On November 28th, 1980 at the Kleine Westfalehalle in Dortmund, Germany the studio and television audience received a special treat as one of the unheralded guitarist in the history of rock and roll came a calling. Using a finger and thumb pick style to create his own unique sound, John Cipollina along with Nick Gravenites rocked the house on this date with their brand of blues based rock and roll.
Cipollina is best know as one of the founders of the band Quicksilver Messenger Service. Nick Gravenites originally from Chicago headed to the west coast of America and helped to shape the sound of bands like Electric Flag and later he joined the backing band of Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company. When these two combined, the music produced was a terrific dose of old time rock and roll that will bring back memories of the classic era from which they emerged.
It doesn't matter if they are playing timeless blues like "Bad Luck Baby" or "I'll Pull The Trigger", giving a blast of rock and roll such as "Hot Rods And Cool Women" or even a searing instrument like "Unvicious Circle", these guys are a serious boogie band that had a very good time delivering the goods on stage. This disc proves that and is just a lot of fun while reminiscing with a bunch of cool music that is probably going to be new to all but the most devoted fans.
If you are one of those fans, this is a must have DVD. If you are not then this is a great place to see what you have been missing. Just to have the chance to see Cipollina perform the slide guitar on "Signs Of Life" and "Buried Alive In The Blues" is worth the price of this disc. By the time they get to the album closer, the classic "Who Do You Love" you will be familiar enough with John's unique abilities that you will not be taken totally by surprise with his captivating finale.
Sadly, John Cipollina is no longer with us. He died in 1989 after a life long battle with chronic emphysema. He is missed for sure but at least for the hour and half that this DVD plays you will get a chance to revel in the music that he created and which we all can enjoy.
The bonus material on this disc is an interview with Nick Gravenites mixed with various clips of the band. The clips are well worth checking out, especially the slide guitar work of Cipollina.
Track listing:
1. Southside
2. Junkyard In Malibu
3. Signs Of Life
4. Unvicious Circle
5. My Party
6. Trust Me
7. Small Walking Box
8. Pride Of Man
9. Bad Luck Baby
10. Hot Rods And Cool Women
11. I'll Pull the Trigger
12. Keep On Running
13. Buried Alive In The Blues
14. Who Do You Love
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