Queen Rock Montreal (2CD)
Hollywood Records - Hollywood Records
Queen
Release date: 2007-10-30
Audio CD
Album Rock, Arena Rock, Dance-Rock, England, Glam Rock, Hard Rock, Pop, Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock Music, Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Rock, Rock/Pop
1. Intro
2. We Will Rock You (Fast)
3. Let Me Entertain You
4. Play The Game
5. Somebody To Love
6. Killer Queen
7. I'm In Love With My Car
8. Get Down Make Love
9. Save me
10. Now I'm Here
11. Dragon Attack
12. Now I'm Here (Reprise)
13. Love Of My Life
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Queen Rock Montreal (2CD)
Date undefinedThese Cds have it all. The sound is exceptional along with the bands' energy. I always thought Frampton Comes Alive was great, and it is, but this is way better, and so much a Rock Anthem album. If you love Queen, treat yourself.
Queen Rock Montreal (2CD)
Date undefinedI give this three stars because it's Queen and even at their worst, they're pretty darn good.
That said, I have a hard time recommending this album to anyone but the true die-hards who have to have everything. It's yet another live Queen album from the latter part of their career. Live Killers covered their 1979 European tour, On Fire At The Bowl covers their 1982 Hot Space tour and we have two live cd's covering the 1986 Magic tour (Live Magic, Live at Wembley '86). And now this, which makes 5 live albums from 1979-1986 and none during their peak years of 1974-1978.
Much of the material on this Montreal set is already performed (and performed BETTER) on 1979's "Live Killers", and the few songs that not on that set that appear here just aren't enough to justify getting this Montreal set unless you are a true Queen collector and completist. There are mistakes by the band on at least one song ("We Will Rock You" fast) and another song that the crowd typically sings on ("Love of My Life") just baffles this Canadian audience, so this is simply not Queen at their best. Not even close. So pass on this and get the Live Killers set if you want Queen live during the mid-part of their career, or if you want live versions of more of their slightly newer songs like "Under Pressure" and tracks from 1980's "The Game" and 1982's "Hot Space", get On Fire At The Bowl. Both are far superior to this Montreal show.
The fans would be better served if Queen would give us an earlier concert, several of which were recorded in professional quality and are already widely available in bootleg form (Houston, 1977; Christmas in London, 1974 or something from their 1975-76 tours just after their breakthrough Night At The Opera album was released).
Queen Rock Montreal (2CD)
Date undefinedEnglish rockers Queen have just released its fifth live album entitled Queen Rock Montreal.
This live recording and its off-shoot DVD was recorded and filmed at The Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on November 24 and 25, 1981 (approximately ten years before the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury).
Not officially released on either vinyl or CD before, Queen Rock Montreal marks the first time the show is available on CD and/or vinyl. (It had been released previous as the concert film We Will Rock You).
Audio producers Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson returned to the original 24 track analog tapes recorded and originally mixed by 80s Queen co-producer Mack with The Record Plant Mobile Truck and created brand new regular stereo (for this CD and one of the two DVD mixes) and DTS 5.1 surround sound mixes (found on the DVD).
We kick off as the band hits the stage with the entrance music of "Intro" which sets the tone for the show. We then start off with a killer version of "We Will Rock You (fast version)" which is is stunning. Next is "Let Me Entertain You" which trumps either the Jazz version or Live Killers versions. We then slow things down with the ballad "Play the Game" which is stunning. Next is possibly the best version of "Somebody to Love I ever heard, only the versions from Earls Court 1977 and Houston Summit 1977 give it a run for the money. Next is a short but simple version of "Killer Queen" which is superb before we segue into drummer Roger Taylor's classic "I'm In Love With My Car" which was just superb. Next, John Deacon's classic bass riff begins "Get Down Make Love" which is the best live version of the three now available. We then slow down again as guitarist Brian May sits at the piano for the ballad "Save Me" (which Freddie would take over for the middle of song as Brian switched to his regular Red Special guitar). Next is "Now I'm Here" which is excellent and features the famous Freddie Mercury/audience vocal duel before segueing into "Dragon Attack" which rocks and then stops cold and Freddie goes back to a reprise of Now I'm Here. The first disc ends with a nice version of Love of My Life with Freddie singing his heart out and the whole song because "Love of My Life" was not a hit in either the US or Canada so the song would be dropped from the band's 1982 US/Canadian tour.
The second CD begins with "Under Pressure" and was the only time it was played by Queen as a four piece (the track was then a new song on the US/Canadian issues of Queen's Greatest Hits album released a few weeks before) and a great version (even without keyboards). Next is "Keep Yourself Alive" which has a nice impromptu jam before the track which is a spirited version. Next is Roger's Drum and Tympani Solo which shows why Roger Taylor is one of rock's best drummers. then we segue into Brian's Guitar Solo which is amazing and Brian finishes with some help from Roger's drumming. We then get two songs that were not on the We Will Rock You DVD but were fully recorded which was a superb version of "Flash" which was only played in 1980/81 and a superb version I must add then we go segue into "The Hero" which trumps the Queen On Fire version (both of these were performed after Under Pressure during the original shows). Next is a superb version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". Then we have Queen's almost speed metal take of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" which is superb (this was actually performed before the final encore). Next is an excellent take on "Bohemian Rhapsody" which shows the band playing with a fire they hadn't had in awhile. We then rock out with the set closing "Tie Your Mother Down" which rocks. The first encore of "Another One Bites the Dust" is a killer version. Next is "Sheer Heart Attack' and is the best version of the track ever. We then have the final encore of the traditional "We Will Rock You" with audience participating and a stellar version of "We Are the Champions". We then have the band say farewell as God Save the Queen plays over the PA.
An off-shoot 2-DVD is now also available and has a boatload of extras.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
