Big Blues
"Welcome to the Electric Lady Land Lounge and Sauna. We're Great White, we'll be your attendant for the eveing, so sit back, relax and have a cocktail, and DON'T forget to tip your waitress."
The words from Jack, in a very Jim Morrison kind of drawl, befor they go into a smokin' cover of Savoy Brown's Train to Nowhere. This song is on a few cd's, but sounds the best here. With the intamate crowd, Jack and Mark get to shine. The only thing missing from this is Clearence on the sax. Other than that... a highlight.
Track number 2 is Cold Heartin' Lovin'. This hasn't really been a favorite of mine. But it is a good live version. Mark just ripps his solo, and Audie does a great job on the drums..."that's cooollllloooollllooollld hearted' loving, ohhhhh." Maybe the weak link on this cd, but Jack sounds awesome no the less.
Next up is The Hunter. This song can be found on the rare Blue EP. I remember Jack talking about this song being a blast preforming live. Well, he hit the nail on the head... Not to mention that he talks to himself in the third person lol... "The first time I saw you, standin on my street, I said to myself, hey Jackie boy, ain't she sweet." Once again, Mark gets his blues solo. After hearing the studio version, and a real live version, I do have to agree with Jack... sounds better live. Would like to get the chance to see them do this someday.
The CD was made in the "Hooked" days. There are two versions, one a bootleg and one an official disc. There is no differnce between the two, just the name. So if you have Live in New York, you have this. If you don't have eithor, I suggest finding one of them, and just for the next song.
Maybe their Party Anthem song? Some would clain OBTS to be that, but I have to go with Desert Moon. Everyone shines on this song. Jack is as crisp as ever. Mark and Michael just make this song so fun. Audie shines, and Tony sounds AWESOME. This past summer, I got to see them do this song 3 times, and is one that belongs in their live show at ALL times. PERIOD!
After the band intro, you get the highlight of this CD. They did a cover of Willie Dixon's "Weak Mind, Narrow Brain." New, people with the Blue EP will know this song and the haunting nature behind it. Well, let me just say that the live version here BLOWS away the studio version. It is just Jack and Mark. Jack singing very laid back, almost trance like, and mark strumming the accostic gutair. If you listen to this song, and don't get shivers... there is something wrong with you!
Next track... you get the ever noticable bass line from Tony... and you know the show is going to get better and better. Rock Me is one of the first songs that brought Great White into the public's eye. This is by far the longest song on the cd, ringing in at 7:58, and well worth it. This song is great on the studio cd's, but when it is live... there is just SO much energy. The only thing missing is the now predictable and enjoyable "Ain't that right (enter city you are in here) New York?" where Jack proves he knows what city he is in :) Tony is KILLER on this song. One where if there wasn't such a powerfull bass line the song would not be the same. You also get to hear Michael playing the harmonica. Just an awesome song, and one I feel no Great White fan could ever get tired of hearing. Not to mention, that it is a ton better live.
Next up is another cover song from the Blue EP called Down to the Doctors. A pretty good rocking song, but one that the CD could do without.I think one of the lines in the song does, however, describe their passion for music, as well as ours. "Come on baby wont do you no harm, just wanna shoot some rock and roll in your arm." How very true... great Music, like Great White, tends to be a drug for me, as I would imagine for you too.
Next up, yet another cover. This song has so much wore out its welcome, and the only one that I think needs to be put in their archives. Sorry if I offend anyone, but Can't Shake It NEEDS TO GO NIGHTY NIGHT. It isn't that I don't like it, just that I am tired of it. They have played it EVERY time I have seen them. But on the other side, it is nice to have a live version of it. Jack does awesome on his screams, and Michael is phenominal on the keyboards... The rest do a great job keeping up. Not my fave.
Well, the only reason I listened to the last track was in the hopes that they would do their famous sing along. Of course the song is Once Bitten Twice Shy. To my dismay, they don't. Out of every live cd they have done, Anaihime Live, Live in London, Live at the House of Blues, SC, and Happy Birthday Big Daddy (I know there is more, just haven't heard them) Happy Birthday is the only one where Jack does the Mickey Mouse Song during the sing along. It is such a funny touch when they do that... and always makes me laugh. Other than no sing along, well, it's Once Bitten Twice Shy.
Well, there you go! Great White Big Blues. An Awesome live cd from NY. My only downfall, and what keeps this cd from being a 10 is the fact that 6 of the 9 songs are covers. 66% is just a bit for me. The could have lost Down at the Doctor, Can't Shake it, and The Hunter, and added Lady Red Light, Save Your Love, and eithor Shot in the Dark or Waiting for Love from the Shot CD. But regardless, it is a great CD and worth finding it.
(Side Note as of September 27th, 2003. Guess my view of this song needs to change. Anyone at the Allentown show on the 27th, 2003 heard Jack up on stage dedicate this song to me and my wife Carri... after congradulating us on our wedding! Thanks Jack! That was too cool of you!)