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Re-working your material can produce interesting, but not always successful results. Pat Leonard, who worked on this album, also worked with Bon Jovi on their 2003 album This Left Feels Right. That album is good example of how the re-working process can go terribly, terribly wrong. They took away everything that was good about the songs. Unplugged was a success because, even though the songs were changed, BA kept the strongest part of them: the melody. At a live show, I’d choose the original versions over the Unplugged versions any day, but within the context of the unplugged concert, these versions are fantastic. Whoever decided to invite Davy Spillane to play on this album is a genius. His Irish whistle and flutes add a whole new depth to these songs we’ve heard so many times before. “When You Love Someone” would have made an excellent single. I reckon they didn’t release it (and this is pure speculation) because Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” was everywhere at the time, and the public wouldn’t have taken too warmly to another ballad that begins with Irish pipes. Keith really gets to show off his versatility on this album, particularly on “Fits Ya Good”, “I Think About You” and the “Blues Jam”. In fact, that’s one of the main strengths of this album, the versatility; from acoustic rock, to ballads, to country, to blues. The string quartet version of “18 Til I Die” certainly is an acquired taste. The start of it may sound like a theme appropriate for the 10 o’clock news, but the violin solo is simply stunning. The enthusiasm from the audience makes this concert even more of a special night, resulting in an album that is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Key Tracks: | |||||
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© 2008 18 Til I Die.co.uk.
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