SLASH ’N’ BURN!
Guitarist steals GNR ‘reunion’ show
Many factors contribute to the success of Guns N’ Roses current tour. But let’s cut to the quick: It’s kinda about Slash.
The GNR “reunion” (only three of the five original members play in the modern incarnation) has done blockbuster business because the guys are rock gods. The band packed Gillette Stadium in 2016 and the TD Garden last night because Gen Xers who missed them decades ago are making up for lost time. Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Slash and the ace hired guns also just flatout know how to thrill an arena.
But, c’mon, if you were there, you know Slash was 50 percent of the show.
The most distinctive guitarist to emerge from the ’80s, Slash maintains a melodic mastery, iconic tone and menace the rest of the Sunset Strip crew never achieved. As great as the GNR catalog is, and despite Axl’s admirable attempts to hit the high notes, I often bided my time waiting for Slash to solo: the climax of “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” the magnetic bridge from “Welcome to the Jungle,” his delicate and soulful instrumental takes on “Wish You Were Here” and “Speak Softly Love” (you got it, the love theme from “The Godfather”).
Of course, Slash’s brilliance partly relies upon a killer band framing his solos.
All singers lose range as they age, especially when their vocals depend on an absurd about of screaming. With that in mind, a 55-year-old Axl spent an amazing 31⁄2 hours screaming, charging around the stage and changing the flannels tied around his waist (seriously, it was odd, why swap out a shirt you don’t even wear six or seven times?). Duff’s brilliant bass lines provided the backbone to almost 30 songs, nearly half of which he co-wrote. And the second guitarist, