If you have read my reviews, you know I love DVD-Audio an audio format that has perfect sound and multi channel mixes. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, as I did, of course one of my favorite bands was Queen! If you ever saw Wayne's World and saw Wayne, Garth and friends singing along to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, you have a good image of what it was like to grow up then! A few years ago when I purchased a DVD-Audio player, the Pioneer Elite 47A, one of the first DVD-Audio's that I purchased, was Queen - A Night at the Opera. Don't confuse this with The Marx Brothers - Night at the Opera, that is a completely different although very funny DVD.
What is DVD-Audio?
DVD-Audio is an audiophile format that has the music recorded in high definition formats that sound much better than the original CD. Most DVD-Audios have the traditional stereo mix and Surround Sound mixes in which the music is mixed to use all six channels of a surround sound system (Right, center, left, right surround, left surround and subwoofer). DVD-Audio recordings require a DVD audio player to play, HOWEVER, most DVD-Audios also include the surround tracks in DTS and Dolby Digital Surround so that ANYONE with a DVD player and home theater set up can enjoy!.
Who is Queen?
Although it is the Prime Minister who actually runs the English Parliment, the Queen, currently Queen Elizabeth the II, still retains a great deal of power in England and is the head of the monarchy.
Queen is also a slang expression for a female impersonator.
However, the Queen we speak of here, was one of the 70s and 80s greatest rock bands that blended a rock sound with rich vocal harmonies, led by the charismatic singer, Freddie Mercury with great guitar player Brian May. Roger Taylor plays drums and John Deacon plays bass.
Why you should buy this DVD-Audio
If you are a fan of Queen, and enjoy their vocal harmonies, I guarantee that you will enjoy hearing them in Surround Sound. Queen's music style lends itself perfectly to the Surround Sound format, and the surround mixes on this DVD-Audio are very well done, and just great fun to listen to.
Tracks Aside from the Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody, the album includes Death on Two Legs, Lazing on A Sunday Afternoon, I'm in Love with my Car, You're my Best Friend, '39, Sweet Lady, Seaside Rendevouz, The Prophet's Song, Love of my Life, Good Company and God Save the Queen. The tracks are offered in Advanced Resolution Surround Sound (only playable on DVD-Audio players) DTS multichannel soundtrack and DTS stereo track playable on any DVD player capable of DTS playback. (all but the cheapest DVD players will play DTS, and if your DVD player doesn't have DTS capability, your receiver may).
In Depth Description of Select Songs
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon This song reminds me of a 30s movie. A gentle player piano tune comes in from behind me, then Mercury starts to sing of his work week from the center channel, joined by drums and guitars from his right and left. Of course the ring of a bicycle is clearly heard in this tune. The way the vocal harmonies chime in from all channels is sonic perfection. I come from London Town, I'm just an ordinary guy Friday's I go painting in the Louvre. I'm bound to be proposing on a Saturday Night (there he goes again) I'll be lazing on a Sunday, lazing on a Sunday, lazing on a Sunday afternoon
'39 This song begins with strumming acoustic guitars filling the front channels. A heavy bass drum beat joins in the left, then Mercury's voice sings of what happened in that summer of '39. Vocal harmonies come in from all channels. May's guitar sings from the center channel. I could just picture myself in the studio sitting in the middle just listening. The chorus chimes perfectly blended from all channels: Don't you hear my call, though you're many years away, Don't you hear me calling you. Write your letters in the sand, for the day I take your hand, In the land that our grandchildren knew
Good Company The full band comes in from all channels, then silent as a sole banjo is played from the front with Brian May singing. The effect is really cool. Soon the drums come in, then a flute from behind. May's guitar comes in from the left, then an organ comes in moving from channel to channel. Yet, the banjo is still clearly heard. I learned from another Queen fan that the flute sounds where actually made by May on his guitar! Soon more banjos join from the left and right! take good care of what you've got my father said to me
Bohemian Rhapsody This song alone is worth the price of admission to Surround Sound. If ever a song was made to be reproduced in more than 2 channels, this is the one. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? the chorus asks from both front channels. no escape from reality comes in from the back center and front center. From the center Mercury implores I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy. Left a little high right little low. Soon Mercury pours out of his tale of woe from the center Mama, just killed a man. It is after this main story that the band really breaks out into full blown operatic harmonies. Right after May's guitar solo burns up the speakers and Mercury cries I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all The whole I see a little sihouetto of a man, scaramouch, scaramouch will you do the fandango? Thunderbolt and lightning very very frightening me Gallileo, Gallileo all the words just go from channel to channel with one chorus shouted from the rear, then an answering chorus from the front, another chorus from the left, the reply from the right. I couldn't listen to this without singing along as dopely as Wayne or Garth in their Ford Pinto. The surround sound harmonies just give this song a whole new depth that has to be heard to be fully appreciated. Once you hear it this way, you will want surround sound music!
Although I have chosen to focus on only select tracks to give you an idea, I can assure you that all the tracks take full advantage of the surround format, and sound great! The DTS tracks are also very well done, and sound better than the original CD, so get this DVD-Audio, even if you don't have a DVD audio player.
Summary This is one of my favorite Surround Sound DVD-Audios, and it is one I use to show people how great DVD-Audio can sound. It is also on my list of the Top Ten DVD-Audios or SACDs to own. It was a five star record when it came out in 1975, and it is certainly a five star DVD-Audio release.
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