Live - Return Of The Champions

The thing about this album is that Paul Rodgers is a very fine artist/performer.Also see the 'Live in Japan' dvd, (extra with the 'Cosmos Rocks' album).The Queen songs are brought with energy, and Paul is a seasoned entertainer. This is most prominent in his own songs:Wishing Well, Feel Like Makin' Love, Alright Now.With 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives', tears came to my eyes, when there is an old film of Queen and Freddie in Japan, (dvd version).But, when Bohemian Rhapsody starts, and there is Freddie Mercury, tears came to my eyes again, and the past show tumbles like a Domino.There is only one Freddy Mercury and he is badly missed. Now and upon the days to come.

I have been a fan of Queen since the age of ten (1976) and I still follow what Brian May and Roger Taylor get up to with some interest. The problem for me with Queen and Paul Rogers is fairly simple. Because of Freddie Mercury's inclusion, Queen could never really be described as middle-of-the-road. There was always something not quite `safe' about them- something a little risky. While Brian May's musical tastes are very much American middle-of-the-road soft rock, the inclusion of Freddie generally prevented Queen from going too far in this direction themselves- and even if the songs were- once Freddie had performed them they weren't! The problem for me with Paul Rogers singing with Queen is that they now sound pretty bog standard. Paul has a good rock voice but Queen needed someone who was a big personality, a risk taker- more than just a decent voice. The world is full of people with decent voices. Most of them aren't stars. I would have loved to have seen them perform live with someone like Robbie Williams or perhaps even Mika- someone who'd bring a little bit extra to the party. Having said all that, Brian and Roger worked for the right to do whatever makes them happy. They've bought me plenty of joy over the years- just not this time.

Combining the majesty and bombast of Queen with the soulful blues-rock voice of Paul Rodgers was a masterstroke. The voice behind Free and Bad Company puts his own stamp on these well known songs without trying to be Freddie Mercury. Breathing new life into Queen's,as well as his own back catalogue, Rodgers along with Brian May and Roger Taylor put on a show of brilliant classic rock music. Long live theQueen!

The marrying up of Paul Rodgers with the sound of Queen was a stroke of genius - the two go together so well and complement each other perfectly.We all miss Freddie and he is truly a one-off; irreplaceable. But this is a terrific album and Rodgers does the music of Queen great justice. Indeed, both Brian and Roger turn in great performances of the Free and Bad Company tracks featured here as well.This is a lovely, balanced and highly listenable live album, recorded to a high standard.I can't stop listening to it at the moment.

I was a Queen fan back in the 1970's up until around 1975/6. I drifted away from listening to them as they drifted away from rock towards the pop genre.On the basis of this album Queen are once again rock giants, Paul Rogers breathes much needed new life into the repertoire and it's great to see Brian May with a smile on his face again. Ignore the detractors and spoilers, this is the best line up Queen have had.

I was dubious about the album, but being a big Bad Company and Queen fan ,I was curious to hear this album. I was very pleasantly surprised ,to say the least! I have played this album over and over, I cannot pick a favourite track because they are all brilliant. I would reccommend this to any Queen or Bad Company fans simply because Paul Rogers is a fantastic singer.

Thanks for the cd- Return of the Champions - it is excellent!

Rodgers is a great singer-the band superb-classic songs-but you can't help missing Freddie :(