PRINCESS ROAD 

 2 CD 
Label: Tarantura TQCD-4-1, 2
Country: Japan
Released: November 2010
Recorded: Shiritsu Kohseinenkin-Kaikan, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan, March 24th. 1976.
Sound: The quality is expected to be excellent. 
Comments:  A nice 2cd bootleg from Japanese Tarantura label. Comes from Mr. Peach recording of the March 24th, 1976 show in Hyogo, Japan. The first time this show has been released on bootleg.
As always, Tarantura label made out a fold-out full color cover.
Himeji-shi is a city located in Hyogo, Japan.
Roots: From a audience tape.
Time:  44:02 /54:07 

 
 Front cover

 
Disc 1
Intro: Bohemian Rhapsody  (tape, middle part)
Bohemian Rhapsody  (rock finale)
Ogre Battle
Sweet Lady
White Queen (As It Began)
Flick Of The Wrist
Medley: Bohemian Rhapsody
                Killer Queen
                The March Of The Black Queen
                Bohemian Rhapsody  (end part, finale)
Bring Back That Leroy Brown
Medley: Brighton Rock
                Son And Daughter  (end part)


 		Disc 2
Band Introduction
The Prophet's Song
Stone Cold Crazy
Doin' All Right
Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
Keep Yourself Alive
Liar
In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited
- - - - - - - - - encore - - - - - - - - 
Now I'm Here
Medley: Big Spender
             Jailhouse Rock
             Stupid Cupid
             Be Bop A Lula
             Jailhouse Rock  (reprise)
God Save The Queen....

       2nd re-release of this 2cd by same label. 


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Back cover























   Review by Collectors music reviews

Despite their popularity gained from the success of Sheer Heart Attack and A Night At The Opera in England, Japan was the first place to grow and develop a rapid, fanatical following for Queen.  The reception they received on their first visit in 1975 caught them by surprise and inspired Freddie in particular to become deeply interested in Japanese culture.

On their return to Japan in 1976 more shows were scheduled and, with the case of the third night in Himeji, more obscure cities.  Princess Road is the latest Queen release on Tarantura utilizing a previously uncirculated Mr. Peach recording.  The sound is slightly distant but very clear and dynamic, capturing the atmosphere of the show very well.  A tape flip after “Son And Daughter” eliminates some of the band introduction and one after “Liar” eliminates Brian May’s speech and the opening notes to “In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited,” but is otherwise complete.

Freddie acknowledges the reception by attempting phrases in Japanese past the expected “domo” and “konichiwa.” 

The recording starts off with the opening tape which leads into the hard rock section of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a great “Ogre Battle.”  Roger Taylor botches some of the backing vocals and Freddie’s voice is very erratic.  This is most noticable when he sings the first verses of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the medley.  He’s forced to invite a new melody for the tune, stretching it in new directions.

The middle of the show is devoted to Queen’s heavy metal / vocal games and gymnastics with the long “Brighton Rock” (with the dark “Son & Daughter” thrown in) and “The Prophet’s Song.”  Freddie throws in a “death on two legs….” reference in the latter. 

After “Doing Alright” Freddie introduces “Lazy On A Sunday Afternoon” as “one minute six seconds of a song.”  Taylor has his drum solo in “Keep Yourself Alive” and the set ends with “In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited,” one of their more effective set closers which would be replaced later in the year.  “Now I’m Here,” the single from Sheer Heart Attack is the first encore and the rock and roll medley with Freddie’s strip tease closes the evening. 

Princess Road comes packaged in a gatefold sleeve with common photographs from the tour.  This the fourth Mr. Peach recording to be pressed onto Tarantura and the second from 1976.  Since it seems that the Peach archive is extensive and Queen played Japan often, we can hopefully expect many more excellent sounding recordings to surface in the future.