While Aerosmith may never match their top selling days around the “Armageddon” soundtrack release (which spawned the mega smash “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”) the group’s catalogue remains muscular enough to last through lean times. Even though members missed mainstream acclaim with the blues based “Honkin' on Bobo” last year and found little footing with the new live offering “Rockin’ the Joint,” they can still deliver in concert with a mixture of guitar driven bedlam and sheer entertainment.

Such sentiments could be confirmed from the opening blasts of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” which seared with unbelievable intensity and the springboard stage presence of singer Steven Tyler. The 57-year-old singer was like a teenager as he pranced around to follow-ups like “Walk This Way,” “Same Old Song and Dance” and “Cryin,’” all backed by the scalding guitar licks of the equally legendary Joe Perry. Throughout the hour that followed, the gang would unload hit after hit from 2002’s excellent “Ultimate Aerosmith” collection like a fast action firing squad. “Sweet Emotion” echoed with an eerie but electrifying presence, “Miss a Thing” dripped with all its sappy yet sensual delight, while “Dream On” stands up as an eternal rock and roll anthem.

But just when the action was getting hot and heavy and the group truly hit its stride, they ducked out for an early encore, returning with the mayhem inducing “Walkin’ the Dog” and “Draw the Line.” And then without warning, they called it a night after just 90 minutes, an acceptable though not ideal amount. An additional half hour would’ve been welcomed and could’ve included the mistakenly absent “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Love In an Elevator” and “Crazy.” The unfortunate oversights and slight shortchanging cut into an otherwise exuberant experience that placed Aerosmith as a must see live act even if its last several records haven’t flown off the shelves.

Stage sharer Lenny Kravitz is in a similar situation of being able to deliver a fierce show without the push of a mighty record. Last year’s “Baptism” was met with lackluster response, though his past translated to the tour with remarkable soul and rock fusion. Staples like the sing-a-long “Fly Away,” the psychedelic and sultry “Believe” and the hope filled “Let Love Rule” were loaded with star power and studliness. A take on The Guess Who’s “American Woman” didn’t connect to the degree of the immortal original but did strike a chord with its chunky bass line, though the bombastic “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” will always be his calling card. Hopefully Kravitz and his partners will release optimal albums in the near future, though even if that plan backfires, they’ll always have a place on the road.

• Andy Argyrakis is a Chicago based writer/photographer. Email him at andy@andyargyrakis.com

Comments

free ringtones Written by Guest on 2007-08-27 06:41:10 [url=http://reddit.com/user/free_ringtones_mp3]free ringtones[/url]

Write Comment
Name:	Guest
Title:
Comment:
Code:*

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!