- Gt Britain Release with Gatefold Album Cover
"Queen II", the British gatefold 12" vinyl LP album, is a masterpiece from the iconic rock band Queen. Its cover design features captivating artwork and photos inside, providing an immersive experience. The custom inner sleeve includes album details, complete lyrics, and additional photos, adding depth to the album's narrative. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, Robin Cable, and Queen themselves, it's a testament to their artistic vision and musical prowess. This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.
Released in 1974, Queen's "Queen II" isn't your typical rock album. This sophomore effort is a dazzling display of the band's burgeoning musical identity, defying genre constraints and showcasing their boundless creativity.
The iconic cover photo, shot by legendary rock photographer Mick Rock, perfectly captures the band's spirit. The four members, arranged in a diamond formation, exude a sense of cool defiance, hinting at the musical fireworks within.
"Queen II" is a journey through diverse soundscapes. Brian May's songwriting talents shine on the opening tracks, with the instrumental "Procession" leading into the hard-hitting "Father to Son" and the catchy rock anthem "White Queen (As It Began)." "Some Day One Day" showcases May's melodic sensibilities.
Roger Taylor contributes the introspective "The Loser in the End," showcasing the band's versatility. Freddie Mercury then takes center stage on the album's "black" side. Tracks like the operatic "March of the Black Queen" and the hauntingly beautiful "Nevermore" display his flair for the dramatic and willingness to experiment. "Ogre Battle" explodes with hard rock energy, while "The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke" showcases his playful side.
Queen's diverse musical influences are on full display throughout. Hard rock anthems like "Ogre Battle" share space with glam rock sensibilities in "Seven Seas of Rhye." Progressive rock elements weave through complex arrangements like "The March of the Black Queen."
Music Genre: Brit Prog Rock , |
Album Production information: The album: "Queen II" was produced by: Roy Thomas Baker, Robin Cable and Queen Photographer: Mick Rock Mick Rock, born on 24 November 1948, is a renowned British photographer widely known for his iconic images of rock and roll legends. Dubbed "The Man Who Shot the Seventies", Rock's distinctive style and uncanny ability to capture the essence of the music and artists he photographed have solidified his position as one of the most influential rock photographers of all time. Early Life: Michael David Rock was born in London, England. From an early age, he displayed a deep interest in the arts and music. He attended Cambridge Arts College, where he further honed his artistic skills and developed a passion for photography. During this time, he experimented with various techniques and styles that would eventually define his unique visual language. Rise to Fame: In 1969, Mick Rock's career took a serendipitous turn when he met a young and relatively unknown musician named David Bowie (then known as David Jones). The meeting marked the beginning of a transformative partnership and close friendship between the two artists. Rock's camera lens would go on to capture some of the most iconic moments of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era, helping to cement Bowie's status as a legendary rock star. Rock's ability to capture the raw and flamboyant energy of the emerging glam rock movement brought him to the forefront of the music scene. Throughout the 1970s, he became the go-to photographer for rock and roll royalty, working with iconic acts such as Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, The Ramones, and many others. Photographic Style: Mick Rock's style was characterized by a unique mix of intimate, candid shots, and staged, imaginative portraits. He had a keen eye for detail, and his use of lighting and composition brought a surreal and theatrical quality to his photographs. His pictures often managed to capture the vulnerability and charisma of his subjects, revealing the human side behind the rock star façade. The visual language he developed became synonymous with the glam rock era and significantly influenced the perception of rock and roll culture during that time. His images exuded an aura of decadence and hedonism, reflecting the spirit of the era's music and lifestyle. Later Career: As the music scene evolved, so did Mick Rock's photography. In the 1980s and beyond, he continued to collaborate with musicians from various genres, documenting the rise of new wave, punk, and post-punk acts. His versatility as a photographer allowed him to adapt to changing musical landscapes, capturing the essence of each unique era. In addition to his photography work, Mick Rock has also directed music videos for prominent artists like David Bowie, including the iconic video for "Life on Mars?" He has published several acclaimed photography books, showcasing his vast collection of images from his decades-long career. Legacy and Recognition: Mick Rock's contributions to the world of rock and roll photography have earned him widespread recognition and numerous accolades. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the pioneers of his craft. Rock's images have become an integral part of music history, immortalizing the spirit of some of the most legendary and influential musicians of all time. Mick Rock a selection of album covers for which he has done the photography: Queen , David Bowie , Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Geordie, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads , Roxy Music , Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Mötley Crüe , and Blondie. Often referred to as "The Man Who Shot the Seventies", most of the memorable images of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust were shot by Mick Rock, in his capacity as Bowie's official photographer. Heavy Metal bands he has photographed include: Attila, Def Leppard , Doro , Fates Warning, Hallows Eve, Piece Dogs, Riot V, Thin Lizzy, Voivod , Yngwie J. Malmsteen.
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Record Label Information: EMI 767 |
Packaging:
Gatefold (FOC) cover design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages. |
Media Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play Gramophone RecordAlbum weight: 270 gram |
Year & Country: 1974 Made in Gt Britain |
Track Listing of: "Queen II" |
The Songs/tracks on "Queen II" are
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"Queen II" Red and Brown Colour EMI Record Label Details: EMI EMA 767 ℗ 197 Trident Audio Productions Sound Copyright
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