by Brian D. Holland.

Some may remember an earlier version of this concert, entitled, We Will Rock You. Originally launched at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1983, it was later released in North America in September of 1984. Actually the first commercially available concert footage of Queen, the picture has been digitally restored from the original 35mm negative. It also contains bonus footage of the band’s complete Live Aid set from the summer of 1985, plus originally unreleased rehearsal and interview footage. An audio commentary by Brian May and Roger Taylor pertaining to the Montreal show is the icing on the cake for collectors and fans. Though I haven’t viewed the earlier releases of this concert, supposedly Brian May made certain that the PCM stereo remix outshined the earlier DTS format, which he was never truly happy with. He speaks of this in more detail in the added commentary. That said, the sound quality here is positively stunning, and I’m truly amazed that they were able to make a show recorded in 1981 sound so high-quality.

The sound of a droning chord beneath thunder gets it all started, as the four band members are personified onstage from within the obscurity of dense fog. "We Will Rock You," a strident punk metal version of the song, opens the show. Brian May fingers some interesting chord runs, easily bringing a new perspective to the Queen classic. A standard version of the same is saved for number 24 of the 25 song set, so if this opening version isn’t your cup of tea, the more familiar one is still yet to come. The next one, "Play the Game," is a vocalist’s vocal song, and the first of many on the DVD to remind us of the extreme vocal talent of the late, great Freddie Mercury, and the fact that he was a talented pianist as well. "Somebody To Love" gets the audience in a respondent mode, a familiar trait at Queen shows back in the day. The song is raw energy and sheer excitement.

Mercury takes the trouble to introduce "Killer Queen." The run of steady quarter notes in the opening piano chord renders that action somewhat redundant, primarily because it’s easily one of their most well-known and loved songs. They do an outstanding job with at as well. May’s signature solo embellishes his stage presence and stays true to the actual recording. The song’s ending segues nicely into the Roger Taylor penned "I’m In Love With My Car." Mercury sticks to piano and background vocal as Taylor takes over the lead vocal reign, a task his gritty, potent voice handles perfectly well from the drum stool. "Get Down Make Love" wanders off in Zeppelin-like tangents, with Mercury hollering "Love!" as May dabbles with guitar effects and skittish fretwork. He trades his guitar for piano keys in the melodic "Save Me," from The Game album.

In a stunning performance displaying the Queen live rock band experience, a capacity that isn’t always realized through listening to the studio albums, the band rocks hard in "Now I’m Here" and "Dragon Attack." Brian May gets into some incredible soloing, riffing, and multifaceted changes throughout, sometimes sounding like Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page. Roger Taylor gets quite a workout on the drum kit as well. With just May and Mercury onstage, it’s audience participation and sing-along time with 12-string acoustic in "Love Of My Life." Afterward, when electrified and at full capacity again, John Deacon gets into the opening bass riff of "Under Pressure," and brings the fully elated crowd to their feet.

With May playing his signature axe into Vox combo stacks, Mercury dawns the 12-string acoustic for a little rockabilly fun in "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." His Elvis-like pelvic gyrations segue nicely into a pumped up "Jailhouse Rock." It’s then back to the piano for a perfect rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody." Next is "Tie Your Mother Down," and it’s as energetic and rockin’ as one might expect.

Though there’s lots of music to see and hear on this DVD, there’s the option to view the whole Montreal show along with the May and Taylor commentary as well, which is really very interesting. Plus, anyone who has seen the Live Aid performance knows it’s a concert for the ages. Included here as well is Brian and Freddie’s amazing performance of "Is This The World We Created," done later at that show. But besides the fact that it was done at the band’s height of success and creativity, an interesting aspect about the Montreal show, this whole era as well, is that it transpired right before they brought in a fulltime touring keyboardist. It was the four Queen members giving it all up in the live setting, as fans had originally known them to look and sound. The way we had imagined it in all those great recordings. This is the definitive Queen DVD set, easily making it a must have for all Queen fans.

Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid*
Eagle Vision 2007

Queen Rock Montreal Track Listing:

1 - Intro
2 - We Will Rock You (fast)
3 - Let Me Entertain You
4 - Play The Game
5 - Somebody To Love
6 - Killer Queen
7 - I'm In Love With My Car
8 - Get Down Make Love
9 - Save Me
10 - Now I'm Here
11 - Dragon Attack
12 - Now I'm Here (reprise)
13 - Love Of My Life
14 - Under Pressure
15 - Keep Yourself Alive
16 - Drum & Timpani Solo
17 - Guitar Solo
18 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
19 - Jailhouse Rock
20 - Bohemian Rhapsody
21 - Tie Your Mother Down
22 - Another One Bites The Dust
23 - Sheer Heart Attack
24 - We Will Rock You
25 -We Are The Champions
26 - God Save The Queen

*This review was completed by viewing a copy of the Queen Rock Montreal DVD without the Live Aid add-on. Realizing the value of the two-disc set containing both shows compelled the author to inform fans of the existence of Queen Rock Montreal and Live Aid.

Link:
Buy Queen Rock Montreal and Live Aid on Amazon