greaserkat
Did they let you guys take in cameras? Hopefully they did so when they come back this spring Ill take one.
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Ga-Ga
I was lucky.
Yesterday at 10 AM, I had pair of free tickets tossed in my lap. Terrace level, five rows up from the mixer, and the "other two" people in our box no showed. How can it get any better than that?
I and still trying to decide if Queen picked up an adequate singer, or if Paul Rogders landed the best backup band since Sammy Hagar. I wish they could have found somebody more vocally similar to Freddie. (Yes, yes, yes, I know that NO ONE sounds like Freddie, but no one sounds like Steve Perry either, and Journey managed to do it.)
I also wonder what is up with John Deacon? Did he have a falling out? Forgive me if this is a lame question, but I have not been actively following them. Oh well, half the lineup is better than nothing at all.
As far as the set-list goes, I was impressed. The first time I saw Queen, in '76, they opened with "Tie Your Mother Down", which they did last night. I would not have minded a tip of the hat to Bad Company, but I felt they overshot the mark and included too many BC songs. (Although, "All Right Now" hit the perfect note in the encore.
I was glad that there was more than just a "Queen's Greatest Hits" feel to set-list. Especially the inclusion of '39, which is just about my favorite Queen song of all time. Was that a guitar rendition of "The Profits Song" that Brian May did in his solo? The two songs I wished for but didn't get were "It's Late" and "Spread to Your Wings".
I did notice that they botched the sound couple of times, nothing to drastic though.
What was the title of the homage to Freddie that Roger Taylor sang? ("Say It Isn't So", is that it?)
Overall feel of the show, poignant at times, nostalgic, but still raucous.
Ga-Ga
EDIT TO REPLY TO POSTER BELOW:
Yes, that was a film of Freddie on the big screen, and the spotlight was shining at *but just below* the vidio of Freddie. Very Effective.
Yesterday at 10 AM, I had pair of free tickets tossed in my lap. Terrace level, five rows up from the mixer, and the "other two" people in our box no showed. How can it get any better than that?
I and still trying to decide if Queen picked up an adequate singer, or if Paul Rogders landed the best backup band since Sammy Hagar. I wish they could have found somebody more vocally similar to Freddie. (Yes, yes, yes, I know that NO ONE sounds like Freddie, but no one sounds like Steve Perry either, and Journey managed to do it.)
I also wonder what is up with John Deacon? Did he have a falling out? Forgive me if this is a lame question, but I have not been actively following them. Oh well, half the lineup is better than nothing at all.
As far as the set-list goes, I was impressed. The first time I saw Queen, in '76, they opened with "Tie Your Mother Down", which they did last night. I would not have minded a tip of the hat to Bad Company, but I felt they overshot the mark and included too many BC songs. (Although, "All Right Now" hit the perfect note in the encore.
I was glad that there was more than just a "Queen's Greatest Hits" feel to set-list. Especially the inclusion of '39, which is just about my favorite Queen song of all time. Was that a guitar rendition of "The Profits Song" that Brian May did in his solo? The two songs I wished for but didn't get were "It's Late" and "Spread to Your Wings".
I did notice that they botched the sound couple of times, nothing to drastic though.
What was the title of the homage to Freddie that Roger Taylor sang? ("Say It Isn't So", is that it?)
Overall feel of the show, poignant at times, nostalgic, but still raucous.
Ga-Ga
EDIT TO REPLY TO POSTER BELOW:
Yes, that was a film of Freddie on the big screen, and the spotlight was shining at *but just below* the vidio of Freddie. Very Effective.
breakfree
I have seen every So. Calif concert of Queen. They are such a part of my life, I wouldn't have missed this concert for the world. Brian and Roger were absolutely amazing. I always thought drum and guitar solos were pure vanity at other concerts, but those two really had something to say with there solo's. During Bohemian Rhaposidy at the very beginning there was a spotlight on the piano on stage and I leaned over to my daughter and said "OH MY GOD!!! IT'S FREDDIE!!!!!
