(Update: This post was accidentally named for the song that follows. I apologize for any confusion. Don’t be confused! All 3 of you that read this blog!)
Continuing the Brian May dominance on Side White of Queen II, the lead guitarist offers the sadly lovely White Queen (As It Began). I have often wondered which came first, this or the Freddie penned March of the Black Queen on the other side. Doesn’t really matter, they’re completely different. And exactly what they should be in this almost Wizard of Oz-ian Queen records. I say that because once we get past the relative normalcy (albeit a funhouse mirror of normal) of the first side, the album shifts gears and becomes a completely different animal.
This track calls to mind some middle earthy tones. It’s majestic. It’s almost too Tolkien. And it could have taken that dive and not recover but the May/Deacon/Taylor power rips that theme to shreds. The song almost dares Freddie to take his theatrics to a new level. He doesn’t take the bait. And that’s a great thing. Instead, he offers the sweetest balladeering that we’ve heard from him so far. With weaker production and less studio time, “White Queen” could have easily been just another half assed track like the stuff from the previous record. Instead, it soars into a prog-rocky territory that resembles Yes, ELP and, I’m going with Priest. Or someone. It’s not the greatest track ever, but it fits perfectly. Side White would soon become the side of the album that you never played. So, when a track comes up on shuffle that is from that side, it’s always welcome.
Grade: B
