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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Tie Your Mother Down |
| 2. You Take My Breath Away |
| 3. Long Away |
| 4. The Millionaire Waltz |
| 5. You And I |
| 6. Somebody To Love |
| 7. White Man |
| 8. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy |
| 9. Drowse |
| 10. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
As its title suggests, a companion-piece to A Night At The Opera in almost every sense: "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" recalls the fey, music-hall spirit of the previous album's "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon", just as "White Man" echoes "The Prophet's Song". "Somebody to Love", meanwhile, attempts to outdo even the grandiosity of "Bohemian Rhapsody"--this time substituting the influence of American gospel for Italian opera, and allowing Mercury's diva inclinations to run riot. Over-the-top, undoubtedly--but the band knew it. Even at their most wilfully indulgent, Queen were always redeemed by a knowing sense of irony. Unlike many of their peers, they not only recognised the inherent absurdity of stadium-rock, but actively embraced it: the larger-than-life posturing, the overblown emotions, the operatic need for catharsis--all were worked into their music, and exploited to the hilt. But ultimately, it was the songs that mattered most--and they were, with very few exceptions, superb. --Andrew McGuire
From Amazon.com
Both regal and raunchy, Queen was at the height of its powers in the mid-70s, riding the soaring vocals of Freddie Mercury, the ringing guitar crunch of Brian May and the band's shameless theatrical flourishes. Coming so quickly after the band's A Night At the Opera opus, this 1976 album works hard at repeating the same hit-making elements, down to the matching cover art. If A Day At the Races lacks the same level of pop tunesmanship, there is still energy in these tracks, particularly in the rocking "Tie Your Mother Down" and the emotional "Somebody to Love," which set a blueprint for future ballads by the band. --Steve Appleford
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A Day At The Races, in my opinion, is a perfect example of the earlier masterpieces of Queen. First of all, Tie Your Mother Down - a hard-hitting track to pull you into the album and keep you hooked. A creation that turns a show into a concert. Next, You Take My Breath Away - a slower, more compassionate feel that boasts Freddie's magnificent lulling vocals, conveying the emotion like nobody else could, almost guaranteeing to steal your breath and replace it with tears. Long Away - a magnificent show of Brian's songwriting and singing abilities, rivalled in my opinion only by '39 (from A Night At The Opera). Skipping to track 6, Somebody To Love, again succeeds in presenting one of the best emotional 'group' works, with the truly unique harmony of Queen's vocals combined, along with Freddie's lead vocals caressing the ears of those fortunate enough to hear this piece. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy shows Freddie at his most charming state - a romantic karaoke feel, combined with his ever-present charm leaves you feeling charmed yourself - leading the way to Drowse, sung by Roger Taylor, holding a dreamy feel in itself. A calm, soothing track from the usually energetic Roger! Finally, the ultimate finish to any album, Teo Torriatte. Nothing compares to this work of art, the Japanese lyrics blend perfectly and truly touch your heart. Beauty, grace and overwhelming passion make this song a favourite of many, including myself, and should not go unheard. There we have it - one of the best Queen albums ever, a must-have of any fan, either new to Queen or a long-time listener.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As many people say, A Night At The Opera would be a very difficult album to top, but in my opinion this one does in some aspects. Freddie himself described A Day At The Races as an extension of 'ANATO' anyway, because they obviously couldn't have all of the tracks on the one album.
I literally do love every single song on this album; with my favourites being "You Take My Bbreath Away", "Long Away", "The Millionaire Waltz" and "Teo Torriate (Let Us Cling Together)". However all of the songs on this album, once again are a stroke of pure lyrical and musical genius. The clarity of Freddie's voice on each song really makes it for me, as does the perfection of every note sung and played by Brian, John and Roger. This is a really clear and truly beautiful album. Give it a chance.
I literally do love every single song on this album; with my favourites being "You Take My Bbreath Away", "Long Away", "The Millionaire Waltz" and "Teo Torriate (Let Us Cling Together)". However all of the songs on this album, once again are a stroke of pure lyrical and musical genius. The clarity of Freddie's voice on each song really makes it for me, as does the perfection of every note sung and played by Brian, John and Roger. This is a really clear and truly beautiful album. Give it a chance.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A few of the songs on this album feature on Greatest Hits 1, but it's the songs that were never released as singles that are the real gems, "Long Away" is sung beautifully by Brian May, "The Millionaire's Waltz" has a great guitar section (though not the usual heavy guitar break you'd expect!) and "Drowse" proves that Roger Taylor is an awful lot more than just a drummer - he can write, sing and play guitar too... is there no end to his talent (Oh yeah, he's Gorgeous too!!!). There's a sweet piano based song called "Teo Torriate (let us cling together)" which has a japanese chorus which is perfectly sung by Freddie. If that doesn't interest you then just buy it for "Tie your mother down" it rocks!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Get Real!!
Queen were a stunningly successful rock group for all the right reasons. This ranks as one of their finest albums (yes, there are quite a few), therefore 5 stars. Period. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Reality21
The great unanswered puzzle that is A Day at the Races
I received this album as a gift when I was about 15. I was crazy about Queen and saw them on their UK tour in December 75 when Bo Rhap was number one. Read more
Published 15 months ago by T. G. Fish
Clever album, not in Queens top 5 though
This was the first album Queen recorded after they had made the big time and I feel that maybe they over indulged slightly. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2010 by Mr. C. Clarke
Perfection
My favourite Queen album of all time. It was the first Queen album I actually bought with a whole week's wages from my Saturday job, having merely listened to other people's copies... Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2010 by Fireblade
The b-side to 'A Night At The Opera'
Unlike the many Queen fans whose feet are on Earth while their heads are on Mars, I enjoy much of their music while accepting that they've also recorded a lot of tosh. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by D. J. H. Thorn
Great CD. Must have for Queen fans
I thought this product was great - Queen at their best.
If you're a Queen fan and don't own, buy it now!
If you're a Queen fan and don't own, buy it now!
Published on 29 July 2009 by Jonathon May
too smart by half!
The highly anticipated follow-up to A Night At The Opera arrived on the shelves in late '76, heralded by the hit Somebody to Love. Queen were flying at the time, and they knew it. Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2007 by JJ
Great album until the last 2 tracks.....
The first 8 tracks of A Day At The Races are as good as anything on A Night At The Opera or Sheer Heart Attack, but unfortunately, the album is let down by 2 rather poor tracks at... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2007 by Mr. Jonathan Robin Oxley
5th Album, and still going strong!!!
After their successive 4th Album "A Night at the Opera", Queen started doing A Day at the Races which is almost as good as their predecessor. Read more
Published on 29 May 2006 by S. Hind
classic
how can you top the previous album, a night at the opera? not easily. but with hard rocking tie your mother down, and somebody to love, it comes close. Read more
Published on 18 May 2006 by bacon
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