Was that a projection of some sort? Then they showed some actual film of Freddie singing the song. I was crying. Now for the not so good part. Paul Rogers does have an excellent voice and can sing most of the songs very well. But he has zero stage precence. He just kind of stood around for most of the show. And even though Roger and Brian sat or just stood during there singing, you couldn't take your eyes of them. I hope that Paul works on that some. That being said, I wouldn't have missed this concert for the world and Queen still rocks.
Was that a projection of some sort? Then they showed some actual film of Freddie singing the song. I was crying. Now for the not so good part. Paul Rogers does have an excellent voice and can sing most of the songs very well. But he has zero stage precence. He just kind of stood around for most of the show. And even though Roger and Brian sat or just stood during there singing, you couldn't take your eyes of them. I hope that Paul works on that some. That being said, I wouldn't have missed this concert for the world and Queen still rocks.
shootingstar
Hmmmm...
I know this forum is meant strictly for reviews of the Hollywood Bowl show, but I feel compelled to disagree with a few of the comments.
In reference to Ga Ga's post, the title of this entire project is Queen + Paul Rodgers--relatively equal billing. If any argument about the setlist is to be made, I think it shortsides Paul Rodgers a bit. Granted, there are more members of Queen when juxtaposed with Paul, but I don't think 5 songs (roughly a fifth of a given setlist [and sometimes even less])is by any stretch of the imagination too much of his material.
Secondly, I disagree with breakfree's comment about Paul's stage presence. You are most likely more enamored with Roger and Brian because you are more of a Queen fan than one of Paul Rodgers. From an objective standpoint, I see Roger's and Brian's stage presence to be quite inferior to a guy who can just about get the audienced engaged for the better part of each show. This was evident at the New Jersey show I attended. That is not to say that Brian or Roger have no stage presence--quite the contrary. Still, I think his presence is better than a good number of rock musicians.
If you couldn't tell, I am a big-time fan of Paul's. I generally don't like to disagree, but I at least wanted to throw my opinion out there.
I know this forum is meant strictly for reviews of the Hollywood Bowl show, but I feel compelled to disagree with a few of the comments.
In reference to Ga Ga's post, the title of this entire project is Queen + Paul Rodgers--relatively equal billing. If any argument about the setlist is to be made, I think it shortsides Paul Rodgers a bit. Granted, there are more members of Queen when juxtaposed with Paul, but I don't think 5 songs (roughly a fifth of a given setlist [and sometimes even less])is by any stretch of the imagination too much of his material.
Secondly, I disagree with breakfree's comment about Paul's stage presence. You are most likely more enamored with Roger and Brian because you are more of a Queen fan than one of Paul Rodgers. From an objective standpoint, I see Roger's and Brian's stage presence to be quite inferior to a guy who can just about get the audienced engaged for the better part of each show. This was evident at the New Jersey show I attended. That is not to say that Brian or Roger have no stage presence--quite the contrary. Still, I think his presence is better than a good number of rock musicians.
If you couldn't tell, I am a big-time fan of Paul's. I generally don't like to disagree, but I at least wanted to throw my opinion out there.
goinback
Before the show we were sitting there, and the people behind us were talking about how they hoped people wouldn't be standing up in front of them the whole time. I still don't understand that mentality...it's a Queen concert, they're a METAL band! My mom and dad said they experienced this at a Neil Diamond concert a couple months ago too...people on his message boards didn't think people should sit either, because it's rude to sit like a lump when an artist is on stage giving their all.
But anywayz, I saw them in 1980 at age 7 with my mom, and I didn't know then how long it would be until I could see them again. When "Tie Your Mother Down" (my favorite live Queen song) came on at the beginning, and I saw Brian again for the first time in 25 years, I was out of my seat dancing away in front of the people behind us (who apparently didn't know the song). My friend thought it was hilarious...I said, "I've waited 25 years to see this song live again and I'm not sitting!"
Of course the show ended up being so much better than most people expected, so most of the crowd (including those behind us) ended up being on their feet most of the time anyway. It was great clincher when Brian talked about how they liked people to get excited ;) They didn't even need to stand at the Bowl, because you could still see pretty well since the seats arc up...but they still stood.
