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Track Listings
| 1. Barcelona |
| 2. La Japonaise |
| 3. The Fallen Priest |
| 4. Ensueño |
| 5. The Golden Boy |
| 6. Guide Me Home |
| 7. How Can I Go On |
| 8. Exercises In Free Love |
| 9. Overture Piccante |
Product Description
INCL. 1 BONUSTRACK
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
By S. Battaglia
Format:Audio CD
I first bought this album as a 12 year old back in 1988 on cassette. I wore that out. I bought it again on CD when it was issued on Hollywood Records label in the USA on import. I bought it AGAIN when the Freddie Solo Collection 10CD box set came out and I have now bought it again in this Special Edition 4-Disc Set that has, in my mind, made what was an excellent album to begin with an INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT album now!
I had no idea that the original recording was made using synthesisers almost exclusively, it was that good. Now, having heard it again with a real orchestra, I can hear things that were previously unheard. Extra depth has been given to all the songs on this CD and improved a couple of them greatly. La Japonaise was only ever an average song in comparison to the others, now with the extra "oomph" given to it with the FILMharmonic Orchestra its full beauty has finally been revealed.
My favourite song on this album, and probably my favourite of all of Freddies solo work, has also been improved, if that is possible! The Golden Boy now really jumps out at you and I love it even more.
If you have the original BArcelona LP, buy this edition and you will be blown away. If you are new to the album, you will be blown away. If you have heard it before but never really liked it, listen to this version and you will be blown away. Easily the best CD I have bought this year and full marks to the team at Universal Records for treating this with the respect Freddie deserves and not as a simple cash cow like the Queen "Special Editions" have proved to be.
I had no idea that the original recording was made using synthesisers almost exclusively, it was that good. Now, having heard it again with a real orchestra, I can hear things that were previously unheard. Extra depth has been given to all the songs on this CD and improved a couple of them greatly. La Japonaise was only ever an average song in comparison to the others, now with the extra "oomph" given to it with the FILMharmonic Orchestra its full beauty has finally been revealed.
My favourite song on this album, and probably my favourite of all of Freddies solo work, has also been improved, if that is possible! The Golden Boy now really jumps out at you and I love it even more.
If you have the original BArcelona LP, buy this edition and you will be blown away. If you are new to the album, you will be blown away. If you have heard it before but never really liked it, listen to this version and you will be blown away. Easily the best CD I have bought this year and full marks to the team at Universal Records for treating this with the respect Freddie deserves and not as a simple cash cow like the Queen "Special Editions" have proved to be.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
SUMMARY - a re-recording of the 1988 album keeping the original vocals but replacing the previous musical track with an orchestral arrangement remaining 80% true to the original but with extra flourishes. Also contains an instrumental version of the re-recorded album, a CD of out takes (all of which are found on the large 2000 Freddie box set) and a DVD of songs whose original soundtracks have been replaced with the versions found in the album.
REVIEW - a real refresh of the much-loved, cult album fusing pop, rock, gospel, classical, oriental and piano music. Is this what the album would have been if Freddie had had the time or the inclination to write for an 80-piece orchestra? We will never know but, for me, this is not necessarily an improvement on a much cherished collection of songs but I loved every minute of the reinterpretation of it.
Songs like Ensueno and Guide Me Home have not been much altered with, but the title track, La Japonaise (the true treat of the original album), The Fallen Priest and The Golden Boy have been given a brand new drama and urgency. The version of Exercises In Free Love is not to be missed.
The outtakes are interesting but you'll probably only listen to them once out of curiosity. The videos are as good as ever - I love Montserrat chasing Freddie around the stage on The Golden Boy. The new edit of the Barcelona video features many rushes not seen before. The instrumentals album is punchy but obviously let down by no Fred or Monty (as you'd expect!)
As a life long Freddie fan, I loved it.
RECOMMENDED FOR - those who love the 1988 version
NOT YET RECOMMENDED FOR - those unfamiliar with the work. Buy and fall in love with the ground breaking original and hear Freddie's version first. When you know it word for word, buy this version and get ready to have your breath taken away ... again
PS 10 out of 10 for Amazon pre-ordering. Arrived on the day of release.
REVIEW - a real refresh of the much-loved, cult album fusing pop, rock, gospel, classical, oriental and piano music. Is this what the album would have been if Freddie had had the time or the inclination to write for an 80-piece orchestra? We will never know but, for me, this is not necessarily an improvement on a much cherished collection of songs but I loved every minute of the reinterpretation of it.
Songs like Ensueno and Guide Me Home have not been much altered with, but the title track, La Japonaise (the true treat of the original album), The Fallen Priest and The Golden Boy have been given a brand new drama and urgency. The version of Exercises In Free Love is not to be missed.
