Four decades after the release of their sixth studio album, News of the World - famous at the time for including We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions - Queen is preparing the release of an anniversay box set bringing together the record and several surprises, some of these a real shock even for long time fans. Since many bands with such a rich history and past (not to mention the fact that Queen haven't given up on touring) have been releasing over the last years such products, more than enthusiastically received by their listeners, maybe it was time to give this album the justice it deserved. According to the press release already published on the official site queenonline.com the future box set - the release date is set in November - will include one vinyl copy of the album, three CDs (one with News of the World in the 2011 remaster), a hardcover book filled with photos, many of these previously unseen, three posters, one DVD and other pieces of memorabilia.
An interesting package, at least that is what the picture shows, and it is a careful reproduction of the original artwork. But surely those who love Queen (and many of them have for several years and more) are interested above all in what the new edition will bring that is new and exciting. And there is nothing to be worried about. The second CD in the lot, Raw Sessions, is an alternate version of the News of the World album with demos, outtakes, different mixes, which include an acoustic take of Who Needs You, another cut of We Are the Champions (longer than the single version) and the most interesting track, a live version of Sleeping on the Sidewalk. This was one of those mysterious little treasures, a little known number from this album that may had been played live, but nobody knew for sure. So it is the first time that not only the general public, but also most of the hardcore fans will get a chance of hearing this. The third CD of the bunch is a bonus collection of instrumental, live and BBC session tracks (most of them previously officially released), so not as interesting as the fans might have hoped.
The DVD, on the other hand, it's one hour long and bears the promising title of Queen: The American Dream, and the material for it was filmed during the 1977 American tour of the band. Authored by Bob Harris, a very important name in the history of the group, it will be - according to the press release - a fascinating story that will include songs from one of the most interesting video live shows from 70s Queen, Live in Houston '77.
A more than interesting release, worthy of the 40th anniversary of a splendid album, and fans will surely not pass this opportunity. Only the price might scare some of them away, as it is about 112 pounds, but since it is a collector's piece surely the buyers will not be absent.
Photo: queenonline.com
