Forty years ago, Brian May had the idea of recording a hard rock version of the title track because his little son was a big fan of the Japanese sci-fi series “Star Fleet”. In the spring of 1983, the Queen guitarist was in Los Angeles and invited some musician friends to a social get-together. On April 21 and 22, 1983, the following gentlemen gathered at the Record Plant Studios in LA alongside May: Eddie Van Halen, Alan Gratzer (drummer of REO Speedwagon), session bassist Phil Chen (Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart) and Keyboarder Fred Mandel, who operated the keys on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” (1979), accompanied Queen on her “Hot Space” tour and later also for the recordings of “The Works” (1984) and Freddie Mercury’s solo album ” mr Bad Guy” (1985).
What a pleasure to listen to the five confidently enthusiastic musician buddies in a quasi school trip situation!
The three-track EP “Star Fleet Project” was released in October 1983. In addition to the aforementioned series title tune, it also featured May’s blues rock number “Let Me Out”, which didn’t fit into the Queen catalogue. The jointly improvised “Blues Breaker” was dedicated to a certain “EC”. Of course: Eric Clapton. What a pleasure to listen to the five confidently enthusiastic musician buddies in a quasi school trip situation!
The original master tapes were remixed for the new edition, extended to the length of the album. Apart from an eight-minute “Star Fleet” version, the simple CD edition has little that is attractive in its quiver: two not very long interviews from back then and three live recordings from 1993. The anniversary edition box is handsomely filled: the bonus CD has ten takes of the title track alone. There are five takes of “Let Me Out”, plus some jam and rehearsal recordings. All that’s missing is a recording of the bulk order placed over the phone at Domino’s Pizza. The energy between the actors is an absolute event, as is the box set. At least for nerds and completists.
SIMILAR REVIEWS
Wishbone Ash :: “Argus”
Anniversary box set of the prog hard rock classic
Pink Floyd :: “The Dark Side of the Moon – 50th Anniversary Deluxe Boxset”
The anniversary box for the milestone – and why it is of course worth it despite the high price
Michael Jackson :: “Thriller”
Anniversary edition of the milestone
SIMILAR ARTICLES
Brian May + Friends: “Star Fleet Project” is reissued as a deluxe edition box
The mini-album, which Eddie Van Halen worked on, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023.
Roger Waters’ The Wall outfit: the backdrop to the Fascist costume
Roger Waters’ This Is Not A Drill tour wardrobe is hotly debated. The singer wears the costume of a fictitious fascist. Tasteless or an expression of social criticism?
Before the Frankfurt concert: Roger Waters shoots at the Berlin public prosecutor’s office
The argumentative Pink Floyd co-founder fueled the controversy until the very last concert in Germany