I could hear a LOT of people singing with "Love Of My Life". There was one line where Brian stopped and let the audience sing themselves, but then I think he got nervous about it and came back in. I think he could have let everyone do the chorus themselves actually. My mom (who lives across country) always loved this song and I remember it at the 1980 show with her, so I called her and recorded it on her voice mail while it was playing.
The crowd seemed a little quiet on some of the lesser-known numbers (like "I'm In Love With My Car"), so I was worried they weren't into it. But then I'd hear people whispering about how good it was so maybe they were just taking it all in. Of course I would have liked even more obscure songs, but I don't know if I would have had the balls to even try "Love Of My Life", "'39", and "I'm In Love With My Car" in front of a US audience of 17,000...good for Brian and Roger for doing this for us.
The only parts they could improve on I think would be to throw "Under Pressure" in the middle of some of the lesser-known songs...I have no idea why in the world they would drop that for the US, since it's got to be one of their most popular ones here. And on WWRY, the background singers sang the chorus the whole time instead of just letting the crowd sing it which I thought was odd. But when I have to nitpick little things like this, you can tell it must have been pretty good :)
There were some actual Paul Rodgers fans around us who went nuts on his songs (as well as the rest of the crowd), so I think the combination of his songs to replace some of the lost US popularity of a few Queen numbers ends up being a great balanced 2+ hour show for everyone. I think Queen really knew what they were doing when they decided to use him...not only for his ability to pull off the metal parts onstage (which I can't see George Michael doing), but also because of his back-catalog of songs. To me he seemed to be moving around quite a bit, but of course I was watching Brian and Roger. I was glad they got someone that didn't just stand there in one place with a stationary mic stand the whole time, which he definitely didn't do, and one of the reasons Queen stood out from other bands for me in the '70s.
Everyone afterwards was in a great mood going on and on about how great the whole thing was. I am so glad I got to go to this....
But anywayz, I saw them in 1980 at age 7 with my mom, and I didn't know then how long it would be until I could see them again. When "Tie Your Mother Down" (my favorite live Queen song) came on at the beginning, and I saw Brian again for the first time in 25 years, I was out of my seat dancing away in front of the people behind us (who apparently didn't know the song). My friend thought it was hilarious...I said, "I've waited 25 years to see this song live again and I'm not sitting!"
Of course the show ended up being so much better than most people expected, so most of the crowd (including those behind us) ended up being on their feet most of the time anyway. It was great clincher when Brian talked about how they liked people to get excited ;) They didn't even need to stand at the Bowl, because you could still see pretty well since the seats arc up...but they still stood.
I could hear a LOT of people singing with "Love Of My Life". There was one line where Brian stopped and let the audience sing themselves, but then I think he got nervous about it and came back in. I think he could have let everyone do the chorus themselves actually. My mom (who lives across country) always loved this song and I remember it at the 1980 show with her, so I called her and recorded it on her voice mail while it was playing.
The crowd seemed a little quiet on some of the lesser-known numbers (like "I'm In Love With My Car"), so I was worried they weren't into it. But then I'd hear people whispering about how good it was so maybe they were just taking it all in. Of course I would have liked even more obscure songs, but I don't know if I would have had the balls to even try "Love Of My Life", "'39", and "I'm In Love With My Car" in front of a US audience of 17,000...good for Brian and Roger for doing this for us.
The only parts they could improve on I think would be to throw "Under Pressure" in the middle of some of the lesser-known songs...I have no idea why in the world they would drop that for the US, since it's got to be one of their most popular ones here. And on WWRY, the background singers sang the chorus the whole time instead of just letting the crowd sing it which I thought was odd. But when I have to nitpick little things like this, you can tell it must have been pretty good :)
There were some actual Paul Rodgers fans around us who went nuts on his songs (as well as the rest of the crowd), so I think the combination of his songs to replace some of the lost US popularity of a few Queen numbers ends up being a great balanced 2+ hour show for everyone. I think Queen really knew what they were doing when they decided to use him...not only for his ability to pull off the metal parts onstage (which I can't see George Michael doing), but also because of his back-catalog of songs. To me he seemed to be moving around quite a bit, but of course I was watching Brian and Roger. I was glad they got someone that didn't just stand there in one place with a stationary mic stand the whole time, which he definitely didn't do, and one of the reasons Queen stood out from other bands for me in the '70s.
