Forums > Sharing The Music - Announce > BBC Session 4 MASTER COPY

Precisely four months after their last visit, the band returned once more to Langham 1 to record: their fourth and final session at this venue for the BBC. The session was transmitted on the Bob Harris show on April 15th.

While the session prior to this saw the band record a version of "Modern Times Rock'n'Roll" virtually identical to the LP cut, the pace was significantly slower, demonstrating that this time, they had decided not to rely upon the existing debut LP backing track. The majestic "White Queen (As It Began)" emerges as the definite stand-out piece from this session, featuring some sublimely subtle piano and guitar extras from Freddie and Brian respectively.

"Nevermore" is delivered with all the dignity and grace of the album cut, but with a dryer feel to Freddie's vocal. Lovely cymbal subtleties from Roger shine out from this recording, not least because there are no backing vocals or harmonies to mask them until the very last section at least, at which point the song takes on startling embellishments. Backing vocals, drums, bass and lead guitar move in to bring the proceedings to a halt with real style - a truly uplifting recital.

"The March Of The Black Queen", as you might expect, is the other showpiece track from this session. Penned by Freddie, the version found on the album encompasses everything within the extensive Queen repertoire, and then some. Although Freddie deviates little from the familiar lyrics, he offers the odd ad-lib by way of extra interest. In essence, this recording of "Black Queen" sounds more like a remix of the original version, rather than a new session take.