Sorry for John Deacon who did not contribute a song to this album (he had great moments regarding the songwriting later), but this album in conception and deliverance is unbeaten. Not one weak spot. Not only my favourite Queen album but my favourite album of all time.
Freddie was incredible but love it when Brian or John sang. In any other band they could have been the perfect frontman. John may have been a late starter but boy, did he knock it out of the park two albums later!
@@grahamnunn8998 Name one Song with John on the lead vocals. But agreed that he contributed some of the nicest songs (who needs you or spread your wings to name some)
Yes, absolutely! Typical of Queen playing live - it's not a carbon copy of the studio version. Much more virtuoso performances and a far greater interpretation of the instrumental sections and Freddie's exquisite (husky) vocals. A must reaction.
@@DefinitelyNotBender *_"I don't think you know what underrated means."_* He means that 90% of people who weren't even born until the mid-90s keep telling him what an amazing singer and front man Freddie Mercury was. And all they know is Live Aid and Bohemian Rhapsody. I was 12 in February, 1974, when I got this album on release, and most people hated them because _"they were all a bunch of poofs!"_ And in November 1975 A Night at the Opera and Bohemian Rhapsody were released. _"Freddie Mercury was the world's most amazing singer and front man!"_ drools the 23 year old. Yeah? Tell me about it. Tell me about Robert Plant as well. {:o:O:} _(Edited for tyops)_
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 By the time most people were getting into them, they had changed direction sufficiently for me to lose interest. First 5 albums were brilliant, after that not so much so, but that's my musical tastes I guess. Definitely preferred their 70's output. I was 12 in 1970 so the 70's were my decade.
@@clansome *_"By the time most people were getting into them, they had changed direction sufficiently for me to lose interest."_* It was _"Bicycle Race"_ for me. It seemed they got worse as their hair got shorter! And then _"Save Me"_ seemed to be a sort of return to form. But _"It's Late"_ and a few others on _"News of the World"_ are fantastic, although some of the album is a bit spotty. I have their first six albums, plus the live one, on vinyl. Eventually I got them all on CD. Except maybe _"Flash."_ I don't remember if I have that one or not! I definitely preferred their more progressive rock style. _"My Fairy King"_ blows me away as much at 62 as it did when I was 12. {:o:O:}
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 "It seemed they got worse as their hair got shorter" I would agree with you on that. Whilst I said their 70's album I think Flash was the last album I bought. I'm one of those that was watched Live Aid on TV wasn't particularly blown away with their set. Personal opinion is that that performance is viewed throigh rose tinted glasses these days. Still a great group mind.
You should totally check out the live version of White Queen at the Hammersmith odeon in 1975. Personally I think that that performance is the most beautiful thing Queen has ever done. Probably one of the most beautiful performances ever recorded
One final note in my Queen filibuster... These early Queen albums were all recorded on SPEC TIME at Trident Studios. Middle of the night, a couple hours here and there when bands cancelled... it was pure desire, undaunted belief in the unprecedented music they were making... amazing. I still treasure Doug's "WTF" reaction to "My Fairy King"... because that was EVERYONE's reaction back in the day. The small cadre of us lucky enough to discover this band before the dam broke shared an immersive experience pretty much unparalleled by anything since.
Thanks for doing this Doug! "White Queen" and "March of the Black Queen" are two of my favorite songs from this brilliant album. This one, then Queen 1 and Sheer Heart Attack are probably my favorite Queen albums.
Such talented musicians. Brian May is a criminally underrated guitarist. They are a band not afraid to explore emotions and I’m here for it. Thanks for the great listen.
