Paul Rodgers - Midnight Rose

by Zena Grieg

published: 25 / 10 / 2023

Label: Virgin
Format: CD

Impressive first album of original material in almost 25 years from ex-Free, Bad Company and Queen vocalist Paul Rodgers

Review

Legendary British singer-songwriter and musician, ex-member of Free, Bad Company and Queen, Paul Rodgers, has brought out a new solo album, the first with original material in almost 25 years. 'Midnight Rose’, produced by Bob Rock and Rodgers’ long-time partner Cynthia Rodgers, is a layered, eclectic collection, a mix of lilting ballads and full-on rock, created after Rodgers had battled a series of strokes which had led him being unable to speak. Rodgers describes the new record as a celebration of his decades-spanning career: “My new album …grew from sparks of ideas I had…. The sparks developed into a raging fire when the band and everyone involved brought their absolute ‘A’ game.” Songs to listen out for in this eight-track collection include: the raucous opener ‘Coming Home’; ‘Photo Shooter’, a mellow tirade against celebrity culture; the slow-burning, reflective folk-gospel title track with its delicate mandolin intro; the first single from the album ‘Living It Up’ with its Hendrix-style riff and soul influence; the rocking, electro-acoustic ‘Take Love’ with its harmonies; the Celtic-tinged ‘Highway Robber’ with its subtle, multi-faceted instrumentation; and the closer, the romantic, Mississippi blues, tension-building ‘Melting’ , its lyrics and musical arrangement escalating to a cathartic conclusion: “Get behind me/Troubled mind/…Look the other wonder/Of the stars/Look the other wonder/Who you are”. 'Midnight Rose' is a melodious record by a musician with enduring appeal.