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Mr. Big: Live From The Living Room
Mr. Big: Live From The Living Room
Melodic Hard Rock
4.5/5.0
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Frontiers Records
by Craig Hartranft, 02.13.2012
On the heels of the success of their reunion album, 2011's What If, especially in Japan, Mr. Big was invited to record a live session in WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo. The band chose a more intimate style, doing a mostly acoustic set for Live from the Living Room. (The station created a faux living room set: see photo below.)
Above, Mr. Big: playing live in the living room.
While clearly displaying Mr. Big's individual and collective talents, Live from the Living Room also demonstrates how important melody and strong vocal harmonies are important to any song/music no matter what the genre. Whether it's their classic To Be With You or others like As Far As I Can See and Stranger In My Life, these songs prove Mr. Big's knack for this important element in the song. A second notable thing about this recording is how good Paul Gilbert really is: the acoustic guitar work is a lively as it is inspired. You also get a sense of how blues influenced the band while listening to Voodoo Kiss.
Live from the Living Room, as mentioned, is largely acoustic. But the band does get electric, with the closing number Nobody Left to Blame quite rousing. The band also had string quintet, with arrangements provided by Takashi Miyazaki, to enhance the atmosphere. Overall, Live from the Living Room is a rather impressive, well-played, and entertaining live set. Quite recommended.
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In Short
Mr. Big's, largely acoustic, Live from the Living Room is a rather impressive, well-played, and entertaining live set.
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