Want some perspective on how amazing this album was upon its release in March 1974? Here's the Billboard top 10 from that time: 1. Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks 2. Dark Lady - Cher 3. Sunshine On My Shoulders - John Denver 4. Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks 5. Mockingbird - Carly Simon and James Taylor 6. Bennie and the Jets - Elton John 7. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede 8. Jet - Paul McCartney and Wings 9. Eres Tu - Mocedades 10. Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
Your discussion of the White Queen/Black Queen song pairing recalled a 40+ year-old memory from high school. We were heavy into D&D in those days, and my friend designed an adventure using this album, the premise being that our characters would hear the various songs in taverns or courts and the lyrics held clues about what was really going on. The climactic twist was when we discovered the White Queen we had allied with to recover her kingdom had a split personality and was also the Black Queen we were fighting when possessed by the evil spirit. I later returned the favor with a scenario that required the adventurers to visit the Court of the Crimson King beyond the Point of Know Return.
@richlisola1 yeah absolutely but I was referring to Freddies all round brilliance, song structure, stage presence, voice but every band member are pivotal to the sound of queen.
You did side Black first which in my opinion is side 2 because Seven Seas of Rhye as it fades out, is actually a transition to the first track on Sheer Heart Attack. While this would skip over doing the rest of Queen I before, I would have you do side 1 of Sheer Heart Attack but preface it by listening one more time to Seven Seas in order to get the entire transition. That first song is Brighton Rock in which Freddie sings some interesting vocal transitions that I'll let you discover without spoiling them.
News Of The World, A Night At The Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, A Day At The Races, Jazz...etc. I think, like The Beatles, you should experience Queen chronologically. The choice is yours, always. ✌️♥️
Best Queen album ! It builds such a special atmosphere that can only be felt by listening to this record, a sign of great art. Feels like being submerged in a medieval fantasy, mixed with a rock’n’roll attitude. Great reaction Doug ! PS: Please do Sheer Heart Attack next, also one of their best !
Larger-than-life band. Every song they ever recorded is a whole adventure. This masterpice was done before money and fame. Pure raw talent and musicality.
My favorite Queen album and side 2 is one of the greatest album sides of all time. Complete masterpiece. It seems like very few people give their first album enough love. Right next to Led Zeppelin’s debut as the greatest debut album ever. Queen and Zeppelin are the only two acts that I would have loved to seen live but never did. My brother saw them and said they opened the show with Ogre Battle. Can you imagine?
First time on your channel and I really enjoyed your reaction, Doug! For years I have considered this one of the finest albums ever recorded that is largely unknown to most music fans, and even many fans of Queen. I don't know if you have ever reacted to their next LP, Sheer Heart Attack, but if you haven't you must put it on your list to get to one day!!
there is an interesting video interview on youtube between Rick Wakeman and Brian May. Really interesting and well worth a watch. Brian has a masters in astro physics and maths and he told Rick he worked out some of his music mathmatically which i found interesting. Many wouldnt know to do that.
Queen II, my favorite! And many years ago, Brian said it was his as well… Queen is a great band to go and listen to album by album because with each album they evolved. When you jump around their catalog, you can hear how incredibly diverse their music is. But each album for the most part has a consistent feel on its own. If I were you, I would be listening to Queen one and then jump to the third album Sheer Heart Attack. Why not go in chronological orders so you can go on the journey with Queen as they actually did, album by album, year by year.!
You uploaded on the Last Day of School for me. Not only do I get to cry about graduating, I get to listen to Doug Helvering himself listen to Queen II White side!
As a Queen fan, I love all the albums up to Flash and then from The Works until Made In Heaven. Next album has to be Sheer Heart Attack as that also kicks some butt as well
I'm suprised you have picked this tune. Check out Brian May's "Good Company" on the Night At The Opera album. Every instrument is played by Brianon his guitar. He gets different sounds using various amps and guitar settings, using bottleneck and of course his brilliant style.
Amazing album and Father to Son is probably my favourite Queen song of all time. Sheer Heart Attack edges it though for being an utterly complete work of art.
What a great listen!! I haven't listened to this album in a bit. Side 1 is great but it's just a teaser. Side 2 is where the action is! Put on your seatbelt Doug. It's gonna be a bumpy ride! LOL Thanks for the great listen and review of the White Side.
