Customer Reviews

Queen + Paul Rodgers - Return Of The Champions - IMPORT

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I might never have even looked at this video if not for my older daughter, who wasn't even born when Queen was at their height. She watched some of my old videos that I recorded in the '80s and was fascinated (as are others of her generation, it seems) by some of Queen's videos and each of the band members. So when Queen+Paul Rodgers came to the Jersey Meadowlands just this last Sunday I took her to her first Rock Concert! It wasn't something I was anxious to do. I watched Queen's rise and was frankly bummed out when Freddie died of AIDS. As talented as the other band members are, what would Queen be without Freddie?

Well, I figured this might be her last chance to see what was left of Queen live so we went. Was I ever surprised. To answer the most obvious question, Paul Rodgers is not Freddie Mercury, but to his credit, he IS a major talent and he doesn't try to be a substitute Freddie. His performance recalls how the master did it, but doesn't overdo it.

In fairness this should have been called "Half of Queen and Paul Rodgers," but the production (the Concert I saw AND this DVD) is masterfully conceived and arranged. It is a fine touch that they don't try to give us a sentimental retrospective but a lively performance strengthened by long time backup performers. Brian and Roger sing lead on several songs and give us a good dose of what they do best on drum and guitar. Paul Rodgers performs some of his '60s hits, including "All Right Now" which was fabulous with Queen as the band backing it up.

Of special note was the performance of "Hammer to Fall." If you ever doubted what the song was really about (no, it's not nuclear war) the way Brian May (who wrote it) performs the first half, as a slow ballad on acoustic guitar, brings the message home in a very affecting manner. Then Paul Rodgers comes in as lead, and the band breaks into the power of the hard rock version we are more familiar with. A powerful performance.

So, if you buy this as nostalgia, so be it. But a lot of the audience was too young to be nostalgic about Queen; they were there for the music, the performance, the energy. This is not Memory Lane; it is the work of a band that is full of life and talent. The production values of the live performance are well reflected in this video. A must MUST-have for Queen fans ... and those who will be.

I missed the tour as it rolled through Michigan, and I lament the fact that I could not see this incredible show. As another mentioned here, Paul did not attempt to serve as a stand-in for Freddie. He made the songs his own and performed admirably. No simple feat by any means...to take songs like "The Show Must Go On" and "We Are the Champions" and make them your own songs...but he did it.

It really was hard for me not to shed some tears to see Freddie on the screen performing the first Act of "Bohemian Rhapsody," to hear Roger Taylor lead the crowd in a fantastic version of "Radio Ga Ga," or to hear Brian May perform a marvelous solo on "Love of My Life." All of the artists sound amazing...it was particularly cool for me to see Roger take center stage and sing like he always wanted to. If for no other song, this DVD is worth hearing "I Want It All" performed live.

This was not a Queen concert with some Bad Company covers, nor was this a Paul Rodgers concert covering Queen songs. It was the show that it was billed to be and it lived up to my very high expectations: Paul Rodgers fronting Queen doing some of their best songs.

Not sure what some of the reviewers were missing...this DVD is presented both in stereo and in DTS 5.1. The picture is gorgeous in 16:9 letterbox format. The live sound was mixed almost perfectly with a scant few spots where it was difficult to hear vocals. The mix is well above average for a live video.

Purists will be upset, to be sure...but if you take it for what it is, this is great music.

I have to admit, when I first listened to the Return Of The Champions CDs, my initial reaction was bordering on disappointment. After hearing the opening two numbers "Tie Your Mother Down" & "I Want To Break Free", my impression was "not bad, but...(insert any number of reasons, many involving the late Freddie Mercury)".

A few songs later, I warmed up to it a bit more...I started realizing it was less a concert trying to pass itself off as Queen, and more an all-star lineup celebrating the legacy of one of rock's greatest bands. It was after this realization I decided that purchasing the DVD would be a no-brainer.

After watching it, I can say it looks superb for the most part, and it does a nice job re-creating the vibe of the performance. Both the band & the fans look like they're happy as hell to be there, and as a result it adds a positive charge to the songs. The lights are captured in all their glory, and it makes for some great eye candy. Last but not least, both Paul Rodgers & Brian May seems to have discovered the fountain of youth, 'cuz they still look & move around like they're in their 30's.

