Glowing Review (Universal City, Dec 17th)

[artfromtex]

http://www.livedaily.com/reviews/Live_Revi...11219.html?t=98

Live Review: Guns N' Roses in Universal City, CA

December 19, 2006 03:45 PM

by Paul Gargano

LiveDaily Contributor

If there are any questions regarding the return of Guns N' Roses (music), any cynics who still want to doubt frontman Axl Rose, or any suggestions that the current band is but a shell of the former lineup, they can all be laid to rest after Sunday night's (12/17) performance at the sold-out Gibson Amphitheater, in Universal City, CA.

Lay them to rest alongside grunge, rap-rock and emo, and in the vicinity of every other fad that has come and gone since Guns N' Roses last ruled the planet rock more than a decade ago. From top to bottom, the band's first of three nights in Los Angeles offered a two-hour-and-20-minute primer in rock-and-roll retribution, cementing the return of Axl Rose and showcasing a lineup poised to vault Guns N' Roses back atop the hard rock pantheon.

From the moment Robin Finck's truncated guitar riffs shot through the amphitheater like shards of shrapnel introducing "Welcome to the Jungle," a standing room-only crowd of more than 5,000 hinged on every note. Notes that Rose nailed with increasing--and remarkable--proficiency as the late-night set progressed into early morning.

While the iconic frontman has never been known for his range, his performance Sunday demonstrated a vocal maturity that surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations, running the gamut from the seductive color of "Sweet Child 'O Mine," through the pissed-off vehemence of "Out ta Get Me." While he hasn't transformed into a crystal-esque crooner, there was barely a sour note throughout the 20-song set. Clearly, Rose has markedly increased his command over his voicesince the band's L.A.-area show in September (at the KROQ Inland Invasion, their first So-Cal appearance in more than a decade).

"You Could Be Mine" offered an early highlight, the normally sedate L.A. crowd ripping through every word like it was 1992 and Nirvana never existed. Rose offered ample reason to revel, as he cut through a repertoire of now-classic hits like he'd been rebuilt and recharged in his time out of the spotlight, with his comeback, until now, serving as little more than fine-tuning.

It seemed as if nothing would rival the mid-set, epic build of "November Rain," but the fine showings kept mounting, Rose whistling the intro to "Patience" before putting in one of his more memorable performances of the night, then ripping through set closer "Nightrain" as if he had crossed the Hollywood Hills and returned to the Sunset Strip circa the late-'80s. All but the final three songs on Guns' "Appetite for Destruction" debut were performed.

It can be presumed that the five previously-unreleased songs will be heard on the upcoming and long-awaited "Chinese Democracy," which Rose announced last week will be hitting stores March 6. The encore-opening title track was a turbo-charged adrenaline rush befitting of the heaviest "Use Your Illusion" moments, while the Asian-tinged intro to "Better" and the mid-tempo flow of "Madagascar" demonstrated an understanding that while the punk rock madness of the band's early appetites may have been tempered by time, the residual grit is still resounding.

"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" proved a fitting segue into new ballad "The Blues," while "I.R.S." did the same leading into "My Michelle." Opener Sebastian Bach has become a tour fixture on the latter, but the manic, metallic onslaught of the duo sharing lead vocals was quickly overshadowed by the introduction of original GN'R guitarist Izzy Stradlin, who joined the band for "Think About You," "Patience," "I Used to Love Her" and "Nightrain," then returned for the encore-closing "Paradise City."

Of the current band--which features "Illusion"-era keyboardist Dizzy Reed, ex-Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, guitarists Finck, Richard Fortus and Bumblefoot, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardist Chris Pitman--Finck, Fortus and Reed each received time in the solo spotlight.

Reed manned a center stage piano as he bled a solo run through The Rolling Stones' "Angie" into the new ballad, Finck did a commendable job of making people forget about founding member Slash with a blues-hued solo that led into "Sweet Child," and Fortus merged an arena-rock shredfest into a blues duet with Finck, and finally into "Out ta Get Me." As could be said of the entire band, each paid dutiful respect to the GN'R legacy without sacrificing their individual flair and unique personalities.

In an era where nostalgia would be just fine, Guns N' Roses circa 2006 deliver much more. Sebastian Bach, meanwhile, knows the power of nostalgia and played it to his advantage in an hour-long opening set that was heavy on Skid Row hits.

