Queen Extravaganza - Quebec, dateline 26th May 2012

[SunshineTwilight]

"Rarely do I eulogise over anything, but if there is something it would be this show. Before you guys all dismiss this as the ramblings of an old and very biased Jeff supporter I want to say that I was sceptical that Roger Taylor's (Queen) venture into production and being an impresario would make it past the previews -simply because many would class it as yet another 'Tribute Act' and possibly the plaything of someone seeking something to do. I had my doubts that the process of selection, the way it was being cast, the degree to which Queen's oeuvre isn't held in the highest of regards by some on the North American side of the Atlantic and trying to combine the success of 'WWRY' with 'American Idol' yet work it so clearly does.

Last night in the Grand Theater du Quebec almost 2,000 Quebecuois stood, stomped, clapped cheered and revelled in the show that really has become an extravaganza. From the 'get go' this show pulled no punches and delivered on every level from the professionalism of the four vocalists through to the dexterity of the two guitarists, past the driving heart of the band in the form of drums and bass to the musical direction of the keyboard player (I don't name them, because to name one would laud them above the others) to the staging, design and production of something that lives up to the name 'The Queen Extravaganza'.

Almost thirty solid Queen tracks later I was left dazed, thrilled and genuinely honoured to have flown 3,500 miles to see this event and can only hope that Roger and Jim Beach see fit to bring it lock, stock and extravagant barrel to Europe and beyond. Stunning doesn't sum it up. If you haven't got a ticket then I would urge you to get one, go see it, go be stunned by a show that doesn't seek to rest on the visual laurels that a typical tribute act would do.

Mark Martel, Jeff Scott Soto, Jennifer Espinosa, Yvan Pedneault, Brian Gresh, Tristan Avakian, Tyler Warren, Francois-Olivier Doyon and Brandon Ethridge I salute you.

Frank Tunney erstwhile aka Uncle heFTy"

[AR]

Any footage out there yet?

[SunshineTwilight]

None that I could find!