Add in a DTS surround mix, and you have a DVD that any self-respecting Queen (or Paul Rodgers) fan should have in their collection. Nah, it's not the "definitive" Queen, but it'll definitely satisfy the jones....

One of the reviewers here posted that this DVD is hard to watch because the editing is choppy and there are frequent cuts. This poster had me worried that I would also find it hard to watch, but in fact, the editing is superb. Look carefully at it and you will see that it always focuses on whatever the most interesting and important thing is that's going on. For example, when there's a little drum fill we briefly see Roger Taylor doing that fill, then on to whatever is next. The editing enhances the music brilliantly.
This concert is full of touching moments that brought an ear-to-ear smile to my face. One of the best was when Brian was playing the guitar accompaniment for Love of My Life to the audience's singing. The whole time he had that I-can't-believe-I'm-accompanying-12000-people-on-the-guitar-to-a-song-I-recorded-in-a-band-30-years-ago-and-that-they-all-have-the-lyrics-memorized look on his face. I don't think that these beautiful moments would have been noticeable if the editing weren't top notch.
This DVD, though it's the same concert, is far superior to the CD version. The CD sounds nice, but the visuals of the DVD version are unforgettable. The best thing is being there, but as I said, this recording of the show brings out moments that aren't noticeable when you're sitting 100 rows away from the action.

I heard bad things about this. Hell, I thought bad things about this. Then I heard they were coming to Cleveland, I told my 11 year old daughter, and she flipped out. ""QUEEN!!!" But I said just the guitar player and drummer with another singer (she has no idea who Paul Rodgers is).

Then one day I decided, I would like to see the DVD because I love the music of Queen, I think Roger Taylor has got to be one of the greatest drummers in rock and, of course Brian May 101, 102 and 103, should be required courses for any guitar player who wants to even touch the instrument.

I'll tell you what. I miss John Deacon, but, Paul, Brian, and Roger treat the music and Freddie's legacy with such love and respect that I found myself in tears. And I don't think it was a calculated performance on their part. It looks real and true and loving.

This DVD could resurrect the concert industry.

Of course, the fact you need to take out a home equity loan to see a concert should maybe be addressed at some point.

And this is the power of these DVD's. Why pay twelve bucks to park for a concert where you paid $60 per person for two people when you could watch this DVD which sounds great and looks great for about $20?

I do miss the live element though. And I wish I would have seen this one and taken my daughter to it.

I was a little apprehensive about buying "Queen + Paul Rodgers - Return Of The Champions" on dvd. I had already brough the album, which, while good, didn't really blow me away. But, I decided to take a chance on it today, as I'm home with a cold.

All I can say is that this show is a million times better on dvd than on cd. The cd was not mixed right for one thing. There were times when the instrumental parts were mixed so loud that you could barely hear the vocals. Here, the show is mixed right, and the sound quality gives equal representation to both the music and the words.

The show feels much more energetic when you watch it rather than just listen to it. I initially scoffed at Paul Rodgers replacing the one and only Freddie Mercury (I wanted it to be George Michael on vocals, because he's a great singer and sounds a lot like Freddie), but after watching this show I have come to appreciate himas a good enough replacement for that wonderful, wonderful man. It's interesting to here Queen's (well, original members Brian May (guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums) - bassist Brian Deacon decided not to join them) take on Paul's Bad Company and Free songs ("Feel Like Makin' Love", "Can't Get Enough" and "All Right Now"), as the band surprisingly manages to pull them off. The Queen classics are all here (though there is a surprising lack of Freddie Mercury penned songs performed), and they sound great.

The highlight for the show is Roger's beautiful performance of "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" (from the band's final album, 1991's "Innuendo"). I've always loved this song, and it takes on even great resonance live. You might even shed a tear when they show clips of Freddie on a gigantic screen in the back of the stage.

There is one bonus feature, a nice perfromance of "Imagine" from a gig in Hyde Park. I ighly recommend this dvd to all classic rock fans.

