not freddie, but not bad

For me, music is very much about time and place. When I hear certain tracks, I'm transported to a moment (often including people) from my past. The most powerful music experience for me is when I realize at the time that the moment will be something I'll revisit at a future date.

And it's like that with Queen. Any time I hear their music, I'm reminded of a good friend in college, who learned how to rock out in her own goofy, nerdy way while listening to Freddie Mercury. There's no telling what she'll think of this news:

Late last year [Queen] announced they'd be touring with vocalist Paul Rodgers, former lead singer of Free ("All Right Now"). Reportedly, the idea for the reunion occurred after Rodgers and Queen guitarist Brian May performed "All Right Now" together at a concert in 2004. The gig went over so well that Rodgers was asked to join May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor for the band's induction into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame.

So how does Paul Rodgers stack up against Freddie Mercury? Take a listen to him stepping into Mercury's shoes on a live version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and judge for yourself.