Deep Cuts 3, 1984-1995 [CD]

With the Deep Cuts albums it is difficult to know what the band's intentions are with them. Is it to get record buyers to buy the albums these tracks are from? Is it to get the public to buy other collections apart from the Greatest Hits Trilogy? Is it a bit of both? Whatever the answer, the three Deep Cuts albums that have accompanied each batch of album re-issues in the year seem to have been completely under-promoted by both Island and the band, which is a huge shame. In hindsight the Deep Cuts albums should really have come out a few weeks before each batch of re-masters to whet the appetite rather than alongside them.

Of the three Deep Cuts album's this one was perhaps the easiest to pick the tracklisting of. Partly because in the band's later years so many singles would be released off the album that there was not much left over to choose from and partly because from my own viewpoint certain tracks were natural choices for this final Deep Cuts collection.

As with the other two collections the choice of tracks is down to personal preference, though this third cut is probably as close to perfect as can be. I would only change about three tracks on this collection. I would remove A Winter's Tale (great song as it is it was a UK single so should not be included on that basis), The Hitman and It's a Beautiful Day (reprise) and add I Can't Live With You (one of the highlights of the Innuendo album), Princes of the Universe and Gimme The Prize.

Minor quibbles about the track listing aside, the collection sounds wonderful due to the re-mastering work. Khashoggi's Ship in particular sounds great due to the drum introduction being so clear when removed from its direct link to Party on The Miracle album. I have enjoyed playing each of the Deep Cuts albums to date and now playing them all one after another is a great way of hearing some lesser known Queen gems in their best ever sound quality and hearing how the band developed over their career.

Such a shame they have been poorly promoted as they deserve to sell well. An essential purchase - especially with the other two Deep Cut albums. I am sure there will be a box set at some point of the three collections and maybe that will get the promotion it deserves.

The good part, the bad part and the rare part. its a collectors item and this is part 3 from it.

This is the third in a series of compilation albums culling tracks from various eras in Queen's career.

First, given the nature of the series, there are no hits here. What you have is a selection of superb compositions which COULD have been singles from the final era of Freddie's tenure.

The songs are lifted from four or five albums, yet the continuity is superb and the tracks sit together beautifully as if this album was an original release.

The tracks are varied - some real rockers here but also some genuinely sensitive compositions too.

Altogether, this is a well thought out and genuinely pleasing listen.