Guitarist Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar legend who should see more acclaim than he currently receives. Presently, with 14 CDs (including KNIGHTS LIVE) under his belt and his past work with Germany's Steeler, he deserves emplacement among numerous six-string heroes including Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, MSG) and countless others. KNIGHTS LIVE, the second live recording from Axel Rudi Pell, is a celebration of his long career and this 2- CD set includes many shining moments with nearly 110 minutes of music.
Recorded during May of 2002 in Bochum, Germany, this recording focuses on material from SHADOW ZONE (2002), THE MASQUERADE BALL (2000) OCEANS OF TIME (1998), MAGIC (1997), BLACK MOON PYRAMID (1996), BETWEEN THE WALLS (1994) NASTY REPUTATION (1991) and WILD OBSESSION (1989). As you can see most of his releases are represented within. Pell pulled one or two songs from each aforementioned recording for KNIGHTS LIVE, which has numerous strong moments, and it's a superb live recording overall. It's exceptionally hilarious when vocalist Johnny Gioeli closes 'The Clown Is Dead' with the lines “And She's Buying A Stairway To Bochum” in Led Zeppelin fashion.
The crowd is generally very enthusiastic and receptive to the performance and as Bochum is Pell's hometown they naturally should be enthralled by the concert. However unless you are a diehard enthusiast (I would call myself a casual fan) you will be better off with one of the many Axel Rudi Pell studio efforts. His music is definitely worth seeking out if you are an Axel Rudi Pell rookie and If you are professional Axel Rudi Pell fan you might also find yourself interested in the 2-DVD version titled KNIGHTS TREASURES. KNIGHTS LIVE shows Axel Rudi Pell and company blasting through exceptionally heavy versions of 'Nasty Reputation', 'Follow The Sign' and 'Snake Eyes'. I like the material, production, packaging (with the exception of the pixilated band photos in the liner notes) and everything about this CD, but being a live recording it's really not intended for everyone.
Tracklist
CD One
1. Edge Of The World
2. Nasty Reputation
3. Tear Down The Walls
4. Medley Masquerade Ball / Casbah / Drum Solo / Stargazer / Casbah
5. Follow The Sign (Incl. Band Introduction)
6. Fool Fool
CD Two
1. Carousel (Incl. Keyboard Solo)
2. The Clown Is Dead
3. Call Her Princess
4. Snake Eyes
5. Warrior
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