Opener "Slave to the Grind" was delivered in double-time, and followed by "Big Guns" and "Here I Am," proved more than capable in engaging the packed house. A handful of new tracks fit nicely with the more recognizable material; "Stuck Inside" and "American Metalhead" (think Judas Priest crashing head-on with Accept) embraced his band's heavy metal mindset, while new ballad "By Your Side" fit better alongside "I Remember You," which proved his strongest vocal showing.

Has it been mentioned that Guns N' Roses went onstage on time, to the minute? Don't bet on that becoming an everyday occurrence, but take this much to the bank: Judging from Los Angeles' response to "Chinese Democracy," another era of Guns N' Roses domination is imminent.

All hail, the triumphant return of Axl Rose.

SETLIST

1. "Welcome to the Jungle"

2. "It's So Easy"

3. "Mr. Brownstone"

4. "Live and Let Die"

5. "Better"

6. Guitar Solo (Robin Finck)

7. "Sweet Child of Mine"

8. "You Could Be Mine"

9. Piano Solo (Dizzy Reed)

10. "The Blues"

11. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

12. Guitar Solo (Richard Fortis)

13. "Outta Get Me"

14. "November Rain"

15. "IRS"

16. "My Michelle" (with Sebastian Bach)

17. "Think About You" (with Izzy Stradlin)

18. "I Used to Love Her" (with Izzy Stradlin)

19. "Patience" (with Izzy Stradlin)

20. "Nightrain" (with Izzy Stradlin)

ENCORE

21. "Chinese Democracy"

22. "Madagascar"

23. "Paradise City" (with Izzy Stradlin)

**********************************************************

isn't Paul Gargano the editor for Metal Edge now?

[Funeral]

If there are any questions regarding the return of Guns N' Roses (music), any cynics who still want to doubt frontman Axl Rose, or any suggestions that the current band is but a shell of the former lineup, they can all be laid to rest after Sunday night's (12/17) performance at the sold-out Gibson Amphitheater, in Universal City, CA.

Lay them to rest alongside grunge, rap-rock and emo, and in the vicinity of every other fad that has come and gone since Guns N' Roses last ruled the planet rock more than a decade ago. From top to bottom, the band's first of three nights in Los Angeles offered a two-hour-and-20-minute primer in rock-and-roll retribution, cementing the return of Axl Rose and showcasing a lineup poised to vault Guns N' Roses back atop the hard rock pantheon.

..... ...... B)

[Roy79]

Great review! The same way I experienced them this summer in Europe. Thank you!

[LA_0013]

http://www.livedaily.com/reviews/Live_Revi...11219.html?t=98

Live Review: Guns N' Roses in Universal City, CA

December 19, 2006 03:45 PM

by Paul Gargano

LiveDaily Contributor

While the iconic frontman has never been known for his range, his performance Sunday demonstrated a vocal maturity that surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations

DOnt know where he gets that part from - Axl has a great range... (?)

LA

[ByRefCS]

Judging from Los Angeles' response to "Chinese Democracy," another era of Guns N' Roses domination is imminent.

Sweeeetttt!!!!!!!!!!!!! :xmasssanta: :xmasssanta: :xmasssanta:

[shootingstar]

It was about time

[D-GenerationX]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

[M_Riot]

Amazing to read that!

[Roy79]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

[rocketking]

but take this much to the bank: Judging from Los Angeles' response to "Chinese Democracy," another era of Guns N' Roses domination is imminent.

All hail, the triumphant return of Axl Rose.

That review gave me chills.

[D-GenerationX]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

[Urlacher54]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Some people don't want reality. They want to live in a world where anything associated with Axl is great and everything formerly associated with Axl was great until the second it ceased to be associated with Axl, at which time it instantly turned into a pile of crap.

[rocketking]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Some people don't want reality. They want to live in a world where anything associated with Axl is great and everything formerly associated with Axl was great until the second it ceased to be associated with Axl, at which time it instantly turned into a pile of crap.

You're a douche bag; always trying to rain on someone else's parade. Who are you to say what is or isn't life-altering to someone else? Maybe it's the first time he/she has ever seen Guns after waiting 15 years and it meant the world to them. If you can't get past your own short-sightedness or simply don't have the mental capacity to view things through another person's eyes, then that's a YOU problem not a THEM problem. So take your condescension and your meager pathetic existence over to the VR section and wallow in your own mediocrity, amongst the topics that so adequately suit you.

