Guns Rose to Occasion - NY Daily News review

[GypsySoul]

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
GUNS ROSE TO OCCASION

Tuesday, May 16th, 2006

Someone must have given Axl Rose a personality transplant.

At a rare Guns N' Roses show at Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, rock's most celebrated loon often acted like the perfect gentleman. He smiled broadly, cracked jokes, thanked the crowd incessantly and even saluted his mom for Mother's Day.

He did not, however, change his famously tardy ways. Seventy-five minutes past the stated start time, the band took the stage at 11 p.m. With a 2 1/2-hour show, that meant fans didn't go home until after 1 a.m., leaving them necessarily bleary-eyed the next day.

On that level, Rose conformed to his old operating principle, which is the opposite of Jesus' "We must suffer for His sins."

Few in the crowd could complain, however, given the punch, vim and authority of this performance. (A final show takes place tomorrow, then the band heads off for some Euro dates.) Though Rose remains the sole original member of the band, the show recalled GNR's prime, packed with expert solos, a churning rhythm section and Axl in (largely) fine yowl.

Fans had reason to doubt things would end so happily. The band had previously toured only once in more than a decade. That stint, in 2002, ended, inexplicably, after Rose didn't show for a Philly date, sparking a riot.

Consider, too, that Rose hasn't put out an album of new material in 15 years. And every time he claims a release date for his work in progress ("Chinese Democracy"), it never seems to show. It's the Big Foot of CDs. Rose's latest claim is that it will arrive in December.

We'll see.

Sunday's show featured several songs from "Democracy," but they earned little audience response. Mostly, the band dutifully twisted to the oldies and did so with verve. The three guitarists traded solos with aplomb.

Rose himself did a credible version of his old serpentine dance, though he's got less swivel in the hips. The now meatier, 44-year-old Rose looks like Gregg Allman with Bo Derek's hair. But his energy made up for some loss in finesse.

Otherwise, the show was largely about re-creation rather than reinvention. With much of the material drawn from the band's debut "Appetite for Destruction," they were partying like it was 1987.

If that meant the show ended up an exercise in nostalgia, at least it was a rare brand. Most in the crowd probably hadn't seen Rose in over a decade. Many probably never had at all and, surely, not in a theater this cozy. For their wait, Rose and company exuded plenty of old-time rock star charisma and showcased a catalogue still worth celebrating.

[kunzerd]

everyone keeps saying he was late. how are they determining when he should go on?

i wasnt even expecting him until 11 anyway, so i was happy to see him take the stage promptly at that time.

also, new songs rarely keep the crowd moving at any show for any band. they dont point this out in other concert reviews for other bands, but its been mentioned in every single review for gnr.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Huh???  Does Bo Derek have corn-rowed braids?  Sometimes I wonder if these people (the reviewers) even go to the shows.  Plus, on the "crowd not being into the new songs," do they really expect to see the majority of fans jumping up and down over songs they've never heard??  Plus, don't get me started on the Axl-bashers, let's just say they'll have a nice little e-mail in their boxes later.    

I said it b4, I'll say it again, this is an amazing band.  I am so psyched for Chinese Democracy.  We will hear some incredible stuff.  TWAT intro.       

[axlroses]

Whenever I hear a reviewer say that fans aren't going crazy for the new material I think of a Robert Plant quote.  He was asked what it was like when they first played Stairway to Heaven and he said most people started screaming for Whole Lotta Love.  The new material has to grow on people.

[JDA]

Why do all the reviews have to mention his weight?  Personally, I think he was too skinny in old GN'R days.  I think he looks awsome so far at the shows.

[kunzerd]

Why do all the reviews have to mention his weight?? Personally, I think he was too skinny in old GN'R days.? I think he looks awsome so far at the shows.

thought he looked better now than in 02.

actualy looks like he slimmed down A LOT. to almost AFD days.

[Hatts]

Gosh the interviews start off good but than they have to fuck it up with saying dumb shit.  The concert rocked.  The new songs rocked.