Everyone afterwards was in a great mood going on and on about how great the whole thing was. I am so glad I got to go to this....
Deacons 1st Choice
Awesome to hear you guys had a great time!
I think these two shows will become known as historic moments in Queen History....at least here in the States. NJ was incredbile....sounds like LA was just as stunning.
Nice plus having Slash stop by.
And no, i don't think Howard was at the NJ show.
I think these two shows will become known as historic moments in Queen History....at least here in the States. NJ was incredbile....sounds like LA was just as stunning.
Nice plus having Slash stop by.
And no, i don't think Howard was at the NJ show.
goinback
It hit me though at the end during WWRY/WATC/GSTQ that I *could* have been witnessing the last performance of those ever at a Queen concert. On the way out, we were talking about how hopefully a full US tour would occur next year, and we realized we may have just seen the last Queen show.
Judging by the response I'm sure they'll probably tour again, but you never know....
Judging by the response I'm sure they'll probably tour again, but you never know....
Whatinthewhatthe?
Oh, GOD, I envy each and every one of you who were lucky enough to go! It sounded better than the New Jersey show. A few friends of mine got to attend both and I envy them too because they saw both shows and could compare.
I know NJ wasn't sold out, did the Bowl come close? It sounded like it was!
And please don't think it's the last one for the US...it's a beginning! 2006 will see Q + PR multiple times and hopefully in a wide range of venues. I'm very much looking forward to it!
I know NJ wasn't sold out, did the Bowl come close? It sounded like it was!
And please don't think it's the last one for the US...it's a beginning! 2006 will see Q + PR multiple times and hopefully in a wide range of venues. I'm very much looking forward to it!
goinback
As I went out, there was a chalkboard hanging up showing how many people were there...it was at least 16,9XX (can't remember the last 2 numbers)...I think the number is posted earlier in this thread. The Bowl holds about 17,000....
Deacons 1st Choice
I'm always hearing that the Meadowlands was not sold out....
It WAS!!
Why is it i still hear otherwise? It WAS a sell out...all tickets were sold. The ones released those few days before the show were ex-guest/vip/press tickets. Whatever was left was surely snapped up the day of the show.
I think it's awesome that the venues were packed full. This is a real tribute to the band we know ( or knew, depending on some of your views) and certainly from this point on we will be hearing some more from them down the road when it comes to live opportunities. I'm SOOooooo glad this did'nt turn into the same type of thing Brian's solo tour did here in 93'. Those shows were poorly advertised and your average fan had no clue he was even in town to perform...it was THAT sad! Even Brian went home a little down about it...not to mention his Band!
This Q+PR combo has produced the goods and it's wonderful to sit here right now knowing in my gut that surely this won't be the last we see of them. Surely they will take some time off after Japan and in the New Year make plans for the NEXT conquest on our shores.
That will be my New Years' toast....i'm betting! :)
It WAS!!
Why is it i still hear otherwise? It WAS a sell out...all tickets were sold. The ones released those few days before the show were ex-guest/vip/press tickets. Whatever was left was surely snapped up the day of the show.
I think it's awesome that the venues were packed full. This is a real tribute to the band we know ( or knew, depending on some of your views) and certainly from this point on we will be hearing some more from them down the road when it comes to live opportunities. I'm SOOooooo glad this did'nt turn into the same type of thing Brian's solo tour did here in 93'. Those shows were poorly advertised and your average fan had no clue he was even in town to perform...it was THAT sad! Even Brian went home a little down about it...not to mention his Band!
This Q+PR combo has produced the goods and it's wonderful to sit here right now knowing in my gut that surely this won't be the last we see of them. Surely they will take some time off after Japan and in the New Year make plans for the NEXT conquest on our shores.
That will be my New Years' toast....i'm betting! :)
millbrookmusic
I have nothing but fond, fond memories of last night's show ( my first Queen show ever ).
Everyone has said all of the excellent things I would say myself so I'll mention another thing that hasn't been mentioned. Hammer to Fall.
Did they get completely get lost in that song. I believe Paul Rodgers came in singing the wrong part and threw everyone off and it took about a full 45 seconds for everyone to get back into the groove of the song.
