MR. BIG – Live From Milan [Japan Edition 3-CD w/exclusive bonus disc]

With the final MR. BIG album appeared a few days ago, this was requested by many. Following the release of their studio album ‘Defying Gravity’, MR. BIG set out on a tour that took them all over the world to promote it in a live setting.
“Live From Milan” documents the whole tour, in this Japanese 3-CD edition including an exclusive bonus disc; “Japan 2017 Official Bootleg,” featuring over 60 minutes of selected live tracks from the Japan leg of the tour. Anyone who has ever had the distinct pleasure of seeing the band live knows that the virtuoso musicianship and incredible vocals are on full display in this setting.

By the time of this tour, drummer Pat Torpey’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease had been made public, but Pat toured with the band regardless and sat behind the drum kit for select songs, while also providing background vocals, tambourine, etc. on other tracks when Matt Starr was taking his turn on the kit.
Sadly, this was one of Pat Torpey’s last performances with the band as he passed away from complications due to Parkinson’s in early 2018.

Kicking off with the frantic trio of “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy”, “American Beauty” and “Undertow” was a smart move to get the crowd worked up. Slower numbers like “Alive and Kickin’”, “Just Take My Heart” and the acoustic “Damn I’m In Love Again” are just as well received, and Eric Martin hardly had to ask for the crow to join the choruses.
Other live staples such as “To Be With You” and “Wild World”, although a bit worn out through time, get fresh renditions here. And on “Around the World”, Billy and Paul’s dexterity is tested to the max with a guitar-bass unison that would give any prog-metal band a run for its money.

Matt Star does a tremendous job replacing Pat, and while he added his flare to some of the tracks here, he wisely chose to respect the original beats of “Take Cover” and “Temperamental”.
The distinctive backing vocals of Billy and Paul shine throughout, and provide support to Eric’s velvety tone. While his voice does show signs of wear and tear on certain tracks, he still delivers.
And it’s worth noting that newer songs like “Everybody Needs a Little Trouble” and “1992” as just as well received as live staples such as “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind” or “Addicted To That Rush”.

Set closers “Colorado Bulldog” and “Defying Gravity” are appropriate sendoffs and a perfect farewell for a band that deserves all praise and more, if not just by the songs and performance, but also by the respect and reverence with which they addressed Pat’s illness.
Gratitude is a rare feat in the music business, and Mr. Big made it clear they wouldn’t leave Pat behind. As a unity, they made the point that the four core members would stay together until the end, and kept their word throughout.

As for the Japanese bonus disc “Japan 2017 Official Bootleg,” it’s titled ‘bootleg’ just for fashion, as the sound quality is top notch, delivering a mix of Mr Big’s classics, a medley, and cover songs such as ‘(We’re An) American Band’ and a killer version of the classic ‘Baba O’riley’.
Great band, great recording.
Highly Recommended

Disc 1:
01 – Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (Live)
02 – American Beauty (Live)
03 – Undertow (Live)
04 – Alive and Kickin’ (Live)
05 – Temperamental (Live)
06 – Just Take My Heart (Live)
07 – Take Cover (Live)
08 – Green-Tinted Sixties Mind (Live)
09 – Everybody Needs a Little Trouble (Live)
10 – Price You Gotta Pay (Live)
11 – Paul’s Solo (Live)
12 – Open Your Eyes (Live)
13 – Wild World (Live)
14 – Damn I’m in Love Again (Live)

Disc 2:
01 – Rock and Roll Over (Live)
02 – Around the World (Live)
03 – Billy’s Solo (Live)
04 – Addicted to That Rush (Live)
05 – To Be with You (Live)
06 – 1992 (Live)
07 – Colorado Bulldog (Live)
08 – Defying Gravity (Live)

Disc 3: Japan-only bonus CD “Japan 2017 Official Bootleg”
01 – Take A Walk
02 – Defying Gravity
03 – Forever And Back
04 – Paul’s Guitar Solo~Never Say Never~Cdff-Lucky This Time~Mr. Gone~Open Your Eyes
05 – Just Take My Heart
06 – Baba O’riley
07 – To Be With You
08 – (We’re An) American Band

Eric Martin: Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Paul Gilbert: Guitar & Vocals
Billy Sheehan: Bass & Vocals
Pat Torpey: Drums, Percussion & Vocals
Matt Starr: Drums & Vocals

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/IEZP-121