First three Queen albums are fantastic! They were a hard rock band. I liked them until 1980: and then they turned pop…..until the last album which is great. Interestingly, they were voted UK’s most popular band. They have beaten the Beatles. Listen to all albums before 1980. Start from Queen I and then Sheer Heart Attack. A lot of Queen fans don’t know these early albums which are a lot better than their 80’s albums.
Another great reaction, Doug! But I offer one suggestion: don’t let yourself get so caught up in the chord progressions, that you miss Queen’s EPIC harmony arrangements. That was my gateway into the band to begin with (along with Brian’s virtuoso guitar work). I still remember my first time listening in amazement at them channeling The Beach Boys’ harmonies in “Father To Son” right before the segue into metal. Great stuff, and don’t even get me started on Side Black! 🤍🖤😊
Start at the beginning. Go chronologically. I met them at A Night at the Opera and found the beginning. Then stayed forever. It's been a major part of my life to have this band as a musical foundation. I respect Sir Brian above all others. I'm very happy you loved Side White.
Such a joy as ever Doug! Queen II is my favourite Queen album because I think their creative juices were flowing at maximum intensity at that time with no inhibitions. It's such a masterpiece. I would suggest that you should do the first album next and, if it's your intention to continue with full album reactions, continue with the others in chronological order so that you can see how the band evolved over time. Queen I has some exciting stuff on it, as you've already found with My Fairy King, but was also back in the day when they were pretty unknown and were without the big budget that they later became accustomed to. I believe it to be the case that the song Liar from the first album has the longest intro of any Queen song, but am more than willing to be corrected on that!
The third album I ever bought, after Q1 and Black Sabbath's 1st, followed by Sheer Heart Attack, also went to see them at the Hammersmith Odeon on Christmas Eve 1975, loudest sound I ever heard, good times 😵💫
First saw Queen on their Black Queen/White Queen tour at Bournemouth Winter Gardens early 70s. Freddie wearing black first half, then same outfit in white for second half. 😊
A marvel: this album is so emotional, strong,, and beautiful. If not the best, one of top 3 Queen albums. Thanks for analyzing it!! Queen I is also very interesting and heavy!. You definitely would love Sheer Hear attack, and News of the World (somehow a different sound)
im so happy to hear this one! its my absolute favourite album ever! White Queen iis such a great piece! Its one of the few songs ive ever learnt to play in its entirety (also Ogre Battle) on guitar! White queen has an amazing live arrangement with an echo solo! I'll never get tired of hearing it!
Thanks Doug, I really enjoyed listening to this again... although a little disappointed you did not show the portrait of the band in white... so iconic. Yes, yes, please... more Queen... might I suggest you start at the very beginning -- as Larry Lorex -- and do the two songs Freddie (and ultimately Queen) recorded before Queen, "Goin' Back" and "I Can Hear Music"... both amazing in their own right... and then follow up wit Queen 1 and "Doing Alright", a song Brian wrote for SMILE... can't wait for more... love and blessings.
Thanx, Thanx, Thanx so much Doug for reacting/analyzing Side White of Queen 2. The stoppage and extra detail after White Queen was greatly appreciated as it is my fave track from Queen 2 and possibly my fave Queen track. So good. What a second album!!! It is also easy to see that A Night At The Opera wasn't just a fluke or one off project.
Sheer Heart Attack was my introduction to Queen. First album I ever bought and mostly because of the Mick Rock cover photography if I’m honest. From there back to Queen II, then to Queen. Can’t really go wrong with any of them to be honest but put yourself in the mindset of a 12 year old fan of a known but not yet superstar status band when all of a sudden Bohemian Rhapsody then comes out. Mind blown, but it also felt like everyone else was now in on your little secret. Personally I don’t think they ever surpassed the first three albums musically, although clearly they did find the right formula for astronomical success.
Great album. It's one of my favorite Queen albums. Side White, Side1, features contributions from all 4 members of the band. But Side Black, Side 2, is all Freddie and contains a big favorite of mine "March of the Black Queen/Funny How Love Is". Which I watched your surprise reaction to. As I said in the comments on that one, those 2 songs were a foreshadowing of things to come a few years later with "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love made Queen very famous indeed, and of course fame changes things, but the first 5 Queen albums are musical works of art for the ages.
