SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 50 Min.
Re-released by Hollywood Records in 1991, this Queen album is their soundtrack for 1986’s original Highlander film. These eleven tunes, however, are modified and/or extended versions of the actual songs heard in the film. Reminiscent of Queen’s 1980 Flash Gordon soundtrack, some Highlander dialogue clips and sound effects are lifted to augment Track 7.
Track 1: “One Vision.” Running Time: 5:08.
Track 2: “A Kind of Magic.” Running Time: 4:23.
Track 3: “One Year to Love.” Running Time: 4:26.
Track 4: “Pain is So Close to Pleasure.” Running Time: 4:19.
Track 5: “Friends Will Be Friends.” Running Time: 4:07.
Track 6: “Who Wants to Live Forever.” Running Time: 5:13.
Notes: Composer Michael Kamen’s arrangement is performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Track 6’s title re-imagines a rhetorical line uttered by Brian Blessed’s Lord Vultan during a 1980 Flash Gordon battle sequence.
Track 7: “Gimme the Prize (Kurgan’s Theme).” Running Time: 4:32.
Note: Vocal cameos by actors Clancy Brown (as Kurgan) and Christopher Lambert (as Connor MacLeod) are included.
Track 8: “Don’t Lose Your Head.” Running Time: 4:35.
Note: Back-up vocals are provided by Joan Armatrading.
Track 9: “Princes of the Universe.” Running Time: 3:30.
Track 10: “Forever (Instrumental).” Running Time: 3:20.
Track 11: “One Vision (Extended Version).” Running Time: 6:23.
REVIEW:
This wildly energetic album remains a blast to experience. Accompanied by Queen’s top-caliber instrumentals, the real magic belongs to Freddie Mercury. His vocals embody each song’s mood (i.e. the ethereal Track 6 ballad; the nihilistic and sound effect-heavy Track 7; and Track 9’s rousing Highlander anthem) with such infectious conviction — even when a lyric doesn’t really make sense.
For instance, “One Vision” includes a strange shout-out to fried chicken (which doesn’t appear in the official song lyrics). This song’s extended version is album padding, but hearing its high-wattage melody again is still a welcome treat. Beyond its legacy as the sound (along with composer Michael Kamen) of the Highlander franchise, A Kind of Magic should be enjoy to experience Queen in its prime.
PACKAGING:
The tracks and their running times are listed on the case’s backside and in the booklet. The tracks are also listed on the disc. The eight-page booklet consists of song lyrics; credits; a two-page spread of cover artwork; thumbnail images of the album’s foreign-language covers; and a vintage publicity shot of Queen.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
