OT (kinda): NIGHT RANGER 7/28 REVIEW, RALEIGH, NC

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:35 am

Wow. What an amazing performance. I've seen Night Ranger at least 15-20 times since 1983, and this honestly has to rank in the top two or three. The atmosphere was electric...a great crowd, probably at least 2,000 all told.

First of all, I need to state that Jeff Watson was always my favourite member of Night Ranger...when I discovered he was out of the band, I was convinced they'd not be able to move on without him.

I was WRONG. Of course, Reb Beach, as one of the most unheralded MR guitarists in the world, was not going to turn in anything less than his best. Well, he was UNREAL. In all honesty, I can say he actually ADDED to the sound...the guys obviously gave him more flexibility and freedom, and the result was terrific. The guy can SHRED, and he was technically perfect...but he also added a sonic depth to the classic songs.

In hindsight, it is now apparent NR was going through the motions the last few years with Jeff. Brad, Kelly, and Jack obviously LOVE Reb - there was a genuine comraderie on stage that I hadn't seen from this band since the Neverland tour in 1997. Reb and Jack both jumped up on top of the amps, stage right, and banged their heads like pros. Reb, for his part, seemed to relish every minute of it...such a humble guy, too (he smiled and shhhed my friend and I when we recognized him during the sound check). My only complaint was that Brad's pickups weren't right for the first few songs, and he sounded kind of muted and a little too distored, until his tech corrected it after "Touch of Madness". Other than that, they were flawless. Chris is a great keyboardist, and even added a little flair of his own to "Sentimental Street" and "When You Close Your Eyes".

Here's the setlist:
This Boy Needs to Rock
Tell Your Vision
Touch of Madness
You Can Still Rock in America
Sing Me Away
Passion Play
"Na Na Na" Medley ("Walk On Water" by Eddie Money, Steam, "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" by Journey, "Hey Jude" by the Beatles)
When You Close Your Eyes
Don't Tell Me You Love Me
Highway to Hell (ACDC cover)
Sweet Home Alabama (Skynyrd cover)
The Secret of My Success
Sentimental Street
Four in the Morning
Seven Wishes
Rumours in the Air
Eddie's Coming Out Tonight
Sister Christian

An absolutely scorching set - they did "Street" the best way, staring out with Just Kelly and Chris, and then WHAM! the whole band for the second verse on. "Highway to Hell" was unbelievable - I'd never heard them do this song before. "Success", as always, was the one weak link, although the story Jack told about talking to Michael J. Fox was hysterical. "Rumours" and "Eddie" never sounded better, owing, I believe, to the addition of Reb.

Jack was his usual self, running around like a 19-year-old, playing his ass off (when he actually played), hamming it up with the crowd...he was happier than he has been in many years, and it showed. He may well be the most under-rated frontman of all time. Kelly was pitch-perfect and powerful...he managed to re-tune his damaged snare while playing the intro to "Seven Wishes" without missing a beat, and even sang and played while fine-tuning it with his LEFT HAND...geez. Brad was his usual shredding self, and also seemed to be having the time of his life.

Well, forgive the gushing accolades...don't miss these guys if they're anywhere NEAR you. Can't wait to see them again in South Bend, and I'm going to make the drive to Knoxville, TN, in September, as well.

9 1/2 out of 10

by **larryfromnextdoor** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:19 pm

great review!! i am a jeff watson fan myself.. and it doesnt seen the same without him,, but REB B.!!!! that cat is out of this world good.. hes top of the line.. Brad Gillis is a man for allowing this.. Brad is fantastic , but to let another icon join his band takes guts.. i listened to Brad on Ozzys live cd the other day , what was it.. '83.. i cant believe he is that good.. ....

the only complaint for this tour .. as a fan .. would be.....to add "Forever All Over Again".. and "Last chance" from Mojo.. but when bands get back together.. they never want to play the "other" songs....

by **Saint John** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:32 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BIUig2C ... ed&search=

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:34 pm

"As Always I Remain"...best NR song ever. They only played that once, in 1997.

by AR » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:44 pm

Night Ranger is a cool band. They never disappoint live. Not a fan of the new CD, but I'd go see them anytime they are nearby.

