I was shocked tonight, when browsing the ciao categories, to discover that hardly anyone has written opinions on Guns n’ Roses. Now I appreciate that you may be thinking to yourselves “ Oh Yeah, those guys, weren’t they famous once? But you really do not know what you are ... Read review
Advantages: All their best on one album Disadvantages: Live recording dodgy at times.
I was shocked tonight, when browsing the ciao categories, to discover that hardly anyone has written opinions on Guns n’ Roses. Now I appreciate that you may be thinking to yourselves “ Oh Yeah, those guys, weren’t they famous once? But you really do not know what you are missing.
The original line up, formed in 1985, consisted of Axl Rose ( Vocals ), Slash ( Lead Guitar ), Duff
( Bass Guitar ), Izzy ( Rhythm ... ...their career playing clubs in Los Angeles and released their first EP “ Live?! 8@ Like a Suicide” ( copies of which are now like gold dust!), in 1986 with Geffen Records. The EP consisted of 4 live tracks; these were Aerosmith’s “ Mama Kin”, Rose Tattoo’s “ Nice Boys” and two of the bands own songs “Reckless Life” & “Move to the City”.
I was shocked tonight, when browsing the ciao categories, to discover that hardly anyone has written opinions on Guns n’ Roses. Now I appreciate that you may be thinking to yourselves “ Oh Yeah, those guys, weren’t they famous once? But you really do not know what you are missing.
The original line up, formed in 1985, consisted of Axl Rose ( Vocals ), Slash ( Lead Guitar ), Duff ( Bass Guitar ), Izzy ( Rhythm Guitar ), Steven Adler ( Drums). They started out their career playing clubs in Los Angeles and released their first EP “ Live?! 8@ Like a Suicide” ( copies of which are now like gold dust!), in 1986 with Geffen Records. The EP consisted of 4 live tracks; these were Aerosmith’s “ Mama Kin”, Rose Tattoo’s “ Nice Boys” and two of the bands own songs “Reckless Life” & “Move to the City”.
The success of their EP, prompted the bands first studio album, which was released in 1987, “Appetite for Destruction” ( yes, this is the famous one), it contained the tracks “ Sweet Child of Mine” & “Paradise City”, both of which have gone down as Classic Eighties rock tracks. For anyone reading this that may have been born in the Eighties, this is a must have album if you are building the ultimate rock collection ( I currently own four copies in various formats). Lyrically, this album is brilliant. It has a raw edge to it that proves the band doesn’t give a damn about what they, say or how they say it. Even if like my better half you think that Axl “ Squawks like a parrot” (blasphemy!!), it is well worth a listen.
In 1988 the next album “ Lies” was released, this was a marriage of the “Live?!*@ like a Suicide” on side one and four brand new tracks on side two. It is probably remembered as the most controversial of all Guns n’ Roses albums. A song entitled “ One in a Million” caused a storm of protest for its Racist and Homophobic lyrics ( which Axl Rose has since apologised for). This album contains in my mind the two best G n’ R songs ever “ Patience” & “Used to love her”. “ Patience” is a love song that has the most beautiful lyrics I have ever heard. It sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. “ Used to Love Her” is a tongue in cheek look at Americas Weirdos “I used to love her, but I had to kill her, I knew I’d miss her, so I buried her right in my back yard”.
The next two albums were released at the same time in 1991. “ Use your Illusion 1” & “Use your Illusion 2”. The press had a field day saying that the band were ripping of the fans with two albums on sale at the same time, the bands response was that they had a lot of new material and couldn’t fit it all on one album ( fair enough). “Illusion 1” contains “ Live and Let Die” a cover of the old Paul McCartney song, “November Rain “ the Epic 9 minute track, showing Axl at his piano playing best, and “Don’t Cry” a beautifully haunting song, these were the main chart releases. “ Illusion 2” contains “Knockin on Heavens door” the Bob Dylan classic, and “You could be Mine” the song featured in the film Terminator 2. Unfortunately, these albums managed to lose some of G n’ R’s fan base. Although in my mind the albums are excellent, some of the tracks are a bit fluffy. By this I mean love songs that go on a bit (“ Estranged” last for 9 ½ minutes).
