Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, but what do people here think about A Night at the Apollo CD release by Queen Extravaganza presumably with official backing.
Excellent. Quite frankly, I think they play the songs live better than the band themselves. Of course, there are more several more people in Queen Extravaganza. :)
Wash your mouth out Michael! The essence of the songs was the 4 original individuals delivering them.
Imitation, reproducing, copying - it's just for fun.
Yes, I understand that no one can top the four original musicians. However, the Queen Extravaganza does a terrific job with A Night at the Opera and, due to the size and talent of the band, actually plays the songs better live than Queen ever did, IMHO.
A few factors come into play here: First of all, the Queen Extravaganza has the advantage of having more members to reproduce the music live than that of the original Queen band. Secondly, Queen had only three singers, while the Queen Extravaganza has five or six singers. Thirdly, when singing live, Freddie, for whatever reason, would choose to not hit most of the high notes he hit on record, whereas Marc Martel of the Queen Extravaganza does hit most of the high notes.
The Queen Extravaganza states several times during their performance that they are fans of Queen, who were handpicked by Brian May and Roger Taylor, and are there to celebrate Queen's music with other fans. I think that about says it all.
Nothing will replace Queen, but things can never be the same since Freddie passed away and John Deacon chose to retire. Queen is no more, but we can celebrate their music with an incredible facsimile.
Anyway, no live performance could top Queen's A Night at the Opera album.
Yeah , they're fantastic, - to go and see live, on a night out, like I have done twice, but if you want to listen to Queen music.......there's only one option.
A few post here saying that the QE has "several" more musicians that Queen.....not true. QE currently features a band of five; only one more than ANATO Queen, the same as live Queen from 82 onwards, and one less than the current Queen touring line up!!
They don't have Taylor on backing vocals. One doesn't realise how important he is to the harmonies until other people are singing. And there's no way this band beats Queen anno 1974, say. The energy is nowhere close.
Interesting the talk of tribute bands. In 2012 I got the urge to go and see a Queen tribute band just for a fun night out so I could drink and sing along. Then Q+AL announced the Hammersmith Odeon gigs and I figured with the importance of the venue to Queen, and the fact it was a 'covers band' featuring 2 original members I'd go. I wasn't a fan of Queen with other singers but I REALLY enjoyed it. Great set list, great venue, some really amazing moments. Loved it and would go again. QE? Perhaps, but only because they are one step up from the whole WWRY musical idea which was a MASSIVE 'NO' from me despite being offered tickets several times.
It was only after seeing Q+AL that I took the time to listen back to Q+PR and in the mind set I had for enjoying seeing Q+AL I really liked that too and wish I hadn't been such a grumpy git and gone to see them back in 2005.
Now that 'pure' Queen only exists in old video and music it's important to separate it from the current projects. Embrace Q+AL for what they are - and although I'm not fussed about QE, we should enjoy them for what they are too. Who knows - they might outlive us all with a rotating line up and become the de facto 'Queen' for our children and grandchildren. Who knows - I'd wager in 10 years time they'll be releasing their own material and carry on the brand.
I've just heard the album, and they did damn good. If imitation is a form of flattery, then the Queen Extravaganza did Brian and Roger proud. Since the Montreux gig, they've become my favorite tribute band of any band, next to The Musical Box and Mac Sabbath.
I see on facebook, Queen Extravaganza offered a lucky winner, A Night at the Apollo CD signed by Roger Taylor. Is it almost as if Taylor is prouder of Queen Extravaganza than Queen + Adam Lambert?