Happy Holidays! :xmasschef:

[Urlacher54]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Some people don't want reality. They want to live in a world where anything associated with Axl is great and everything formerly associated with Axl was great until the second it ceased to be associated with Axl, at which time it instantly turned into a pile of crap.

You're a douche bag; always trying to rain on someone else's parade. Who are you to say what is or isn't life-altering to someone else? Maybe it's the first time he/she has ever seen Guns after waiting 15 years and it meant the world to them. If you can't get past your own short-sightedness or simply don't have the mental capacity to view things through another person's eyes, then that's a YOU problem not a THEM problem. So take your condescension and your meager pathetic existence over to the VR section and wallow in your own mediocrity, amongst the topics that so adequately suit you.

Happy Holidays! :xmasschef:

Judging by your response, I'm in the right place. I'm not much of a VR fan anyway. I'm just a GNR fan waiting for this band to do something (anything really) worthy of all the adoration they seem to be getting from a very small, but extremely vocal minority. I will gladly praise them once they deserve to be praised. Talk to me in March when the album's hopefully out and we'll see what kind of band we really have here.

[Patience 4 Axl]

Finck did a commendable job of making people forget about founding member Slash

Fat chance.

I was totally lovin' this review until that part.

[bdog311]

great review.

[SterileEyes]

http://www.livedaily.com/reviews/Live_Revi...11219.html?t=98

Live Review: Guns N' Roses in Universal City, CA

December 19, 2006 03:45 PM

by Paul Gargano

LiveDaily Contributor

While the iconic frontman has never been known for his range, his performance Sunday demonstrated a vocal maturity that surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations

DOnt know where he gets that part from - Axl has a great range... (?)

LA

Agreed. Only Steven Tyler has that much vocal range and stamina. Let's see if Axl can still cut it when he's 60 like Steven...so far so good!

Also, as far as Brain v. Frank...

I saw Brain at Inland Invasion (his last show with the band as far as I know) and Frank on Sunday and I'll see him again tonight. Frank hits harder, therefore I like him more...in GN'R.

Brain did fine work in Primus, I preferred Tim Alexander, but Brain is obviously a talented guy.

Frank's the powerhouse GN'R needs for now though in my opinion.

Edited December 20, 2006 by SterileEyes

[Monty]

That review is awesome! :xmassrudolph:

Monty

[artfromtex]

[rocketking]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Some people don't want reality. They want to live in a world where anything associated with Axl is great and everything formerly associated with Axl was great until the second it ceased to be associated with Axl, at which time it instantly turned into a pile of crap.

You're a douche bag; always trying to rain on someone else's parade. Who are you to say what is or isn't life-altering to someone else? Maybe it's the first time he/she has ever seen Guns after waiting 15 years and it meant the world to them. If you can't get past your own short-sightedness or simply don't have the mental capacity to view things through another person's eyes, then that's a YOU problem not a THEM problem. So take your condescension and your meager pathetic existence over to the VR section and wallow in your own mediocrity, amongst the topics that so adequately suit you.

Happy Holidays! :xmasschef:

Judging by your response, I'm in the right place. I'm not much of a VR fan anyway. I'm just a GNR fan waiting for this band to do something (anything really) worthy of all the adoration they seem to be getting from a very small, but extremely vocal minority. I will gladly praise them once they deserve to be praised. Talk to me in March when the album's hopefully out and we'll see what kind of band we really have here.

Sounds good to me. I guess I mistook you for simply wanting to bash the band; so my apologies. Although giving a kickass rock show where you know anything can happen at anytime deserves some merit.

[browser]

this guy said Axl Rose never had a range, I can´t take this guy seriously. This is just ass kissing!!! normal people don´t like 30 minutes of solos in various kinds!

EVEN WITH GNR!

[Roy79]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Duh, what did you expect on a FAN forum, hahaha!

[raodonne]

Funny how every postivie review gets

Yet anyone who doesn't write the band a valentine gets death threats and people imploring others to spam his inbox.

Funny that even in a positive topic, there's always at least 1 person still complaining.

Enjoy the ride dude.

But would logic not dicatate that maybe every show is not a life altering experience?

And maybe, just maybe, the band can have an off night...like every other band on the planet??

Not around here. Around here every show is "the best show I've ever seen".

All I'm pointing out is that is speaks to objectivity, or more to the point, a lack thereof.

Duh, what did you expect on a FAN forum, hahaha!

Um yah like livedaily has no stake in giving Axl a great review....

Not to say the show wasnt everything the guy said, but just keep in mind people's motivations...