Thanks, Doug! I always enjoy your reactions. This is one of my favourite Queen albums. I think the white side is underrated. Lennon and McCartney sang their own songs so why not Brian and Roger? Queen was very democratic and Freddie had no problem letting Brian or Roger sing their own song if they sounded best doing so. They became expert at overdubbing on this album. You should either do Queen 1 or Sheer Heart Attack next. The first side of Sheer Heart Attack is absolute brilliance.
thank you! It's so enjoyable when you go through an album and share what is going on musically and lyrically. btw "Some Day, One Day" - reads (Freddie Mercury - backup vocals)
Sheer Heart Attack is the next Queen album that you should listen to, hands down.
i second this!
my second favourite queen album after this one
100% with you on this!
Agree!
What about Queen 1?
@@lynby6231 As well.
The best Queen album of all time!!
Sorry for John Deacon who did not contribute a song to this album (he had great moments regarding the songwriting later), but this album in conception and deliverance is unbeaten.
Not one weak spot.
Not only my favourite Queen album but my favourite album of all time.
Freddie was incredible but love it when Brian or John sang. In any other band they could have been the perfect frontman. John may have been a late starter but boy, did he knock it out of the park two albums later!
@@grahamnunn8998 Name one Song with John on the lead vocals. But agreed that he contributed some of the nicest songs (who needs you or spread your wings to name some)
I concur. Fantastic from the first note to the last. An absolute killer album.
Definitely my favorite. Live at Hammersmith Odeon is my favorite live by them. Not the US festival.
The live version of White Queen at the Hammersmith Odeon 1975-Is my favorite Queen live performance. Flawless.
Easily my favorite live version of the song. Honestly better than the studio version.
Totally!
Queen II is still by far my favorite Queen album. This album so clearly shows that the guitar is the extra voices of the band.
I urge you to listen to White Queen recorded live at the Odeon. The interplay between Brian’s guitar and Freddie on the piano will make you cry!
Yes!!
It is the definitive performance.
Yes, absolutely! Typical of Queen playing live - it's not a carbon copy of the studio version. Much more virtuoso performances and a far greater interpretation of the instrumental sections and Freddie's exquisite (husky) vocals. A must reaction.
One of the most underrated albums of all time...proceeded by the first Queen album.
@@DefinitelyNotBender
*_"I don't think you know what underrated means."_*
He means that 90% of people who weren't even born until the mid-90s keep telling him what an amazing singer and front man Freddie Mercury was. And all they know is Live Aid and Bohemian Rhapsody.
I was 12 in February, 1974, when I got this album on release, and most people hated them because _"they were all a bunch of poofs!"_
And in November 1975 A Night at the Opera and Bohemian Rhapsody were released.
_"Freddie Mercury was the world's most amazing singer and front man!"_ drools the 23 year old.
Yeah? Tell me about it.
Tell me about Robert Plant as well.
{:o:O:}
_(Edited for tyops)_
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 By the time most people were getting into them, they had changed direction sufficiently for me to lose interest. First 5 albums were brilliant, after that not so much so, but that's my musical tastes I guess. Definitely preferred their 70's output. I was 12 in 1970 so the 70's were my decade.
@@DefinitelyNotBender If you want a less preachy answer lol, it means something deserves more recognition and attention than it has
@@clansome
*_"By the time most people were getting into them, they had changed direction sufficiently for me to lose interest."_*
It was _"Bicycle Race"_ for me. It seemed they got worse as their hair got shorter! And then _"Save Me"_ seemed to be a sort of return to form. But _"It's Late"_ and a few others on _"News of the World"_ are fantastic, although some of the album is a bit spotty.
I have their first six albums, plus the live one, on vinyl. Eventually I got them all on CD. Except maybe _"Flash."_ I don't remember if I have that one or not!
