Ridgefield, WA - Media Review Quotes

By Robert Ham

By contrast, co-headliner Def Leppard's set seemed downright minimalist. There were small video screens flanking the stage and a larger display set up behind the band, but beyond that, it was just five men doing what they do best.

Like Kiss, though, the Sheffield, England-based glam metal outfit took no chances, sticking to the hits from their '80s and '90s heyday. And without the frills of a stage show like their tourmates', the unfortunate flaws in their performance were far more apparent.

Age is catching up with the band. Singer Joe Elliott can't hit the high notes that he once could with ease, forcing his bandmates to drown him out with harmonies. Drummer Rick Allen showed some obvious strain to keep up the demands of an hour-long set, even during his big midset solo.

By Oregon Live 2014.

Read the full review at - oregonlive.com

By Drew

After pumping the crowd back up with “Let’s Get Rocked” the band gave drummer Rick Allen a bit of a break as singer Joe Elliott brought out an acoustic guitar, as did Collen and guitarist Vivian Campbell for “Two Steps Behind.” The acoustics continued with another female favorite “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” but halfway through Allen came back and the electric guitars roared to life for a rousing finish to the song.

Sure, it’s true Elliott no longer can hit the high notes but it’s not as if he’s straining to reach them and cracks out. Instead, he knows his limits and stops there. His lower registered vocals actually give a new dimension to the songs that you’d expect from a live performance anyway. When he’s not wailing, it’s classic Elliott, like on “Photograph” he sounds just fine live. Overall, these veterans of the stage play tight and the interplay between Collen and Campbell is great to watch.

Def Leppard is not known for long blistering solos but instead short and melodic and sometimes more than one solo per song that both guitarists trade off on and even play together. Campbell who is fighting a return of his Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which went into remission last year, played great and showed no ill effects of the disease.

By drewsreview 2014.

Read the full review/5 photos at - drewsreview.wordpress.com

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