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Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid (2DVD) starring: Queen

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Publisher: Eagle Vision
Release date: 29th October, 2007
Media: Audio CD

Subtitles

English, French, German, Spanish

Format

• PAL

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Average rating - (more reviews)

Rating: - 1* Harsh, but So Many Better Choices Available

1* is perhaps harsh for a below average concert from a superb live band, but this is poor by Queen stadards and there are a multitude of alternative options and any of the ones I've seen are infinitely better. If you're a collector this should not put you off - Sheer Heart Attack which is the last song of the main set is stupendous but was the only highlight for me. The main problem for me (and at least 4 other reviewers below) was an unresponsive crowd. 'Fans' in the front row looked bored perhaps leading to a lack of spontaneity from the band. Like at least one other, I'm also uncomfortable with this being sold with 20 (admittedly fabulous) minutes from Live Aid.

Rating: - Great performance from the band\- much better release than Region 1 DVD original

What can you say - Freddie is in fine voice (though he does look a little bit fed up at times working so hard to get the audience involved - they aren't an over enthusiastic bunch), Brian's Guitar is brilliant as ever (despite the comment in an other review - was he watching this DVD?), Roger is on form and in really good voice compared to some live offerings (although for my taste the DTS mix is marginally over heavy on drums) and John's bass drives the whole concert with energy (how we miss him these days - come on John get out on the next tour!).

Someone commented that there are songs missing from this version but comparing song lists they are identical.

All in all the whole concert seems much fresher and the visuals are crystal clear (compared to the original NSTC release of this concert).

It is also a fantastic record of the last concert where Queen were a pure four piece band (pre Hot Space). Its also quite a heavy concert - concentrating on the heavier rock songs. Why 4 stars and not 5 - the audience which is an integral part of Queen's concerts feels slightly distant and strangely subdued: maybe it is because they are all seated.

Now I am waiting for the official release of Live in Budapest, my favourite concert by far - their "Love of My Life" is spine tingling!

Rating: - almost superb ... almost

first I wouldn't agree with otherwise good review of S.J.Edmunds that Magic tour '86 was laughable. The Works tour (84-85) was really disappointing compare to other tours (and Freddie's voice was shot most of times). Especially Live in Budapest 1986 (not yet officially released on DVD) is one of best Queen performances caught on tape - this and unreleased Hammersmith '79. Queen and especially Freddie did go out in 1986 in style, probably knowing it would be their last tour. Freddie's voice is in top form there, his presence pure Command performance, good costumes, good setlist etc...

But let's go to Queen Rock Montreal. DVD was avalibale for some time on region 1, it came out on region 2 after copyright agreemend betweeen Queen Ltd and director Saul Swimmer.

There are some differences between 2 releases - most notably with disc 2, which was missing on region 1. The concert itself was shot in Mobilevision, early version of iMAX technology and it is even today superb. While American release under original title We Will Rock You has more 'monchromatic' feel of picture and it seems more movie feeling, Rock Montreal has much more colour saturation which makes picture more vivid and colours are on some shots a bit blurry and "overexposed". It probably looks great on HD DVD, Blu Ray, but I haven't seen those yet.
Secondly, there are some new angles. There is much more audience shots, which are almost absent on We Will Rock You, new angles of four members - Brian and Roger say in commentary that the team that was recording was largely unfamiliar with Queen songs, hence some missing shots of say some Brian's solos in the songs. You compare the two videos and you see that some 'absent' shots of musicians that should be prodominant (as let's say Brian's solo) are missing only on this newly compiled edition.

3.I agree that Brian's and Roger's commentary is pretty sloppy. There should be much more information, stories, anectodes ... Maybe they should have someone with them next time to ask questions?

4. On We Will Rock You there is commentary from director. He says that film rolls were only 7 min long. Camera crew was recording with 2-3 cameras at the time, while others were replacing films on other cameras at the time. Still the job is done pretty good.

5. There is complete intro to Now I'm Here curiously missing from We Will Rock You.

6. There are subtitles of song lyrics on We Will Rock You - but not here. Though subtitles can be annoying sometimes, it's nice to put them on every once a while - especially for people that don't come from English speaking world.

7. Flash / The Hero two Flash Gordon compositions are avaliable on CD edition, but not here. Brian and Roger say that is because they were cut on original release. But so was Jailhouse rock (avaliable on We Will ... as well as here) - and if "chaps" could do new montage of already done film (they obivoulsy had different camera feeds) - why there is no Flash / The Hero?


But all in all - it's still great. Queen were unit that was evovling constantly and this is great piece of their history.

So, what's next? Live in Budapest should be out soon, Hammersmith '79, Earls Court '76 and Houston '77 should be next ... And hopefully there will be official release of most pro shots avaliable.

Rating: - Queen at their best

I really enjoyed this show. Obviously its going to look old because it is old but its been cleaned up really well. The band are on form but as usual Freddie steals the show, he was at his best no question. The live aid is a great reminder of the day and what an impact Queen made.
The sound...well if you have some good DVD audio discs you will know that live 5.1 is never as good as the studio 5.1. The rear sound is basically the audience. Play the gig in stereo and then go to 7 channel stereo on your AV amp turn it up and then youve actually got surround. It works on every disc really well.

Rating: - Another remaster with dud sound

This is my second negative review of a recent re-release of a classic concert.

I recently posted to say how awful the sound was on the Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous at the Rainbow.

Well the 5.1 mix on the Queen Montreal doesn't work at all on my copy of the disc. I have played it on two different DVD players and it is definitely the disc and not my system.

I wrote to customer services of both record companies about these discs and you know what not a word of response back from either.

I have been waiting to see if anyone else posted in similar terms about the Queen but no one has. It might be my copy I suppose but buyer beware!

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