Queen - "A Night At The Opera" 30th Anniversary Edition - thanks, but no thanks.

[AKA]

On November 1, 2005, Queen will release the 30th Anniversary Edition of their landmark 1975 album A Night At The Opera. So why am I not excited?

Well, for starters, there isn't anything new - for me, anyway. I already have three CD versions of the album (the 1991 U.S. Hollywood Records CD, the 1998 Crown Jewels box set version and the 2000 DCC Gold CD - the best version, in my book), as well as the DVD-Audio from a few years ago and an original Elektra vinyl.

When Brian May announced a few months ago that a 30th Anniversary Edition was on the way, I was excited. "What possibilities," I thought. "This is sure to have outtakes, alternate mixes, rough takes, and a capella mixes. This thing has huge potential!"

Well, last week, the contents of the set were revealed. We're getting a CD with the original album and a DVD which includes the album in the same 5.1 mix that was on the DVD-Audio (except "God Save The Queen" is a new mix) playing over the original promo films of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "You're My Best Friend" (which are already included - albeit in fake widescreen - on the Greatest Video Hits 1 DVD) as well as some fake videos for the other ten tracks.

Queen Productions, you really dropped the ball on this. This could have been something special. Since I already have four digital versions of the album (including the 5.1 mix) and one analog, I'm going to pass. I feel I'm getting nothing new of substance. Here's how the DVD breaks down:

1. Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...)
New Video Featuring Archive Live Footage
2. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
Picture Gallery Featuring Rare And Previously Unseen Photos
3. I'm In Love With My Car
New Video Featuuring Archive Live Footage
4. You're My Best Friend
Original Promo Film
5. '39
New Video Featuring Brian May's 2005 Performance At Sheffield, Archive Live Footage For Chorus, Plus 1960s Space Footage
6. Sweet Lady
New Video Featuring Archive Live Footage
7. Seaside Rendezvous
New Video Featuring Archive Live Footage

8. The Prophet's Song
New Video Featuring Mixture Of Archive Live Footage And Exclusive New Footage Of Brian May Playing The Toy Koto
9. Love Of My Life
New Video Featuring Mixture Of Archive Live Footage And Slow-motion Images
10. Good Company
New Video Featuring Archive Footage
11. Bohemian Rhapsody
Flames Promo Video
12. God Save The Queen
New Video Featuring Mixture Of Archie Live Footage And ''Party At The Palace'' Footage Of Brian May On The Roof

First of all, new footage of Brian May? A Night At The Opera is a back catalog release and needs to be treated as such. Seeing a 50-something Brian May miming performances he made 30 years ago will take the album out of its time and seem kind of jarring.

Secondly, "1960s space footage?" You've got to be kidding me.

Finally, Queen was a very visual band, but A Night At The Opera is an aural experience. I know this DVD won't change that, but it seems that someone went to too much effort to make these videos. Besides, I always hate it when someone takes live footage of a band playing and overdubs it with the studio version.

Too bad they didn't take the effort they used to make these new videos and instead scour the archives. I'm sure there's tons of unheard stuff to be unearthed.

So yeah, I think I'm going to pass on this one.

[musicradio77]

For those of you fans who loved the album, there was one song off of Queen's "Night At the Opera" was "Bohemian Rhapsody", the song was later used in the movie "Wayne's World". The song was #3 in New York City on Musicradio WABC survey from April 20th, 1976 and stayed for 2 weeks. In Billboard, the song was #1 national the following May. And then 15 years later, that song was a hit again in 1991 where it was featured in the movie "Wayne's World" as I said before.

[TheGreatPretender]

Eh at least they are honoring the 30th Anniversary. One thing I would love to see is Brian May's performance of Love Of My Life in Sheffield from the '05 tour.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by TheGreatPretender

Eh at least they are honoring the 30th Anniversary. One thing I would love to see is Brian May's performance of Love Of My Life in Sheffield from the '05 tour.

I'm not sure which performance it's from, but "Love Of My Life" will be included on the upcoming Queen+Paul Rodgers release Return Of The Champions.

As far as live performances go, nothing I've seen can top the rendition at the '86 Wembley Concert. Of course, the studio version is king.

[dlemond]

I have what I think is the first A Night At The Opera cd release- on EMI (made in England)- which I think I bought around 1988.

For some reason there is no date anywhere on the cd or the booklet.

I guess it's about time I update to some better version, but I don't know if this 30th anniversary is the way to go.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by dlemond

I guess it's about time I update to some better version, but I don't know if this 30th anniversary is the way to go.

