NELSON – Perfect Storm, After The Rain World Tour ’91
In addition to the brand new studio album ‘Lightning Strikes Twice’ and the demo collection ‘Before The Rain’, NELSON has also issued their first live album, titled “Perfect Storm: After the Rain World Tour 1991”
“Perfect Storm” is like a time capsule, capturing the band at the very height of their popularity.
NELSON’s Live line-up was even overqualified for the job.
With some incredible virtuoso musicians such as Bobby Rock on drums, Brett Garsed on guitar, Paul Mirkovich on Keys and vocals and the addition of Joey Cathcart on vocals and second lead guitar, what you got was 4 part harmony, stellar musicianship, veteran showmanship, twin frontmen, and most importantly – great songs.
Nelson played venues ranging in size from 1,200 to 60,000 seats between 1990-1992 from New York to Tokyo, sharing the stage with some great other bands and had some great openers, including House Of Lords, Tyketto, Enuff Z’nuff, Cinderella and Lynch Mob.
Since Nelson only had one album out at the time, this recording is loaded with songs from ‘After The Rain’, including mega-hits “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection”, “Time Will Tell” and “After The Rain.”
There are also amazing instrumental tracks from Brett Garsed and Bobby Rock that oddly enough end up being among the album’s better tracks.
Another interesting addition was the song “Two Heads Are Better Than One”, which Nelson originally performed under the Power Tool moniker on the Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure soundtrack. It’s good to see that it’s considered an “official” Nelson song.
The closer “Everywhere I Go” (expanded to 9+ minutes) is another highlight.
“Perfect Storm” includes one very interesting bonus track, the studio recording “Keep One Heart,” which was previously exclusive to the Japanese version of ‘After The Rain’.
It’s a fantastic addition to the album, and really feels like a true “bonus”.
Amazingly and sadly, throughout the 3 year phenomenon of ‘After The Rain’, none of the tour’s concerts were ever filmed in their entirety.
“Perfect Storm” is all that remains to document the height of NELSONMANIA for posterity.
If you were there you are sure to remember how you felt that night experiencing the ‘After The Rain’ tour in person. If you weren’t, you can be back there now.
If you’re a serious NELSON fan (and if you love this kind of early ‘90s melodic rock you should be), then “Perfect Storm” is worth checking out.
It’s not perfect (the recording was not intended to be released back in the day), but it’s a good look back at the band’s arena-rocking early days.
With any luck we’ll see some video footage from this tour on an official DVD release.
1. On With The Show!
2. Fill You Up
3. More Than Ever
4. Only Time Will Tell
5. Uluru [Brett Garsed’s instrumental]
6. Will You Love Me
7. (Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection
8. Two Heads Are Better Than One
9. Bits And Pieces
10. After The Rain
11. The Legend [Bobby Rock’s instrumental]
12. Thank You And Goodnight
13. Interlude
14. Everywhere I Go
15. Keep One Heart [studio Bonus Track]
Gunnar Nelson : Vocals, Guitar
Matthew Nelson : Vocals, Bass
Brett Garsed : Guitars, Backing Vocals
Joey Catchcart : Guitars, Backing Vocals
Paul Mirkovich : Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Bobby Rock : Drums
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT !