Happy Mothers Day with Queen!

Hello friends!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!

Once again, we're celebrating Mum's day properly this year: with some flowers, some wine and some Queen!

Queen - Jazz (1978) - Elektra Records

Queen's seventh studio album-- and last of the Seventies-- Jazz is a hard-rockin', arena-rock LP with three of the band's best-loved songs like "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Bicycle" and "Don't Stop Me Now".

In addition to this trio of hits, Jazz opens with the perplexing Jewish-Arabic (?) anthem "Mustapha"*, perhaps Freddie Mercury's ode to his Parsi heritage.  There's also the understated, "Jealousy"; the overtly theatrical "Let Me Entertain You"* & "Dreamer's Ball"; bassist John Deacon's hard rocker, "If You Can't Beat Them" (which sounds vaguely like "Queen Bitch"-era Bowie); and the forgettable disco number, "Fun It" (which is definitely a precursor to Queen's mega-hit, "Another Bites the Dust".) 

(* "Let Me Entertain You" would have made a MUCH better opening track and should have swapped places with "Mustapha".)  

Brian May's two songwriting contributions includes the spazzy, furious rocker, "Dead On Time" and the sublime ballad "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" (which he also takes over lead vocal duties!)

Jazz also reunited the band with their original producer, the great Roy Thomas Baker.  All the trademark Queen sounds are present and accounted for here.  From May's sharp, overdriven guitar solos to the multitracked vocal harmonies to the bicycle bell solo on "Bicycle", this is more late 1970's rock royalty at its finest.   

Happy Mum's Day!  Now get on your bikes and ride!

RATING: 4.5 Mister Farenheits travelling at the speed of Lights out of 5