| rockit22 13.09.2005 20:43 |
This is one of the many reviews from link: Great Band, Great Vocalist - in one word, ASTOUNDING!, September 13, 2005 Queen fans may vilify me and my progeny for saying this, but this recording is absolutely the very best I have EVER heard either Queen OR Paul Rodgers. MAN, it took a set of 'nads the size of King Kong's to even attempt to stand where Freddie stood (just dig that "Freddie Mercury Memorial" thing where Elton John and George Michael >among others< make total fools of themselves), but a guy who has - ALREADY - fronted a) Free b) Bad Company and c) The Firm most certainly and assuredly rose to the occasion! There's some gratutious guitar noodling at the very beginning, but it quickly segues into a monster "Tie Your Mother Down." ALL the Queen "biggies" are WELL represented here, a la "Fat Bottomed Girls," "Another One Bites The Dust," even - EVEN - "Bohemian Rhapsody," with Paul Rodgers giving Freddie the ultimate compliment by not trying to replicate his vocals. Indeed, where the "I see a little silouette" thingy starts in the middle, the band does as Queen always did, they just quit playing, and show the video with the MTV'd vocals. Yeah...whoop...But when when the "So you think you can stone me" part is near, Brian May, Rodgers, and rhythm guitarist Jamie Moses are already straining at the bits to PLAY, and the change from video to "live" in nothing short of explosive. Yes, I have the "Queen Live At Wembley" DVD, and while Freddie is/was certainly irreplaceble, the energy level of "Wembley" is not ANYWHERE near "Return Of The Champions." Deal with THAT...It would >almost< be enough to hear a "Reformed Queen" playing together again - oh, btw, Queen keyboardist, Spike Edney, is really TO THE FRONT in the mix here, but Queen bassist John Deacon sat this one out...still, the bassist on this CD, Danny Miranda is fabulous; from what I hear he and the rhythm guitarist here, Jaime Moses, do a kind of "Queen Tribute" thing in Vegas, and these cats have their chops right DOWN. But the "icing on the cake" is the band's replications of the Paul Rodgers' songs, "Wishing Well," "Feel Like Making Love," "Cant Get Enough," and the immortal "All Right Now." Until Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs can get along enough again to do a "Bad CO Live" CD, this will MORE than certainly suffice. And btw, I bought this CD exactly one week to the day after I purchased the Stones' new "Bigger Bang." Guess which one lies hidden amongst other "unbearable CD's," and which one has been played, boths cds' worth, straight thru, four times already. Maybe..."another one bit the dust...?" |
| The Stealer 13.09.2005 22:00 |
I got home and hour ago and I had to first pop in the bonus DVD which has we are the champions and reachin out/tie your mother down. Since I was at the concert-I want to see if I could spot myself in the nose bleed seats...not in these clips. I just about died...how exciting I want more. The only downside I would say on the video so far is that they should have shown the curtain drop from the audience perspective not Roger Taylor-I love roger- in fact there are MANY shots of Roger playing drums...a fantastice treat for RMT fans!! So I watched the bonus dvd 3 times and now I am listening to CD. So far so good I at AOBTD..everything sounds great so far- break free was a little weak..it was better at other shows. More later..... CQ |
| JDL2nd 19.09.2005 15:44 |
My review : I think the cd is great. The greater part of the songs sound great. The sound is extremely good. The drums sound really big. Paul's voice is great (although I think in Antwerpen en Gelredome it was better). Brian is in good shape. Jamie is good and Danny is really an improvement in comparison with John Deacon (although it would be more Queen if he was with them:P). - bad * fair ** normal *** good ****excellent ***** masterpiece 1. Reaching out **** 2. Tie your mother down **** 3. I want to break free ** 4. Fat bottomed girls *** 5. Wishing Well *** 6. Another one bites the dust ** 7. Grazy little thing called love *** 8. Say it's not true ****(*) 9. '39 *** 10. Love of my life *** 11. Hammer to fall *** 12. Feel like