Hatts

[Axlfreek]

i don't think axl has gained any weight, is it me or does he look normal ?

[Jimmy?]

i don't think axl has gained any weight, is it me or does he look normal ?

from the pictures he looks quite toned. they can't say anything bad about the performance so they say he's overweight! its a trademark media move?

[slashisvr]

bring on london, the 'serpinteie' dance rules cant wait to see it in the flesh

[zwgman]

Huh???  Does Bo Derek have corn-rowed braids?  Sometimes I wonder if these people (the reviewers) even go to the shows.  Plus, on the "crowd not being into the new songs," do they really expect to see the majority of fans jumping up and down over songs they've never heard??  Plus, don't get me started on the Axl-bashers, let's just say they'll have a nice little e-mail in their boxes later.    

I said it b4, I'll say it again, this is an amazing band.  I am so psyched for Chinese Democracy.  We will hear some incredible stuff.  TWAT intro.       

Bo Derek rose to fame in the movie "10" wearing corn row braids.

[.Seal]

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
GUNS ROSE TO OCCASION
Consider, too, that Rose hasn't put out an album of new material in 15 years. And every time he claims a release date for his work in progress ("Chinese Democracy"), it never seems to show. It's the Big Foot of CDs. Rose's latest claim is that it will arrive in December.

Ermmm do they know how to count? 1993 + 15 years = 2008  OMG I'm 2 years behind!

[GunnerOne 84]

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
GUNS ROSE TO OCCASION
Consider, too, that Rose hasn't put out an album of new material in 15 years. And every time he claims a release date for his work in progress ("Chinese Democracy"), it never seems to show. It's the Big Foot of CDs. Rose's latest claim is that it will arrive in December.

Ermmm do they know how to count? 1993 + 15 years = 2008  OMG I'm 2 years behind!

Correct me if I am wrong, But TSI? was not NEW material. The last Guns album of new material were the illusions. in 1991. 1991+15=............2006.

[.Seal]

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
GUNS ROSE TO OCCASION
Consider, too, that Rose hasn't put out an album of new material in 15 years. And every time he claims a release date for his work in progress ("Chinese Democracy"), it never seems to show. It's the Big Foot of CDs. Rose's latest claim is that it will arrive in December.

Ermmm do they know how to count? 1993 + 15 years = 2008  OMG I'm 2 years behind!

Correct me if I am wrong, But TSI? was not NEW material. The last Guns album of new material were the illusions. in 1991. 1991+15=............2006.

Well yeah.. I was only thinking about the album part 

[carlosmontana]

The now meatier, 44-year-old Rose looks like Gregg Allman with Bo Derek's hair.

could be worse....
bo diddley with robert altmans hair

[greekmule]

And every time he claims a release date for his work in progress ("Chinese Democracy"), it never seems to show. It's the Big Foot of CDs. Rose's latest claim is that it will arrive in December.

did axl actually say this?

last thing i heard was fall

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

show featured several songs from "Democracy," but they earned little audience response.

very true.

[GnR-NOW]

how can anyone expect a major response though.  i thought when they played the new songs the energy was good, considering we were actually trying to listen to the song.  when they play jungle, scom, or pc ... everyone knows the words, the sound , everything so you can dance, sing along and not miss out because you know whats coming.  with the new songs not everyone has heard them, they are not on any cd, they are not played on the radio, not everyone at the concert probably heard them... so im getting the impression that in these reviews they are mistaking the fans low enthusiam for curiousity for hearing new material.  personally i thought the new songs sounded great on monday.  CD surprised the hell out of me with how good it was

[hammerstein2006]

the appearance focusing aside, i'm lovin' all these good reviews!

[moondance_1]

always with the damn weight,He looks great,filled out & buff like a guy should be. not a bony little thing,he looks like he could lay a guy out with one punch now.    and Yah,sounds great,and still charasmatic as hell.