Brent Corrigan Free Ideo

WET - "WET" (2009, Frontiers)

And here we are on time with the last live review of Mr. Big, the explosive "Back To Budokan" album celebrating the long-awaited reunion (published by Neapolitan Frontiers, now very active in the field of rock classic). There is little to add than what has been said in the review of "Lean Into It" for news and trivia. Bassist Billy Sheehan in an interview with Metal Maniac told how the band wanted to wait for the right time for getting together, making it in the only moment in which they were pressed by the majors. The ancient rifts between group members could rekindle the old fires led to the dissolution of the original (with Paul Gilbert to six strings) if this reunion was not born as naturally as possible. The disc you have (or have) in my hands is the result of informal jam session which was attended by other musicians, including Richie Kotzen, who replaced Gilbert, dinners and face to face to discuss the future of "Mr. Great. It will be that now the water has passed under the bridge, it will be that the four were completed in the meantime, it will be whatever you want, the result is a spectacular live performance and choice of the lineup. Registered in Budokan in Tokyo that he had seen their last performance, this return is not totally perfect, but only because Mr. Big showed nothing more than a show spontaneous and genuine, without overdubs: there is music, the public and there is enough. Do not take the small imperfections (actually very few) as an excuse to 'downgrade' the disk, but as the humility to present to the public for what it is.

The classics are all there, spread to two long CD, and there's even a blazing beacon of hope for the future, that every fan will appreciate of course: two new songs offered both in live and studio version. "Hold Your Head Up" is modern, yet reminiscent of the past with his riff very Van Halen and his chorus very original stadium. If you are part of the hardcore bigots who do not appreciate the freshness of composition, do not worry, for you there is "Next Time Around", a classic to say the least and that leaves promise sparks in the case of a new studio album (Sheehan said after the conclusion of the tour will see how to proceed). As for the rest of the songs live, there will be spoiled for choice: take a look at the end of review for the full tracklist.

are also the classic 'only spots' where Billy Sheehan, Pat Torpey and Paul Gilbert performing in all their monstrous talent. Stumble especially the drum solo of Torpey: it's amazing how it can carry an absurd pace with his legs, another even more absurd with his arms and sing well above! Just crazy. Not that the bass and guitar solos are of lesser stature, but the ability to Sheehan and Gilbert are certainly more ... 'Result', grant me the expression. Also noteworthy is a cover of "Baba O'Riley" (the Who) much over the top. A spectacular live that returns of Mr. Big in great shape and suggests promising future developments: what more do you want?
Tracklist: CD 1

01 - Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
02 - Take Cover
03 - Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
04 - Alive And Kickin'
05 - Next Time Around
06 - Hold Your Head Up
07 - Just Take My Heart
08 – Temperamental
09 - It's For You – Mars
10 – Pat Torpey Drum Solo
11 – Price You Gotta Pay
12 – Stay Together
13 – Wild World
14 – Goin' Where The Wind Blows
15 – Take A Walk

CD 2
01 – Paul Gilbert Guitar Solo
02 – Paul Gilbert & Billy Sheean Duo
03 – Double Human Capo
04 – The Whole World's Gonna Know
05 – Promise Her The Moon
06 – Rock & Roll Over
07 – Billy Sheehan Bass Solo
08 – Addicted To That Rush
(Encore 1)
09 – Introducing The Band
10 – To Be With You
11 – Colorado Bulldog
(Encore 2)
12 – Smoke On The Water
13 – I Love You Japan
14 – Baba O'Riley
15 – Shy Boy
Bonus Tracks:
16 – Next Time Around (Studio version)
17 – Hold Your Head Up (Studio version)
18 – To Be With You (Acoustic version)