Only reason I give this DVD a four-star rating instead of a five-star,is that the late Freddie Mercury's presence simply cannot be matched.Although Paul Rodgers does a good job of filling in for him.One thing I wanted to mention is that in the case Rodgers ever decided he no longer wanted to be in this line-up of Queen,PLEASE guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor DON'T drag another replacement vocalist/frontman in to continue on.You know,like the 21st Century Doors apparently has considered.'Return Of...' has superb sound and picture quality as well as cinematography.Most of the Queen staples are here,like "Tie Your Mother Down","Fat Bottomed Girls","Another One Bites The Dust",the timeless "Bohemian Rhapsody","We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions".Also enjoyed the Bad Company tunes "Feel Like Making Love" and "Can't Get Enough",not to mention the Free anthem "All Right Now".I must confess,at first I didn't think Rodgers could pull it off.Glad to see that I was wrong.One factor about 'Return...' is that to properly view it,you might want to wait until you have time to watch it all the way through without interruption.You'll be glad you did.Recommended.

Queen stopped touring back in the late 80's as Freddie Mercury's health began to decline. I never had the chance to see them live and when Freddie died in 1991, I thought I had lost the chance for good. Getting this DVD along with nearly front row seats to Queen/Rodgers in March was a Christmas present that I'll never forget. The DVD shows that the power of this music transcends the years. As others have said on here, Paul Rodgers is no Freddie Mercury, and he never tries to be which is why this works out so well. On the harder rocking tunes, Rodgers adds a power that would make Freddie proud. Also, Bohemian Rhapsody provided an incredible and emotional moment. Great DVD!

Being a Huge Fan of Queen,Free,Bad Co,and believing Paul Rogers has the Greatest Blues/Rock Voice On Earth,this Concert Kicks Ass.You must with all your Might Realize,this is Paul Rogers being Paul Rogers,not trying to be Freddie Mercury..Not Paul or no one else will ever be Freddie.
OK that said..
Excellent Photography the DVD is a Beauty.4 Stars instead of 5 for Sound..the Vocals could have been a notch UP in the Mix,but don't get me wrong the Sound is Kickin,just Not Perfect..Great Selection of Songs all played to Perfection..Brian is ON FIRE his Guitar Tone is Killer,best yet of any of the Queen DVD Concerts.Brian is really having Fun Playing this material and Blazing on the Free and Bad Company Songs..All the Harmonies are there and they are close to excellent with good energy by all the musucians on Stage.Why Not they are playing some of the Greatest Rock Songs ever Written.
This is an A+ Rock Concert with Excellent Picture and Sound. BUY THIS ONE AND CRANK IT UP

I had the chance to see them live before I purchased the DVD. I too had my doubts. Can Roger still pound the beat as one of the greatest drummers in Rock History? Can Brian May still drive an audience to their feet and not let them sit down for two hours? How will this whole, "Paul Rodgers" trip go over for hardcore fans?

Considering that Paul Rodgers has spent his entire life being Paul Rodgers, we would be foolish to think he would try to be Freddie Mercury. We all know that can't be done and he has no need to try. He carries the show, toys with the audience and looks and sounds better than he did 25 years ago. In retrospect, I can't think of a finer selection to allow Queen music to be heard live again. This is a fantastic band with a wicked sexy front man who never missed a beat,

Look folks, I am paraphrasing here, but as Roger Taylor said, "Freddie isn't going to suddenly turn up somewhere," If you can't imagine Queen without Freddie, stay home, dust off those records and listen to them.

However, If Freddie's mom and sister cared enough and believed enough to come to the show and watch thier lost son and brother's music come to life again, by the only two poeple who can do it as Queen, with the high standards and dedication to perfection they have, this DVD covers it all in Spades. It is my absolute favotite concert DVD. I can mention 100 moments that are truly priceless and worth every penny you spend.

If you still can't get over Freddie being gone, why don't you take the price of your tiket and make a donation to the Phoenix Mercury Trust. However, I stil believe that after taking off for 15 years, these guys deserve cheers and well wishes from everyone. They waited until the perfect moment to bring Queen back to life, and believe me, with Paul Rodgers, Queen is back in the most powerful and profound way.

Buy this DVD. Get it now! That may have been the last tour ever but some are saying they might tour again next year. No matter what the band decides to do, please watch this video, You will be blown away, If you don't feel the presence of Freddie while you watch it, open your mind and eyes an you will see and hear him clearly.