7.27.17 More great reviews for QAL Collaboration (and Adam)
Jul 27, 2017 21:06:00 GMT -5
Post by thelambertluvva on Jul 27, 2017 21:06:00 GMT -5
I noticed talon 's recap only today, pretty much by accident, as I visited the last page of the Boston thread. Then I wrote a long response and it went "poof". Any chance to post the review again? A slow night like today may be perfect and could probably stimulate a little discussion
Ok so this is my recap....It's an honest one. I hope I don't make too many enemies! TLDR it's an overall positive review. So see what you think from a Queen-first Adam fan.
I went to Boston a day early which was nice because my friend who I was going with had a business dinner and then meeting the next morning, leaving me to explore one of my favorite cities....and I got to take in a film (Dunkirk) at an awesome theater full of recliners which made me extremely jealous of the theaters I have around my home.
So I made it to the Garden and perused the merchant table (Too fee vendors for too many people). There were a couple of great shirts (I settled on the NotW Robot one - although I was tempted to buy the awesome Freddie one I saw).
After I settled in I went to my seats and looked around. I had an interesting group of people with me. There was a large drunken (but only to the fun point - not QUITE obnoxious) college guys who were definitely Brian worshippers (I felt some kinship ) I also had 2-3 Glamberts. The rest seemed to be my age or slightly older Queen fans who seemed open to the concept.
I realized something at that point. At these gigs Adam doesn't have to win over the Queen fanbase as a whole. Just the people there that night...and if they spent money on the gig they were probably the easiest to be won over....they already took that first step by buying tickets to the gig. They *WANT* to be won over...
The production itself was fabulous. Definitely a step up over the already impressive 2014 run.
I was impressed with the excitement in the air as the concert began. I do think there is a missed opportunity by not sliding in the fast WWRY in the beginning. Hammer to Fall is just not an opening number. HOWEVER it was well done and I was impressed. Brian started a night where he was definitely on fire. He seemed to be a lot more...free in his soloing. Trying newer things. It was good for a number that usually doesn't slot well in the position.
Next came Stone Cold Crazy - Well, I'm still not convinced It's a screaming ragefest of a song...QAL's version is kind of a Broadway posing angst fest. It's technically sound and well done if a little underpaced. If anything I thought it was less convincing live than on YT. At one point though they seemed to almost lose the plot, but I noticed at one point Roger sang a line with Adam that he normally doesn't sing, as if to get the song quickly back on track - which worked.
Another One Bites The Dust - Not much I can say. It's very very good. Adam does it well. The band does it well. It's just a song I don't really need to hear anymore. If I was in charge, it would be out of the setlist, but I know Adam loves it, and a lot of fans love it - it got a nice ovation.
Fat Bottomed Girls - This is one track I love but I get people okay with it not being played. I love the beginning...but this is also a track where the boys show their age. This one PLODS along. It's SO undertempo. Brian's solos on it are top notch and fun, but it's just nowhere as energetic and frenetic as it needs to be. Not on Adam though - he does it well.
Killer Queen - Adam does it well. Like the couch, the head thing is not my cup...it's bit too..staged theatrical. But I'll let the Adam fans have it at this point
The He's no Freddie speech - Definitely needed...it broke the ice with a lot of the non-Adam fans who laughed (and agreed - but it let them kind of move on a bit in their head it seemed...they seemed much more relaxed AFTER the speech then before).
Two Fux - It was okay. My area seemed to sit down and respectfully listen. They smiled and clapped...I would say it slowed the momentum but at the same time any unknown song would.
Don't Stop Me Now - Back to top notch! This was well done overall. Fun time and the audience dug it
Bicycle Race - See Killer Queen. But fun to hear!
I'm In Love With My Car - KILLER. Got a HUGE response from my area. It was great to hear (and see) Rog was in top form on it...and I loved Tyler's backing vocals. In fact I'll say it here...the biggest difference live was hearing the full, crisp, clear backing vocals....B&R (and the rest) was VERY powerful
Get Down Make Love - WOW! I'm not a fan of this song in general, but the band was TIGHT on this one. Very pounding, very rocking I knew Adam would do well with it, I just wasn't expecting to like it cause I'm not a fan of the track that much. So good job QAL
I Want It All - I LOVE the Adam-Brian guitar vocal interplay before the song. It works well. The song works just as well. A HIGHLIGHT of the night for me. IT was very well done and Brian and Roger were on fire. Adam does well with this one too despite it being a hard rock song.
Love Of My Life - the mobile lights are awesome....it's beautifully done and then the biggest applause of the night came after Freddie came on and did his thing. It was by far the biggest response. It made me smile that 25 years later, the dead guy gets the biggest response of the night, lol. It brought a tear to my eye if I'm honest.
Selfie Stick - I dread this moment in streams but I did get caught up in the moment...
Somebody To Love - When Brian introduced Adam, he got a very good response, even from the Queen-first fans in my area:) When Adam asked for requests...I (and a few others as I later heard) SCREAMED for It's Late. Didn't work unfortunately. I highly enjoyed the new arrangement of STL. I didn't the first time I heard it, but they really have it together now. The only thing missing is RT's backing vocals at the end.
Crazy Little Thing - Good, people enjoyed it. Fun
Drum Battle - Very good. Rog got a very nice ovation. I don't know if he does this everytime, but after Tyler drums, Rog jokingly hit his drum once and then stood up to get an ovation.
Under Pressure - HIGHLIGHT of the night. It rocked hardcore. Brian hung back and Roger and Adam got the spotlight and it was very nice
I Want To Break Free - I hated hearing the chords because I knew it killed the idea of hearing It's Late but I did surprisingly enjoyed it. Brian was a bit adventurous - rocking hard guitar moments. Adam of course is in his element on this track.
Take My Breath Away - Got a big reaction from the people near me - disappointed it was only a clip
Who Wants To Live Forever - AWESOME power ballad moment. Nothing to say that hasn't been said. He does this well and always has. Roger's drum was powerful on this one...
Guitar Solo - Seemed extremely short! For someone who has heard this solo many times, I was surprised how quick it was....but it was definitely a thing of beauty. LOVED it.
NO Freddie call and response - I don't miss it as much as people may have thought. I like it in there and I think it got a ton of responses...maybe Freddie getting so much of a response was the reason to take it out? I do admit wish it had lasted ONE more gig It would have been cool to see/hear in an arena setting...
Radio Ga Ga - Again full on crowd response - Adam in his element here on the pop classic.
Bohemian Rhapsody - Well done. I was okay with Adam getting more....but I thought the duet at the end was a VERY nice touch. So I hope they never get rid of that. LOVED Brian coming up through the stage.
Encore - I was amazed at how LOUD the crowd was for the encore, starting the WWRY bit a few times
WWRY/WATC - Same as ever. Fun and good.
All in all...it's hard to separate how I would feel about this concert if I didn't have the It's Late/SYW tease. That did mark it down a bit. BUT the concert was a fun experience. I think the set list is worse than 2014 without IL/SYW but the production is higher and the band is extremely tight. Adam's confidence has grown. But the bits of Freddie are necessary for the old guard. Adam fans get Adam for 95% of the concert. Let the old guard get their chance to show their adoration and veneration for the guy that got them there...
Afterwards, the separation between Queen fans and Adam fans was...lessened. It's still there. Adam fans loved Adam. Queen fans accepted Adam though I heard at least two people say He was amazing - too bad his own music sucks. BUT everyone had a great time and everyone respected Adam afterwards which is quite a few steps forward when you are trying to standing in for a legend.
Looking forward to Philly...especially because my seats are more straight on which I think is better for the effects during the show.