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:57 pm

Yeah, I still don't get "Hole in the Sun". I didn't have the heart to tell Jack that after the show, because he was beaming about it.

by **kgdjpubs** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:01 pm

yup...pretty good show, even if the scheduling was a bit screwed up. They were supposed to go on at 9:00, but the previous band didn't leave until 9, then a 30 minute change, leaving just 1:30 for Night Ranger to play before curfew.

Here's the setlist in order....
This Boy Needs to Rock
Tell Your Vision
Sing Me Away
Touch of Madness
Rumors in the Air
Seven Wishes
Secret of My Success
"Na Na Song" -- including a line or two of LTS!
Keyboard solo --> Sentimental Street
Eddie's Coming Out Tonight
Highway to Hell (Jack Blades vocal)
Sweet Home Alambama (only through first chorus, Kelly Keagy vocal)
Four in the morning
When You Close Your Eyes
Don't Tell Me You Love Me

ENCORE
Sister Christian

no You Can Still Rock in America. Still a good show with typical North Carolina summer weather. Thankfully no rain though--that had already happened earlier. Not bad for a free concert...

by **G.I.Jim** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:28 pm

Saint John wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BIUig2Cs9I&mode=related&search=

Thanks for the clip SJ! I enjoyed it, but I have to say I'm extremely disappointed in Beach! I've always been a huge fan, but honestly on this song, his solo sucked-ass!!! JMHO! didn't listen to any other clips from the show, but hopefully it was just the one song! :shock:

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:32 pm

They did play "America", but I think you got the order correct...I was doing it from memory after the show.

by **NealIsGod** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:53 pm

I need a boot of this tour.

Hey, I am Certifiably Insane! Who's next?

by **Just Mindy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:00 pm

Certifiably Insane? Congratulations, it's finally in writing. :lol:

by **NealIsGod** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:12 pm

Just Mindy wrote:Certifiably Insane? Congratulations, it's finally in writing.

Yup, very exclusive club. Just Deano and me.

by **JH'sTXfan** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:23 pm

NealIsGod wrote:
Just Mindy wrote:Certifiably Insane? Congratulations, it's finally in writing.

Yup, very exclusive club. Just Deano and me.

Congratulations Niggy. No one who's Certifiably Insane should have to change their screen name. :lol:

by **Eric** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:13 pm

Whats with all the frickin covers?????

by **brywool** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:32 am

Night Ranger's cool. I still prefer Jack with Tommy Shaw or Damn Yankees, but Night Ranger is great friggin' band. I FINALLY got 7 the other day. Used to have a crappy cassette, but got it from Itunes. That's got some cool songs on it.

Dang, looking at that clip I think Jack's even shorter than Tommy Shaw. Holy cow!

Do you guys like the new album? Haven't heard it yet.

by **RedWingFan** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:30 am

brywool wrote:Night Ranger's cool. Do you guys like the new album? Haven't heard it yet.

I love it! Only song I don't really care for is "Rockstar" it's not so bad that I skip over it either. Great CD.

by **Pelata** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:41 am

I saw NR in 1999, and I still think it was one of the BEST shows I've ever seen!

That YouTube clip there is great!

by **Liam** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:23 am

NealIsGod wrote:
Hey, I am Certifiably Insane! Who's next?

I think Joe's next then Dave (PC) then me. I'm workin' on it anyway. :lol:

by **conversationpc** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:41 am

Liam wrote:
NealIsGod wrote:
Hey, I am Certifiably Insane! Who's next?

I think Joe's next then Dave (PC) then me. I'm workin' on it anyway.

I bought my ticket to that destination long ago... :lol:

MR

OT (kinda): NIGHT RANGER 7/28 REVIEW, RALEIGH, NC

OT (kinda): NIGHT RANGER 7/28 REVIEW, RALEIGH, NC

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