Queen Rock Montreal (2CD) [Live, Extra tracks]

Being a Queen fanatic, I buy anything "new." But I was reluctant, at first, to purchase yet another live album from them. Especially since I saw this concert when it was calleed "We Will Rock You." I know that Brian May said that they had completely cleaned it up and raised the standard of the audio and video. I have yet to see the DVD, but I can say that Brian and the crew did an AWESOME job of it. And more than that, the actual performance is the BEST of all of the live stuff they've put out. I thought Live at the Bowl was A+. Well, this show is A+++.

There are some super gems on here. "Love of My Life" is sung completely by Freddie, which is a very rare thing. He doesn't seem happy about it, though. "They don't know it," he declares after singing the first verse. "That's all right," Brian responds, and then Freddie gives on of the best live vocal performances I've heard from him. "Save Me" is wonderful, completely topping the Bowl performance. I really think Queen were totally on because they were well rested (these two shows were a "one off" because they weren't on tour any more). "Under Pressure" "Let me Entertain You" "Flash (ACTUALLY live, not a tape) and "Play The Game" are all standouts.

My only gripe, and it's small, since the tracks sound great, is I do get weary of "We Will Rock You" "We Are the Champions" "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." Though, as I said, the tracks sound great, there are so many other great versions of these songs on other live albums. I think Brian said something about re-doing the Budapest concert next, and I really hope he doesn't. We have FAR too many post-Jazz live shows. I think there needs to be some News of the World Tour live album or something. I'd love to hear a remastered concert with "It's Late" or "March of the Black Queen." I know it probably won't happen anytime soon.I won't hold it against this Montreal concert, however, because I really loved it. I hope you will, too. A must have!

English 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!

Looking back at the 1970s and 1980s, sometimes many forget how big the band Queen was. If it weren't for Freddie Mercury's death in 1992, we might still be talking about Queen being as big a band as the Beatles. Even as Queen moved into the 1980s, while their popularity did slightly decline in the United States, it continued to be very high in Europe. Their performance at Live Aid is widely considered one of the greatest of all-time and their subsequent "Magic" tour is considered one of the all-time greatest concert tours. Queen would release a DVD and CD from that tour entitled "Live at Wembley 86" - and that performance might be considered their all-time best. Even before the "Magic" tour, Queen still performed many legendary concerts. One such concert was recorded in Montreal in November of 1981. The CD - "Queen Rock Montreal" is a great representative of those performances (this CD serves as the soundtrack for Queen's concert film, "We Will Rock You") While it might be a tad below the "Live at Wembley" performance, this performance is not far behind.

This is such a great concert, there isn't room to discuss everything on here. Here are ten "things to listen for" on this concert. These are in no particular order:

1.While Freddie Mercury is a brilliant vocalist, Roger Taylor really holds his own. Not only does he deliver thundering drums throughout the concert - he is simply outstanding providing the main background vocals. Taylor's performance on "Under Pressure" is going to make you forget that David Bowie would perform this song with Queen.

2. The fast version of "We Will Rock You" is a real treat to open the concert. In a lot of ways, I kind of like this up-tempo performance much better than the original. (Yes, the original is the penultimate song of the concert)

3.John Deacon is one of the all-time great bass players and this performance really showcases why. Songs like "Under Pressure" and "Another One Bites the Dust" are well-known for Deacon's bass work, but his presence is felt many other places. "Dragon Attack" and "Get Down Make Love" might be some of the best examples.

4.Following "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", I like how Queen follows it up with a cover of "Jailhouse Rock". This is a terrific Rockabilly tribute by Queen.

5.I was thrilled that "Keep Yourself Alive" was included on the setlist. The real highlight of this was the 1+ minute jam to intro the song. While Brian May's guitar is a highlight of the song, ultimately it is Deacon's bass work that really sets the stage for this intro jam.

6.Queen fans are probably used to the pre-recorded version of the "Opera" section of "Bohemian Rhapsody" - sandwiched in between the live beginning and live end of this song.. The way they use it actually works - and makes for one heck of a performance. "Queen Rock Montreal" is no exception. However on this particular recording, it is more obvious hearing the transitions in and out of the pre-recorded section.

7.This concert has two selections from Queen's "Flash Gordon" soundtrack - the well-known "Flash" song and a segue into another song called "The Hero". I liked how these songs held up under the live setting. Taylor's drums really shine on these performances. It is worth noting that these songs were originally omitted from the video release.

8.From the setlist, I was disappointed that there was not "Fat Bottomed Girls" or "Bicycle Race" from the "Jazz" album. However I was pleased with the inclusion of "Killer Queen", "Get Down Make Love", the Flash Gordon songs, "Dragon Attack", and "I'm Love with My Car". These songs seemed to disappear from Queen's setlist in the latter years of the band.

9.The concert includes two "solos" by Roger Taylor (Drums and Tympani) and Brian May (Guitar). Overall, I liked Taylor's solo. Although May's is not bad, I've heard more solid ones.

10.It is also worth noting this CD was actually recorded over a two day period. Normally I prefer a live recording to be from a single night - as this captures the magic of a great performance. However, "Queen Rock Montreal" does a great job at providing a seamless thread between the performances. The continuity is so good that it sounds like it was taken from a single night. It is also worth noting that the entire set list from the Montreal performances are included on the CD.

The liner notes include a short write-up on the concert as well as a lot of photos from the shows. Overall, this is simply an outstanding concert - and an outstanding video of the concert. You will find yourself watching the concert and bonus material over and over again. This is another gold standard for live performances on CD. This is a must for Queen and music fans.