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This 2-Disc DVD set covers practically everything you'd want to see from
this underrated band that hit the scene in the late 80s and carried their
excellent music into the 90s before a tragic accident stopped the band.
Disc One
features three sections that
allow the band to show their talent. You get to see the band rocking
hard in Japan, six music videos and five songs done acoustically.
You can see the band's flexibility as well as their creativity in each
creative environment.
Japan
Tour '90 is captured with professional camera work from various
perspectives on stage as well as from the audience distance. Their
performance shows the
band as a well oiled metal/hard rock machine that will rock hard
but always with do it with melody.
Tracks include:
1. Love Ain't Easy
2. Like Never Before
3. Gimme Gimme
4. Girl Gone Crazy
5. I'll Never Let You Go
6. Can't Stop me Loving' You
7. Drum/Guitar Solo
8. Rock n'Roll (I Just Wanna)
It was really nice seeing
how happy the late John Fowler looks during his drum solo. Chris
Risola's guitar solo is made up of a lot of finger tapping so prevalent
back in the 80s, which of course stemmed from Eddie Van Halen's influence.
Videos
"I'll Never let You Go" - was the first video I ever saw
from this band back when it was first shown. The first thing that
strikes you is the amazing dynamic range of Miljenko Matijevic. The
video is shot with color and black and white footage, which was somewhat
the norm at that time. The song is somewhat power pop ballad but
done with hard rock expertise. The background of the footage looks
like Utah or Arizona which brings some natural beauty.
"Can't Stop me Loving' You" - Chris Risola's opening riff is
pretty nasty and John Fowler's drums come in big. I really like the
way this tune is mixed with the guitar alternating between power and
softness. Matijevic is a powerhouse as he always is. When he
sings the lower parts it just makes those high notes stand out ever more.
"She's Gone" - is a tender ballad with peaks and valley of
emotion. The footage alternates between the band in performing in a
studio and live footage. I swear I don't think anyone has ever
hit the extreme high notes that Miljenko reaches towards the end of this
song. Wow!
"Everybody Loves Eileen" - we see the Steelheart semi-truck
rolling across the country as these guys were making their mark in the
industry. It most have been a very exciting time for them.
"Sticky Side Up" - the main riff is out of Eddie Van Halen's bag
of tricks and the main chorus makes this song fun. I like the part
of the song where the band slows down and puts you in a real rocking
groove.
"Wait" - Miljenko Matijevic plays the piano in this black and
white video. He looks much different and the song has backing
female vocals and soft percussive elements. Matijevic's singing is as impressive
as ever.
Acoustic Shows - the
band eases down from the explosive electric distortion side.
1. She's Gone
2. Sheila
3. Mama Don't You Cry
4. Electric Chair
5. Shangrita
Disc Two
Bootleg Concert:
Toad's Place '91
A homecoming show in New Haven, Connecticut where the boys thrill
their home town. I like how at the beginning of the show we go
Backstage to see what the band does entering the venue and how they get
ready to perform. It's something every fan is probably curious about
and now you can experience it here. Then the band plays out seven
songs from their catalog. I really dug the bluesy "Instrumental
Jam" though the band sharing a bottle of whiskey was kind of funny to
tell you the truth.
Extras
Are loaded with 12 chapters made up of live TV show performances, The
Making of "Everybody Loves Eileen" and Alternate Version of
"She's Gone." You will get to see who the band was before
Steelheart. There's a Photo Gallery, three different Interviews
conducted in London '90, New Haven '91 and Hollywood '92. Also The
Making of "Tangled In Reins," also the band doing a
Soundcheck. One of
the most amazing things on the DVD which I've always been curious of
seeing since reading about it was The Accident in Denver, which is
amazingly here. I don't think the band could be more complete with
222 minutes jammed on these DVDs.
I have to apologize to
Miljenko and Angela for taking so darn long to get this review up.
This packed 2-DVD deserves to be seen and experienced and I wish I could
have got it up sooner.
STEELHEART Still Hard is a labor of love I enthusiastically
recommend you getting at www.Steelheart.com
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