Paul Rodgers is known in the music industry as 'The Voice', fronting the bands Free,  Bad Company and Queen, as well as venturing forth solo (all of which I had to 'google' as I'm not familiar with the man or his career, which spans nearly 40 years)

I recently attended a weekend Music Festival in the heart of British Columbia, which featured a mix of local and travelling bands, unknowns and big name stars. Paul Rodgers was the headliner - the closing act for Sunday night, and I had no idea what to expect.

Despite sound issues (originating from the venue's provided sound equipment) Paul and his band came on stage on time, and played a steady set lasting just over an hour and a half. Paul's band consisted of Jeff Katham on drums, Howard Leese on guitar,  20 yr old Kurtis Dengler on rhythm guitar and another very young fellow on bass (who's name I didnt quite catch).  

Once Paul started into his set, I was surprised at how many songs I recognized from radio play over the years; I Can't Get Enough, Rock and Roll Fantasy, Bad Company, All Right Now, Shooting Star, Rock Steady, Feel Like Making Love, and a few more that escape me now but to which I was able to sing along to, as did the rest of the crowd down front. Paul's voice was strong and clear, and he was obviously enjoying himself on stage as evidenced by the frequent eye contact with various fans in the audience, and the continuous smile upon his face.

Despite being fatigued (he took a few short obvious 'breathers' at the drum kit about the 3rd or 4th song in), Paul seemed to catch a second wind (partly due to the energy in the audience I have no doubt) and sang his heart out, complete with moves to match.

About two thirds of the way through his set, Paul introduced his band by letting each man have his solo in the spotlight on his respective instrument, something that I fully appreciated - not all singers introduce their backup band to the audience.

The night finished with as much energy as it started, and the audience cat called, cheered, clapped and made enough ruckus to call Paul and his band back to the stage, where we were treated to an encore, then they left the stage again, and yet again we made enough noise to ensure a response. This time it was Paul alone, with an accoustic guitar and a stool, and the evening finished with him singing a brand new song that thrilled me - so new in fact that it hasn't been recorded yet! (get it recorded Paul, before it ends up on Youtube)

All in all, the night was fabulous - 'The Voice' of Paul Rodgers, superb musicianship from his mates all set against a natural backdrop of Saddleback Mountain and a warm summer's night. Even the moths attracted to the lights at the end of the show seemed to dance with the energy Paul and his band put out for us.

You can find Paul Rodgers official website HERE

All Right Now

David Cook

Oh, whoa, whoa, yeah
There she stood in her street
Smiling from her head to her feet
I said, "Hey, what's your name, now maybe baby,
Maybe she's in need of a kiss."
I said, "Hey, what's your name, now baby,
Maybe we can see things the same.
Now don't you wait, or hesitate, no.
Let's move before they raise the parking rate."

All right now, baby, it's a-all right now.
All right now, baby, it's a-all right now.

Yeah
Let me tell you now
I said "Slow, don't go so fast,
Don't you think that love can last?"
I said, "Love, Lord above,
Now you're trying to trick me in love."

All right now, baby, it's a-all right now
All right now, baby, it's a-all right now
All right now, baby, it's a-all right now, ooh yeah
It's all right, it's all right, yeah

Free - All Right Now

Just when we thought Queen would never take the throne again, the band has officially confirmed plans to get back in the studio and record a new album.

It will be the first album of new material since the Freddie Mercury era. It will also be the first Queen studio album to feature their new vocalist former Bad Company and Free singer, Paul Rodgers. The last album Queen put out was 1995’s Made in Heaven, which featured the use of Mercury’s last vocal recording before his death of AIDS in 1991.

One of the new songs, “Say It’s Not True,” was previously released as a free download on World Aids Day last year. The rest of the album was recorded late last year and early this year.

The band has also announced that a tour is also set to kick off two weeks after the September 1^st release of the album.

Queen’s last shows with Mercury were back in 1986; afterwards the band had to stop touring due to Mercury’s illness. Regardless of the loveable front man’s absence, the surviving members of Queen have gone on to reunite a hand full of times, such as the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992 and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Lead Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have also been hard at work as the musical directors of We Will Rock You, a musical featuring 25 Queen songs.

The inspiration to set Rodgers as the new lead vocalist came back in September of 2004. May and Rodgers performed the classic Free song “All Right Now” at the fiftieth anniversary of Fender.  May had wrote on his website, saying that they were both amazed by the chemistry.

“It seemed blindingly obvious that there was something happening here.” May said. “It’s very exciting.”

That’s all it took before the veteran rockers were playing several European dates in Spring 2005. May and the rest of Queen are looking forward to the new album and tour.

“Suddenly the Queen Phoenix is rising again from the ashes. “