Written by Susie Salva
Legendary iconic progressive rockers Queen is one of the greatest visual bands in rock history and have released their 2 DVD set release by Eagle Rock Entertainment happens to gather the bands most notable music starting in the 1970‘s and now this Greatest Video Hits collection has been released all in one place for public consumption.
This videos selection featuring two definitive rock discs created with DTS 5.1 Surround Sound features groundbreaking video history in a seamless 33 video deep, the first time that this collection will be released in one package.
Disc 1 features music heavily evocative with Freddie Mercury the consummate show man strutting around mainly bare chested, Brian May, one of the best lead guitarist on the planet and has maintained a phD in Astrophysics, finally the glue of the band is Roger Taylor on percussion.
Heavy on the early days, this first disc spotlights Queen in the 1970’s when they became pioneers of the music video as an art form began to emerge. This posed quite a challenge to stay current and act as a visual spectacle and pleasant audio sounds. The DVD includes iconic rock opera “Bohemian Rhapsody”. At this early time period Freddie Mercury and the band were very glam in conjunction with some of the movements in that era. Visually acute Mercury displayed his confidence on stage and in his own skin.
“Another One Bites the Dust,” legendary bassline and all time party theme. The band knew handle this theatric and sublime material. Simplicity with the stage set up is key here for the success of this song. “Killer Queen,” has to be included and invested in a list of other iconic material like the anthem “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions.” You can’t not go to a sporting event or pre-concert show hearing “We Will Rock You”. Other tracks include “Fat Bottom Girls,” where Mercury upgraded his swagger “Bicycle Race” “Your My Best Friend,” and “Flash” from the 1980 sci-fi film Flash Gordon. Obviously, Queen has mastered the ability to create the rock opera and to use this music as a visual masterpiece that ends up accompanying “Bohemian Rhapsody” Other classic rock music includes “Save Me” an obscure track uses animation and material for Brian May to showcase his amazing guitar licks. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” a greaser look on the video complete with dancers and sensual imagery. Other songs on this first DVD disc “Somebody to Love” also showcases their fantastic harmonies also showing off vivid costumes “Spread Your Wings” is like a mini-movie as Mercury is a fantastic storyteller and the final songs “Play the Game,” rounds off the disc again offering opera-type of sounds as people were dressed space-age clothing.
By all accounts this first Disc is a fantastic compilation of their greatest hits and probably some of the best songs in a era. We are lucky to have this first disc in one location. The 1980 years are represented on Disc 2 from 1982s “Hot Space” album through 1989’s “The Miracle”. With the advent of MTV in the US, Queen proved that could be creative visually as they were on record. The first disc devotes all songs they released making then much more accessibile. This disc contains probably their best gathering of Queen’s music.
Disc 2 highlights “Under Pressure,” featuring David Bowie and scary monsters in black and white and implosion of buildings, depression and mass mobs. “Who Wants to Live for Ever,” Brian May is surrounded with candles and pipe organ the song a ballad with a complete orchestra. Mercury is comfortable in his own skin and can be very theatrical. His passing away lays heavily on all who have grown with the band and had a glimpse into Mercury’s genius that can never be duplicated.
The ’84 “Radio GaGa,” video was hailed by both film and music critics alike for its referencing of the 1927 cinematic milestone “Metropolis” by Fritz Lang. Definitely a weird pairing and strange visual feast. From spoofing of Coronation Street in “I Want to Break Free,”the entire band dressed in drag as older women having mass followers as an orgy and ballet intertwined. Another video featured children replacing the band members in “The Miracle,” Queen put their stamp on the video in the best way they knew how — offering something fresh and different every time.
Queen burned so bright it created a legacy that continues today. From its self-titled 1973 debut to its fitting finale’s 1995 Made in Heaven, the band set precedents within rock music that will never be equaled. Singer/songwriter/pianist/guitar Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991 due to complications of Aides. The rest of the band is combined of bassist John Deacon, Brian May, guitar, Roger Taylor, drums, meshed like magic and the results will be seen, heard, and deeply felt.
