Queen have issued a video preview of “Live At The Rainbow ‘74”, a forthcoming release that captures the UK band in concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre.
Due September 8 (September 9 in North America) and available in a variety of formats, “Live At The Rainbow '74” presents Queen live over two shows at the famed London venue.
The first show, on March 31, 1974, saw Queen perform tracks from their newly-released album, “Queen II.” The set features over a dozen tracks never previously released on any official Queen live album.
Recorded by Roy Thomas Baker, the recordings were originally scheduled to become Queen's third album (and debut live album), presented as a career-defining release like James Brown's “Live At The Apollo” or The Who's “Live At Leeds.” But Queen’s creative momentum produced a stack of new songs begging to be recorded and instead of releasing the live album, the band went into the studio to record what was to become 1974's breakthrough album, “Sheer Heart Attack.”
Queen returned to play two shows at The Rainbow in late November, just two weeks after the release of their third album, which featured the hit single “Killer Queen.”
“Queen: Live At The Rainbow ‘74” will be issued in a variety of formats all newly mixed and mastered to the highest contemporary standard. These range from a standard two CD package, a DVD, an SD Blu-ray, a gate-fold double vinyl (including an audio reproduction of the aforementioned original live album), a quadruple vinyl boxed set, to a super deluxe collector’s edition. This comprehensive and fascinating package includes two CDs, a DVD and Blu-Ray, a 60 page hardback book containing many rare photographs, and various items of memorabilia such as reproductions of the tickets, show souvenir programme and poster, as well as material from the band members’ personal archives. Vinyl and super deluxe formats are released as limited editions.
Review the tracklistings for each of the packages here.
Queen just launched a North America tour with vocalist Adam Lambert.
See also:
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert launch North American tour
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert interviewed by Nikki Sixx
Queen to release Live At The Rainbow ’74 package
Queen reveal album plans for unreleased Freddie Mercury material
Search Queen at hennemusic
