When On Fire at the Bowl came out, my thought was something like: "Awesome, although it seems like a middle of the pack bootleg. There are many more worthy releases." I know have since change my mind a bit.
I like earlier Queen and see something like "Earl's Court" as a release more to my liking, or at least I did. After seeing the Milton Keynes(On Fire...) for like the 30th time or so, I realized that this is actually a top 5 all-time best show, way more deserving of credit than I originally thought. I was so happy about the individuality of the show, because I freaking worshpped Queen's performance of Staying Power. At first viewing of the full show I realized that the Action This Day and Back Chat performances were just as great, so I thought at the time that these were the On Fire's gems that made it what it is.
I have since come to the conclusion that what I have overlooked is that this show may not always stack up against other performances of the common songs, but at least the Milton Keynes show has a worst played song that I not only can't identify, but that whatever it is, it was done well. It's all about consistency with this one, and more than any other show that comes to mind, the Milton Keynes show seems to be the most consistent show I have heard so far. Not to menton, certain songs like "Somebody To Love" are at their live best in this particular show.
It rocks, and I now realize that it was a good decision for Queen to release this show.
That being said, I still want a cleaned up/official Earl's Court release someday.
Oh yeah, one final point to be made:
Originally, I favored the early(pre-News of the World) concerts because the setlist favored Queen's early period, which I prefer. But, like it or not, I have come to realize that their live peak was unquestionably surrounding The Game period of their career.
I used to think that a few years ago that Queen likely had grown old and weak live by their last tour, an opinion created after seeing the Live at Wembley '86 show. After seeing the Budapest show from the same tour, I not only changed my mind, but grew a pessimistic point of view towards the train of thought that led to Queen's official live releases. I think they have done well recently, but as for back then, I still have yet to hear a quality concert recording that I rate the band as low as their Wembley '86 performance, and of the 3 total Jazz shows I have heard, I still think Live Killers is far at the bottom.
It puzzles me that Queen professionally recorded not only the Earl's Court show(shows actually), but also the Houston '77 and Hamersmith '79 and yet they still remain unreleased.
So weird...I was at the Milton Keynes Bowl show and it was the worst performance that I had ever seen Queen do (well, except for the We Will Rock You Montreal gigs).... LOL
Delilah wrote: So weird...I was at the Milton Keynes Bowl show and it was the worst performance that I had ever seen Queen do (well, except for the We Will Rock You Montreal gigs).... LOL
If that was them at their worst....incredible...
I always tell the teenyboppers "watch the Queen concerts...then see what losers your bands are"
There are excellent bands out there now...but live? They leave a lot to be desired.
Milton Keyes is my favorite official release concert.... but alot of people who were their say it wasn't anything special.
I have never understood that.