Queen’s Debut Album to be Released as Six-CD/1-LP Collector’s Edition
In October 2024, Queen’s 1973 debut album will be re-released as a six-CD/1-LP Collector’s Edition, featuring remixed and remastered versions of the original record’s songs. Renamed Queen I for this reissue, the band’s debut included fan favorites "Keep Yourself Alive" and "Liar."
The Story Behind the Album
Queen started working on their first album in May 1972, spending four months on the songs that would be released on July 13, 1973. The upcoming box set charts the process, starting with demos the band recorded in London before sessions began.
Track Listing and Discography
The set includes a revised track listing of the 1973 album, featuring the song "Mad the Swine," omitted from the original release, now part of the lineup. The reworked album will also be available in abridged CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital editions.
Expanded Edition Includes Demos, Sessions, Live Cuts, and Previously Unreleased Recordings
The six-CD edition features 63 tracks, including demos, sessions, live cuts, and a previously unreleased recording from Queen’s first-ever live performance in London in August 1970. The set also includes a 108-page book featuring handwritten lyrics and memorabilia.
What’s New in the Expanded Edition
The 2024 rebuild of the album features performances that were originally recorded in 1973, but every instrument has been revisited to produce the "live" ambient sounds the band would have liked to use originally. According to guitarist Brian May, "This is not just a remaster. This is a brand new 2024 rebuild of the entire Queen debut album, which, with the benefit of hindsight, we have retitled Queen I."
Queen I at the BBC
The final two discs of the set feature performances of the album’s songs from the BBC throughout 1973 and 1974, and live tracks from the band’s shows at the Rainbow in 1974, from San Diego in 1976, and two songs from their August 1970 concert at Imperial College.
The Complete Track Listing
Below is the complete track listing for the expanded edition:
CD1: Queen I – 2024 Mix
- Keep Yourself Alive
- Doing All Right
- Great King Rat
- Mad the Swine
- My Fairy King
- Liar
- The Night Comes Down
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll
- Son and Daughter
- Jesus
- Seven Seas of Rhye…
CD2: De Lane Lea Demos – 2024 Mix
- Keep Yourself Alive
- The Night Comes Down
- Great King Rat
- Jesus
- Liar
CD3: Queen I Sessions
- Keep Yourself Alive (Trident Take 13 – Unused Master)
- Doing All Right (Trident Take 1 – with Guide Vocal)
- Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Take 1 – with Guide Vocal)
- Mad the Swine (Trident Take 3 – with Guide Vocal)
- My Fairy King (Trident Backing Track In Development)
- Liar (Trident Take 1 – Unused Master)
- The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Takes 1 & 2 – with Guide Vocal)
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll (Trident Takes 8 & 9)
- Son and Daughter (Trident Takes 1 & 2 – with Guide Vocal)
- Jesus (De Lane Lea Take 2 – with Guide Vocal)
- Seven Seas of Rhye… (Trident Take 3)
- See What a Fool I’ve Been (De Lane Lea Test Session)
CD4: Queen I Backing Tracks
- Keep Yourself Alive
- Doing All Right
- Great King Rat
- Mad the Swine
- My Fairy King
- Liar
- The Night Comes Down
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll
- Son and Daughter
- Jesus
- Seven Seas of Rhye…
CD5: Queen I at the BBC
- My Fairy King (BBC Session 1, February 1973)
- Keep Yourself Alive (BBC Session 1, February 1973)
- Doing All Right (BBC Session 1, February 1973)
- Liar (BBC Session 1, February 1973)
- Keep Yourself Alive (BBC Session 2, July 1973)
- Liar (BBC Session 2, July 1973)
- Son and Daughter (BBC Session 2, July 1973)
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll (BBC Session 3, December 1973)
- Great King Rat (BBC Session 3, December 1973)
- Son and Daughter (BBC Session 3, December 1973)
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll (BBC Session 4, April 1974)
CD6: Queen I Live
- Son and Daughter (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Guitar Solo (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Son and Daughter (Reprise) (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Great King Rat (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Drum Solo (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise) (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Liar (Live at the Rainbow – March 1974)
- Hangman (Live in San Diego – March 1976)
- Doing All Right (Live in San Diego – March 1976)
- Jesus (Live at Imperial College – August 1970)
- I’m a Man (Live at Imperial College – August 1970)
Conclusion
The expanded edition of Queen’s debut album, Queen I, offers fans a unique glimpse into the band’s creative process and evolution. With remixed and remastered versions of the original tracks, demos, sessions, live cuts, and previously unreleased recordings, this release is a must-have for any Queen fan.
FAQs
Q: When will the expanded edition of Queen’s debut album be released?
A: The expanded edition will be released on October 25, 2024.
Q: Will the original album be included in the expanded edition?
A: No, the original album will not be included in the expanded edition. However, the remixed and remastered versions of the original tracks will be featured throughout the six-CD edition.
Q: Will there be a vinyl version of the expanded edition?
A: Yes, a vinyl version of the expanded edition will be available, featuring all six CDs and one LP.
Q: What kind of memorabilia can fans expect to find in the book included with the expanded edition?
A: The book will feature handwritten lyrics and memorabilia, providing a unique glimpse into the band’s creative process and evolution.
Q: Are there any previously unreleased tracks included in the expanded edition?
A: Yes, there is one previously unreleased track included in the expanded edition, a recording from Queen’s first-ever live performance in London in August 1970.
