(Note: this review is more or less a rewrite of my review for "Queen - Greatest Hits", except for a few minor differences)

I really wish Hollywood Records had released "Queen - Greatest Hits" and "Classic Queen" as a two disc collection rather than two single disc compilations. By themselves, the albums don't hold much ground, as both are missing a great deal of Queen classics. But brought together, you could not ask for a more comprehenisve collection of Queen's work.

On to my review of "Classic Queen". After the untimely passing of the group's incomparable lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, Hollywood Records released two single disc, 17 track compilations of Queen's work. The first of two was this cd, "Classic Queen". How does it hold up? Read on for the positives and the negatives.

Positives:

-If you buy this with "Greatest Hits", you will have the most comprehensive Queen collection ever. You will have all the classic Queen hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody, "Killer Queen", "You're My Best Friend", "Somebody To Love", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Another One Bites The Dust".

-You will also get a great number of underrated masterworks such as "I Want It All", "Who Wants To Live Forever", "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie", "The Show Must Go On" (one of the all time greatest rock songs ever) and what may well be my favorite Queen song, the achingly beautiful "These Are The Days Of Our Lives".

-The songs sound fantastic.

-The liner notes are excellent.

-Both collections are relatively cheap, so you won't have to spend too much money on them.

Negatives:

-The main negative is if you don't buy this collection together with "Greatest Hits". If you only buy one but not the other, you will kick yourself for not buying both of them, as you will realize how many classics are missing.

-There's an excellent two disc collectin entitled "Greatest Hits Vols. 1 & 2". It is almost as concise as buying these two collections together. It also includes some great songs not available on either collection: "It's A Hard Life", "The Invisible Man", "Innuendo", "Friends Will Be Friends" and "Breakthru". My advice is to get the two single disc collections and download the other songs not on them, therefore having the greatest Queen collection known to man.

My advice is simple: if you want to get "Classic Queen", than you mus buy "Greatest Hits" as well, Then download all the missing songs that are on "Greatest Hits Vols. 1 & 2". That way, you'll be set.

One can only imagine the difficulties faced by producers trying to put together "Greatest Hits"-type compilation CDs for bands such as Queen. Their music ranges from straight heavy metal ("Stone Cold Crazy") to soft rock ("These Are The Days of Our Lives"). Their career was a nonstop ride of hit followed by hit followed by hit.

"Classic Queen" is a perfect compilation. This is not a greatest hits album. Instead, the listener will be treated to an extensive compilation spanning an incredibly-wide range of musical genres. This album perfectly demonstrates the genius of the band. You get the heavy metal ("Stone Cold Crazy," "Tie Your Mother Down," "One Vision") as well as the melodic synth-driven songs like "I'm Going Slightly Mad," "The Show Must Go On," and "Under Pressure."

By the end of this collection of masterpieces, you should be convinced that Queen was more than showmanship and over-the-top stage antics. They were musical geniuses, and this CD is proof that they deserve their place in rock history.

What hasn't been said about Queen? They are definitely one of the best classic rock bands of all-time. Led by Freddie Mercury, they made some of the best rock of the '70s, '80s and early '90s.

And now to the review. 'Classic Queen' is full of five star music. But, is this really necessary? I don't think so. Yes, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is here, but like 'I Want To Break Free' on the American version of 'Greatest Hits,' it's out of place. 'Classic Queen' mostly focuses on the 1981-1991 time period, so why are these '70s tracks here?

Thank goodness for 'The Platinum Collection' and 'Greatest Hits I & II.' Those are the original U.K. hit collections. Do yourself a favor and seek that out instead. There, you will find most of the songs offered on 'Classic Queen' and 'Greatest Hits (American version).' I suggest 'Greatest Hits I & II' because of how mediocre 'Greatest Hits III' is (that appears on 'The Platinum Collection'; it doesn't on 'Greatest Hits I & II.')

Overall, save your hard earned cash. If you want a Queen collection, 'Greatest Hits I & II' is the way to go. The good news is, disc one focuses on 1973-1980 and disc two focuses on 1981-1991, meaning that it devotes one disc per phase for Queen. Disc one is phase one, disc two is phase two.

Save your money. You will be glad you did. This isn't a bad compilation, and again, everything here is five stars, but the three stars are here because there are so many better options.

Recommended for the easily pleased Queen fan.

"Classic Queen" is a very strong collection of some of Queen's greatest songs. It contains a nice mix from the normal Greatest Hits albums; with a few songs from each of the three compilations gives you a better glance through the years where Queen were the Kings of Rock and Roll. This is a very good addition for any Queen music library, unless you own the Greatest Hits I , II, and III. All of these songs, except for "Stone Cold Crazy", "Keep Yourself Alive", These Are The Days Of Our Lives", and "One Year Of Love" appear on one of the three Greatest Hits albums.

This collection is a great starter album for new Queen fans. It includes many of their most popular and well known songs, like: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Under Pressure", "The Miracle", and "Who Wants To Live Forever". This would be an excellent first Queen compilation to own. A strong recomendation to Queen fans, and rock fans in general; you will almost without a doubt truly enjoy listening to this album over and over.

I have listened to queen ever since I was a kid. There music is so kinetic and inspiring. Freddie Mercury had a voice that couldn't be beaten. This album is one of my favorites. It contains a great selection of their best stuff, from "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "These are the Days of Our Lives", early and new. I also believe Queen to be highly underated. I rarely hear them on the radio and many people I have talked to can only think of "We will Rock You" when I ask them if they have heard of Queen.

I believe anyone interested in Queen should start here. You can't go wrong with Classic Queen.