The outtakes are interesting but you'll probably only listen to them once out of curiosity. The videos are as good as ever - I love Montserrat chasing Freddie around the stage on The Golden Boy. The new edit of the Barcelona video features many rushes not seen before. The instrumentals album is punchy but obviously let down by no Fred or Monty (as you'd expect!)
As a life long Freddie fan, I loved it.
RECOMMENDED FOR - those who love the 1988 version
NOT YET RECOMMENDED FOR - those unfamiliar with the work. Buy and fall in love with the ground breaking original and hear Freddie's version first. When you know it word for word, buy this version and get ready to have your breath taken away ... again
PS 10 out of 10 for Amazon pre-ordering. Arrived on the day of release.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Lordy
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have always loved this album. I was terribly excited when I found out about the nature of this project, having wondered for a while why no re master of the original was forth coming. When it turned up on my doorstep on the day of release (thankyou Amazon) I couldn't wait to hear the results. I had already listened to the preview on youtube, however that really didn't prepare me for the difference between the original album and this beautifully packaged jewel.
The difference the fully orchestrated music has made is tremendous. By this I don't mean that the changes are always dramatically different to the old, though on occasion they are,but its the quality of depth they add to the songs that elevate
this recording to a different level. Whilst much of the music was always very beautiful, the orchestration enriches the music and I think invites us to treat it more seriously. It is more "classical" in its nature now. It also emphasizes or reveals more the beauty of the music. Take for example the orchestrated Exercises in Free Love. Before this I hadn't realised just how lovely the music actually is. Or Guide me back.This has always been one of my personal favourites. The music is gorgeous, the lyrics heartbreaking. The new orchestrations add considerable depth and drama to this song and indeed throughout the album. I just love it.
The only quibble I have is that it would have been nice to have a re mastered version of the original album with the deluxe package.
If you have always loved this album then you will not be disappointed. If you are coming to it new, then you are in for a considerable delight. For me it really is the peak of Freddie's post 70's writing and recording.
The difference the fully orchestrated music has made is tremendous. By this I don't mean that the changes are always dramatically different to the old, though on occasion they are,but its the quality of depth they add to the songs that elevate
this recording to a different level. Whilst much of the music was always very beautiful, the orchestration enriches the music and I think invites us to treat it more seriously. It is more "classical" in its nature now. It also emphasizes or reveals more the beauty of the music. Take for example the orchestrated Exercises in Free Love. Before this I hadn't realised just how lovely the music actually is. Or Guide me back.This has always been one of my personal favourites. The music is gorgeous, the lyrics heartbreaking. The new orchestrations add considerable depth and drama to this song and indeed throughout the album. I just love it.
The only quibble I have is that it would have been nice to have a re mastered version of the original album with the deluxe package.
If you have always loved this album then you will not be disappointed. If you are coming to it new, then you are in for a considerable delight. For me it really is the peak of Freddie's post 70's writing and recording.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Orchestrations
A brilliant album with wonderful new orchestrations by the talented Stuart Morley. Great to have Roger Taylor's son on drums too.
Published 10 days ago by Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars
Freddie Mercury and Montserrat
great set of cd's and dvd. some more incredible composition from Freddie mercury. What a loss this guy is, what more was there for him to come out with. We'll never know.
Published 1 month ago by Penny Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the ture Queen fan
I recommend this item to all Queen collectors. It is a must have!!! I love the rare out-takes on disc 2 of the studio recordings.
Published 2 months ago by Melissa R. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Barcelona
Freddie and Monserrat - what a combination! I've been promising myself this CD for along time now. I'm not disappointed.
Published 2 months ago by J. O. Hooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST
I have always loved Freddie Mercury - but with Montserrat Caballe he hits new heights. It is a fabulous listen.
Published 2 months ago by MRS PATRICIA SHIELDS
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoy
Saw this performed on the Freddie Mercury show and thought it was lovely, not disappointed at all and enjoy each time I play it
Published 2 months ago by bubbles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful album
Take this with me on long drives and sing along....one of my favourites. Such a shame we lost him. Sandra
Published 2 months ago by sandra thompsom
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
I really like this cd and it was as good or even better than I expected. Freddy & Montserrat can never disappoint.
Published 2 months ago by Outi Kuisma-ParwarDVM, Cert VD
5.0 out of 5 stars
valentines
Really good listening. Bought as a present and the recipient really loved it. All the different elements to the different CDs were great and the new version with the orchestra was... Read more
Published 2 months ago by k8ee
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Stars, well it's Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe
Great music, not reall an opera fan, but this CD is really good to chill out to. Nice to hear a full orchestra backing the vocals of Freddie & Montserrat at last....
Published 2 months ago by Ian D Bayntun
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