CD REVIEW: Queen — A Night at the Odeon brings back English sound

Queen

“Queen — A Night at the Odeon — Hammersmith 1975” (rel. Nov. 20)

Universal Music Group

The greatest English band of the ’70s and ’80s gets the deluxe treatment for this Blu-ray/CD release from Universal that brings Freddy Mercury back to life during the height of Queen’s glory years. This may be the greatest live album since “Frampton Comes Alive,” and it’s no coincidence that the concert is from the same era. Mercury, Roger Taylor, Brian May et al. thrash and careen through some of the band’s most recognizable hits and deeper cuts alike. “Now I’m Here” kicks off with a high-octane rocking salvo. The winner in the early tracks has to be “White Queen (As It Began)” featuring Mercury’s soothing vocals. “Keep Yourself Alive” was all but made to entice an audience into becoming rock accolytes, as Queen proves on this live rendition. The fellas even toss in a few covers for good measure, including a rockin’ rendition of Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock.”

While Mercury has been gone for some time, “A Night at the Odean” proves that their sound and verve remains as relevant now as it ever was.