Night Ranger – 35 Years And A Night In Chicago 2CD+DVD (Out 2 Dec via Frontiers)

Recorded May 7th, 2016 at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois, this live album celebrated Night Ranger’s 35th anniversary and what a pleasure it is too.

The American hard rock band have had many ups and downs, some hits (notably Sister Christian in the late 80s), several line-up changes and a break and reformation too.

From the outset there’s a full sound, keyboards and two guitars, and it’s polished hard rock that is too heavy for AOR but the smoothness nods that way.

Well recorded, the balance of the individuals with the vocals is perfect, the guitars sing through well and the crowd response and general sound mixed in well. Tracks like ‘Four In The Morning’ have hard rock radio airplay stamped all over them.

Jack Blades and Brad Gillis sound as good as ever, and if you’re any kind of rock fan you’ll love this. Even if you’re not a Night Ranger fan it’s a good listen because the set-list is varied, the music mixes hard rock and heavy metal while remaining polished and easily accessible. Some inter-song banter always helps on a live set and there’s some here too.

The DVD (not available for review) features an extra track, and the set both audio and video features a new song. The second encore, including another new song, was apparently not included as it will be used for a forthcoming release.

Even so, it’s a good record and good music all round. 8/10

Joe Gessin

NIGHT RANGER
Jack Blades – bass and vocals
Brad Gillis – guitars
Kelly Keagy – drums and vocals
Eric Levy – keyboards
Keri Kelly – guitars

Disc: 1

1. Intro

2. Touch Of Madness

3. Sing Me Away

4. Four In The Morning

5. Growin’ Up In California

6. Rumors In The Air

7. The Secret Of My Success

8. Sentimental Street

9. High Road

10. Eddie s Comin Out Tonight

Disc: 2

1. Goodbye

2. Night & Day

3. Night Ranger

4. When You Close Your Eyes

5. Don’t Tell Me You Love Me

6. Penny

7. Sister Christian

8. Rock In America

Disc: 3

1. Intro (DVD)

2. Touch Of Madness (DVD)

3. Sing Me Away (DVD)

4. Four In The Morning (DVD)

5. Growin’ Up In California (DVD)

6. Rumors In The Air (DVD)

7. The Secret Of My Success (DVD)

8. Sentimental Street (DVD)

9. High Road (DVD)

10. Eddie s Comin Out Tonight (DVD)

11. Goodbye (DVD)

12. Night & Day (DVD)

13. Night Ranger (DVD)

14. When You Close Your Eyes (DVD)

15. Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (DVD)

16. Penny (DVD)

17. Sister Christian (DVD)

18. Rock In America (DVD)

19. Seven Wishes (DVD)