Customer Reviews

Return of the Champions

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

Brian may is at his very best on this live recording, also queen's drummer roger taylor is in great form. Paul rodgers is no freddie mercury, but i have to admit he impressed me on alot on these songs "hammer to fall" is an example of his excellence, a duet with brian may. Brian and roger also sing throughout the CD, my favorites are taylors "say it's not true" and brian sings one of my all time fav freddie songs "love of my life" dedicating it to freddie's Mom who was in attendence. On the down side pauls voice didn't fit on the songs "i want to break free" which was a great live performance from freddie in the old days and "i want it all" he sounded a bit flat, but overall he did a great job, also the "bad company/free" songs all sounded great, but i tend to skip most of those "alright now" is my fav of his songs, all in all a great return for one of the best rock n roll bands of all time, the mighty queen.

I was blown away by the exciting combination of "the voice of rock" Paul Rodgers with the Champions. This gives a new spin to Queen classics plus very energetic Free and Bad company songs, whithout trying to compete with or imitate Freddie Mercury. This is truly a collector's item. Paul has had a legendary career and he is in incredibly fine shape:however I did not understand the misleading reviews lambasting this album. Please read the cover;it says clearly :"QUEEN+PAUL RODGERS",not Freddie Mercury...

I bought this album yesterday, curious how Paul Rodgers would sound singing Queen songs. For the most part, he does a great job. As my title says, Rodgers puts a new spin on Queen favorites. Throw in a few Free/Bad Co. classics and you get one excellent concert.

Is it a perfect concert? No, for it to be perfect, Freddie Mercury would need to be the lead vocalist. That doesn't take away anything from Paul Rodgers though, who did a fantastic job covering Queen's songs. So, I'd recommend this album, it's very enjoyable.

The best sounding tracks:

1. Bohemian Rhapsody--Freddie sings the first part, the music video takes over in the operatic stage, and Rodgers sings most of the last stage. Freddie (from the video, I think) and Rodgers even have a "mini-duet" of sorts in the end. Very cool!

2. The Show Must Go On-Probably Rodgers's best job covering a Queen song.

3. Reaching Out/Tie Your Mother Down-Great way to start a concert, a solo by Rodgers followed by a hard and loud Tie Your Mother Down.

4. All Right Now-Much better than the version on Merchants of Cool (the live Bad Company CD)
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On a side note, I'd like to hear how Rodgers would sound like on other Queen songs, such as Innuendo, Spread Your Wings, Save Me and Keep Yourself Alive. Not sure if they've done those songs in the tour or are planning on it, we'll see.

Let me first say that I strongly disagree with the below review which states that Queen should have been renamed because John Deacon is not present for this project. I have always rooted for the least-popular member of the group (after all, he DID write "Another One Bites The Dust") and was disappointed to see him so often overlooked. If, however, he chooses to keep his nose out of Queen's business, that's his business, besides it's been reported that he gives the project his full blessing. Let Queen keep the name. After all, they're performing Queen songs. If they were renamed it would then be cheesy for them to perform Queen songs. Also, let's keep in mind that the heart of the Queen sound has and will always reside in the guitar of Brian May, arguably one of the greatest guitarists ever. This is Queen, in full volume and as good as ever.
That being said, I just have to express my joy and bliss and listening to this CD set over and over and over. Not only is it a miracle to hear these songs being played, but it's the WAY they're played. Neither May nor Taylor miss a note or a beat. The passion with which they still perform is astounding, and it is a lovely surprise to hear them sing so many of the greats. Especially touching is Brian's rendition of "Love of My Life" (complete with audience sing-along as always) which he dedicates to Freddie's mother, who is in the audience. As for Roger, I've never heard his normally rough, raspy voice as tender as it is when he sings "Days of Our Lives". I was moved deeply by his performance.
On top of that, I feel that a true testament to the musicianship of these two is the way they perform the songs of Paul Rodgers, who by the way is incredible throughout this concert. Does that man's voice age? Because if it did, it did so very well. They manage to sound as nearly perfect as possible together. Paul's voice sounds so rich and powerful, and the boys sound as if it were THEY who originally recorded with Free and Bad Company. It's like this match was really made in heaven.
Back to Paul Rodgers for a second. He does not try to be Freddie Mercury in any sense, and appears to treat this material with the greatest respect. And that alone earns the blessing of even a diehard fan such as myself.
Love live the Queen.... + Paul Rodgers.

These guys bashing the band don't know Jack or Shizit, and Jack just left town. Yes Freddie is gone, but with Paul Rodgers, you just can't stop the rock. He gets up there and raises the roof with the band playing tight behind him. Yes, Roger Taylor has a weak singing voice but the guy sings it from heart and you can tell just by listening and watching him on stage that he really means it. I'd give him a C- on singing ability, but overall an A+++ for effort, honesty, and showmanship. I don't even own any Queen albums but for some reason I bought tickets to see their Buffalo show on 3-17-06 based on 4 or 5 tracks they played off the CD on local radio -it sounded good enough for me to blow $100 on concert tickets. Let me tell you, they tore the joint up that night. It was a massive 2 & 1/2 hour show that brought the house down. People were standing the whole time, singing, clapping, and dancing to their first Queen show in the Buff in 24 years. They did "Under Pressure" for the first time that night as well. The whole place was screeming and pounding on their seats before they came out for 3 enchors. This DVD captures that general feel with a good sound balance between the music and the crowd. Right after the show I went out the next day and ordered the CD & DVD. They do it old school stlye like all the bands used to back in the day. Queen will rock you.

I must say this album is excellent. I am a Queen fan but more of a Paul Rodgers fan. I was a little apprehensive when I heard of them coming together but I knew that Paul Rodgers can sing. One thing for sure, I knew this album was going to be a new Queen. Anyone who was expecting Freddy back from the grave must be very silly. A great singer can carry a band, especially with some of the best musicians on the planet. People talk of new material for the new Queen which would be great, and in my opinion that is what you are really getting here with some of the songs. If you're looking for Freddy, Freddy is dead but if you want to rock with some of the best, buy this set. Three things I hope happen out of this venture. 1. All out USA tour. 2. New album. 3. Paul Rodgers gets in the Hall soon.
One last thing. I know this album is good when my two co-workers(both musicians) have given me crap about this being the silliest thing they ever heard of until I played the dvd. They are now buying their own copies.

WOW...they are back...though without the single greatest voice in Rock...the legendary Freddie Mercury. NOBODY can replace Freddie...he is in a vocal league of his own....but Paul Rodgers does a great job putting his own little spin on the Queen catalogue. Now, for those of you who think this is a disgrace to Freddie...well, don't be such pouts. REMEMBER: Although Freddie may be gone, the SOUND of QUEEN is still there in all of its Royalty. Would Freddie want the remaining members of Queen to sit on their asses and do nothing??? Although I miss Freddie, its very nice to hear all these songs again LIVE!! The musicianship of Brian May and Roger Taylor along with their guest musicians simply make this album shine. With the fresh spin that Paul Rodgers puts on these songs vocally, it all comes together very well. The harmonies on songs such as "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Wishing Well" are so STRONG. Although Freddie is gone, you owe it to yourself to give this album a chance. I was skeptical at first, however, I must say I am thoroughly impressed. Listen to "Reaching Out" and "Tie Your Mother Down" and tell me the combination of all aspects listed above doesn't send goosebumps across your arms. Oh yes, when you play the CD, CRANK IT UP...and RE-LIVE the glory and heyday of these classic rock gems. You wont be disappointed.