Return of the Champions

Queen, Paul Rodgers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000AMJEGE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,342 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Following their hugely successful 32 date European arena tour Queen plus Paul Rodgers release this double CD capturing the magic of their performance. Featured alongside some of the most famous Queen songs are Bad Company and Free classics such as "All Right Now" and "Can't Get Enough". The package features a 16-page booklet with photographs taken by fans throughout the tour. 27 total tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Return Indeed!!!!! Great Album!!!!!, September 13, 2005

By 

"The Woj" (Downers Grove, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Champions (Audio CD)

Can the soulful & smooth vocals of Paul Rodgers fill the void left by the operatic & theatrical singing of Freddie Mercury? Can the "band" Queen, play classic Free & Bad Company songs and still be faithful to the originals? Can these "oldtimers" still kick out the jams? Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!
I was shocked and more than pleasantly suprised by how good this album really is. Paul Rodgers has been around for quite some time and his voice has never sounded better; and with so few really quality live recordings of Mr. Rodgers over the years, it is really a treat to hear him stretch his cords live (I apologize in advance to all the fans of Glenn Hughes, but Paul Rodgers is indeed the "voice of rock"). While no one on this planet can ever replace Mr. Mercury, Rodgers adds his own "touch" to the Queen songs. What you get is songs which really pay tribute to the original versions. Oh, and the band "Queen"?
They play through the entire set flawlessly, handling both the Free and Bad Company songs with ferocity & grace. Brain May is arguably one of rock's all time great guitarist and this recording only enhances his status (I apologize again to the late great Mr. Kosoff, Mr. Ralphs and yes, even Mr. Page, and this statement may border on blasphemy, but Paul Rodgers has never been backed by a finer fretboard wizard than Brian May). Lastly, the energy & emotion put into this performance is extraordinary. You would never guess these were "past middle age" men whipping out rockers like "Tie Your Mother Down" & "All Right Now".
And I would like to add, which for me, was the most "heartfelt" portion of the album. I think longtime Queen fans will agree.
Brian May states between songs, Freddie Mercury's mom in in the audience. For the song "Bohemian Rhapsody"...we here Freddie Mercury's voice singing from the original song. The band is playing live to it in the backround. When Freddie sings the words of the songs "momma, I don't wan't to die", I almost began to weep. Hey, I'm not afraid to admit it. It was one of the most emotional moments I have every heard on a rock recording.
For Queen fans, the album is a must for that single song alone.
My only minor beef, and I mean minor, but enough to give the album a 4 1/2 star rating instead of 5 is the overall sound and mix of the album. The vocals and harmonies are clear up front in the mix and truely amazing, but the instruments seem to be far back and just a little muddy. May's playing is killer and it just does not come through the way I believe it should. But hey, that's just me! Any fan of Free, Bad Company or Queen (heck any fan of rock music!) must add this to cart NOW!! I guarantee you will not be disappointed. For any newcomers who have heard of these great artists? Add this to cart now too....let these "boys" show you how rock is meant to be played.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lighten Up! It's a good show., January 10, 2006

By 

Donald R. Labonte Jr. "donlbjr" (WALES, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Champions (Audio CD)

While there are those who are indignant that Roger Taylor and Brian May would consider touring more than a decade after Freddie Mercry's death, I am not one of those people. I had the pleasure of seeing Queen in concert during their "A Day at the Races" and "Jazz" tours, and they were wonderful, spectacular events. I had misgivings when I had heard that Paul Rodgers would be fronting the group on a European tour; however, this document has assuaged my doubts and I look forward to seeing them when they come to Milwaukee in March of this year.

One thing that disappointed me about Queen in concert in the past was that Brian May never sang his songs in concert. Freddie handled the lead vocals on "'39" even though Brian sang it on the album. So, for me, it is a treat to hear Brian take over the vocals on this recording and do so very well indeed.

Paul Rodgers does a good job reworking the songs as needed to make them better vehicles for his voice. I respect this approach to going back out on the road a great deal more than if Roger and Brian had hired some Freddie sound alike for the tour. This is not the same as "Queen"; it is not billed as such, and they do not sound exactly the same. Which is just fine. Many of these songs sounds great here - "Fat Bottomed Girls", "39", "Hammer to Fall", and (sorry) "We are the Champions" are among the highlights.

So, if you are a purist who thinks that Brian May, who wrote "We Will Rock You", and "Fat Bottomed Girls" should never play his own songs live again because Freddie is dead: Get Over It! These guys sound real good, the cd is better than I had hoped it would, and best wishes for the US leg of the tour!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Yourself Alive!, September 13, 2005

By 

lonesomedave (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Champions (Audio CD)

First off, no one can replace Freddie Mercury, the charisma, the showmanship and one remarkable, iconic voice. Unless of course you recruit, one of the finest voices of this or any generation...the deeply soulful Paul Rodgers. That man could sing the phone book and make it have depth and meaning. I hoped this live disc would be good....and dear lord it is one strong recording of Queen, Free and Bad Company classics...if you don't get goosebumps a coupla times during this cd, then ya ain't listening...especially during "Love of My life", the way the crowd belts out the opening verses. Brian May, for whatever reason, has never truly gotten the attention that a world class and unique guitarist should...he truly wails thruout this concert. Both Roger and Brian handle some leads that Freddie excelled on, and Paul more than properly handles his duties. I am sure some people will think this a sacrelige to Freddie, but I'm not one..having been a Queen fan since the debut (caught them live at a small college in NEPA with Mott the Hoople that year--too many years ago). Listen to the crowd on this...look at the faces on the people in the pics (Freddie's mum is there)...they WELCOME this and if this propels anyone to go back to get I or II or Sheer Heart Attack---freakin great, all the better...ALL my hopes and expectations have come true with the "Return of the Champions". Standout cuts: "Tie Your Mother Down", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "All Right Now" and "Another One Bites the Dust". I think Freddie would give this a thumbs up....Paul gives this so much soul...and Brian and Roger deliver the unmistakeable Queen sound. We Will Rock You Indeed!