Which Queen Greatest Hits Do I Want?

Seeing the ads for the film made me realize I have no Queen CDs! I think I want Greatest Hits 1 and 2. Can anyone opine as to which ones to get? Bonus points if available on Amazon. I see that there is a package of 1-3. Is it any good? Looking for well mastered, natch.

Thanks!

 

European first issues are fine. CDP 7460332 for GH1, CDP 7979712 for GH2. The mastering should be the same for all GH2 from Holland, UK and Austria, for GH 1 I‘m not so sure.

For the 3 in 1 packages there are 2 options: the „fat box“ from 2000 with the originals of GH 2 and 3 and the 1994 remaster of GH1. The latter one isn‘t bad, but I prefer the previous editions. Then there is a package with 3 super jewel cases or simple jewel cases (more recent represses) which contain the 2011 remasters. Those are quite loud, but have a decent EQ.

 

That must be the Platinum Collection with all three volumes, remastered in 2000. Don't know if they are good enough (were they NRed?).
Many people here recommend the first CD releases of the Greatest Hits albums.

 

You want them all
You want them all
And you want them now

 

Just GH1 from this package was remastered. For GH2 the 91 original was used (the matrix even is 7979712, EAC peaks are identical). GH3 was first released 1999 so a new remaster a year later is not very likely. However, I never bought the single disc of this one.

 

It's strange but it's true
I can't get over the way he wants to buy those tunes
But he has to be sure
When he spends more and more
Oh how he wants those CDs, baby
Oh how he wants those CDs
Oh how he wants those CDs!

 

Why is the older (circa 2000) version of this set still sold in stores? I never see the 2011 remastered version.

 

If you're after the best sound quality...
Greatest Hits Japan catalog #32XD-329
Greatest Hits II I've not done the amount of comparisons as with Greatest Hits, but I settled on the Japan catalog #
TOCP-8314

 

For £13 can you really go wrong with The Platinum Collection?

 

Is it just me or does Somebody To Love on the EMI original CDP have a bit of hiss/distortion? Might be my headphones.
The 14 track Elektra 5e-564-2 sounds better.

 

I have the gold box and like the sound but I think it's out of print at the moment.

 

I know we all have our personal favorites, but I still can't believe that by GH3, they still didn't include "Tie Your Mother Down". The song kicks serious ass.

 

Yo,

The soundtrack to the film is actually a great collection of tunes IMO. This is what I'd recommend you grab yourself, since you also get the benefit of hearing them live...And live Queen is pretty impressive.

The Bo-Rap sountrack is your best bang-for-buck at the moment.

Ciao,

Gregster

 

I would agree that it's a great taster, as is GH1.
The Platinum Collection of GH1, 2 and 3 is unbeatable value for the £14 it costs in Sainsburys these days. Other than those I would just start collecting the albums...

 

If you have a 5.1 system, I would consider the two video greatest hits DVDs. They are excellent, sound is very discrete and the videos are a great historical collection of the band as it progressed over the years.

 

It also has the indexing error with the last piano note of the end of the track into the beginning of 'Now I'm Here'.

 

Yeah I think it's better to go with the original CD releases of GH I, II and if you are so inclined, GH III.
The Platinum Collection versions are less dynamic and the 2011 remaster of that set are brickwalled.
Album list - Dynamic Range Database

I do prefer your selections, although it means Under Pressure is repeated on both sets.

 

I have (and like) the 1994 UK remaster of GH1 (from the "Digital Master Series"). Great dynamic sound. Not sure whether it uses NR, but if it does, it's very subtle.

 

What about the sound on the Japanese GH1 CD CP32-5381? Any information would be much appreciated.

 

I had the 1994 Gold slipcase of Greatest Hits 1 and 2 (with the UK track listings) on Hollywood Records and sold it and just reacquired it. I love it. Sounds fine and good DR numbers (one track is a 7):

Disc One:

Album details - Dynamic Range Database

 

I've got this- not sure if I ever played it.

 

I got it mainly for volume two. Had that separately and sold it years ago.

 

No diggety. Quite the value. There are a lot of artists I don't need more of, but would certainly consider the upgrade for easily-available surround mixes. These were produced at a point where all was not about holding a good satisfying surround mix hostage of a hundred-dollar box set weighted-down with a thick booklet. I was delighted to take advantage of these, as well as The McCartney Years as well as Lennon Legend DVD sets at a precipitous point in history. (Yes, that's right, purists - and the horse you rode in on, too. )

 

The original UK edition of GH is the best. I can't imagine it with BR not opening the album. II is fine but gets weaker near the end. Avoid III like the plague - awful set!

 

I started with The Platinum Collection but ended up springing for the original albums.