LIVE AT WEMBLEY '86

After an excellent live document from the 70s ("Live Killers") and forgettable live-patchwork from 1986 ("Live Magic"), this one is a real refreshment, actually the first proper official issue of QUEEN concert in the 80's (I'm not counting video publications such are "Live In Rio" and Live Budapest").

Thia is a good one, undoubtedly. The overall sound is very raw (despite the omnipresent sound of keyboards played by Spike Edney, QUEEN's "fifth member"). The songs are unpolished and "naked" - although the overall sound quality is on a very high level. Despite the stigma of the 80's sound, QUEEN still rocks on this one.

The interesting thing about this live issue is inclusion of 50s and 60s rock and soul hits such are "Big Spender", "Tutti Frutti", "Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)", "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "(You're So Square) Baby I don't Care"...showing as the origins of QUEEN taste.

"In The Lap Of The Gods" (from "Sheer Heart Attack" album) and "Tear It Up" (from "The Works") are the two tracks that are not so usual in QUEEN's live catalogue, both on hard-rock edge, the last one utilising zeppelinesque, almost heavy metal intro: a real refreshment among all the common hits. By the way, musicianship is top-notch, and one of the best things about this CD is the atmosphere itself. The live documents that are able to represent the feel of the show and how audience felt are not very common. This is the reason why this CD is ranking higher than most of the live records around.

From progressive rock purist's point of vie there's not much appealing here. Of course, here's unavoidable "Bohemian Rhapsody". "Brighton Rock Solo" is excellent us usual, and it's well worth giving a spin. "Impromptu" is nice two-minute improvisation with slight jazzy overtones, and that's about it.

This document is more than very good; it's excellent. However, there is no prog, so I will go for three stars.