J-Boy is on a roll lately!
Don't go too far TAC, you're up next!
Tommy Johansson - The Show Must Go OnSent by TAC
The final song Freddie released before he died (not recorded, but released). The original is a whirlwind of emotion and really is a perfect closer to Queen's main studio albums (I don't really count Made In Heaven personally, though there are a few good tracks on it). Even on death's door, the man delivered a powerhouse of a performance, as did the rest of the band. This is one of my favourite Queen songs. That's why my first impression of this song was what it was. I feel that nothing really meets up with that original recording as a by-product of what the band were going through. Yet, here came Tommy Johansson offering a massive challenge to that perspective.
Let's start beneath the vocal. His guitar tone is exceptional! The drum production is a bit snappier too, which I like. Everything here sounds very well produced and man can he shred a solo while still suiting the track!
Ok, now we can talk about the vocal. He's got a great voice, one that reminds me of Jeff Scott Soto's performance of this song with Sons of Apollo in a way. The high notes are great, the chest range is powerful, it's all there! But for as good as it is, this doesn't hit me the way that Freddie's performance did.With a song like this, I really need to be captivated by the vocals beyond all else and for as much as I like the man's voice, this just doesn't hit me right. Maybe it's a problem of me knowing the song so well, maybe it's just me being a picky bugger, maybe I'm just too demanding". But this one, for as admirable of a job as it does with the original song, still doesn't stack up with it at the end of the day.
For what it is though, taking it away from the cover context. I like it!
4.5 + 1