Post by cozyal on Aug 6, 2009 20:49:07 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Ted Nugent – Motor City Mayhem Live CD review[/glow] by Cozy Al
This gig took place on 4th July, 2008 & Ted Nugent being the true American born & bred, outspoken politically, gun crazy, guitar wielding …, crazy guy that he is, was out to have a party in his home town, which was also apparently his 6,000th show ever, so was this a show or what?
BTW - This is also available on DVD, same track listing but obvious, you'll see Ted as only Ted can be ... Kickin' ass!
Well, as much as I find Uncle Ted a highly entertaining performer, there’s sadly a statement on the back cover of this 2 CD set case that states that this show was attended by 20,000+ fans … Well, fact is & I’m sure the show was packed but Pine Knob Music theatre or DTE Energy M.T. as it’s now called, has a capacity of just 15,000 …, it’s pretty sad to see a release from the Detroit boy, that has wrong info with it about his own home town gig / venue. Go to the website yourself & you’ll see for yourself …
www.palacenet.com/2_seating.asp
That aside, yeah Ted is totally up for this purely on his ranting & raving prior to opening track Motor City Madhouse, that was preceded by a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, to great applause of course, well it is the 4th July!
Then some “Wango ze Tango …” as Ted says to follow, filled with plenty of Ted chat in the mid-section, which helped to stretch this version to almost 8 minutes long & Ted introduces his band at the time & the rhythm section also that of Dokken’s, Rockin’ Mick Brown on Drums/Vocals & Greg Smith on Bass / vocals … No doubting Ted is wired for this one & if you’ve ever seen him live, you’ll know how he is, Mr. Motor City Madman, no question!
Free For All next & he’s not letting up, no way, not tonight. Ripping stuff!
How about a little Stormtroopin’ next then?! Better “Get ready, Stormtrooper’s coming” & who’d want to mess with Uncle Ted when he’s this on fire?!
Dog Eat Dog next & the craziness continues with Ted’s howling here. Has to be said, this band is so tight & for a power trio, it’s a seriously full sound even if Ted is shouting for the most part throughout the song rather than singing … & does here & there throughout this set, but not always.
Next up is Need You Bad sounding as strong as it ever could, with Greg Smith taking lead vocals here, great stuff!
Phew, Weekend Warriors next, the ultimate celebration to rock ‘n’ roll party at the weekend, heck it was a Friday night, so why not, right?!
Time for the title track off Ted’s last studio release Love Grenade, which in all honesty & sad as it may be, but is possibly the weakest track of the set list here.
Disc 1 is wrapped up with Honky Tonk from way, way back as the band is joined by none other than Ted’s old guitar teacher Joe Podorsik … Kind of a laid back jam for the most part to close this first disc.
That said, firing up the second disc with Wang Dang Sweet Poontang, certainly makes it’s mark & really jams!
A little tribute to Bo Diddley is next & Ted also name checks many classic blues players here, with a little lick dedicated to each one of them, nice touch Ted, before the tracks segues into Lay With Me … Classic Ted!
Ted’s interpretation of Baby Please Don’t Go is next & has always been a great crowd pleaser & again, the power of this trio is awesome to hear, even if this track is stretched out quite a bit more than probably needed, then it runs into Ted’s hunting related territory songwriting with a little Geronimo & Me, a fun lyric for sure & again as throughout he brings up about Independence Day, before wrapping up Baby Please Don’t Go …
Then he invites renowned Motor City drummer Johnny Bee to jam with the band on Mitch Ryder’s Jenny Take A Ride & then how about some more favorites, Soul Man, done the Ted way is swiftly followed by Ted’s Hey Baby, bringing Ted’s old band brother Derek St. Holmes, sounding as good as ever. Great voice he still has.
Now where would a Ted show be without his trademark Cat Scratch Fever, the place goes nuts!!! Ted is in the house, Ted is in his Detroit home for sure, who would even think of telling him any different?!
He then gives thanks to all the band folks that joined him here tonight before introducing “the number one guitar lick in the world …” Here’s Stranglehold for you with Derek St. Holmes taking the microphone again.
You know for sure the song is Ted dream jam & Ted’s continues to shout “Freedom!” throughout this & closes the set …, but at almost 11 minutes long … Phew … Too long!
How about an encore then? Great White Buffalo anyone?
Ted just loves to ride out on stage on this beast at his hometown gig … Another 10 minute jam, giving name checks to the many renowned great Indian chiefs & the various battles & even his old hunting teacher Fred Bear & the …, “spirit … & the spirit … of the BUFFALO!”
Then he chants about sacrificing the great white buffalo … & with the CD, who knows what he’s doing on stage at this time, as the crowd cheers … long & loud to a lengthy sustained guitar note …
Then Fred Bear …, with an excerpt of Fred talking & no doubt his image on the screen behind Ted & band, with Fred saying, “…if some of our teenager thrill seekers really want to go out & get a thrill, let them go out up to the north west & tangle with a Grizzly bear, a polar bear or a brown bear & they’ll get their thrill to cleanse their soul!” Ted shouts out, “Cleanse the soul! Cleanse the soul! Can you feel that spirit, can you sense that spirit … In the wind, that Michigan wind …. Who can you hear …? Do you hear my blood brother? Can you hear a voice? God bless Fred Bear!” It’s a killer track that I seriously believe Ted puts more heart & soul into, than anything.
Ted’s ultimate tribute & it’s clear as day just how much impact Fred had on the guy. It’s also another 10 minute jam!
Ted closes with a heart felt thanks to the crowd & really seems moved!
It really is a great double live set, Ted was totally into the whole event, no question. Band was tight & sounded totally like a really great fun night! 5/5 for me, even with the long drawn out tracks!
