Review
by Collectors
music reviews
In common with the other releases from this label, Hot Tracks:
Hot Space Sessions mixes long available outtakes and remixes
with brand new, never circulated material to give us the most
comprehensive Hot Space era material on the market.
The first half of the disc presents working versions of well known
tracks. “Staying Power” is the basic LP track without the
synthesized horn section. It sounds like a slow version
of the live performances from the subsequent tour. “Action
This Day” again sounds like the LP track but with a different
synth line in the middle leading to the solo. “Life Is Real
(Song For Lennon)” sounds identical to the LP track. “Back
Chat” includes alternate lyrics and a very rough sounding guitar
solo.
The real centerpiece of this release are the demo
“Feel Like” and ”Cool Cat” with David Bowie in the mix.
“Feel Like” is a very rough cassette recording in the studio not
at all like the others. At this early stage it contains a
similar melody to the final version “Under Pressure” but with an
ordinary, basic bass line. It begins with Brian
tuning his guitar and going into the familiar melody with
Freddie following on piano to set the tempo. The rest follow
and the essential structure is the same. The lyrics are
different; a tale of jealousy, mourning a broken heart and
a plea for “a brand new start”. “Cool Cat” was the
second song Bowie recorded with Queen in Montreux. This
version is the album track but with Bowie keeping rhythm and
providing a counter melody to Freddie. Both the band and Bowie
decided to cut his contribution to the track and I have to say they
made the right decision. He sounds very out of place and
doesn’t add much to the song.
The latter half of the disc collects different
versions of these songs that have appeared on official releases in
the past twenty years. Most Queen collectors will already have
multiple versions of these songs and nothing is really gained here.
It’s great DQA included “Soul Brother”, one of their most
clever tracks to never appear on an LP. The KEWB radio tape is
interesting, with Brian May playing along to “Under Pressure”
for the radio audience. But again there isn’t anything new
or unique to the second half of the disc. The focus is on the
newly released demos on the first half of the disc and for
that Hot Tracks scores high points. (GS)
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