Queen – Greatest Hits III

Queen
Artist: Queen
Title: Greatest Hits III
Label: Hollywood
Rating: 8/10

This album could be called Duets. With more guest stars than a Puff Daddy record, you begin to wonder how it qualifies as a greatest hits album. “The Show Must Go On” finds Elton John singing, with Queen backing him, minus Freddie Mercury. In some sick sort of way, I guess it’s fitting. George Michael shows up doing just the same. David Bowie does a mock duet with past Mercury on the hit “Under Pressure”. All of these songs seem a bit odd, considering it’s Queen minus Mercury, but the worst choice of all is Wyclef Jean doing “Another One Bites The Dust”.

Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. There were songs that were painfully intense and magical. Freddie Mercury joined by opera star Monerrat Caballe on “Barcelona” contains some of the most breathtaking vocals you’ll ever hear.

If you liked Queen in the ’70’s, then you’ll certainly love the disco flavored “You Don’t Fool Me”, released after Mercury’s death. “Living On My Own” got a trippy house cleaning, but the remix doesn’t fit quite so well.

Need more classic Queen? How about “Let Me Live”? The precious harmonies and powerful chorus is Queen at their best. “Princes Of The Universe” is much the same. Most Queen fans are familiar with Mercury’s cover of the Platters’ “The Great Pretender”. Looking back on it now, it seems more telling than any of us really knew.

Queen, with Brian May on vocals, performs a heartfelt tribute to Mercury with “No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)”. The last track, “Thank God It’s Christmas”, reminds us how much so many people in this world really miss Freddie Mercury.

+ rae gun


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