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.AC/DC Rocks Are World
......AC/DC's is Pure Rock n Roll . And for the next two hours
at the Oakland Arena, AC/DC, which defies age, gravity, and other dimensions
once again conducted a clinic in their devotion to American blues as filtered
through massive stacks of Marshall amplifiers, and awesome stage props.
.......It was essentially the
same show the quintet has been giving for the last 20 years, when it assumed
arena-sized proportion on the heels of its biggest album, "Back in
Black." They delivered deeply satisfying blue-collar rock for the type
of guys who wear black T-shirts with Harley-Davidson logos, a mixture of
virtually every classic album track the band recorded in its 1975-80 heyday and
just enough recent material to suggest AC/DC at least entertains the notion of
moving forward, even if it never follows through.
.......Many of the riffs from
the new "Stiff Upper Lip" album sounded recycled from earlier
classics, but that didn't disappoint thier fans at this concert. While lead
singer Brian Johnson swung out wildly on a rope attached to an oversize
bell (during ''Hell's Bells''), which was lowered from the ceiling. All of
which suggested that it's time to give Johnson his props. Some people still
view him as being in the shadow of former AC/DC singer Bon Scott, please
its time to appreciate Johnson for what he can do, and leave the rest to
history. The chief focus, though, was again lead guitarist Angus Young;
he and brother Malcolm on rhythm guitar still provide arguably the best
one-two ax punch in the business. Angus steamrolled through one vintage riff
after another and often ran down a ramp to a satellite stage at the center of
the arena (a la the Rolling Stones and U2).
.......Curiously, the band
never played collectively on this B stage, but Angus frequently soloed there
and was on that spot during the thrashing ''Let There Be Rock'' when the
stage was hoisted above the crowd by a hydraulic lift. Hey, it was safer than
when Angus, in past visits, would hop a roadie's shoulders and try to fight his
way through the aisles while playing this song. But for the most part, the
concert was a reaffirmation of what AC/DC does best.
.....Funeral bells, pryo and
cannons overwhelm the fans, It may have been Young's show, but many of the
indelible riffs belonged to brother Malcolm Young, and his rhythm oil loosened
the joints of even rusty favorites such as "The Jack" and
"Whole Lotta Rosie." Malcolm Young and bassist Cliff
Williams stood with legs splayed, flanking drummer Phil Rudd. Here
is where the grind begins, a burst of guitar, Malcolm shading Angus or
vice-versa, then falling silent to let bass and drums do their work, before
rising again for the chorus. Then Malcolm Young and Williams would stride out
of the shadows to join Johnson in a unison shout of "Shot Down in
Flames," "T.N.T" or "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
- proof that simple pleasures, and bands that reliably provide them, should
never be taken for granted.
By Randy Cohen
........This is the Official Rock Publication Web Site
All photos and written material courtesy of Rock Publication
.Copyright © 2000
E-mail at
Rockpub@aol.com
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Members of the Band Are: !
Brian Johnson- Vocals
Angus Young
-Lead Guitar
Malcolm Young- Rhythm
Guitar
bassist Cliff Williams and Drummer-Phil Rudd
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