Paul Rodgers

Paul Rodgers enjoyed the most mainstream attention he'd had in years in 2005 when he surprisingly united with Queen for a successful tour. Rodgers is simply one of the greatest singers (and songwriters) rock & roll has ever produced, yet thanks to his work with Free and Bad Company, millions know his voice but probably not his name or face. He likely prefers it that way, but in a popular-music world where substance should rule over style yet does so less and less, he deserves as much recognition as he can get. (Why Free, the influential band responsible for the immortal "All Right Now," has not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as of 2007 is beyond comprehension.) Rodgers' excellent DVD, Live in Glasgow, which is also available on CD, covers the highlights of his remarkable career. Unlike many of his "classic rock" peers, Rodgers' voice has held up phenomenally well; in fact, it really hasn't lost any of its power or range. Live in Glasgow was filmed on October 13, 2006, at Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow, Scotland, on Rodgers' sold-out U.K. tour. The singer/songwriter/guitarist/pianist is backed by a smoking four-piece band including his longtime lead guitarist Howard Leese (a Heart alumnus), 17-year-old lead guitarist Kurtis Dengler, bass guitarist Lynn Sorensen, and Collective Soul drummer Ryan Hoyle. The 17 songs on Live in Glasgow lean heavily toward Rodgers' work with Free. The best Free songs here include "I'll Be Creepin'," "Be My Friend," "Fire and Water," "Wishing Well," "All Right Now," and "The Hunter" (Free by way of Albert King and Booker T. & the MG's). The Bad Company hit parade is represented by "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Bad Company," "Can't Get Enough," and "Seagull." The Firm, Rodgers' two-album, mid-'80s project with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, is acknowledged by a performance of "Radioactive," the group's sole Top 40 hit. A Muddy Waters cover ("Louisiana Blues") is included, which is not surprising since Rodgers released a tribute album, Muddy Water Blues, in 1993. The new original song, "Warboys (A Prayer for Peace)," shows that Rodgers has not lost his creative spark. Bonus features include rehearsal footage, interviews with Rodgers, the band, and fans as well as Rodgers' son, Steven W. Rodgers, performing an enjoyable song called "Sunrise" while serving as the opening act in Glasgow. The DVD booklet, which is packed with photos and quotes, is a nice touch. Some DVD packages seem to skimp on the booklets these days, if they include one at all. Rodgers' music is the epitome of timeless, blues-tinged rock & roll, and Live in Glasgow impressively reinforces his legend. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide