The News Of The World 40th Anniversary Boxset is released today. Originally launched in October 1977, News of the World is one of Queen’s biggest selling albums of all time.
The new package includes the original album on CD, plus two further CDs of recently unearthed out-takes and rarities from the band’s archives, one of which is a newly created ‘alternative’ version of the whole album – Raw Sessions.
For many Queen devotees, this Raw Sessions CD will be the most intriguing component of the new release. Mined deep from long-vaulted studio multi-track tapes, this extraordinary parallel album brings to light never-before-heard alternative versions of each of the album’s 11 tracks. Every lead vocal is different, as are most of the lead guitar parts and a great many other instrumental details.
The third CD in the package, Bonus Tracks, features a feast of previously released but hard-to-find versions of News of the World tracks recorded in concert, for radio shows, or in alternate mixes. Included is the band’s entire five-song final live session recorded for BBC Radio in October 1977, seven live performances of NOTW songs, plus rare backing tracks and instrumentals of the Queen classics We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Spread Your Wings, Get Down, Make Love and Fight From The Inside. Also on this third disc is the seldom-heard US radio edit of It’s Late, making its belated CD debut, and the rowdy stomper Feelings Feelings, which was recorded during the original NOTW sessions but not included on the final album.
Another outstanding feature of this weighty 40th anniversary box is another first – a pure analogue re-cut of the original vinyl LP, direct from the unmastered analogue master mix tapes. This exceptional album collector’s piece is presented in a facsimile original sleeve. There is also a rich selection of NOTW related memorabilia including three posters and a 60-page book of images, mostly previously unseen.
The package is completed with a brand new one-hour DVD documentary, Queen: The American Dream, created from backstage material filmed during Queen’s 1977 USA News of the World tour.
Full News Of The World Merchandise Range available here. Includes Slip Mats, Brian May sixpences, Roger Taylor drum skins, and clothing!
Click here to check out the specially created News Of The World site that features, galleries, clips and facts and figures about Queen’s classic sixth studio album.
Click here to check out the News Of The World YouTube Playlist which includes Raw Sessions versions of ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘We Are The Champions’ and ‘All Dead, All Dead’, plus a podcast with Simon Lupton, Producer of The American Dream documentary, unboxing clips, and trailers.