyrics were not on the official release, but are sung here. An added piano intro for
'Spread Your Wings' and other variations on a song that is always a joy to listen to. Still doesn't match up to the BBC version.
Since
‘Sleeping On The Sidewalk' was done in one vocal take, it's rather nice to have a live version of Freddie singing it (one of three times before it was dropped). A great version of
It's Late' with piano added in during the middle instrumental, something they did live during the NOTW tour.
Here is a fan made hybrid mix of
'All Dead, All Dead'....first with Freddie's LVs, then Brian's to finish. Quite enjoyable as I enjoy both in a haunting way. The lyrics and guitar always make me think of the album cover for some odd reason
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyv0nMju_1wDisk Three
finally has a 'News of the World' re-release with all the BBC Session 6 songs included. Took them how many prior attempts?
As well as the great 'Feelings Feelings' demo, and the oddly edited USA 45 version of 'It's Late' (good for one novelty listen).
And finally, some live versions of all the songs from the album that were performed in concert! Yea!
Except for 'It's Late'! Boo! And, typically, only one from the NOTW tour.
1. Feelings Feelings (Take 10, July 1977) 1:55
2. We Will Rock You (BBC Session) 1:36
3. We Will Rock You (Fast) (BBC Session) 2:52
4. Spread Your Wings (BBC Session) 5:33
5. It's Late (BBC Session) 6:39
6. My Melancholy Blues (BBC Session) 3:13
7. We Will Rock You (Backing Track) 2:03
8. We Are the Champions (Backing Track) 2:59
9. Spread Your Wings (Instrumental) 4:23
10. Fight from the Inside (Instrumental) 3:02
11. Get Down, Make Love (Instrumental) 3:49
12. It's Late (USA Radio Edit 1978) 3:52
13. Sheer Heart Attack (Live in Paris, February 1979) 3:35
14. We Will Rock You (Fast) (Live in Tokorozawa, November 1982) 2:59
15. My Melancholy Blues (Live in Houston, December 1977) 4:11
16. Get Down, Make Love (Live in Montreal, November 1981) 4:35
17. Spread Your Wings (Live in Europe, February 1979) 5:20
18. We Will Rock You (Live at the Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982) 2:08
19. We Are the Champions (Live at the Milton Keynes Bowl, June 1982)