I definitely preferred their more progressive rock style. _"My Fairy King"_ blows me away as much at 62 as it did when I was 12.
{:o:O:}
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 "It seemed they got worse as their hair got shorter" I would agree with you on that. Whilst I said their 70's album I think Flash was the last album I bought. I'm one of those that was watched Live Aid on TV wasn't particularly blown away with their set. Personal opinion is that that performance is viewed throigh rose tinted glasses these days. Still a great group mind.
1. The Prophet's Song 2. Father to Son 3. Who wants to live forever ... my all Time favourite Songs by Queen. 🙂
You should definitely listen to the 1975 Live at the Hammersmith Odeon version of White Queen.
You should totally check out the live version of White Queen at the Hammersmith odeon in 1975. Personally I think that that performance is the most beautiful thing Queen has ever done. Probably one of the most beautiful performances ever recorded
One final note in my Queen filibuster... These early Queen albums were all recorded on SPEC TIME at Trident Studios. Middle of the night, a couple hours here and there when bands cancelled... it was pure desire, undaunted belief in the unprecedented music they were making... amazing. I still treasure Doug's "WTF" reaction to "My Fairy King"... because that was EVERYONE's reaction back in the day. The small cadre of us lucky enough to discover this band before the dam broke shared an immersive experience pretty much unparalleled by anything since.
I love Queen with the deep of my heart, for me the top.
Thanks for doing this Doug! "White Queen" and "March of the Black Queen" are two of my favorite songs from this brilliant album. This one, then Queen 1 and Sheer Heart Attack are probably my favorite Queen albums.
Queen 1 and Sheer Heart Attack are brilliant ...... of course! Thanks Doug.
Such talented musicians. Brian May is a criminally underrated guitarist. They are a band not afraid to explore emotions and I’m here for it. Thanks for the great listen.
He was criminally, now he’s considered one of the best living guitarist. Some say the best.
@@richlisola1 Settle down Bro…he’s not Jimmy Page 🤣😂🤣😂
@@kellieelliott5198 There’ll be no settling down on my watch.
Also, I didn’t say it. But it’s been said.
last year he was rewarded best guitarist of the world, so hardly underrated, i'd say
@@aukebakker887 Really? I had not heard or seen anything about it.
Masterpiece of an album. Every bit is fabulous.
"Sheer Heart Attack" should be heard start to finish. Their first album is pretty good, too.
A magnificent album. So unique, full of ideas , just different than anything else you hear in pop music.
Want some perspective on how amazing this album was upon its release in March 1974? Here's the Billboard top 10 from that time:
1. Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks
2. Dark Lady - Cher
3. Sunshine On My Shoulders - John Denver
4. Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks
5. Mockingbird - Carly Simon and James Taylor
6. Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
7. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
8. Jet - Paul McCartney and Wings
9. Eres Tu - Mocedades
10. Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
the greatest band of all times
My favourite Queen album. 'Father to Son' is one of my all-time favourite Queen songs. I would suggest their first album next.
The live version is even better !
There is a Creator on UA-cam named Oniric. He delivers Father to Son perfectly. Also in my top 3 of Queen songs. 🙂
I haven't forgotten the white side for all these months, Doug!!
Your discussion of the White Queen/Black Queen song pairing recalled a 40+ year-old memory from high school. We were heavy into D&D in those days, and my friend designed an adventure using this album, the premise being that our characters would hear the various songs in taverns or courts and the lyrics held clues about what was really going on. The climactic twist was when we discovered the White Queen we had allied with to recover her kingdom had a split personality and was also the Black Queen we were fighting when possessed by the evil spirit.
I later returned the favor with a scenario that required the adventurers to visit the Court of the Crimson King beyond the Point of Know Return.
To get an idea of where Queen started, I would suggest Queen 1. Thank you for covering the whole album. Much appreciated!
Queen is the GREATEST band ever... and I'm being objective here.
And Roger is my favorite...
My all time favourite Queen album. It is also one of my top 5 all time albums.
