Concert In A Word:
Fucking Awesome!
OK ... I know ...
That's TWO words ...
But I needed both of them to describe the show we saw this past Tuesday Night at The United Center here in Chicago.
I never had the chance to see Queen when Freddie Mercury was fronting the band ... so far be it from me to say that Freddie wasn't missed ...
But the band and all their theatrics went above and beyond all limits imaginable to make sure the audience was treated to an evening of entertainment that they will always remember despite the fact that Freddie himself wasn't there to take part. (In all fairness, he was represented and remembered in various ways throughout the concert ... and so much respect was paid throughout the evening to the music created by these fine musicians that you couldn't help but beam with pride and appreciation at all the great memories they have provided us with throughout the years.)
So while I may have nothing to compare the concert we saw with any Freddie Mercury performances other than YouTube clips and appearances like Live Aid, I can say that I have been to literally hundreds and hundreds of concerts over the years and can unequivocally say that visually, this was, without question, the most elaborate and entertaining show I have ever seen – an incredible array of graphics, lights, lasers and computer effects wizardry, backed by a soundtrack of stellar musicianship second to none. I don't know that Queen, even in their biggest and grandest of glory days, were ever putting on exhibitions of this magnitude. This year's show is all about leaving the fans entertained and satisfied ... and significantly blown away in the process.
Brian May ... SIR Brian May ... DOCTOR Brian May ... was treated like a rock god throughout the night by the crowd ... and showed repeatedly throughout the evening why he deserved such an honor. (And I'm not just talking about the times he was literally shooting fireworks out of his guitar while he was playing it!) The roar of applause and appreciation never dimmed, even in the two hour set's quietest moments when May took the stage alone to do a couple of acoustic numbers.
Drummer Roger Taylor did a (thankfully) brief drum solo and then handled the David Bowie vocals in a duet with front man Adam Lambert on their big hit "Under Pressure" ... and, in fact, ALL of Queen's greatest hits (save "You're My Best Friend," as Frannie pointed out) were represented throughout the night. ("Bohemian Rhapsody" started with the original video clip featuring all four of the original members shown on the big screen before the current line-up took over to perform the rest of the song live.) Bassist John Deacon has been missing in action since shortly after Freddie Mercury's passing ... and a trio of "hired hand" side musicians rounded out the sound and vocals behind Adam Lambert's incredible lead vocals. (It's hard to believe that Lambert has been fronting the band for over ten years now ... and a more perfect match couldn't have been made in heaven, from where we're sure Freddie is smiling down and nodding his complete approval.)
"Ah yes," you may be thinking … "Sure, they presented an evening of theatrics with no shortage of glitter and gold in the way of special effects … but how did they sound?"
In a word: fucking incredible. (Dammit ... I did it again!)
I can tell you without the slightest reservation that Queen presented a true spectacle of sight and sound –
A
non-stop assault that, even in its quietest moments, never let up. They wowed the crowd at every turn.
Queen is Queen ... they present the music they created as it should be heard. The "+ Adam Lambert" is simply the bonus on top. He brings a whole new dimension of sight and sound to the equation (and yes, that WAS a nod to Rod Serling since we saw the show on Halloween Night ... and let me tell you, "people watching" before the show was quite a bit of fun, too!) This crowd DEFINITELY came out to have a good time ... and not even Chicago's first snow of the season ... or the $7 price tag for a bottle of water could dampen that.
Without question, one of the best shows I have ever seen, in every way.
(And the very next day, Eagles tickets went on sale ... and Frannie was able to score virtually identical mezzanine seats for this show in March ... so we now have this concert to look forward to as well.)
Yes, we're spending the kids' inheritance on rock and roll shows ... but seriously, how many more of these can there be???
(Oh wait ... The Stones are going to tour behind "Hackney Diamonds" ... and Heart is getting back together??? And it's Aerosmith's farewell tour, too?!?! Sorry, honey ... we may have to sell one of the cars.) kk