In 1993 Guns n’ Roses released an album called “ The Spaghetti Incident”. The album is made up of cover versions of Punk Songs, and though a brave attempt at recreating some classic songs from the likes of the Sex Pistols, I must agree with Axl when he says “ Do yourself a favour and track down the Originals”.
Now for the good news! If you do not own a Guns n’ Roses album and wish to give them a try you can get an overall view of the above by buying the last of the albums released.
“ The best of Guns n’ Roses Live 1987 – 1993, was released in 1999, and contains all of their classic songs, coupled with the raw emotion that shows through in their live performances. The quality is a bit dodgy on the older songs, but its well worth the investment.
And there you just about have it.
The band has split up now, Axl still owns the name and has made a new release this year, but I’m afraid it doesn’t even warrant a mention.
Guns n’ Roses were dragged from nowhere to become one of the biggest rock bands the world has ever seen, their live performance was brilliant (I saw them at Milton Keynes in 1992, and cried the whole time) (Oh great now you all think I’m either a big girlie girl, or mentally challenged).
Its a shame that constant bickering in the band lead to their inevitable split, however, they have left us with a small collection of albums that will go down in rock history.
Firstly, for anyone that took my 3 star review of the bands greatest hits collection as an attempt to take the band down a notch or two, it was far from that. The respect I have for the bands music is immense, I just saw the package as a weak show of their ‘greatest hits’ and I also believe Appetite For Destruction to be one of the finest debut albums of all time, and undoubtedly the best show of 80’s rock that will be seen. Guns ‘n’ Roses however, ... ...getting their ass on stage and blurting out their finest work in front of millions of adoring fans day in and day out. Having never had the chance to see my true idols Nirvana (too young at the time), live albums really make you appreciate what your missing. Yes the over used effects from the studio will add too the overall flare, but all the hallmarks of a great performance are kept intact. Having had only a handful of opportunities to hear Axl ...
ManUtdBoi 23.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Live:1987-1993 - Guns & Roses
Advantages: Great sound quality, some excellent songs Disadvantages: Some tunes lack felling
Although the disc is titled 'Live Era 87-93' it feels like one or two shows from the Use Your Illusion tour edited together. Although the performances are fautless, some of the tunes lack in feelings. Others are dragged out with extended jams, and Knockin' On Heaven's Door features Guns attempt at reggae, which sounds even worse that you'd imagine, and dragging the tune out to 8 minutes may well work in a stadium, but on a live album it tends to ... ...of the early songs are played brilliantly with plenty of flair, and Move To The City sounds clearer than on the Lies album, and the added horn section helps to beef up the sound no end. It would be easy to argue over the set list, but it does give a selection from all the Guns albums, but thankfully doesn't include any of the punk covers freatured in the Spagetti Incident LP, most of which sounded ham-fisted and rough, even on the studio versions.
...
Ryan-Simpson 02.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Live:1987-1993 - Guns & Roses
Advantages: Loud. proud and superb Disadvantages: a few key tracks missed from the lineup
During the era this CD is taken from (1987-93), there was only one name in Heavy Rock, that of Guns N Roses. They conquered the world with their heavy rock music and bad boy attitude. When Guns 'N' Roses played live, you could be sure of a riot or some controversy surrounding every performance. But they were the 3rd biggest stadium rock acts of all time, and this album captures some of those great performances. Technically they are a very good live ... ...as they do on the albums, and slash's amazing guitar playing at least matches if not surpasses the solos on the albums. The album also seems to lean towards the heavy rock side of the band, because almost the entire of Appetite for destruction is on this album, which is a good thing as Appetite is one of the best rock albums ever. The only gripe i have about this album is the exclusion of a few killer tracks, namely "Coma" and "Civil War" from the ...
Steviee 16.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Live:1987-1993 - Guns & Roses
Advantages: The essence of GNR live Disadvantages: Few unless you are not a fan
Another release which does exactly what it says in the title. It's been eight years since the last proper GnR album, and six years since their last tour. Although Axl is attempting to rekindle the flames, he is the only significant founder member still involved, and really shouldn't be using the name even if he does have the legal right. Which he does apparently.
