Since GNR released those two volumes, back in 1991, I have always played that game of making the ULTIMATE double album out of those songs. 2 double albums was way too much. Here are my 14 songs that would have blown the world apart. Feel free to comment/agree/disagree as you wish.
Disc 1
"Civil War" - the lead off cut from '..Volume II', which just builds and builds. The payoff, 'What's so civil about war anways?' is just wonderful...as is the rock and roll whistling!
"Bad Obsession" - a nice Izzy song, bringing the Stones sound and feel that he does so well. From '...I'.
"Live & Let Die" - the classy Wing cover. A wonderful version that's a faithful recreation of the famous James Bond theme tune. Also from '..I'.
"Get In The Ring" - this infamous track, from '..II', is based on the Duff song, 'Why Do You Look At Me When You Hate Me?', but given a pissed off Axl Rose vocal. The breakdown in the middle when he's slagging off Spin, Hit Parader and Kerrang! was simultaneously vicious and hilarious. Great punk-like tune.
"Breakdown" - this is from '...II' also. Back to the whistling on this epic. Boy does it rock! The line '...everybody's darlin' sometimes bites the hand that feeds...' sums up this wonderful track.
"You Could Be Mine" - again, from '..II', and famously ushered in the album, with it's release on 'Terminator 2 : Judgement Day'. great song.
"Yesterdays" - again, from '..II' - wonderful baladic quality to this pop song in rock clothing. Very Skynyrd.
Disc 2
"Locomotive" - Yep, from '..II' again. Wonderfully arranged, lots of space and movement in this epic. A Slash led song that, apparently, Axl had a hard time writing lyrics to. Well, those lyrics are fantastic. Worth the effort, Axl. The 2nd longest song of the collective. Lyrically, about Axl's mental state at the time.
"Pretty Tied Up" - back to the fun stuff after that rant! Again, from '..II' and written by Izzy again. Great rock and roll.
"The Garden" - from '..I'. This psychedelic tune has Alice Cooper as a featured artist. Great.
"Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - back to '..II'. THE classic version. A storming, and epic, reading of the Bob Dylan tune, complete with a beautiful Slash solo.
"November Rain" - and, speaking of beautiful Slash solos. This ditty was Axl's pride and joy, from '..I', and a wonderful song. The video? Epic. Cost millions. The song? Priceless. Beautiful ballad.
"Estranged" - from '...II' - a personal favourite of mine. Can't tell you of how many tough moments that I've had in my life that I've played this song and felt that there's someone there going through the same problems. It's literally saved my life over the years. The power of music, right? It's the textbook, I think, of dynamics - light, shade, space, dropping back, pushing forward, slowing down, speeding up, quiet and loud. Killer guitar motifs on this epic, mainly piano led tune.
"Coma" - from '..I' is the longest track they did. Again, Slash led. It's written about Axl's experience of an OD incident where the stresses and strains of life were becoming unbearable. He just took some pills and hoped to just drift off. Lyrically, it's the fight for get back to life and finish off this very album. It's a heavy track, especially with the resus section in the middle.
..and that, my friends, would make the very best double album in history. Forget about your Beatles and whoever else. That would be the benchmark.
@MrBrownstone Getting off topic, I liked the way that Ian Gillan , of the Purps, wrote in 'Smooth Dancer", 'Black Suede' as that was all that Blackmore wore at the time, and all those lyrics about '..acting like a girl' right under his nose! Lol!
I bought the LPs in 1991, really didn't connect with this at all. I'm one of the few who thinks that Chinese Democracy was a decent effort, so what do I know?
@MrBrownstone I gathered, with your name and avatar! You need to look into other bands from around that time. There's Vain, Faster Pussycat, The Nymphs...I guess you could pop Motley Crue and Poison in there too.
I'm a big Def Leppard fan but love all sorts - from Classical, Country, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Dance - but rock and metal was always my thing.
Check out those above bands and see what you think...
