Album Review: Queen – Live at the Rainbow ’74

It’s one of those rare occasions when a band like Queen comes around. They were there at the right time, with the right attitude and the right talent to be able to make it as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. And what people seem to forget is the work they had to put in to get to that level. Live at the Rainbow ’74 is a reminder of their work ethic and brilliance, showcasing their back catalogue of songs before they hit stratospheric levels and became global household names.

The record is being touted as a 40^th anniversary celebration of two gigs at London’s famous Rainbow theatre; these took place at the end of the bands first major headline tour, and really aims to show off the raw and rarely matched talent which they possessed at the time. The theatrics of Freddie, the warped guitar of Brian, the deathening drums of Roger and the thumping bass of John all come together here to create a live experience up there with the best. It reminds you if you’ve somehow forgotten what a great live band Queen are and the passion they played with, especially in the early days.

The album features an incredible 41 tracks – admittedly some repeated in different guises and some relatively short lead-in pieces – but still provides enough material and quality to satisfy the hardcore queen fan or the passive listener. For mainstream fans you still have a handful of classics to enjoy; Killer Queen adds a live punch, Now I’m Here makes a welcome appearance losing no charm on stage, and Seven Seas of Rye is one to behold with it’s swagger and everlasting hooks.

But where the album really shines is it’s lesser-known early efforts that take centre stage. Listen to Ogre Battle with the lights down and a pair of over-ear headphones and you’ll be transported to another dimension where Queen Rule the world. Listen to White Queen when you’re feeling down and you’ll have someone to share your sorrow with.  Keep Yourself Alive has energy most bands of today would kill to find when playing live, whereas Liar features guitar that Brian May lets loose on an adoring public and feels like a blueprint for his later prowess.

Add on top of this some ear bending guitar and drum solos, Freddie working the crowd into a frenzy in a way only Freddie can do, and a cheeky medley section, and you genuinely feel like you’re in the crowd. Mercury flawlessly switches from singing to talking like the true showman he is, and will leave you wanting more after the closing rendition of God Save The Queen.

Live at the Rainbow 74’ is a piece of rock history. Remastered, remixed and freshened up, the album helps account for Queens meteoric rise to rock gods, and shows that it’s a process they worked hard at.  All their work and hours upon hours of practice and perfection is put on display here, and it is a chance for the casual fan to delve into their roots.  If you only have a few live albums, make sure this is one of them.

Jamie Parmenter