Barcelona

Description

180g Vinyl LP Pressing of 2012 Special Edition Which Replaces Previous Instrumental Tracks with New, Live Orchestration and Percussion!

ThisSpecial Editionof theBarcelonaalbum wasreworked in 2012 to replace the previous instrumental tracks with new, live symphonic orchestration and percussion, rather than synthesizers and drum machines used on the original album.Specially arranged by Queen orchestral arranger Stuart Morley, the 80-piecePrague FILMharmonic Orchestranow performs the symphonic score, whileRufus Taylor the son of Queen’s Roger Taylor plays drums on “The Golden Boy” and “How Can I Go On,” a track that also featuresJohn Deacon’sbass guitar. TheSpecial Editionof theBarcelonaalbum is now waiting to be rediscovered by fans of Freddie and Montserrat.

Without question,Barcelonawas one ofFreddie Mercury’smost ambitious, challenging and at once, courageous undertakings. He regarded it as one of the most rewarding projects of his career, and among those of which he was most proud. Working withMontserrat Caballwas the realization of a dream he never really expected to come to fruition.“Barcelona” (the song) was recorded in April 1987 and was first performed by Freddie and Montserrat at the Ku Club in Ibiza on May 30, 1987. It was the finale to the worldwide Ibiza 92 festival. The hugely emotional reception it received from the Spanish audience, spurred Freddie and Montserrat to push on with the project, and “Barcelona” became a fitting title track to the album which was to follow, and a worldwide hit.

TheBarcelonaalbum was recorded over an 18 month period between January 1987 and July 1988, at both Townhouse studios in London and Mountain studios in Switzerland, and was produced by Freddie,Mike MoranandDavid Richards.Barcelonais a truly unique collection. It is a greatly underrated piece of work, too often overlooked in preference to the more pop-orientated, in-vogue records Freddie made. In terms of sheer musicality and vocal virtuosity, it is unsurpassed. It remains a firm favorite among fans and is generally regarded as aFreddie Mercuryshowcase a vocal, musical and lyrical tour de force. In addition to the title track, two other songs were issued as singles – “The Golden Boy” and “How Can I Go On.”

1. Barcelona
2. La Japonaise
3. The Fallen Priest
4. Ensueo
5. The Golden Boy
6. Guide Me Home
7. How Can I Go On
8. Exercises in Free Love
9. Overture Piccante