Party at the Palace

Kicking off with Queen lead guitarist Brian May on the roof of Buckingham Palace performing a solo electric guitar version of "God Save the Queen" (the UK's version of Jimi Hendrix's "The Star Spangled Banner," one assumes--although having the Sex Pistols singing their punk anthem "God Save the Queen" would have shown real bollocks), this three-hour concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee presents a musical lineup the likes of which haven't been seen since the first Woodstock. Twelve thousand folks in the Queen's backyard (and an estimated 600,000 outside the gates) rock to tunes by Ricky Martin ("Livin' La Vida Loca"), Annie Lennox ("Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves"), Phil Collins ("You Can't Hurry Love"), Tom Jones ("Sex Bomb"), Queen ("We Will Rock You"), Dame Shirley Bassey ("Goldfinger"), Ozzy Osbourne ("Paranoid"), Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows"), Sir Elton John ("I Want Love"), and Tony Bennett ("If I Ruled the World"), among others--and that's all before Her Majesty actually makes her entrance (introduced by Dame Edna). The last hour features Eric Clapton ("Layla"), Steve Winwood ("Gimme Some Lovin'"), Joe Cocker ("With a Little Help From My Friends"), Ray Davies (of Kinks fame, singing "Lola"), Sir Paul McCartney ("Hey Jude") and the one star--if you look close--that puts a bit of a gleam in the monarch's eye: Rod Stewart ("Handbags & Gladrags"). Yes, the sight of Tom Jones wailing "turn me on, baby" will put most blokes or birds off their bangers and mash, and one has to wonder--as the Queen stands somewhat dazedly on the main stage greeting the artists--why on earth she's carrying her purse (aren't there loyal subjects around to handle that sort of thing?). Also, the whole shebang would probably have sounded better in Dolby Digital 5.1 rather than Dolby Digital 2.0; still, no doubt about it, this one's a crown jewel. Highly recommended. [Note: also available on DVD, Prom at the Palace, a classical concert celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee, priced at $24.99.] Aud: P. (R. Pitman)