Queen?s 5th Live album is a special one coz it?s the first one without Freddie Mercury but featuring another great rocksinger - namely Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company. I?m glad they called it Queen+Paul Rodgers coz then I can listen to it in a new perspective,I have to admit though that I was a bit sceptical at first how they could reform the band without Freddie and John Deacon. With no expectations at all and maybe being a bit doubtful,I put "Return of the champions" in my stereo and worked on the site with some news as usual but to my surprise - this was a real enjoyable listening affair with a dedicated audience singing along to all these Queen classics and the wonderful voice of Paul Rodgers at his best. Live albums belongs to the 70?s coz not many live recordings from the 80?s and after are that funny to listen to but this double disc sure sounds like a true live recording,a bit rough and huge sounding as the Arena recording it is - I?m glad it isn?t just a studio sounding cd with a recorded live crowd over it. And don?t you just hate it when the band never talks to the audience between the songs but you get a load full of that on "Return of the champions" so thumbs up for Brian,Roger and Paul for letting us listeners being a part of that night in Sheffield,U.K in May,2005 when this was recorded. Additional musicians are:Spike Edney (vocals, keyboards); Danny Miranda (vocals, bass guitar); Jamie Moses (guitar).
Live Killers (1979),Live Magic (1986),Live at Wembley 86 (1992-rereleased 2003 with 4 more tracks),Queen on fire-Live at the Bowl 82 (2004)......you can now add another fine Live album to that list. I will play this album many more times to come.....from the magic intro with Rodgers on "Reaching out" through Queen fave?s like "Fat bottomed girls","Love of my life" (gives me the goosebumps),"I?m in love with my car","The show must go on" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" - we also get to hear 4 songs from Rodger?s time in Free and Bad Company and they are "Wishing well","All right now","Feel like making love" and "Can?t get enough"! BLOODY GOOD!
Comments
Melodic Net Comments
Bobbi Jo
Paul Rodgers has lended his extraordinary vocals to these extraordinary songs...my favorite...The Show Must Go On....it?s awesome....thanks!
unknown
First of all, Paul Rogers is great, the musicians are great, and Brian May and Roger Taylor is almost as good as on the Live Magic album. But the sound quality on this one is much better. There is something wrong with the concept of the album, even thou it is great technically. Knowing that Queen is one of the most successful bands from Great Britain, you cant ignore the feeling that the band is trying to hold on to a carrier that have been better. On the other hand, this the songs are great, and they are very well played.