makin love **** 13. Let there be drums *** 14. I'm in love with my car *** 15. Guitar solo **** 16. Last horizon *** 17. These are the days of our lives * 18. Radio gaga * 19. Can't get enough ** 20. A kind of magic ** 21. I want it all -/* (very bad version) 22. Bohemian Rhapsody *** 23. The show must go on *** 24. All right now **** 25. We will rock you *** 26. We are the champions *** 27. God save the queen Great !! Minus points : - The rhythm seems isn't very tight at some points (like in the fast part in I want it all and in Hammer to fall) - The guitar is a bit disorganized in TATDOOL Conclusion : I thrilled to hear a great show from my alltime favourite band. I've been twice to this tour so it's great to hear back all those songs. I think the drumsolo is fantastic. Maybe the best Roger ever did live recorded. |
| PieterMC 19.09.2005 15:55 |
I think I Want It All is one of the best tracks on the album. |
| AlexRocks 19.09.2005 16:39 |
Geeze! I love the songs Roger do on "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" and "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want It All" was amazing! Even Brian sang in it! |
| Fenderek 20.09.2005 04:40 |
Brilliant album brilliant sound, Brian's guitar sounds GREAT, much better than at Wembley (the reason why i dislike the album...), the whole thing is pure rock'n'roll- the way I always wanted Queen to sound like... I'm thrilled, I love it- and waiting for MORE...! |
| Mlaimo 21.09.2005 16:28 |
My opinions of the show: 1. Reaching out (VERY NICE START) 2. Tie your mother down (EXCELLENT!) 3. I want to break free (EH--REPLACE WITH YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND) 4. Fat bottomed girls (GREAT!) 5. Wishing Well (GREAT!) 6. Another one bites the dust (YES!) 7. Grazy little thing called love (DOUBLE YES!) 8. Say it's not true (YUCK--REPLACE WITH SOMETHING MORE RECOGNIZABLE. THIS IS WHERE I'D HAVE THEM PUT IN SLEEPING ON THE SIDEWALK) 9. '39 (YAY! SHOULD HAVE HAD THE BAND PLAY ALONG) 10. Love of my life (GORGEOUS) 11. Hammer to fall (IT'S LATE IS A MUCH BETTER SONG, AND WOULD BE GREAT FOR PR TO DO) 12. Feel like makin love (BLAH SONG. PUT SEAGULL BACK IN) 13. Let there be drums (HOW ABOUT KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE INSTEAD?) 14. I'm in love with my car (BLISSFUL) 15. Guitar solo (YES, BUT PLAY WITH BRIGHTON ROCK. PLEASE?) 16. Last Horizon (SEE ABOVE) 17. These are the days of our lives (YES) 18. Radio gaga (LET PR SING THE WHOLE SONG) 19. Can't get enough (EXCELLENT) 20. A kind of magic (YES) 21. I want it all (VERY GOOD) 22. Bohemian Rhapsody (OF COURSE) 23. The show must go on (THE BEST SONG ON THE CD) 24. All right now (AMAZING) 25. We will rock you (HAS A BIT OF A GROOVE TO IT) 26. We are the champions (YAY) 27. God save the queen |
| Fone Bone 22.09.2005 04:25 |
Well, a few things, some have already been addressed, some haven't - Brian is incredibly loud in the mix, does he have a major ego issue these days ? - Paul sometimes is very much drowned in the mix (TSMGO !) Is it to make up for performance flaws ? - The drums sound is bad, no kick, no snare, and with the guitar that loud, it doesn't rock - the 12-string is clearly out of tune on LOML, which is a bit of a shame. Why didn't they autotune it ? - Too many Brian songs, twice as many as Freddies, gasp ! - Yet, the overall sound is fine, and the performance is very good, so much tighter than at the beginning of the tour. Hats off to PR : you can tell he's got the songs in him now, he doesn't mimic Freddie (nobody can) but he's still getting the songs right Anyway, ROTC is nice to have, the h*** with the musical, yippee !! |
| Fenderek 22.09.2005 06:37 |