So this is very much a monument to the magnificent animal that was Guns 'n' Roses live. ... ...but bitterly regret passing up on the chance to see them when they first visited the UK in 1987. Now, that would have been a show.
Although the CD booklet contains loads of nice pics, there is very little information on where and when the various tracks were recorded: "Recorded across the universe between 1987 and 1993" doesn't give a lot away does it? All the ones you would expect are here: "Mr Brownstone", "It's So Easy", "Welcome To The Jungle", ...
nicks 29.06.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Live:1987-1993 - Guns & Roses
Advantages: Fantastic Music Disadvantages: Couple of weaker moments
Another release which does exactly what it says in the title. It's been eight years since the last proper GnR album, and six years since their last tour. Although Axl is attempting to rekindle the flames, he is the only significant founder member still involved, and really shouldn't be using the name even if he does have the legal right. Which he does apparently.
So this is very much a monument to the magnificent animal that was Guns 'n' Roses live. ... ...but bitterly regret passing up on the chance to see them when they first visited the UK in 1987. Now, that would have been a show.
Although the CD booklet contains loads of nice pics, there is very little information on where and when the various tracks were recorded: "Recorded across the universe between 1987 and 1993" doesn't give a lot away does it? All the ones you would expect are here: "Mr Brownstone", "It's So Easy", "Welcome To The Jungle", ...
nicks 13.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Live:1987-1993 - Guns & Roses
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Advantages: Full of raw energy and great songs Disadvantages: Bad language, not one for the kids
When I first bought this album several years ago the only Guns N Roses tracks I could name were November Rain and Sweet Child Of Mine both of which I really liked. There were a few G N R CD's but this one had both the above tracks on, was reasonably priced, seemed to span most of the life of the band, and I like live recordings so decided to give it a go.
I put it on the CD player upstairs and was captivated from the first track, 'Nightrain'. I lay on the bed and only moved to change to the second disk. I was completely captivated, the raw energy of the live recording is outstanding. If you go back to the original studio recording from Appetite for Destruction some of the tracks sound a little muted by comparison, notably Mr Brownstone which is much better live. All the best tracks from Appetite are here, plus a range from Use Your ...
Advantages: Shows off a band at the height of their career Disadvantages: can't think of any
This album is one of the best live albums i've heard, along with the live Pantera album, this really captures what Guns n Roses were all about. The recording is excellent with all the instruments coming clearly through in the mix. As one can expect from great live acts, the songs are a little different from how they are on the studio recordings.
The track listings spans the whole career of Guns n Roses, up until it all went wrong and became the Axl Rose band and even includes a Black Sabbath song that i didn't even know they'd ever covered. I saw Guns n Roses in the early 90's and this album is the next best thing to seeing them live and it hasn't included the drum and guitar solo. Which for non muso types, this is a bonus!
Although the title of the album suggests live recording sessions from 1987 - 1993, the live concerts more sound ...
Advantages: MOST OF THE GREATEST HITS OF GUNS 'N' ROSES Disadvantages: I CAN THINK OF A FEW MORE
) Guns 'N' Roseslive in tokyo dvd.
You Could Be Mine, heavy rock tune used in the Terminator 2 film. Chunky guitar riffs and solos, great for headbanging.
Yesterdays, graet hard rock song about what yesterday has for you nothing yep I will aggree to that.
THE SPAGHETTI INCIDENT 1993
Aint It Fun, origainally done by the Munroes. A good punk rock song.
Since I Dont Have You, the beter choice of the two punk rock songs writen by James Beaumont and The Skyliners
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNTRACK 1994
Sympathy For The Devil, Rolling Stones classic hard rock song which Guns 'N' Roses recorded for this great film.
Although they show The Live Era Album 1987-1993 released 1999 there aint no live tracks on this album. which is a bit of a shame.
Alot of there best songs are still missing like So Fine, Estranged ...
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