Freddie Mercury - Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 2 / 10 / 2006

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Review

Freddie Mercury may have died in tragic circumstances at just 45 of AIDS, but it didn't stop him having a great life and leaving a strong legacy behind him. If he had lived he would have been 60 years old this year and in testimony to that and him we now have a compilation of best of his solo material to remember him by. It comes in both a single and a double CD. The first CD features mainly already released material, while the second CD, which will only really appeal to hardcore Queen fans, features unreleased material and new 2006 remixes. 'In My Defence' opens the first CD and is as big and as dramatic as anything by Queen. 'The Great Pretender' is almost a standard now and is well delivered with a style that is completely and humorously over the top. 'Living on My Own'( 1993 radio mix), is disco flavoured and poppy as hell, while 'Made in Heaven' and 'Love Kills' are both big power ballads. 'There Must Be More to Life Than This' is piano based, while 'Guide Me Honey' is an opera based piece sung as a duet with Montserrat Caballe.'How Can I Go On ?' meanwhile is a big funky sounding number, which sounds not unlike Queen. 'Time'was the theme tune for the rock opera of the same name which played at the London Dominion, now home to the Queen musical 'We Will Rock You'. Countless in celebrities had singles released from this musical, and the theme tune is fine-sounding, and again very like Queen. 'Barcelona' is moodier and another opera based piece that also features Montserrat. 'Love Me Like Here's No Tomorrow' is big and dramatic, while 'I Was Born to Love You' is classic Freddie and a great love song. 'The Golden Boy' is a big sing-a-long opera piece, while 'Mr Bad Guy' is a big show time number as is the Malouf remix of 'The Great Pretender'. The Star Rider remix of 'Love Kills' is very danceable. The undoubted gem on this is the first CD release of the infamous Larry Lurex 7 inch single, which was Freddie's debut under another name. 'I Can Hear Music' sounds like something sung by a 60's girl group, while its B side 'Goin' Back' is a cover of the old Byrds song. This sounds like Freddie whereas the A side doesn't. There is a bonus track, a solo piano version of 'Guide Me Home' sung by Thierry Lang as a tribute to Freddie and in classical style. The second CD opens with 'Love Kills (Sunshine People Radio Mix)' which is big and dancey and builds on the original with a strong groove. 'Made in Heaven (Extended Version)'is just that and sounds very much as if it comes from the late 70's and early 80's, but it, however, wouldn't be out of place now as it is a piano based style anthem and is like Coldplay in places. 'Living on My Own (The Egg Remix)' is reworked as a house number, and is massive-sounding in a camp, gay fashion with a great groove behind it and will appeal to fans of the Human League and Heaven 17. 'Love Kills' (Rank 1 Remix)' sounds like a New Order remix 12 inch. The song is totally deconstructed from the original and again is club based. 'Mr Bad Guy' (Bad Circulation Version)' is sung in a sing-a-long style. 'I Was Born to Love You (George Demure Almost Vocal mix)' is another remix job. The vocal, just as the title implies, isn't really there, and is very much a remix job. 'My Love is Dangerous (Extended)' is again funky with a great big deep groove. It rocks up a bit half way through, and sounds like good 70's rock track and has a great guitar solo near the end. 'Love Makin' (Love Demo)' features some great songwriting, while 'Love Kills (Pixel 82 remix)' sounds like a remix of 'Blue Monday' and is funky with big beats. 'I Was Born to Love You (Extended)' is one of his biggest songs, as strong as anything by Queen, while 'Foolin' Around (Early Version)' is laid back and well paced. 'Living On My Own (No More Brothers Extended Mix)' is a very gay, camp and big time dance floor number, while 'Love Kills' (More Oder Rework by the Glimmers)' is again deconstructed from the original tune and sounds like a prog rock track. 'Your Kind of Lover (Vocal and Piano Version)' is again just that but being Freddie it has more life to it and sounds like Queen again but with a 1920's twist. 'Let's Turn It On (Acappela)' meanwhile brings the album to a strong end.

Track Listing:-

1 In My Defence (2000 Remix)
2 The Great Pretender (Original 1987 Single Version)
3 Living On My Own (1993 Radio Mix)
4 Made In Heaven
5 Love Kills (Original 1984 Single Version)
6 There Must Be More To Life Than This
7 Guide Me Home
8 How Can I Go On
9 Foolin' Around (Steve Brown Remix)
10 Time
11 Barcelona
12 Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow
13 I Was Born To Love You
14 The Golden Boy
15 Mr. Bad Guy
16 The Great Pretender (Malouf Remix)
17 Love Kills (Star Rider Remix)
18 Larry Lurex I Can Hear Music (1973 Single)
19 Goin' Back (1973 B-Side)
20 Guide Me Home (Piano Version)
21 Love Kills (Sunshine People Radio Mix)
22 Made In Heaven (Extended Version)
23 Living On My Own (The Egg Remix)
24 Love Kills (Rank 1 Remix)
25 Mr. Bad Guy (Bad Circulation Version)
26 I Was Born To Love You (George Demure Almost Vocal Mix)
27 My Love Is Dangerous (Extended Version)
28 Love Makin' Love (Demo)
29 Love Kills (Pixel82 Remix)
30 I Was Born To Love You (Extended Version)
31 Foolin' Around (Early Version)
32 Living On My Own (No More Brothers Extended Mix)
33 Love Kills (More Oder Rework By The Glimmers)
34 Your Kind Of Lover (Vocal & Piano Version)
35 Let's Turn It On (A Cappella)

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