Released on what would have been the legendary
Queen
frontman's 60th birthday,
EMI
's
Lover of Life, Singer of Songs
collects 20 digitally remastered tracks from the late vocalist's eccentric solo career, including pre-
singles,
soundtrack
offerings, and cuts from his two official solo releases (1985's
Mr. Bad Guy
and 1988's
Barcelona
). This is good news for fans who were unwilling to dip into their savings to pick up
Parlophone
' s mammoth ten-disc
Solo Collection
, as it utilizes the majority of that collection's strengths. For the most part, this is all anyone could want from a non-
Mercury
overview, and despite the inclusion of a few too many posthumous remixes, serves as moving eulogy to one of popular music's most beloved voices. [
also comes in a two-disc edition, as well as a CD/DVD package.] ~ James Christopher Monger