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, as all bands are, make their trade in live shows, 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 and his merry band on a couple of occasions through radio shows, Live Era 87-93 gives you everything you could want……and some !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Personal opinion will lead to me praising the second disc, but the first disc is where the true discovery’s are to be found. Nightrain opens the proceedings, sounding just as good as it did in 1987 and its appearance on the superb ‘Appetite For Destruction’. Let it never be said that it’s the studio material that makes a band, as far from it I believe the highlight of any band, 80’s glam rockers or not, if you can’t hack it on stage then you shouldn’t be in the business. Guns more than show their capabilities over the course of this 2-hour extravaganza, blowing the mind time and time again. Mr.Brownstone, again previously released from ‘Appetite’ slows the momentum somewhat, yet still sounds as good as new (it’s one of the omissions I believe should have been on the greatest hits package). The highlight of this half of the album is without doubt the epic ‘November Rain’, with it’s lengthy intro, this time comprising of Axl messing around on the piano, it just gives you the feeling that you’ve got your own front row ticket. Truly magnificent !

Undoubtedly the stronger of the two discs in terms of big name songs, all of which are performed impeccably and to the point. You Could Be Mine, Sweet Child O’ Mine and Knockin On Heaven’s Door are all truly great yet Paradise City takes the cake in terms of being the showstopper, hence the final slot on the album. They say always save the best til last and with a crowd led chant, Paradise City certainly is the best of the bunch. Loud, infectious and in this case atmospheric, oh how I wish I’d been able to see these guys play. After ‘Appetite For Destruction’ this is without a doubt the best Guns influenced work to come from Geffen Records (again, see my previous review). Where ’Under A Blood Red Sky’ was U2’s defining moment and ’Muddy Banks’ was the unheralded lead of Nirvana’s music, Live Era makes just the same statement of intent through it’s two hours of progressive rock. That statement is an intent to rock your world, make your ears bleed and leave you speechless and I can gladly say - mission successful. As two CD’s it’s great, as a package it’s great, and as Guns ‘n’ Roses live …….it’s simply magic !