Now entering thirty five years on from their beginnings in San Francisco as a power trio known as Rubicon in 1979 onto the five piece Ranger until an enforced name change to Night Ranger in 1982 and apart from a hiatus between 1990-1996, they have steadfastly delivered some prime AOR music. My introduction to them came from a live audio tape from Japan 1984 and this new double live album bristles with the same intensity. Eleven studio albums have given the band a formidable setlist and there is not one duff track on the eighteen here on the CD’s.
Currently available and released via Frontiers Music Srl, it was recorded on May 7th 2016 at the legendary House Of Blues in Chicago. Available on 2CD/DVD format, after a brief intro ‘Touch Of Madness’ sets the bar high with striding heavy rock punctuated by some wailing solos from guitarists Brad Gillis and Keri Kelli. Brad in particular delivers some trademark whammy bar work. There are many highlights on display but pick of the crop include follower ‘Sing Me Away’ with original vocalist Jack Blades doing just that on an instantly memorable chorus. Intense dual lead guitar work again stands out. Jack toughens up his range on the punchy ‘Growing Up In California’.
Air guitars are a necessity for the power balladry of ‘Rumours In The Air’ as you simultaneously holler out the chorus with the band. The poignant ballad, ‘Sentimental Street’, dedicated to Prince is punctuated by crushing riffs. The slow numbers continue with the spine tingling acoustic ‘Goodbye’. A touch of synth is followed by a guitar dominated finish. A drum heavy delivery by Kelly Keagy on brand new song ‘Day And Night’ bodes well for their next studio album scheduled for 2017. Age has not slowed them down as its one of the heaviest tracks in the set.
The big hitters arrive with the crowd pleasing ‘Night Ranger’. The band fire on all cylinders with Kelly laying down a heavy backdrop for the furious riffing. ‘When You Close Your Eyes’ brings the mood back down with a punchy melodic rock vibe. Another huge chorus precedes a fret burning solo from Brad. A masterclass of melody and muscle comes from ‘Don’t Tell You Love Me’. It soars along on a rumbling groove with raging guitar solos as lone keyboards back Jack’s vocal before the rest of the band plough in with a full on race to the finish line ending. The near perfect rock ballad ‘Sister Christian’ highlights the vocals of Kelly. His pleading vocal delivery is backed up in the choruses by Jack as Brad lets rip with THAT solo! My personal favourite ‘(You Can) Still Rock In America’ does exactly what it says. Jack belts out the vocal to a powerful musical delivery as lightning speed twin leads bring it to a breathtaking close.
Night Ranger band line up :-
Kelly Keagy – Drums/vocals.
Brad Gillis – Guitars/backing vocals.
Jack Blades – Vocals/bass guitar.
Eric Levy – Keyboards/backing vocals.
Keri Kelli – Guitars.
CD 1 :-
Intro.
Touch Of Madness.
Sing Me Away.
Four In The Morning.
Growing Up In California.
Rumours In The Air.
The Secret Of My Success.
Sentimental Street.
High Road.
Eddie’s Coming Out Tonight.
CD 2 :-
Goodbye.
Day And Night.
Night Ranger.
When You Close Your Eyes.
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.
Penny.
Sister Christian.
(You Can Still) Rock In America.
DVD :-
Intro.
Touch Of Madness.
Sing Me Away.
Four In The Morning.
Growing Up In California.
Rumours In The Air.
The Secret Of My Success.
Sentimental Street.
High Road.
Eddie’s Coming Out Tonight.
Goodbye.
Day And Night.
Night Ranger.
When You Close Your Eyes.
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.
Penny.
Sister Christian.
(You Can Still) Rock In America.
Seven Wishes.
- £16.03