Doug paid his dues, Time after Time, Doug did his sentence but committed no crime. 😎
Listening to this fills me with joy but also sadness for I miss Freddies genius.❤
You still have Brian’s genius-He wrote the White Side.
@richlisola1 yeah absolutely but I was referring to Freddies all round brilliance, song structure, stage presence, voice but every band member are pivotal to the sound of queen.
You did side Black first which in my opinion is side 2 because Seven Seas of Rhye as it fades out, is actually a transition to the first track on Sheer Heart Attack. While this would skip over doing the rest of Queen I before, I would have you do side 1 of Sheer Heart Attack but preface it by listening one more time to Seven Seas in order to get the entire transition.
That first song is Brighton Rock in which Freddie sings some interesting vocal transitions that I'll let you discover without spoiling them.
News Of The World, A Night At The Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, A Day At The Races, Jazz...etc.
I think, like The Beatles, you should experience Queen chronologically.
The choice is yours, always.
✌️♥️
Thanks for mentioning News of the World. This is my recommendation for Doug, it gets no respect and I love it.
Best Queen album ! It builds such a special atmosphere that can only be felt by listening to this record, a sign of great art. Feels like being submerged in a medieval fantasy, mixed with a rock’n’roll attitude.
Great reaction Doug !
PS: Please do Sheer Heart Attack next, also one of their best !
Larger-than-life band. Every song they ever recorded is a whole adventure. This masterpice was done before money and fame. Pure raw talent and musicality.
My favorite Queen album and side 2 is one of the greatest album sides of all time. Complete masterpiece. It seems like very few people give their first album enough love. Right next to Led Zeppelin’s debut as the greatest debut album ever. Queen and Zeppelin are the only two acts that I would have loved to seen live but never did. My brother saw them and said they opened the show with Ogre Battle. Can you imagine?
First time on your channel and I really enjoyed your reaction, Doug! For years I have considered this one of the finest albums ever recorded that is largely unknown to most music fans, and even many fans of Queen. I don't know if you have ever reacted to their next LP, Sheer Heart Attack, but if you haven't you must put it on your list to get to one day!!
Brian’s guitar tone is stunning.
Sheer heart attack is a great album... first album/ cassette I ever bought
News of the world. It was my first Queen album.
Mine too!
One of the best album ever.
25-29 years old they did this...
there is an interesting video interview on youtube between Rick Wakeman and Brian May. Really interesting and well worth a watch. Brian has a masters in astro physics and maths and he told Rick he worked out some of his music mathmatically which i found interesting. Many wouldnt know to do that.
Queen I is outstanding. Each song secques into each other and makes it sound as on song. Fantastic listening!
Queen II, my favorite! And many years ago, Brian said it was his as well… Queen is a great band to go and listen to album by album because with each album they evolved. When you jump around their catalog, you can hear how incredibly diverse their music is. But each album for the most part has a consistent feel on its own. If I were you, I would be listening to Queen one and then jump to the third album Sheer Heart Attack. Why not go in chronological orders so you can go on the journey with Queen as they actually did, album by album, year by year.!
Great to see you deciphering the music as you listen. I love it. Queen my fave band ever apart from The Beatles.
It's amazing how an album still sounds fresh 50 years later. 😊
Feel free to check out their debut album!
And that is why this is my favourite Queen album.
You uploaded on the Last Day of School for me. Not only do I get to cry about graduating, I get to listen to Doug Helvering himself listen to Queen II White side!
congratulations on graduating!
I really enjoy this album and Jazz. Jazz is very diverse, and is great for whatever mood you are in.
As a Queen fan, I love all the albums up to Flash and then from The Works until Made In Heaven. Next album has to be Sheer Heart Attack as that also kicks some butt as well
Just my favorite Queen album!
This is the first vinyl I ever bought, back in 1974 when I was 13 years old.
Still my favourite Queen album after all these years
Do Sheer Heart Attack next. The album is phenomenal!.
Yes, yes, yes, do the first album!.
