Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Fun On Earth has been years in the making so many years in fact, that if it was a musician from almost any other band who had forged a respectable solo career, the fans might have drifted on and found a new hero to relish in. This though is Roger Taylor, a man who has been at the heart of British Rock for 40 years, a man who can turn up at Foo Fighters gig, a group not known for their shortage of drumming talent, and give a blistering display and who also arguably had the more prolonged success away from Queen than the three other members of the iconic group.

Freddie Mercury may have had the monetary flashings and critical acclaim, especially for his collaboration with Montserrat Caballe on the Pop/Opera crossover album Barcelona but Roger Taylor has arguably added more to the music world, albeit in a quieter, more circumspect approach than his flamboyant and artistically divine band mate.

There was always a feeling that Roger Taylor, though pivotal to the Queen machine throughout the 70s and 80s, may have been overshadowed, especially where writing was concerned, despite the phenomenal success and rather inspiring tracks such as Radio GaGa, the superb A Kind of Magic and the beautiful These Are The Days Of Our Lives, he would always be over shadowed by the man who sang the hits and to the casual observer the man who made Queen what they were.

Time comes full circle though and Fun On Earth sees an older, more profound Roger than the man who released in 1981 the debut solo album Fun In Space. Fun On Earth even takes on his side project from the late 80s and early 90s The Cross and gives the listener a reason to listen to them again and give them the extra clarity that time has afforded them and away from the Queen conscious. Whilst Mr. Taylor will always be associated with Queen, and rightly so in all honesty, it seems to have detracted from a person who has so much to say. Someone who is open, honest and makes the thought of the years that have passed seem less dark in places despite the loss he and his other band mates still feel.

Fun On Earth is surely what Roger must have had in making this album, to have such musical icons as Jeff Beck, the very talented Spike Edney and Steve Hamilton, who provides one of the best saxophone backings on a track heard in years, on the record must have been a joy. The tracks that he has laid down for all too also have the feel of a man baring his soul, angry, full of bitterness, love and detraction for the audience. Opening with One Night Stand, something that will be an impossibility with this album, Roger takes the listener on a tour of his life and it is one that resonates throughout, all emotions laid bare especially on I Am The Drummer (In A Rock n’ Roll Band) The Unblinking Eye, Quality Street and the very lovely Be My Gal (My Brighter Spark), what could have been is there and it is rather marvellous.

Although fans have had to wait for such a long time for some Fun on Earth, the interest has not waned and to hear Roger Taylor deliver the songs in such a great fashion only shows that whilst Freddie Mercury will always be the one people may think of when reminiscing of Queen, it would have been very dull without the other three, just as crucial, members.

Ian D. Hall