The events of last night had me wonder what else is possible in this lifetime. Will we see flying cars, or is that still too far away? Money has been said that it cannot buy happiness, but I am sure it brought some to any concertgoer at New Era Field yesterday. Who wouldn't when a band as big as Gun's N Roses defied the odds and reunited for what may be their final jaunt to include both rock behemoths such as Slash and Axl? 'It's So Easy' to presume that it was the major force behind this spectacle, but lets focus on this night, specifically, instead of what fueled this night train's resurgence.
My subconscious has appreciated their hits that I have heard on rock radio, yet I cannot say that I was fan. It wouldn't be an incredible live show without those hits I have grown to love, but it wouldn't be the same without the songs I could not recognize, or would it? 'Pain Lies on the Riverside' and 'The Dolphin's Cry' are songs worthy of any band's canon, and strengthened Live's nine song set. They sold the drama, you could feel the energy that resonated through the stadium, it also helped that there was a livewire of a fan bringing smiles and a couple close calls to the temporary denizens of the pit.
I heard several remark about the synchronized percussion of the two drummers, which was commendable, I could see passion resonate as sweat ran down drummer Chad Gracey's chin and while I did not have a close enough view of the other drummer, I can say I believe he was not devoid of either.
At one point, Kowalczyk remarked "It's a good day when you open up for Guns 'N' Roses" and I am certain many felt the same. I knew some of their songs, and that they could rock hard, but was not certain if they could pull it off opening up for G'N'R and they did. They even played a tribute to the late, great Chris Cornell, playing the Audioslave song 'I Am The Highway' near the end.
Of course, with Axl's reputation 'Patience' is required when showtime is on the line, and if you waited until the encore you were rewarded. Their pal, Mr. Brownstone, made an earlier entrance to the stage before they ripped through two 'Chinese Democracy' cuts, one I had an inkling was the eponymous, and the following entry I remembered a little 'Better.' Five tracks in, they welcome us to the jungle and no one seemed to mind.
Their first cover, out of several, made it to the roster of their double album for a reason, yet my only gripe was that I could not hear the iconic riff in the live performance; so 'Live and Let Die' takes on a whole new meaning? Otherwise, the energy was dangerous; a warm up to the aural strut and swagger of 'Rocket Queen.' While 'You Could Be Mine' brought us into the realm of apocalyptic love, or it may be simply its presence on the Terminator 2 Soundtrack, either way we were able to see a glimpse of how terminators would appear as G'N'R impersonators.
I may be 'Estranged' to most of the names of their songs, but I have not listened to their albums in full for years, yet when I heard that opening riff, it was like reuniting with an old friend I haven't heard from in awhile.
While the visual accompaniment to 'Civil War' and 'Coma' were appropriate it was hearing the former live that enriched its value in my eyes, and it feels like a timely addition to the general set, considering how things are nowadays; similar problems, yet need to be solved in different ways. The latter described how I felt at one point in time; I was tired, but it may also had to do with the overexposure to the proficiency that every band member displayed.
I couldn't sense tension, but I could sense a "sibling rivalry" between Axl and Slash. Slash with the technicality that is sometimes overlooked and taken for granted when compared to the larger than life stage presence of Axl; he is talented for sure, and ran across stage like a madman at certain intervals in the show. There was a plus side to Axl's urge to change his wardrobe, it allowed Slash to showcase his talent with Jams and interludes. Duff even capitalized on Axl's absence singing a cover of 'New Rose' by the Damned, so that tendency benefitted everyone.
While we're on the subject of covers, we might as well mention the cover people clamored to hear, their rendition of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door,' another cover they made their own. Slash and Richard Fortus dazzled with a duet of Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' which segued quite nicely into their epic 'November Rain.' The last cover, pre-encore, was not the least worthy of note. Mr. Cornell was honored yet again, by one of the biggest bands in rock, not that his career or influence was anything to easily dismiss. 'Black Hole Sun' suited Axl's voice well and was a slow burning tribute, with a brooding, yet patient fury.
If you left on the 'Nighttrain' then you missed its stop to 'Paradise City,' a song which appeared that it was not going to be performed, yet it was saved for last; all it took was patience! As for the Who, 'The Seeker' became the last cover of the night.
It wouldn't be right if I had not mentioned the rest of the crew. I mentioned Duff, but I loved the fact he was sporting a sign of 'the purple one' on his guitar.
It's unfortunate that Dizzy Reed has been with the band nearly as long as Axl, but he doesn't seem to mind. He has played an integral, yet not as celebrated role in the band, and for that I must make an extra nod.
Even though she has been with the band for roughly a year, I see that her fate might be similar, though Melissa Reese's talent, energy, and beauty, were not unnoticed; with those giants, it is easy to miss others not in the forefront. Just because they remain out of the spotlight, does not mean they are without merit.
Richard Fortus, who has seen his place as both rhythm and lead guitarist, and that energy and passion that I saw him express was noteworthy.
Last but not least, was a pillar of the rhythm section, Frank Ferrer; the stamina, energy, and passion that he showcased also gave me another reason to "rock out" as I would have with the usual suspects.
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