And poor brian and his out of tune guitar on Love of My Life! You could see it on his face that he was displeased with what the moist atmosphere had done to the tuning. He did an incredible job on compensating though until he got to a point in the song where he could discreetly tune the rouge string.
But these two comments are by no means me disrespecting the incredible concert. It was easily the best concert experience that I've ever had.
- Deej
Everyone has said all of the excellent things I would say myself so I'll mention another thing that hasn't been mentioned. Hammer to Fall.
Did they get completely get lost in that song. I believe Paul Rodgers came in singing the wrong part and threw everyone off and it took about a full 45 seconds for everyone to get back into the groove of the song.
And poor brian and his out of tune guitar on Love of My Life! You could see it on his face that he was displeased with what the moist atmosphere had done to the tuning. He did an incredible job on compensating though until he got to a point in the song where he could discreetly tune the rouge string.
But these two comments are by no means me disrespecting the incredible concert. It was easily the best concert experience that I've ever had.
- Deej
Whatinthewhatthe?
Do you think writing Brian and Roger and asking them "will you consider coming to (fill in your city here) in 2006" would get noticed...or, like other touring groups, go to the big venues in the big cities only (like Paul McCartney and U2, amongst others)? For the enjoyment of playing for old and new fans or to get the greenbacks?
Nice thing they did for one concert on each coast for the fans in each half of the States to get the chance to see them. I just hope they repeat it next year!
Nice thing they did for one concert on each coast for the fans in each half of the States to get the chance to see them. I just hope they repeat it next year!
*goodco*
Lisa, why don't you and go back under that rock you've been hiding under all this time?
Deacons 1st Choice
Well yeah...we were all incredibly lucky to have been able to experience these shows. I mean, usually the US is totally overlooked when it comes to anything related to Queen in a live sense...( the exception being Brian's solo tour). I'm thrilled that they took the chance, and came on over here not really knowing what to expect. That took balls....and Paul must have the biggest. For him to decide to front a band with Brian May and Roger Taylor in it takes balls, and i say bless him! We are indeed extremly lucky to have witnessed this....and it's a amazing feeling from a fan standpoint. I sincerely hope that in some way, the Band all came away from the US feeling numb with awe and are anxious to return in the future. I was feeling that from them in NJ...how could you not?...and from what i've heard it was the same in LA. Rock on!!!
With that said, i do feel that when they DO come back they may opt to do smaller venues. Not that this is bad...it's just that i think for the fans, seeing them in a intimate setting would be even more incredible. Perhaps the Band may feel this way too? I know some of the members commented on how they would have liked to have had the audience closer to them in a sense. A theatre-style venue would be ideal. I'm sure we can all recall our local favourite locations where Q+PR could easily pull off a gig.
Here in Boston, it's the Orpheum Theatre. It's the perfect spot! In Ny, we have the Beacon.
I'm looking forward to whatever surprises we may see in the New Year!
With that said, i do feel that when they DO come back they may opt to do smaller venues. Not that this is bad...it's just that i think for the fans, seeing them in a intimate setting would be even more incredible. Perhaps the Band may feel this way too? I know some of the members commented on how they would have liked to have had the audience closer to them in a sense. A theatre-style venue would be ideal. I'm sure we can all recall our local favourite locations where Q+PR could easily pull off a gig.
Here in Boston, it's the Orpheum Theatre. It's the perfect spot! In Ny, we have the Beacon.
I'm looking forward to whatever surprises we may see in the New Year!
Whatinthewhatthe?
Then what about ticket prices fluctuating between big halls and smaller venues? Probably wouldn't affect the attendance, hopefully. Say they begin touring in March and start in the east and gradually work their way west, even north to Canada which would make some friends very happy!
I am wondering if they will be selective in the cities, if they remember where they toured (as Queen) and return to those venues. That would be nice! And you can say Paul passed the test and has been accepted, which is great, since some fans were skeptical in the beginning.
I am wondering if they will be selective in the cities, if they remember where they toured (as Queen) and return to those venues. That would be nice! And you can say Paul passed the test and has been accepted, which is great, since some fans were skeptical in the beginning.