Fone Bone wrote: - Brian is incredibly loud in the mix, does he have a major ego issue these days ?Oh man- that's ROCK music- would you rather have Spike higher? Fone Bone wrote: - Paul sometimes is very much drowned in the mix (TSMGO !) Is it to make up for performance flaws ?What flaws? This was one of his best performances on the tour (vocalwise) and esecially during TSMGO... Dunno- on my system he's pretty loud... Fone Bone wrote: - The drums sound is bad, no kick, no snare, and with the guitar that loud, it doesn't rockAgree completely!!! Fone Bone wrote: - the 12-string is clearly out of tune on LOML, which is a bit of a shame. Why didn't they autotune it ?Call me deaf- I can't hear it... Seriously- but my guitar knowledge is just a bit more than basic :) Fone Bone wrote: - Too many Brian songs, twice as many as Freddies, gasp !Don't think anybody would enjoy Paul's take on Killer Queen or Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy... But that's just my view- I LIKED IT that way, I always prefered Brian's guitar based compositions... And the best Fred ones- too theatrical for paul IMO (Death On Two Legs, Flick Of the wrist) |
| GreatKingSam 22.09.2005 07:18 |
Whoever said Say It's Not Ture was awful is wrong. I think this song is great, and fits in perfectly before '39, Love Of My Life, and the slow Hammer To Fall. Great little song by Roger, and a nice break down in the gig. |
| Fenderek 22.09.2005 08:00 |
GreatKingSam wrote: Whoever said Say It's Not Ture was awful is wrong.Maybe it's not awful but i'm not crazy about it... I prefered SEAGULL... |
| Fone Bone 22.09.2005 09:35 |
Fenderek wrote:You make fair points. I don't mean the guitar shouldn't be loud, it is a matter of balance. That is why so many mixes start with drums+bass+vocals. From my own experience, it is the best way to mix.Fone Bone wrote: - Brian is incredibly loud in the mix, does he have a major ego issue these days ?Oh man- that's ROCK music- would you rather have Spike higher?Fone Bone wrote: - Paul sometimes is very much drowned in the mix (TSMGO !) Is it to make up for performance flaws ?What flaws? This was one of his best performances on the tour (vocalwise) and esecially during TSMGO... Dunno- on my system he's pretty loud...Fone Bone wrote: - The drums sound is bad, no kick, no snare, and with the guitar that loud, it doesn't rockAgree completely!!!Fone Bone wrote: - the 12-string is clearly out of tune on LOML, which is a bit of a shame. Why didn't they autotune it ?Call me deaf- I can't hear it... Seriously- but my guitar knowledge is just a bit more than basic :)Fone Bone wrote: - Too many Brian songs, twice as many as Freddies, gasp !Don't think anybody would enjoy Paul's take on Killer Queen or Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy... But that's just my view- I LIKED IT that way, I always prefered Brian's guitar based compositions... And the best Fred ones- too theatrical for paul IMO (Death On Two Legs, Flick Of the wrist) I totally agree that Paul's performance is excellent, yet I still think he's a bit in the mix during the bridge. It DOES depend on the playing equipment, though, so you're right. As for LOML I stand by my point, the harmonics are slightly out of tune. I agree with you, Killer Queen, GOFLB or March Of The Black Queen wouldn't suit Paul's voice. But what about Don't Stop Me Now, Seven Seas Of Rhye, In The Lap Of The Gods (Magic Tour Style), My Melancholy Blues, even Somebody To Love. I think he pull them out. What do you think ? |
| Fenderek 22.09.2005 11:05 |
Fone Bone wrote: You make fair points. I don't mean the guitar shouldn't be loud, it is a matter of balance. That is why so many mixes start with drums+bass+vocals. From my own experience, it is the best way to mix.Well... Maybe you're right.. I dunno- I kind of enjoy the sound on this album thoroughly (apart from drums) so... Fone Bone wrote: I totally agree that Paul's performance is excellent, yet I still think he's a bit in the mix during the bridge.I listened to it again and you know what? Yu may be right- he almost disappears during bridge... Could have been louder, but... That's a small detail :) Fone Bone wrote: As for LOML I stand by my point, the harmonics are slightly out of tune.Simply don't know.. Can't hear it but wouldn't bet on it :) Fone Bone wrote: But what about Don't Stop Me Now, Seven Seas Of Rhye, In The Lap Of The Gods (Magic Tour Style), My Melancholy Blues, even Somebody To Love. I think he pull them out. What do you think ?Don't Stop Me Now definitely not, for the very same reason why they didn't play Keep Yourself Alive or Stone Cold Crazy. Paul admitted that he can't sing those "busy" songs, with fast lyrics and many words- he's