Queen I Box Set - Post-Release Discussion

I got my box set today! A local record store released on Oct 18. When i found out, I immediately ordered it (on their website) and made my way there finally to see if they would actually let me take it home ahead of the Oct 25 release date. And they did

Disc 1:

Queen "1" is a very different listen from the original. I agree with the decision of renaming it. I'm not sure how they will follow with the rest of the series. Because of how many times I've listened to it, i feel like this release is a totally different listen and not simply a replacement - such as the 2011 remaster vs. the 1991 remaster i first heard.

When i first heard Night Comes Down 2024 - my first impression is the sound of the drums: fuller and less compressed. Sounds like they were meticulously re-recorded. However, when listening to this from KYA on through - you do get used to it. Also, once you hear Great King Rat, you will definitely learn to appreciate it if it turned you off on first listen.

You'll also continue to hear other instances of background sounds not easily (or not at all) noticeable in the original mix. Some interesting details at the end of Liar. Jesus is considerably improved from start to finish.

Disc 2:

Could have easily fit on Disc 1... The De Lane Lea Demos now sound a little too polished and vibrant for Demos. However, now that i've heard these, I'd will probably easily forget the original demo mix. If you go with the Deluxe 2CD – you’re not missing much if you’ve already heard these in their original form or have them on the 2cd 2011 version.

Disc 3 (or Disc 2 of the 2-Disc version):

No spoilers! Just kept me smiling from ear to ear during the first listen. I don’t remember hearing any of these as leaked demos or anywhere on the web. It’s as fresh as when I first listened to this album after making it my first ever CD purchase in 1995 at the age of 11 right after I got my first CD player in the form of a mini Sony boombox. Here I am only 29 years older!

Disc 4 & 5 – will get to this later. Disc 4 should be Disc 1 without the vocals. Disc 5 should be a copy of what’s already available in the 2016 On Air release.

Disc 6

Of course, I skipped straight to track 12 – Jesus and I’m a Man from the Imperial College gig in 1970. Hmmm…. The bass doesn’t sound right... It’s a little on the rough side but still a genuinely fascinating listen if not only to hear the only known live recording of Jesus (to my ears at least).

Hangman and Doing All Right from the San Diego show sound good enough that the show should have been released in its entirety… maybe for the ANATO box? Odds are they would use the Hammersmith show…

An interesting quote from Freddie after an energetic Hangman is played to a raucous – “Maybe we’ll record that one for the next album”… suggesting a studio take/demo could have existed during the ANATO/ADATR sessions? It’s an interesting maybe not so random choice of words to blurt out after performing it live.

Overall assessment so far – I’m happy with the Box. However, if you’re getting the 2cd version and you don’t care for all the fanfare – you're not really missing a whole lot. Disc 3 (of the box, or 2 of the 2cd set) is the heart of this release and it’s included in either edition. Disc 4 and 5 are borderline unnecessary. Disc 2 is a real nice to have but not truly necessary if you already own the 2011 edition.

I’ve yet to go through the book or other contents of the box. Based on music alone, I absolutely love the set even if the essentials are available at a much much much lower cost. However, if you’re are on a budget – buying the 2cd edition is an absolute necessity. The rest can be streamed.