If you just want ANATO, I'd say go with the 30th Anniversary Edition. You may never watch the DVD footage (I know I wouldn't), but I have the original DTS DVD-Audio (from 2002) and the 5.1 mix is quite superb.

Besides, the 1991 Hollywood Records remasters sound like crap, and the bonus "remixes" suck.

For what it's worth, the best-sounding CD of A Night At The Opera is the 2000 DCC Gold CD, but that's now out-of-print and hard to find. I do have a copy, though, and I swear by it.

If you're looking for more Queen titles, I know a way you can get the eight of their albums for $35!

Back in 1998, EMI (in the UK) and Hollywood Records (in the U.S.) released an eight-disc box set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band's first album. The set, entitled Crown Jewels, featured the band's first eight studio albums (Live Killers isn't represented here), newly mastered, in mini-LP sleeves.

However, there wasn't much interest and the price wasn't right (around $150), so it didn't exactly fly off the shelves. But now Disney (who owns Hollywood Records) is unloading these box sets - brand new - on eBay for $35. With shipping, it will cost you a total of $40... for eight albums. Not a bad deal at all.

By the way, those albums are:

Queen (1973)
Queen II (1974)
Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
A Night At The Opera (1975)
A Day At The Races (1976)
News Of The World (1977)
Jazz (1978)
The Game (1980)

Here's the URL. As of this writing, they currently have 38 in stock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/QUEEN-Crown-Jewe...QQcmdZViewItem

I took advantage of this deal last month and I highly recommend it.

[TripperFan]

I've still got a copy of the original 1975 release - actually two - the first one got played so much it started skipping so I had to buy another in late 1976. Also have the CD (obviously) now.

To me, probably the best of their albums. Brings back so many vivid memories for me everytime I listen to it.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

To me, probably the best of their albums. Brings back so many vivid memories for me everytime I listen to it.

I love A Night At The Opera, but I think The Game and Sheer Heart Attack are actually better albums.

[musicradio77]

Originally Posted by AKA

If you just want ANATO, I'd say go with the 30th Anniversary Edition. You may never watch the DVD footage (I know I wouldn't), but I have the original DTS DVD-Audio (from 2002) and the 5.1 mix is quite superb.

Besides, the 1991 Hollywood Records remasters sound like crap, and the bonus "remixes" suck.

For what it's worth, the best-sounding CD of A Night At The Opera is the 2000 DCC Gold CD, but that's now out-of-print and hard to find. I do have a copy, though, and I swear by it.

If you're looking for more Queen titles, I know a way you can get the eight of their albums for $35!

Back in 1998, EMI (in the UK) and Hollywood Records (in the U.S.) released an eight-disc box set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band's first album. The set, entitled Crown Jewels, featured the band's first eight studio albums (Live Killers isn't represented here), newly mastered, in mini-LP sleeves.

I know that AKA. Hollywood Records is a subsidiary of Disney in which it released so many soundtrack albums like "Freaky Friday", "A Cinderella Story", "The Parent Trap", "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" and the three albums by Hilary Duff including her new CD that was already out call "Most Wanted". Before Queen bought Hollywood back in 1991, Queen released several albums on the Elektra label before Hollywood released several of their reissues.

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by AKA

I love A Night At The Opera, but I think The Game and Sheer Heart Attack are actually better albums.

Probably a lot of it has to do with the memories associated with it too. Sheer Heart Attack was great. Just like Pink Floyd's Dark Side.. I associate some really great memories though. I also thought that it was the best example of Freddie Mercury's vocal range.

This thread now has me wanting to go out and buy the rest of their CDs now that I get thinking of them. Miss Freddie

[Dean Winchester]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Probably a lot of it has to do with the memories associated with it too. Sheer Heart Attack was great. Just like Pink Floyd's Dark Side.. I associate some really great memories though. I also thought that it was the best example of Freddie Mercury's vocal range.

This thread now has me wanting to go out and buy the rest of their CDs now that I get thinking of them. Miss Freddie

well, follow Brad's link and get the Crown Jewels set

[AKA]

Originally Posted by BuffySlayer79

well, follow Brad's link and get the Crown Jewels set

Yeah. For $35 U.S., you really can't go wrong for eight albums. I'm not sure how much it will cost to ship it to Canada, but I can't imagine it being too much. It will still definitely be worth it.

I also recommend the Live At Wembley Stadium DVD.