I'm suprised you have picked this tune. Check out Brian May's "Good Company" on the Night At The Opera album. Every instrument is played by Brianon his guitar. He gets different sounds using various amps and guitar settings, using bottleneck and of course his brilliant style.
Amazing album and Father to Son is probably my favourite Queen song of all time. Sheer Heart Attack edges it though for being an utterly complete work of art.
It's always a treat when Dr. Doug does more CLASSIC ROCK music!
What a great listen!! I haven't listened to this album in a bit. Side 1 is great but it's just a teaser. Side 2 is where the action is! Put on your seatbelt Doug. It's gonna be a bumpy ride! LOL Thanks for the great listen and review of the White Side.
Brian’s favourite author was CS Lewis (the chronicles of Narnia), I feel that this has influenced the writing on this album.
First three Queen albums are fantastic! They were a hard rock band. I liked them until 1980: and then they turned pop…..until the last album which is great. Interestingly, they were voted UK’s most popular band. They have beaten the Beatles. Listen to all albums before 1980. Start from Queen I and then Sheer Heart Attack. A lot of Queen fans don’t know these early albums which are a lot better than their 80’s albums.
In my opinion, they should've avoided the synth.
Another great reaction, Doug! But I offer one suggestion: don’t let yourself get so caught up in the chord progressions, that you miss Queen’s EPIC harmony arrangements. That was my gateway into the band to begin with (along with Brian’s virtuoso guitar work). I still remember my first time listening in amazement at them channeling The Beach Boys’ harmonies in “Father To Son” right before the segue into metal. Great stuff, and don’t even get me started on Side Black! 🤍🖤😊
So pleased you are discovering the early sounds of Queen
Next: Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
Or: Start over from Queen (1973)
Start at the beginning. Go chronologically. I met them at A Night at the Opera and found the beginning. Then stayed forever. It's been a major part of my life to have this band as a musical foundation. I respect Sir Brian above all others. I'm very happy you loved Side White.
Great rocking Doug 🤘🏼. I would go to Jazz and News of the World. You will hear the wide range of styles Queen has.
Check out the live version of White Queen from the Hammersmith odeon Christmas show 1975
Such a joy as ever Doug! Queen II is my favourite Queen album because I think their creative juices were flowing at maximum intensity at that time with no inhibitions. It's such a masterpiece. I would suggest that you should do the first album next and, if it's your intention to continue with full album reactions, continue with the others in chronological order so that you can see how the band evolved over time. Queen I has some exciting stuff on it, as you've already found with My Fairy King, but was also back in the day when they were pretty unknown and were without the big budget that they later became accustomed to. I believe it to be the case that the song Liar from the first album has the longest intro of any Queen song, but am more than willing to be corrected on that!
The third album I ever bought, after Q1 and Black Sabbath's 1st, followed by Sheer Heart Attack, also went to see them at the Hammersmith Odeon on Christmas Eve 1975, loudest sound I ever heard, good times 😵💫
First saw Queen on their Black Queen/White Queen tour at Bournemouth Winter Gardens early 70s. Freddie wearing black first half, then same outfit in white for second half. 😊
A marvel: this album is so emotional, strong,, and beautiful. If not the best, one of top 3 Queen albums. Thanks for analyzing it!! Queen I is also very interesting and heavy!. You definitely would love Sheer Hear attack, and News of the World (somehow a different sound)
im so happy to hear this one! its my absolute favourite album ever! White Queen iis such a great piece! Its one of the few songs ive ever learnt to play in its entirety (also Ogre Battle) on guitar! White queen has an amazing live arrangement with an echo solo! I'll never get tired of hearing it!
Absolutely the best! I think go back to the original Queen debut album, then on to Sheer Heart Attack!
Thanks Doug, I really enjoyed listening to this again... although a little disappointed you did not show the portrait of the band in white... so iconic. Yes, yes, please... more Queen... might I suggest you start at the very beginning -- as Larry Lorex -- and do the two songs Freddie (and ultimately Queen) recorded before Queen, "Goin' Back" and "I Can Hear Music"... both amazing in their own right... and then follow up wit Queen 1 and "Doing Alright", a song Brian wrote for SMILE... can't wait for more... love and blessings.
