1989 · At the Beeb - Queen

Vinyl L.P · U.K · Band of Joy · BOJLP 001.

 Back cover.

 Labels.

Liner Notes:

side one

Recorded 5th February 1973
Produced by Bernie Andrews

side two

Recorded 3rd December 1973
Produced by Bernie Andrews


QUEEN
Freddie Mercury - vocals/piano
Brian May - guitar
John Deacon - bass
Roger Taylor - drums

The BBC tradition of inviting artist into BBc studios to perform and record sessions exclusively for broadcast has created a Music Archive unique in the world.

Band of Joy Music is privileged to have been granted the opportunity to presents this remarkable new series of recordings featuring internationally acclaimed artists "in session". Informed fans and collectors wordlwide are indebted to the BBC programme producers, studio producers, engineers and, of course, to the artists who kindly gave permission for their work to appear.

Design by Richard Gray
Photography by Douglas Puddifoot
All tracks published by B. Feldman & Co. Ltd.

© BBC 1973
℗ 1989 BBC Enterprises Ltd.
© 1989 Queen Productions Ltd.

Released by arrangement with BBC Records and Tapes and EMI Records Ltd.

Sucessfully distributed by Pinnacle Records.
Manufactued in Great Britain.

THIS is an event. Not merely the release of more "product", but a major milestone in the annals of Rock. What you hold here are eight songs recorded in 1973 by Queen, one of the great names of post-war international music. Moreover, these are versions of well-known numbers that you will never have heard before! 

FACT. February 1973. Queen have been on the live circuit for barely two years. But they've yet to sign a major recording deal. However, the enterprising folk at Radio One book vocalist / pianist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor for a session with producer Bernie Andrews. It is to be broadcast on Sounds Of The '70s, and four tracks are laid down on February 5th, viz My Fairy King, Keep Yourself Alive, Doin' Alright, and Liar. All of these songs were eventually to turn up on the band's self-titled debut album for EMI (released in July of that year), but these versions have never been heard before... not even in bootleg form! 

COMMENT. It's amazing to hear the stunning renditions the band explore herein. Liar's dramatic, thundering Metal extravagance. My Fairy King's lushness and orchestral bravura. Keep Yourself Alive's responsive, momentous Metal-Pop ebullience. Doin' Alright's combination attack of blazing riffs and delicate tinctures of melody. 

FACT. On December 3rd 1973, Queen recorded a second session for Sounds Of The '70s, performing the songs Ogre Battle, Great King Rat, Modern Times Rock'n'Roll, and Son And Daughter. With the exception of Ogre..., all the songs here were featured on the Queen LP. Ogre Battle is to emerge on the Queen II LP, released in March 1974. 

COMMENT. Once again the quality of performance and recording are breathtaking. Ogre Battle is a panorama of virulent grandeur and broadsword clashing mania. Great King Rat has a seismic bite and flaring, cascading incandescence. Modern Times Rock'n'Roll boasts rousing, glinting rhythms. Son And Daughter is suffused with individual Blues and dramatic cloisters. Magnificent. 

As I said earlier, this isn't a release, but an event. Captured here is the essence of early Queen. The style that would help shape two generations of Rock 'N' Roll. The sound that would conquer the world. This is vital, valuable, inexorable. An historical affair that still maintains a contemporary resonance. Rare indeed. 

Malcolm Dome
RAW magazine