5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
Night Ranger has been riding high for the last forty years as one of America’s top AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) hard rock bands.
Formed in San Francisco in 1979 by Brad Gillis, Jack Blades and Kelly Keagy, who are still the leading lights of the band today. Like all good stories, Night Ranger have had their ups and downs. They actually sort of split up in 1989. Jack Blades was lured away by those Damn Yankees, a rock supergroup formed with Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and drummer Michael Cartellone. It actually turned out that the musicians were greater individually rather than as Damn Yankees, so Blades came back.
Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength. (They are) a wonderful party band.
Presently, Night Ranger consists of Jack Blades, a great singer/bassist with dynamic stage charisma, including riot-inducing patter between songs; Brad Gillis on lead guitar, who in Night Ranger is allowed to show off his many skills, his guitar playing has the clearest sound as he chimes out at speed—that boy plays the guitar like a ringin’ the bell; Kelly Keagy, a hugely underrated but very powerful drummer and occasional lead vocalist; Eric Levy, who has held down the keyboard position since 2011; and the second KK in the band, Keri Kelli, the guitarist laying massive riffs on the crowd whilst joining in with Brad Gillis when it’s needed, playing out his role on the live stage to perfection.
Night Ranger are generally known for their soft rock hit singles, like ‘When You Close Your Eyes,’ ‘Goodbye’ and the big one ‘Sister Christian,’ gaining the band national exposure, and probably a few beans in the bank account. But one listen to this live album will prove to you that is not what this band is about. Pure rock’n’roll all the way with just the odd power ballad thrown in to let the rockers sloop off to the beer tent for a quick break.
As soon as the MC goes over the top with an introduction for Night Ranger, the band hits the rock button. Opening with ‘Touch of Madness,’ Jack Blades reeks of attitude, Brad Gillis slices through on guitar, showing his tricks, with whammy bar, massive chops, and the speed is dazzling. Kelly Keagy hits the skins as if freedom depends on it. He is very involved in the show, stepping up to the microphone to croon out ‘Sentimental Street’ from the Seven album (1998). Eric Levy is given plenty of space to shine in the guitar driven band, Keri Kelli is Keri Kelli! Showing us why he has, in a past life, been a fine asset in Alice Cooper and Slash’s Bands. As a whole, Night Ranger combine as one superhero, driving rhythms, thrashing drums, pitch perfect vocals, and screaming guitar solos. Take it away boys.
The band runs through their entire career highlights with all the hits, plus fan favorites and deep cuts. Drama is always close to each edge of the song. ‘Growing Up In California’ gets the packed out crowd firmly on the band’s side, and if any encouragement was needed, Kelly Keagy’s driving beat urges the crowd upwards. ‘Eddie’s Coming Out Tonight,’ written about one of their fans from the early days, is real Night Ranger, holding the center of the set together including a dazzling Brad Gillis lead break that takes heads off. When Keri Kelli joins in with Brad Gillis, the spaceship takes off.
Night Ranger have so many good songs that most bands would build a whole career around just one, but with Night Ranger the hits just keep on coming at you with machinegun devastation.
The momentum is built up to rocking point on several occasions before breathing space is given for a slower number.
They can even break out a song during the set never played before! They had only rehearsed it at the sound check. It’s called ‘Day And Night’ – a heavy little number, perfectly executed. Night Ranger really pull all the stops.
The song ‘Night Ranger’ off their debut album Dawn Patrol (1982) is another belter allowing the individuals to shine brightly. Brad Gillis is and always will be the star soloist in Night Ranger but Levy and Kelli are not far behind. Multiple spotlights.
Encore time sees the band play out with the rocker ‘Penny,’ bring it down with power ballad ‘Sister Christian,’ then blow the roof clean off with ‘(You Can Still) Rock In America.’
The band is magnificent, but so is the hometown crowd from California, driving the band onwards and upwards. Excellent production and editing (which the band did themselves) keep the cheering, stomping, and clapping in its place and not interfering with the music.
A great live album showing a band at the peak of their powers. Long may the night range.
Night Ranger the cartoon superhero has many winning ways, something he has in common with the band of the same name.
Night Ranger has just released a new studio album, ATBPO (And The Band Played On) chockablock full of quality rock songs.
Night Ranger are
Brad Gillis – Guitar
Kelly Keagy – Drums, Vocals
Jack Blades – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Eric Levy – Keyboards
Keri Kelli – Guitar
Songs
Intro
Touch of Madness
Sing Me Away
Four in the Morning
Rumors in the Air
The Secret of My Success
Sentimental Street
High Road
Goodbye
Night Ranger
When You Close Your Eyes
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me
Penny
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Written by Mott the Dog
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