The Watering Hole

Saw Queen with Adam Lambert in St. Paul last night. Easily top 5 in my concert list and I have seen a lot of live shows (may have seen dbm :)). Took a few songs to get sound fine tuned but when they did I was pulled in and completely mesmerized. Perfection. Nothing existed outside that arena. May be the best I have ever seen because of the tech and sound improvements over the last 45 years or so.

Brian has been a hero o mine since I was a junior in HS - Night at the Opera era. Freddie's vocals... Amazing. But the guitar work was what prompted me to explore earlier albums.

I begged my Mom to take me to see them on the Bohemian Rhapsody tour but we were lucky to have food on the table in those days. Lost my Dad April 27th this year - thanks for your sacrifices Pops!

My mom was the first to point out that Freddie might be gay (she knew, I was naive) - thanks to Mom for helping me understand that that was not an affliction or reason to hate. She opened my mind and I am forever grateful.

Brian and John are the heart and soul of talent and class - they let Adam's vox shine and Adam let everyone know it was an honor to celebrate, not imitate, the irreplaceable Freddie. Adam was fucking incredible. I was skeptical going in but he was impressive and fun to watch.

So, after so many concerts and all this time there are few 'must see' bands left for this old fuck. Suggestions welcome!

Tone heaven.

He didn't try to imitate Freddie's timbre but he did nail the notes that had to be right if that makes sense. No growly notes and added a few tasteful embellishments.

He didn't sound like Freddie but he meshed with the band and music perfectly.

He had a ton of stage presence.

I was braced for disappointment and very pleasantly surprised.

I should mention Brian's voice is still excellent and his acoustic 'set' of Love of My Life and '39 was a highlight for me.

I saw grown men wiping their eyes (not me if that's what you're thinking  ;)) at the end of Love of My Life. The last part of it was a duet with the video footage of Freddie.

8-)