| Review: 'Night of Queen' unreal experience |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 16 May 2011 21:07 |
 Gary Mullen gives great Freddie Mercury.Which works well considering the show he stars in is called "One Night of Queen." Ostensibly a tribute band, Gary Mullen and the Works performed a two-hour concert of Queen's greatest hits Friday night at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. With Mullen parading around in full Freddie mode while the band rocks out as themselves, I found it hard not to notice how hard he tries to be effortless in the role of the flamboyant frontman. But, unlike the ABBA tribute a few months ago, I found it hard to get past the fact that this was indeed a show, and to get into the spirit of the evening. Mullen struts across the stage looking so very much like Mercury, from the tight white pants to the spread-legged poses, that I couldn't help but wonder how hard he had to practice to get that move down just right. Or if he ever stabs himself with the long stick of the microphone that Freddie famously carried. Mullen won the British television contest, "Stars in their Eyes," in 2000 and shortly thereafter took his show on the road and has been touring every since. I can see why he has women trading their bras for his sweatbands. But when people started yelling, "We love you, Freddie," I just shook my head. Yes, the man sounds incredibly like Mercury, who died in 1991. He has the same range and, if you close your eyes, you can imagine you're listening to the real deal. But it just isn't. Maybe because Mercury was one of those larger-than-life personalities and when you try to fill those shoes you either have to go all out or go home. Mullen goes all out. I just wasn't able to make the leap with him. That's not to say the music wasn't amazing. Backed by guitarist Davie Brockett, who channels a mean Brian May, drummer Jonathan Evans, bassist Billy Moffat and keyboardist Malcolm Gentle, Mullen performs hits like "Under Pressure" and "Somebody to Love" with the same outsize style for which Mercury was famous. Mullen mixes arena anthems like "Killer Queen" and "You're My Best Friend" in the first set with lesser known songs such as "One Vision" and "A Kind of Magic." The band funks up "Another One Bites the Dust" with some disco riffs, which Mullen continues with a chorus of "Play That Funky Music." "Killer Queen" leads into an instrumental break until Mullen returns to close out the first set with "Now I'm Here." The second set opens with what I assume is the original Queen recording of "Flash," from the film "Flash Gordon," before Mullen strides onstage for "Keep Yourself Alive" and a rousing "Fat-Bottomed Girls" that had audience members on their feet and filling the small pit at the front of the stage to dance. An acoustic version of "Love of My Life" and a poignant "Who Wants to Live Forever" give way to a raucous cover of Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock." The band and Mullen leave the stage at the midpoint of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to once again cede the way for what I assume is the original Queen recording. They follow up with "Radio GaGa" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." After a woman trades her bra for one of his sweatbands, Mullen and the Works wrap up the night with "The Show Must Go On," "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." Technically, the show is a winner. I just couldn't help but wish it truly was the real thing. Contact Stephanie Caltagirone: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
