Juntin Wagner's review of the "31st" concert
(via e-mail)
*GUNS N ROSES*
*New Years Eve Show Review*
Yes, I must admit, the GNR show on the 31st was all time. I have seen Guns now
three times, once in ‘89 opening for the Rolling Stones at the LA Coliseum
(10-21-89) and on the Illusion tour in LA, one of the four sold out shows at the
Forum, I think maybe the second or third, my memory is hazy. I came to Vegas
with little or no expectation, just wanting to see a good show. I had been
brushing up on all of the GNR web gossip in preparation for this show and was
unsure what I was going to get, but like some of the other reviews, this show
was BANGING from the second it began!!!
I want to emphasize---BANGING!!!!!! There was not one lull in the set and the
entire crowd was singing every song at the top of their lungs, it was a fucking
party! There was not a stitch of tension in the air as the crowd was entirely
friendly and upbeat, not one ounce of attitude, anywhere! Buckethead’s licks are
sublime, you could hear every single note of every lead perfectly! This does not
happen all too often but it did tonight and the leads bounced back and forth
between him and Robin. No other reviews, at least that I have seen talk about
the third guitarist, Tobias from Mother Tongue? At least that is who I think it
was. Props to him as well.
Brain is a monster behind the kit and did a kick ass job. Stinson kept the
bottom end rumbling. The keyboardists, did their thing.... As for Axl, he was at
his best: his pipes were perfect. He hit every song with the greatest of poise
and ease and was all over the stage and on top of the speaker stacks on both
sides of the stage giving the entire crowd his everything. During patience-a
tender moment indeed-there was a girl on the shoulders of a guy in front
of me, center of house. Axl was center stage and during the song his eyes met
hers and you could see his face light up and he smiled looking at her and it
seemed like old times. There is a lot of talk about Axl and all of the BS,
but this night was like no other, he and the band gave 120% and it was awesome!
I went with three other friends and we all watched in amazement as they
delivered a blistering set of songs which contained all the hits and balls out
versions of Night Train and Its So Easy. At midnight the video monitors went
live to the outside world (the Las Vegas Strip) and showed the fireworks and
crowds outside reveling in the new year and the Axl welcomed us to “Two Thousand
and Fucking Two”.
Yes, the tickets were a little expensive but looking back were worth every
penny. At the bar, we could get four drinks and it was less than $20, not bad
for new years eve. Once the doors were opened, we all were ushered in pretty
quick, and the show started promptly at 11p with no visible or audible glitches.
At the end, Axl tossed his microphone out into the crowd and that was it. I am
at home almost 48 hours later and am so glad I was able to make it. Sure,
there is no Slash, Duff or Izzy, but after that show, I say “who gives a fuck?”
Like Axl has said, the guys in the band now can play the shit out of those songs
and they did and I was reassured that Guns the way we know them is in my opinion
90% Axl and his voice. Axl was there in full effect and his voice certainly was
too.
-JUSTIN WAGNER
--
Used with permission from Justin Wagner.
To consult the original
writer of the article:
Justin
Wagner
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