The Queen Album
Encyclopedia
The Queen Album is a solo album by Elaine Paige
. It was released in 1988 and peaked at No. 51 in the UK in November 1988. This is the only album from Paige to be released on Siren Records and distributed by Virgin Records
. The album was re-issued with different artwork on CD in 1990 on Virgin VIP by Virgin Records.
The album is the only album from Elaine Paige that is compiled of songs written and recorded by one composer or group. The album is a covers album
of ten songs previously recorded by the rock group Queen
. The selected songs are a combination of hits and lesser-known album tracks, taken from Queen's entire backcatalogue. The songs have been altered and re-styled for this recording, with classical arrangements making orchestral renditions of the original rock songs.
The closing track, "Radio Ga Ga", which features original BBC radio
fragments, taken from the BBC
sound archives, was released as a single. The 3" CD single release included a bonus track, "Play the Game", which was not included on the album.
Elaine Paige
Elaine Paige OBE is an English singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, North London, Paige attended the Aida Foster stage school, making her first professional appearance on stage in 1964, at the age of 16...
. It was released in 1988 and peaked at No. 51 in the UK in November 1988. This is the only album from Paige to be released on Siren Records and distributed by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. The album was re-issued with different artwork on CD in 1990 on Virgin VIP by Virgin Records.
The album is the only album from Elaine Paige that is compiled of songs written and recorded by one composer or group. The album is a covers album
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of ten songs previously recorded by the rock group Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
. The selected songs are a combination of hits and lesser-known album tracks, taken from Queen's entire backcatalogue. The songs have been altered and re-styled for this recording, with classical arrangements making orchestral renditions of the original rock songs.
The closing track, "Radio Ga Ga", which features original BBC radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
fragments, taken from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sound archives, was released as a single. The 3" CD single release included a bonus track, "Play the Game", which was not included on the album.
Track listing
- "Bohemian RhapsodyBohemian Rhapsody"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" - 5.55 (Freddie MercuryFreddie MercuryFreddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
) - "A Kind of MagicA Kind of Magic (song)"A Kind of Magic" is a rock song written by Roger Taylorfor the film Highlander, for which Queen wrote the music. The song reached number three in the UK Singles Chart, top ten in a number of European countries, and number forty-two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
" - 4.40 (Roger TaylorRoger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
) - "Love of My Life" - 3.50 (Mercury)
- "My Melancholy Blues" - 4.02 (Mercury)
- "Who Wants to Live ForeverWho Wants to Live Forever"Who Wants to Live Forever" is a song by the English rock band Queen. The song is the sixth track on the album A Kind of Magic, released in June 1986, and was written by guitarist Brian May for the soundtrack to the film Highlander, directed by Russell Mulcahy...
" - 4.14 (Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
) - "You Take My Breath Away" - 4.25 (Mercury)
- "Las Palabras De AmorLas Palabras de Amor"Las Palabras de Amor " is a rock ballad by English rock band Queen. It was released as the third single from their 1982 album Hot Space...
" - 4.22 (May) - "One Year of LoveOne Year of Love"One Year of Love" is a song by Queen from their 1986 album A Kind of Magic and also the film Highlander. Written by bassist John Deacon, it was released as a single in France and Spain. Like his other composition, "You're My Best Friend", this song has some of Deacon's most notable instrumental...
" - 4.57 (John DeaconJohn DeaconJohn Richard Deacon is a retired English multi-instrumentalist and song writer, best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. Of the four members of the band, he was the last to join and also the youngest, being only 19 years old when he was recruited by the other members of the band...
) - "Is This the World We Created?" - 2.25 (Mercury, May)
- "Radio Ga GaRadio Ga Ga"Radio Ga Ga" is a 1984 song performed and recorded by the British rock band Queen, written by their drummer Roger Taylor. It was released as a single with "I Go Crazy" by Brian May on the original B-side and was included on the album The Works...
" - 5.20 (Taylor)
Personnel
- Elaine Paige - vocals
- The New Philharmonic Orchestra - orchestra
- Richard Studt, Pat Halling - orchestra leaders
- Mike Moran - keyboards
- Trevor Barry - bass guitar
- Ray RussellRay Russell (musician)Raymond 'Ray' Russell is an English session musician who is primarily a guitarist. He is also renowned as a record producer, composer and session musician....
- guitar - Brett Morgan - drums
- Skaila Kanga - harp
- Miriam StockleyMiriam StockleyMiriam Stockley is a British singer. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and her work is influenced by the African music in her home country. Her unique vocalese style gained international acclaim when Karl Jenkins' launched the "Adiemus" project with "Songs of Sanctuary", featuring...
, Mae McKenna, Phil Nicholl, Leroy Osbourne, Mick Mullens - backing vocals
Production
- Producer - Mike Moran
- Recording Engineers - Richard 'Call Me Lucky' Dodd, Stuart Bruce
- Assistant Engineers - Marsten Bailey, Martin Edwards, Alex Bardock