I still think this is Queen's greatest album.
Me too. Side 1 is good, but side 2 is one awesome piece of music, so brilliant and varied
Thanx, Thanx, Thanx so much Doug for reacting/analyzing Side White of Queen 2. The stoppage and extra detail after White Queen was greatly appreciated as it is my fave track from Queen 2 and possibly my fave Queen track. So good. What a second album!!! It is also easy to see that A Night At The Opera wasn't just a fluke or one off project.
I always felt the songs from Queen II have an older vibe than the songs on the first album.
The greatest 40 minutes of music ever committed to vinyl.
Sheer Heart Attack was my introduction to Queen. First album I ever bought and mostly because of the Mick Rock cover photography if I’m honest. From there back to Queen II, then to Queen. Can’t really go wrong with any of them to be honest but put yourself in the mindset of a 12 year old fan of a known but not yet superstar status band when all of a sudden Bohemian Rhapsody then comes out. Mind blown, but it also felt like everyone else was now in on your little secret. Personally I don’t think they ever surpassed the first three albums musically, although clearly they did find the right formula for astronomical success.
There is a great live version of White Queen on A Night At The Odeon. Freddie substitutes piano for the acoustic guitar middle section.
Great album. It's one of my favorite Queen albums. Side White, Side1, features contributions from all 4 members of the band. But Side Black, Side 2, is all Freddie and contains a big favorite of mine "March of the Black Queen/Funny How Love Is". Which I watched your surprise reaction to. As I said in the comments on that one, those 2 songs were a foreshadowing of things to come a few years later with "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Gotta go back and do the first album. Then Sheer Heart Attack and onward!
Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love made Queen very famous indeed, and of course fame changes things, but the first 5 Queen albums are musical works of art for the ages.
A day at the races is awesome
Those chord prog. are just awesome....
Thanks for doing this. Queen II is my favorite Queen album and often overlooked, except by true Queen fans.
This was fun. I've always considered Roger to be my favorite singing drummer. Thanks for this, Doug.
Queen II is their best, SHA a close second and Queen third.
I always get a chuckle out of the song “Sheer Heart Attack” is not on the Sheer Heart Attach Album
Like the Def Leppard song "On Through The Night" is not on their On Through The Night album.
Thanks, Doug! I always enjoy your reactions. This is one of my favourite Queen albums. I think the white side is underrated. Lennon and McCartney sang their own songs so why not Brian and Roger? Queen was very democratic and Freddie had no problem letting Brian or Roger sing their own song if they sounded best doing so. They became expert at overdubbing on this album. You should either do Queen 1 or Sheer Heart Attack next. The first side of Sheer Heart Attack is absolute brilliance.
So good to actually see Doug appreciate the actual art of making music.
In my opinion, with the exception of Hot Space, all Queen albums are great and it doesn't matter which one you select, you will enjoy the content.
thank you! It's so enjoyable when you go through an album and share what is going on musically and lyrically. btw "Some Day, One Day" - reads (Freddie Mercury - backup vocals)
Sheer Heart Attack next. I love the early stuff most of all from Queen.
The first album I ever owned. Great stuff!
Same here.
Early quee. Is class..glad you enjoyed Doug 😅
I would love to see Brian and Roger comment on your reaction to this 😊 The early Queen albums were masterpieces in my opinion. Such fantastic music
also the later ones
Great. Prophet's Song from A Night at the Opera!
Great, So good to see that this music never dies. I love those early Queen albums. Makes me want to listen to the good old LP's again, luckily I can.
One of the great albums of all-time!!! Side one is amazing but side two is epic.
Nice! Imho, this is the best album Queen made, just amazing 👏
Queen at their peak!
My favourite album, by possibly the best all round rock band there ever was.
My favorite Queen album !
Hugs from Brazil 🎉