Live In Rio

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Released on June 2, 2023 (earMusic) Track List: 01. Raise The Dead 02. My Generation 03. I Got A Line On You 04. Cold Turkey 05. Five To One / Break On Through (To The Other Side) 06. Manic Depression 07. 7 And 7 Is 08. Whole Lotta love 09. Jeepster 10. I’m A Boy 11. School’s Out 12. Billion Dollar Babies 13. Train Kept A -Rollin’ 14. Brown Sugar Review: I admit live albums are not something I normally go out of my way to purchase. My live music collection is limited only because most of the time, I’d rather spend my money on a concert release via DVD or Blu-ray if I want to see a band in a live setting, as opposed to getting a music-only release. However, I was interested when I saw the Hollywood Vampires release Live In Rio from their 2015 show. On top, the accompanying concert DVD was even more than enough to get. Sure, I’m a big Alice Cooper fan, but for me (and some skeptics) the intrigue of seeing actor Johnny Depp playing in a live setting was the main reason. Who else but Alice could bring together one of Hollywood‘s biggest actor, legendary guitarist Joe Perry, and the bass player and drummer from Guns N’ Roses all together to play a bunch of covers (and an original opening song) to celebrate the past musicians and actors who died too soon due to their lifestyle? This isn’t just a supergroup, but, as is the case with Alice‘s other work, a back story was brought into the mix to add another level to just a jam fest with friend. Starting with a quote from the movie “Dracula” talking about the Children Of The Night and “what music they make” is a perfect intro for the original song “Raise The Dead.” After thi, a walk through some rock history begins with salutes to The Who, John Lennon, The Door, Jimi Hendrix, and more. Even somewhat rarer songs like Spirit‘s “I Got A Line On You” (a song I used to play when I was a drummer for a cover band in Youngstown, Ohio in the early 1990s) will educate younger listeners on some of the other musical tastes while keeping a hard rock flavor to it, along with “7 and 7 I,” a song I was not familiar with at all until I heard and saw this package. It’s hard to separate this review from the visual concert and the audio CD, but both are full of wonderful musicianship. Matt Sorum‘s drumming is solid, and although I was not a Guns N’ Roses fan, he brings the backbeat power throughout all the song, along with bass player Duff McKagan and Cooper‘s own Tommy Henriksen helping with the rhythm work. Lzzy Hale‘s guest appearance on “Whole Lotta Love” shows not only her powerful vocals but why she is one of the leaders of the female hard rock movement. Her interaction with Cooper during the song brings the show to another level that was already rising above a normal show. The Who‘s Zak Starkey shows his skills on “I’m A Boy” with his cymbal skills (and catches in the video). Adding Cooper‘s “School’s Out” running into “Another Brick In The Wall,” which he has done on his solo tour, is a fun way to drive the last few song. Guest guitar player Andreas Kisser shows that one can’t have too many guitar players cranking to level 20 on the sound level. And let’s face it, if The Rolling Stones will no longer play the great “Brown Sugar,” the villain Cooper will with his army of vampires ending the show with the crowd loving every second of it, singing along and showing that hard rock and classic music is still wanted around the world. Even though Depp is not spotlighted vocally here, you can not deny that this guy can play. He is not just another actor who wants to be a rock star; he fits the part, and being on the stage having to be on a certain level like Perry and the other, is a credit to his talent. I was never a huge Aerosmith fan, but always respected Perry‘s playing, and it’s probably safe to say that being the rock guitar hero he i, he wouldn’t be doing this with an actor if Depp couldn’t hold his own. The concert DVD is the main reason why I got thi, but I was educated on a few song, as well as wanting to watch this fun event again right after watching it, along with the solid quality sound of the show on CD is to be appreciated. Not only does the group have a high-level musician quality to it, but watching the show, you can see that the members are having fun being there. The Vampires make it cool to be a rock star again; only Keith Richards is missing to complete the ultimate level of awesomeness (but Depp‘s pirate look from his Jack Sparrow / Richards influence gives the vibes that the latter could be there in spirit). A bunch of legendary rockers cranking out classic tunes may be something done at a local club, but the Vampires do it in front of 100,000 fans at one of the biggest festivals in the world and pull it off wonderfully. “What music they make?” Rock and roll that is full of power and fun. Band Members: Alice Cooper – vocal, harmonica Johnny Depp – guitar Joe Perry – guitar Tommy Henriksen – guitar Bruce Witkin – guitar Matt Sorum – drums Duff McKagan – bass Additional Musicians: Lzzy Hale – vocals and guitar (8) Zak Starkey – drums (10-14) Andreas Kisser – vocals (14) Production: Mixed by Justin Cortelyou and Bob Ezrin .

via Last.fm

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