Topic: Queen release newly remixed box set of debut album

[Simon]

It’s taken Queen years to do what pretty much every other major band has done and crack open the door to their archives. They dipped a toe in the water with 2017’s 40th-anniversary News Of The World reissue, but this six-CD, one-LP deluxe box is on another level entirely. Queen I – no, the numeral isn’t a typo, it’s a new addition to the original title – is a thing of beauty on a musical, physical and historical level.

First released in July 1973, the band’s debut album has always languished in the shadow of what followed. At times it’s heavier and rockier than anything else they did, not least the Sabbath-esque Son And Daughter, but the seeds of future greatness are already starting to sprout – a direct line can be drawn from the ornate grandeur of My Fairy King to Bohemian Rhapsody.

A brand new mix adds modern sparkle and different musical emphases to John Anthony’s original production, although the addition of lightweight album reject Mad The Swine between Great King Rat and My Fairy King is more contentious – it’s nowhere near as inventive, elegant or strong as anything else here.

That’s easily forgiven considering what else is spread across the remaining discs. Demos from De Lane Lea studios, BBC session tracks from 1973 and early 1974, and cherry-picked selections from their September 1974 show at London’s Rainbow theatre have all been available before, but bringing them together in one place adds to the bigger picture.

https://youtu.be/EQd8o_Hwv-A

Read more:- https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/queen-queen-i-50th-anniversary

I have to say, this is a thing of beauty.  The remixes are - mostly - astonishing, and Liar is particularly colossal.  I skipped through to some of the sessions CD and some of the banter between the band is hilarious!  Brian, on thinking he was out of tune: "Oh, it's YOU, Bulsara, it's you who's flat, you b****rd!"  🤣

[Clive]

They always seemed to have a good rapport between them.  And they still have a massive fan base.

[Simon]

This is particularly interesting as some of these are from very early professional recording sessions, so they'd only known each other a couple of years by this point.