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Classic rock stars shine on area stages this weekend
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
| Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 |
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Fans of classic arena rock can relive the energy, the exhilaration and the earsplitting tumult that embodied ’70s and ’80s concerts this weekend when several icons of the era perform at area venues.
Def Leppard, Styx and Foreigner will perform on Friday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., at Ford Amphitheatre, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. Tickets range from $25 to $75.
Born in 1977, English hard rock band Def Leppard topped charts in the ’80s with hits from the back-to-back albums “Pyromania” and “Hysteria,” including “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites.”
Following a peculiar trend in music, Def Leppard produced no original material for their most recent studio release, opting instead to record a collection of cover songs. Few bands that have made the 30-year mark would feel comfortable conceding their glam rock roots, but the lineup on Leppard’s 2006 “Yeah!” prove they have no issue with their past. While “Yeah!” lacks creativity, the band does no disservice to original recordings such as “20th Century Boy” by T. Rex and “Waterloo Sunset” by the Kinks.
The band’s adaptation of Electric Light Orchestra’s “10538 Overture” and their faithful rendering of Faces’ classic “Stay With Me” reveal both their abilities and their admiration of the source material. These two tracks, along with “Waterloo Sunset,” surpass everything else on the album. A few songs just didn’t live up to the challenge, particularly “Rock On” (no one really needs another version of that song, anyway) and “Drive In Saturday.”
Def Leppard’s “Yeah!” shouldn’t simply be judged by the band’s interpretation of classic rock hits, though. The inclusion of cover songs originally made famous by acts like Thin Lizzy, John Kongos and Mott the Hoople might well stimulate interest in the original recordings. The band deserves praise for introducing a new generation to the music that influenced the evolution of their signature sound.
In 2006, Styx released a live album as well as a DVD, both titled “One with Everything.” The concert video footage, professionally recorded, captures the band in the midst of their 2006 tour in support of the 2005 studio album “Big Bang Theory.”
What’s unique about this performance is that Styx is joined by the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland. The orchestra, led by music director Liza Grossman, specializes in performing contemporary orchestral works. In addition, they have a history of performing with popular rock artists such as Ray Manzarek of the Doors; Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash; and Jon Anderson of Yes.
The DVD opens with perennial favorite “Blue Collar Man” and includes an eclectic selection from the vast catalog Styx has compiled since its debut album released in 1971. Veteran members Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young and Chuck Panozzo are all that remain of the familiar ’70s lineup, but it’s enough to keep Styx alive and kicking. Shaw and Young both prove that age hasn’t depleted their capacity to deliver searing guitar leads and their vocals haven’t suffered, either. The orchestra, providing sound and solid support, works best on “Lorelei,” “Crystal Ball” and “Fooling Yourself.”
Aside from being a unique and surprisingly good concert video, “One with Everything” is a pleasure to watch because both members of Styx and the orchestra truly seem to be enjoying every moment of the performance.
Foreigner’s last studio album was released in 1994, though there have been a few compilations and a live recording. Rumor has it there may be a new release on the way, but for now, count on the classics. The band has plenty of hits from which to draw, including “Cold as Ice” from the 1977 self-titled debut album, “Hot Blooded” from “Double Vision,” “Dirty White Boy” from “Head Games” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” from “Agent Provocateur.”
Adrian Belew will perform on Friday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., at State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Tickets range from $20 to $25.
Belew is best known for his work with Frank Zappa, David Bowie and, particularly, King Crimson. The American guitarist and vocalist also has a long list of solo efforts to his credit, including 1990’s “Young Lions” which spawned the modern rock hit single “Pretty Pink Rose.”
Between 2005 and 2006, Belew recorded and released a series of three albums, “Side One,” “Side Two” and “Side Three.” Pleasingly eclectic and wonderfully weird, each recording is an exercise in restraint containing concise, meticulously polished gems fusing the best elements of prog-rock, funk, pop and electronica. Some of the material could easily be mistaken for King Crimson’s post-1980 canon.
“Side One” evokes a power-trio undertone, underscored on tracks featuring Primus bassist Les Claypool and Tool drummer Danny Carey. The album also included “Beat Box Guitar” which was nominated for a Grammy.
Tipping the scales toward synth-based music, “Side Two” emphasizes enthralling electronica loops kept fresh by Belew’s paroxysmal guitar playing. “Dead Dog on Asphalt,” the first track, sets a menacing tone that seeps into most of the cuts on this album.
“Side Three” contains the most Zappa-like work in the series, particularly evident on “Incompetence Indifference.” “Cinemusic” is hypnotic and “The Red Bull Rides a Boomerang Across the Blue Constellation” is as abstract as its title.
Reportedly, Belew is now working on “Side Four,” a live album.
Joe Walsh will perform on Sunday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m., at The Mahaffey Theater, Progress Energy Center, 400 First St. S. St. Petersburg. Tickets range from $65 to $100.
Although guitar legend Walsh hasn’t recorded a new solo album in over 10 years, he kept himself busy touring, performing with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band and turning up in a variety of places, including the 1995 World Series (singing the National Anthem), recording an “MTV Unplugged” set and appearing on “The Howard Stern Show” and “Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars.”
Over the years, Walsh has scored hits with songs like “Rocky Mountain Way,” “Life’s Been Good” and “The Confessor.” He also has toured regularly with The Eagles following their 1994 reunion. The Eagles are set to release “Long Road out of Eden” later this year. It will be their first studio album since 1979.
Tickets to all shows are available online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007
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