Frejus Magic (Wardour-099)
Amphitheatre, Frejus, France – July 30th, 1986
Disc 1 (58:21): Intro, One
Vision, Tie Your Mother Down, In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited, Seven
Seas Of Rhye, Liar, Tear It Up, A Kind Of Magic, Day-O, Under Pressure,
Another One Bites The Dust, Who Wants To Live Forever, I Want To Break
Free, Impromptu, Guitar Solo, Now I’m Here
Disc 2 (48:38): Love Of My
Life, Is This The World We Created?, You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t
Care), Hello Mary Lou, Tutti Frutti, Bohemian Rhapsody, Hammer To Fall,
Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, Friends
Will Be Friends, We Are The Champions, God Save The Queen
Several weeks after Queen’s July 30th, 1986 show in Frejus, France makes its silver pressed debut on Au Poil! (Godfather
Records GR764/765), Wardour issue their version of the show. This
title doesn’t use the older tape that Godfather use, but rather a new
audience tape. It’s a bit more thin but still very clear and enjoyable.
The tape stars off with taped
introduction to “One Vision.” The audience reacts loudly to “Tie Your
Mother Down,” the more familiar of the two opening songs.
Freddie gives the audience a
“bon soir” before subtly beginning “In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited.”
It takes a second for the audience to realize what is happening before
cheering the Sheer Heart Attack closer. The entire old medley is
received very well.
“A
Kind Of Magic” sounds a bit tired in this show. Spike Edney plays
boogie piano to liven it up a bit. The “Day-O” singalong is also rather
limp and uninspired tonight since Freddie’s voice is extremely rough.
But things improve with “Under Pressure.” Afterwards he jokes about the
smallness of the venue, saying “It’s nice to be here tonight in this
little bedroom. Now that we’re in this bedroom, let’s do a little
boogie, huh?”
After “Another One Bites The
Dust” Freddie debunks the Queen break-up rumors and jokes about his
inability to master French. “Everybody understands a little English,
yes? I can’t speak French. I’m trying, but I mean, it’s useless.” The
new song “Who Wants To Live Forever” is “a new song…written by Brian.”
The guitar solo is very
energetic. As May plays, Freddie shouts “go.. Johnny go!” The acoustic
set following is relaxed. During “Love Of My Life,” not only do the
audience sing along, but dogs can be heard barking proving that even
canines can appreciate Queen music!
Before ending the set with “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” Freddie jokes that it is “a
song that Édith Piaf would’ve sung if she was alive.” The encores
begin with “Radio Ga Ga” which contains Freddie’s “it smells like a
hamburger” quip in the middle.
Encores end with powerful
versions of “We Will Rock You,” “Friends Will Be Friends” and “We Are
The Champions.” During the closing “God Save The Queen” the audience
sing along as Freddie is running around the stage wearing his crown.
This comes packaged in a double slimline jewel case with various photographs from the tour. Frejus Magic is a good release, but not better than the Godfather version of the show.