Freddie Mercury

Released on what would have been the legendary Queen frontman's 60th birthday, EMI's Lover of Life, Singer of Songs collects 20 digitally remastered tracks from the late vocalist's eccentric solo career, including pre-Queen singles, soundtrack offerings, and cuts from his two official solo releases (1985's Mr. Bad Guy and 1988's Barcelona). This is good news for fans who were unwilling to dip into their savings to pick up Parlophone' s mammoth ten-disc Solo Collection, as it utilizes the majority of that collection's strengths. For the most part, this is all anyone could want from a non-Queen Mercury overview, and despite the inclusion of a few too many posthumous remixes, serves as moving eulogy to one of popular music's most beloved voices. [Lover of Life, Singer of Songs also comes in a two-disc edition, as well as a CD/DVD package.] ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide