REVIEW

Music DVD Review: - Queen Rock Montreal

Written by Charlie Doherty
Published April 09, 2008

The long-awaited DVD release of what was formerly known as the We Will Rock You concert video, now titled Queen Rock Montreal by Queen does justice to the classic hard rock band's image as ambitious, super-talented songwriters and stadium-conquering performers. In other words, it was totally worth the wait (and released late last year).

The DVD captures the best of the quartet's two-night stand in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on November 24 and 25, 1981, which, as fate would have it was ten years to the date before singer Freddie Mercury died of AIDS. It's a historic release too, as the shows that were filmed were the first ever by any group to be recorded on full cinema format 35mm. They were also the only shows Queen ever filmed in their entirety, and the sound and video has been remastered; you can watch the DVD in PCM Stereo or DTS Surround Sound.

It's true that you could get a 2-DVD version of this release that also includes Queen's famous Live Aid performance. But if you're worried about getting your dollar's worth with this single DVD, have no such fear, as 26 tracks will keep you busy and entertained for a long time. Also, Queen setlists during this tour didn't change much from night to night, so even though two short versions of "Flash" and "The Hero" are not shown on this DVD (because they were never filmed), it feels like a full show at just under 100 minutes. [You can, however find those two tracks on the CD version of this release]

From the start of the show and throughout the film, it was clear the fearless foursome came to play and play hard and tight. A hyper-fast, semi-punk rock version of "We Will Rock You" got much of the 18,000-strong Canadians into it immediately, which was followed by a string of pure hard rock tracks and sophisticated, epic rock mixed with symphonic/Broadway-ish guitar and piano interplay. Songs like "Killer Queen" and much later, the explosive mega hit "Bohemian Rhapsody" exemplify that latter side of their sound.

Queen may have had hits that defined "stadium rock" — think "We Are The Champions" and "WWRY" — but as they show on the DVD, they could be as heavy as Black Sabbath ("Let Me Entertain You," "Dragon Attack") or just plain rock your socks off like Boston ("Tie Your Mother Down"). And the red hot riffs to those songs and more are executed to perfection by Brian May on his "Red Special" guitar and John Deacon on bass guitar.

There's something in the water in England that has apparently produced so many memorable rock and roll frontmen since the original "British Invasion" in the mid-1960s. Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie are just some of the legendary English lads who have and continue to influence rock and rollers the world over.

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Pro musician and journalist of many stripes: most recently a sports/music analyst for BC mag on BlogTalkRadio.com and sports correspondent for Brookline TAB; music critic/op-ed contributor at Umass-Boston newspaper 'til '06; media analyst at 2004 DNC in Boston. chucko33.blogspot.com, myspace.com/charlied
Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Music DVD Review: - Queen Rock Montreal
Published: April 09, 2008
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Review, Music: Video, Music: Metal, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Acoustic
Writer: Charlie Doherty
Charlie Doherty's BC Writer page
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Comments

#1 — April 11, 2008 @ 11:24AM — Josh Hathaway [URL]

Well done, Charlie. Queen has always been one of those bands I enjoy hearing on classic rock radio but never got into so deeply that I investigated much further than that. Good work, sir.

#2 — April 11, 2008 @ 12:20PM — Christopher Rose [URL]

You should definitely do that, Josh. Queen are one of the best rock bands ever.

#3 — April 11, 2008 @ 14:32PM — Mark Saleski [URL]

the sad thing is that a lot of people avoid buying News of the World because of the "We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions" burnout thing. too bad, because there are some other fantastic tunes on that record.

#4 — April 11, 2008 @ 15:52PM — Tom Johnson [URL]

Great review, Charlie. I got this DVD (well, the + Live Aid one) for Christmas but have yet to watch it. Now I'm all primed to check it out.

If you're getting into Queen, you could do a lot worse than starting with Live Killers - a ferocious live set comprised of only that classic 70s stuff. These later live releases have been great, however - On Fire at the Bowl has a particularly intense performance as well (I believe it's the same tour as the Rock Montreal stuff, right?)

Sheer Heart Attack through News of the World is among the greatest 4-album spans (I would include Jazz, but I still need to pick this one up.) The later albums all seem to have some great nuggets of awesomeness, but they get spotty in the early-mid 80s, unfortunately. Still worthy of checking out - too much good stuff to dismiss.

#5 — April 11, 2008 @ 17:33PM — charlie

Thanks for the positive feedback, guys! And Tom, I'll definitely consider your recommendations, as I love great live albums and that Queen live album (Live Killers) sounds really good. I may even get that one this weekend. Again, thanks to all of you for basically making my day.

#6 — April 11, 2008 @ 18:36PM — El Bicho [URL]

I would be interested to hear their commentary. I most appreciated the variety of their sound rather than being stuck in a formula. Well except for "Radio Gaga."

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