style is bluesier, with more space for ad libs and generally more space to change the lines- with KYA or Don't stop Me Now you almost shot out the words. That was obvious they're not going to do it. Seven Seas? Maybe... can't hear it but...who knows? Lap Of The Gods also can't hear- too "Freddie" track IMO... BUT Melancholy Blues and Somebody to Love would have been great additions! C'mon- we're talking the best blues and soul singer, right? So why not include the bluesy track? AND STL has got so much gospel and soul in it... I agree- those two would definitely suit Paul's voice! But I had few other Fred's favourites- what about Hangman? ;) I know- no chance they could play THIS, but... apparently influenced by Free it was (and you can hear it) :) What about Get Down Make Love? Man, this track would be a killer if Paul sang it! Have you heard Glen hughes version? That could have been even better!!! |
| Jimi 22.09.2005 12:54 |
''Its Late'' anyone? |
| Tero 22.09.2005 14:27 |
So I bought the cd today... At least they're honest on sticker at the front ("their 2005 sellout tour"). :P I didn't get even halfway through the first disc when I got bored out of my mind, and skipped to listen only the Rodgers tracks... Because those sound decent enough. As entertaining as they were in concert, this just doesn't work on cd. :I |
| Mr. Mercury 1975 22.09.2005 16:51 |
"So I bought the cd today... At least they're honest on sticker at the front ("their 2005 sellout tour"). :P I didn't get even halfway through the first disc when I got bored out of my mind, and skipped to listen only the Rodgers tracks... Because those sound decent enough. As entertaining as they were in concert, this just doesn't work on cd. :I" Ok. You're entitled to your opinion. You're wrong, but you're still entitled to be wrong. :) |
| The Stealer 22.09.2005 21:59 |
Jimi wrote: ''Its Late'' anyone?YEs!!!! IT's Late, It's LAte, it's Late, It's late , It's late........but not too late... AND LONG AWAY...Please Brian!!! |
| The Real Wizard 23.09.2005 01:33 |
My pipe dream: White Man Long Away It's Late Ogre Battle Now I'm Here Headlong Dragon Attack Sail Away Sweet Sister |
| Fone Bone 23.09.2005 04:06 |
But I had few other Fred's favourites- what about Hangman? ;) I know- no chance they could play THIS, but... apparently influenced by Free it was (and you can hear it) :) What about Get Down Make Love? Man, this track would be a killer if Paul sang it! Have you heard Glen hughes version? That could have been even better!!!
Nope, I only know the Nine Inch Nails cover of GDML. Your remark about Hangman made me think about what is considered obscure what it isn't as far as superstar artists go (Hangman IS obscure by all standards, no questioning that :)) I mean in Paris quite a few people had absolutely no clue to what was going on outside of GH1 and GH2. That means that a lot of people who went to a Queen show have never heard ANATO, which was arguably the body of the setlist outside the compilations (39, LOML, IMILWMC) I also read that people in the US are taking bathroom breaks from the current Paul McCartney show during songs like Till There Was You (With The Beatles) or Too Many People (Ram) going like, ugh, these must be new songs... I mean, it's ok to only have tom petty's greatest hits, but queen and the beatles, listen to the albums for c***'s sake ! |
| Fenderek 23.09.2005 04:08 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: My pipe dream: White Man Long Away It's Late Ogre Battle Now I'm Here Headlong Dragon Attack Sail Away Sweet SisterAnd they're all Brian's tracks :) But yeah, i really think WHITE MAN or IT'S LATE would kill with Paul on vocals... Same probably goes for DRAGON ATTACK... |
| CC1 23.09.2005 05:38 |
I havent completely read all the comments above, so I applogise. I can listen to Roger talking bollocks for hours so Im gonna really big him up. Hes on top form, they all are. Paul is a stadium singer and hes good at it. He complements Brian and Roger. I do love this CD, and cant wait to see the DVD when it is released over here in the UK |
| Jimi 23.09.2005 07:14 |
