Sadly, there's been very little vintage footage of the Pat Travers Band until now. With the release of this smokin' set Live-Hooked On Music from 1976 in Germany, fans who have clamored for footage of the Canadian guitar hero at the beginning of his career need wait no longer. Shot in what looks to be in a large TV studio with a roomy stage in front of a small audience, the band, which includes Travers on guitar & vocals, bassist Peter "Mars" Cowling, and future Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, tears through songs from their fairly new debut self-titled album and soon to be released Makin' Magic. Tunes that would become staples in the band's live set over the years, like "Hooked On Music", "Makes No Difference", "Rock and Roll Susie", and "Stop and Smile" are played with a ferocious and funky energy by the trio, yet their soon to be legendary rendition of "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" on their first live album is given a fairly tame and bluesy feel here, as it had yet to develop into the crowd pleaser it would become. Pat's thick tone and array of effects, including wah-wah, phaser, and chorus, give him a larger than life sound in this set, as he bridges the gap between hard rock, blues, and funk quite easily, placing him alongside other guitar heroes of the time like Frank Marino, Robin Trower, Rory Gallagher, and Rick Derringer. Soundwise, this DVD is fantastic, so be prepared to crank your TV up and rock out with the show, and the picture quality and camera angles are excellent considering the era this came from.
Simply put, a great live document from a stellar band. Once the set ends at one hour, you'll wish for more, which is the only drawback along with a lack of any bonus features.
Get out your air guitars folks...
Track Listing
1) As My Life Flies
2) Stop and Smile
3) Hooked On Music
4) Feelin' Right
5) Need Love
6) You Don't Love Me
7) Statesboro Blues
8) Medley 1 & 2
9) Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)
10) Rock and Roll Susie
11) Makes No Difference
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