To make a long story short: Yes, "Live at the Rainbow" sounds great. That the original material is 40 years old, you do not notice. The sound is crystal clear and differentiated. The atmosphere of the live experience was well captured as z. B. Freddie Mercury's announcements have not been cut out at the audience. Fantastic sound and the backing vocals of Brian May and Roger Taylor. Actually, I wonder if have not yet sound tracks used here at the post of the studio albums in addition. Perfect for me is Freddie Mercury: While his vocal performances were partly live somewhat inconsistent in the 80s, shows "Live at the Rainbow" that Mercury early 70s has been a fantastic hard rock singer! Despite this perfection in all areas really gives the impression to hear an authentic live document!
I find very interesting, "Live at the Rainbow" even for a second reason: Many people will associate with Queen especially trendy Stadium Rock (Radio Gaga, I Want To Break Free, Friends Will Be Friends). When listening to "Live at the Rainbow" you realize, however, that Queen was a real hard rock band in their early years. Many songs sound really heavy. For this are responsible for a the rock, partly walking toward heavy metal compositions of the early albums (Queen, Queen 2, Sheer Heart Attack). On the other hand show the musicians, especially Roger Taylor that they were influenced by "harder" Bands such. B. The Who or Led Zeppelin.
The deluxe edition of "Live at the Rainbow", which I rate here includes two concerts, played by the band at London's Rainbow Theatre. CD1 includes the concert in the spring of 1974 with songs from the first two Queen albums. On CD2 you find a concert that was six months later, also included in the Rainbow Theatre. Because in the meantime the album "Sheer Heart Attack" was released, this concert also contains some songs this album (z. B. In The Lap Of The Gods, Killer Queen).
"Live at the Rainbow" in my opinion is a live album that should the hardcore Queen fans loved. Interestingly, the album is certainly also for all rock fans interested in the roots of hard rock and heavy metal. That Queen have affected the harder rock instrumental, can easily be overlooked if one only knows the "hymns" from the 80s. This Queen was one of the greatest hard rock bands of the 70s. In "Live at the Rainbow" hear why!