Bit cheeky of Brian playing the opening riff of White Man before Fat Bottomed Girls. The cd is fine but the track listing will never work for me.Plus what the f is Break Free doing there? FBG should have folloed TYMD. The set goes flat too quickly. |
| Fenderek 23.09.2005 07:58 |
Jimi wrote: Plus what the f is Break Free doing there? FBG should have folloed TYMD. The set goes flat too quickly.YES!!! FBG should be straight after TYMD- AGREE! If putting anything between them- that could have been... White Man ;) |
| Jimi 23.09.2005 09:17 |
If its the case that lots of folks switched off when non GH tracks were played..... it would have done no harm to play White Man / Its Late. I've been banging this drum since the tour was announced!!! Also what was wrong with doing some of the better known GH tracks such as Headlong? I think a medley of old material would have been a blast. I saw Genesis do this around '93 (i think it made there live album) and it worked splendidly. Lost Opportunity i believe (no pun intended) Each to their own but i could live without Dust and Break Free any day. |
| Tero 23.09.2005 09:50 |
Jimi wrote: I think a medley of old material would have been a blast. I saw Genesis do this around '93 (i think it made there live album) and it worked splendidly.Genesis did indeed perform a brilliant 20 minute medley of some 5-6 "classic hits" on their We Can't Dance tour... But then again, they had had a medley of the older, less commercial songs in their setlist ever since they hit the big time in the late 70's/early 80's. Queen on the other hand... tried to forget it's past more and more with every tour. :/ |
| Fone Bone 23.09.2005 11:00 |
Jimi wrote: If its the case that lots of folks switched off when non GH tracks were played..... it would have done no harm to play White Man / Its Late. I've been banging this drum since the tour was announced!!! |
| Rich Tea 25.09.2005 03:28 |
lol what bollox from someone who obviously didn't see Queen in the 80's! Second to last ever Queen tour included Medley's of their old songs 3 of which came from their very first album! KYA, Liar, Great King Rat plus SSOR, SCC, KQ I don't think I need to go on find a Works tour bootleg you will see Queen never forgot their past! btw ROTC is superb for a live CD can't wait for the DVD now! |
| pcgenius9 25.09.2005 03:36 |
God I love Last Horizon. I can't stop listening to it. It just bring back the memories of the spinning disco ball throwing pockets of light over a mezmerised audience. Awesome. |
| Tero 25.09.2005 04:00 |
Rich Tea wrote: lol what bollox from someone who obviously didn't see Queen in the 80's! Second to last ever Queen tour included Medley's of their old songs 3 of which came from their very first album! KYA, Liar, Great King Rat plus SSOR, SCC, KQ I don't think I need to go on find a Works tour bootleg you will see Queen never forgot their past!Yes, that's one tour. With snippets that are about one minute long (I guess that's how much they could remember of the songs..). Personally, I wouldn't make such a big deal out of it as you have, but then again I'm not exactly fanatic about Queen anymore. |
| Jimi 25.09.2005 17:04 |
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| Jimi 25.09.2005 17:08 |
Thats my case in point exactly. If you can do it in 84 and yes i was there for 2 nights at the NEC in Birmingham. Take away the PR tracks there was very little that has not been played by Rog and Brian on solo tours since then. Check out RMT bootlegs from the Electric Fire and Happiness tours.There was very little different stuff on this tour aside the PR stuff |
| The Real Wizard 25.09.2005 23:01 |
Jimi wrote: The cd is fine but the track listing will never work for me.Plus what the f is Break Free doing there? FBG should have folloed TYMD. The set goes flat too quickly.I agree. They didn't take any risks on the tour, musically speaking. I'd love to see them pull of a medley of old songs they haven't played in 20 years. |
| serena 24.10.2005 10:58 |
i think the cd is amazing! i was on an 3 hour car journey with 6 of my friends and we were singing all the way! we especially like it when roger taylor replaces "no change" to "brian may" in These are the days of our lives! I like how they did Bohemian Rhapsody. |