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Nugent, Ted: Motor City Mayhem

I love Uncle Ted as much as the next guy but I am wondering if we really needed yet another live concert album to be the follow up to his last release which was of course another live recording called Sweden Rocks. I am starting to think that Uncle Ted is vying for the record that is currently held by KISS and Iron Maiden in terms of live concert releases because at this rate he is really coming close. That being said, the July 4th 2008 concert that is presented here on two CD's is actually a special one because it marks Uncle Ted's 6000th show according to his calculations. Anyone whose ever listened to a live Nugent album knows full well that they are a hoot in terms of their entertaining banter and often a kick ass time in terms of the music that's being executed. Ted is a legend and while I am wondering how he managed to keep track of 6000 shows, I surely think he deserves kudos for always striving to give the audience his best.

The outspoken guitarist delivers this rousing release with the help of "Wild" Mick Brown on drums and Greg Smith on bass. The last time around for Sweden Rocks, the bass was handled by Barry Sparks who along with Brown also do double duty in Dokken. Don't worry though, Greg Smith is a great bass player as well and really holds the rhythm section of the band in place while our favorite uncle does his thing with both a focused and reckless abandon. Ted talks up a storm as one would normally expect during his shows and as a result this comes with a "Parental Advisory" sticker for you younger fans whose ears are not used to such banter. Of course, Ted talks at a three mile a minute pace and it will be really hard to catch the expletives unless you are really listening for them. Marking the special nature of the show Mr. Nugent has assembled a worthy list of guest stars which begins with his own guitar instructor Joe Podorsek whom he plays "Honky Tonk" with. We're also treated to the drumming expertise of Johnny "Bee" Badanjek from Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels for "Jenny Take A Ride" and as an immediate blast to his own storied past we find the reunion of Ted and guitarist Derek St. Holmes who does three numbers alongside him once again. The full show is a cornucopia of classic Nuge and also some of his more recent stuff from albums like "Love Grenade" but the core of it comes from the classics of yore.

This is of course coming out on a full concert DVD film and that's what makes owning the CD something solely for the Nugent maniacs who have to own every single release for their library. The casual fan might enjoy this had they no other live recordings from the guitarist but if you are one of those who must decide between CD or DVD I would lean personally toward to film since the reunions and guest stars are so much more fun when seen rather than only heard. One day I hope that Eagle Rock will come to their senses and include these CD's as the bonus content for the DVD releases. We are in tough economic times and music is not suffering any less as a result. Congrats on show #6000 Uncle Ted, may you have another 6000 to look forward to.


Track Listing:

  1. Ted Nugent Intro
  2. Star Spangled Banner
  3. Motor City Madhouse
  4. Wango Tango
  5. Free For All
  6. Stormtroopin'
  7. Dog Eat Dog
  8. Need You Bad
  9. Weekend Warrior
  10. Love Grenade
  11. Honky Tonk
  12. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
  13. Bo Diddley/Lay With Me
  14. Baby Please Don't Go
  15. Geronimo And Me
  16. Jenny Take A Ride
  17. Soul Man
  18. Hey Baby
  19. Cat Scratch Fever
  20. Stranglehold
  21. Great White Buffalo
  22. Fred Bear
  23. Outro

Added: September 21st 2009
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2579
Language: english

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Nugent, Ted: Motor City Mayhem
Posted by Butch Jones, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-09-21 08:03:17
My Score:

What can I say about "Uncle" Ted Nugent that the man wouldn't tell you himself?! At 60 years old, The Nuge is rockin' harder than he has in years and this double live CD is a testament to that. Nugent's latest live record, "Motor City Mayhem" (Eagle Rock Entertainment) is a captured live statement from July 4th, 2008 and a mark on Nugent history, celebrating his 6,000th live show. YES, I did say 6,000!!! This CD features his band of Greg Smith on bass and "Wild" Mick Brown (of Dokken) on the drums, and this lineup just shreds through everything in Nugent's large catalog of tunes, from classic Blues songs to Nugent classic's, old and new.

"Motor City Mayhem" contains 23 tracks of Nugent antics and they find him in top form both vocally and in guitar hero form. From the opening intro of "Uncle" Ted talking to the Detroit crowd and getting them pumped up to Nugent-esque levels, you can feel the energy in this super human 60 year old. Nugent romps through classic's like "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang", "Wango Tango", "Free For All", my favorite Nuge song "Stormtroopin'", "Cat Scratch Fever", "Great White Buffalo", to newer favorites like "Fred Bear" and "Love Grenade" and they all have so much energy and life. The band just nails it on this performance. They sound mean, lean and hungry. And for a guy that is celebrating his 6,000th concert, this is an amazing feat. Nugent also runs through R&B/Soul classics like "Bo Diddley", "Soul Man" and "Baby Please Don't Go". He even brings long time singer, Derek St. Holmes out to sing a couple of classics. Nugent has always been true to his roots and you have to love that he still plays these songs in his live sets.

"Motor City Mayhem" is also a sonically pleasing record, very well mixed with the vocals jumping out and the guitar very much front and center as you figure from Nugent. Nugent's guitar tone is great and the rhythm section of Mick Brown and Greg Smith is tight as hell. At 60 years old, you would think that Ted Nugent would be slowing down. But it does not look that way and at his pace, I would expect him to do another 1,000 shows and have him celebrate his 7,000th show in the near future. And whether or not you agree with the man's politics' or not, the man is a Rock n Roll legend and this 2 disc live record shows a great piece of that R&R legend. God bless the Nuge, the man IS Rock N Roll.



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