Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Staggering collection - Fascinating music., 31 Dec 2000
I, like many other Queen fans, had reservations about the worth of this collection but upon hearing the material, I can safely say my reservations were totally unfounded. This immense package that really does include EVERYTHING is a wonderful thing indeed. The most worthwhile discs are the rarities as they provide fascinating insights into Freddie Mercury as an artist. Never before have his vocals been segregated like this and listening to them alone really does convey just how magnificent Mercury's vocal range was. Also of great interest are the 'behind-the-scenes' material (particularly one track on which we hear Freddie losing his temper at David Richards who began recording half-way through a song). Amidst this vast collection are also interesting half-finished songs and songs that were obviously never intended for release (such as the bizarre and hilarious 'Yellow Breezes'). Of course, on top of the music itself is the large glossy book that contains (amongst information concerning each track and dozens of large photographs) a fresh and fascinating look at Mercury. The interview disc, although occassionaly repetative, is a very good listen too. The DVDs are also very worthwhile and intriuging. In the end, it is near impossible to say which track is my favourite (though I just LOVE that extended version of 'The Great Pretender'!) - Almost every song is of interest to Mercury fans. Forget the price - this is everything Freddie Mercury so much as breathed. A brilliant, enormous, all-encompassing celebration of a truly great artist. Do yourself a BIG favour - buy it! Now!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
A rare glimpse into the musical world of a creative artist!!, 11 Nov 2000
This CD box set is a tour-de-force and a must for any fans of Queen and Freddie Mercury. I write this review as I listen to the CDs included in this box-set. The first two CDs are the standard world releases of "Mr Bad Guy" and "Barcelona" with Montserrat Caballet. For Europeans, the third CD is the US pressing of the "Freddie Mercury Album", entitled "The Great Pretender." This early on in the collection a few rarities are thrown up, including a country-and-western version of "The Great Pretender", a rock version of the Mr. Bad Guy track "My Love Is Dangerous", and the 1992 rock version of "Love Kills", previously only available on the deleted "In My Defence" UK CD Single. CD 4 includes extended and single version of "Mr Bad Guy" songs, together with B-sides from single releases and their extended versions. CD 5 focuses on later singles, including the original versions of "Time" and "In My Defence". Less musically interesting than CD 4, it still offers the completist many titles unreleased on CD previously. CD 6 is sublime and shows the musical complexity and intricacy of the tracks from both original solo albums, watch out for "In My Defence". The rarities CDs are a treasure trove of alternative versions, live versions, and extended versions of songs originally deemed for single release and later diteched. CD 10 is an interesting interview disc, if somewhat out of step with the collection as a whole. Its inclusion is superfluous, and the CD would have benefitted more with further rarities. I don't have a DVD player yet so I am unable to pass comment on the 2 film discs included...
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Buy it. Now., 28 May 2001
By A Customer
Quite simply this is the finest collection of Freddie Mercury related music ever. There is virtually nothing missing at all and is a magnificent tribute to the most creative force in latter 20th Century music. The Rarities CD's are simply fantastic, especially the recordings of Freddie and Montserrat creating the Barcelona album. If you are a Queen fan then there is simply no reason not to buy this. Sell your house or children if you have to. You will not be disappointed.
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![Crown Jewels (Boxset) [Us Import]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413TGD0Z4AL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
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£119.49
See all 11 tracks on this disc
