Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Queen
Label: Virgin EMI Records
Release: 2016
Running time: 105:00
Rating: 4.5/5
Rock legends Queen live on in the form of all sorts of new live albums, which EMI puts out almost every year and which usually feature a concert from the 1973–1986 stretch, when Freddie, Brian, John and Roger were rightly hailed as one of the greatest live attractions on the planet. »On Air« is a new double-disc collection of their radio sessions for the famous British broadcaster BBC, recorded in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Queen first played on BBC radio on ‘Sounds of the 70s’, hosted by John Peel, the legendary champion of good music, back when they were still fighting for recognition on home turf.
That was in February 1973, when Freddie was still signing himself Bulsara and before their self-titled debut came out that July. The first disc holds three Queen sessions from the start of their rich career, and apart from »Ogre Battle«, which came out on »Queen II« (1974), they play tracks from the debut that was current at the time. Among the well-known songs is a take on the bluesy »See What a Fool I’ve Been«, which never showed up on any Queen studio album, only as the B-side of the »Seven Seas of Rhye« single. Among the more interesting moments are also two different versions each of »Keep Yourself Alive«, »Liar« and »Son and Daughter«.
The second disc covers 1974, when they were presenting their second album for BBC radio, that is »Queen II«, plus »Sheer Heart Attack« (both came out in 1974). Roger Taylor steps up as lead vocalist twice, on »Modern Times Rock’n’Roll« and »Tenament Funster«. The high point of the second disc is the prog-rock treat »White Queen (As It Began)«, while those who only listen to Queen for the hits will probably get the most out of »Now I’m Here« and »Stone Cold Crazy«, which only became far more revered after Metallica’s famous cover. Sadly, among the »Queen II« numbers there’s no »March of the Black Queen«, which Queen, because of its complexity, never played live in full, only in a cut-down version. Still, the second disc has quite a few live rarities, like »Nevermore« and »Flick Of The Wrist«.
The end of the second disc brings five more numbers from »News of the World« (1977). That means we’re hearing a rather different Queen, because by 1977 they were slowly moving away from the operatic, glammy, mystically spiced approach of the early years, flirting with more commercial influences and, May aside, swapping their long hair for short cuts and a new image. Besides two different versions of the huge sports-arena hit »We Will Rock You«, there’s the ever-excellent »Spread Your Wings«, the pompous »It’s Late« and the nostalgic »My Melancholy Blues«. One of the best cuts from »News of the World«, »We Are the Champions«, is sadly missing, even though it normally follows »We Will Rock You« without fail. It probably goes without saying that Queen played every performance on these recordings with incredible gusto, which was typical of their entire career with Freddie at the mic.
»On Air« is packed with great live material for anyone who loves the English rock legends, especially those who hold their early years dear. Coming on the twenty-fifth anniversary of Freddie’s death and the thirtieth anniversary of their last live show in the one true lineup, this live document from the BBC radio archives is without a doubt a lovely gift for all the faithful fans.
Lineup
Freddie Mercury – vocals, backing vocals, piano
Brian May – guitar, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, backing vocals, vocals
Production
Justin Shirley Smith, Josh Macrae and Kris Fredrikkson
Tracklist
CD1:
1. My Fairy King
2. Keep Yourself Alive
3. Doing All Right
4. Liar
5. See What a Fool I’ve Been
6. Keep Yourself Alive
7. Liar
8. Son And Daughter
9. Ogre Battle
10. Modern Times Rock’n’Roll
11. Great King Rat
12. Son And Daughter
CD2:
1. Modern Times Rock’n’Roll
2. Nevermore
3. White Queen (As It Began)
4. Now I’m Here
5. Stone Cold Crazy
6. Flick Of The Wrist
7. Tenement Funster
8. We Will Rock You
9. We Will Rock You (fast)
10. Spread Your Wings
11. It’s Late
12. My Melancholy Blues
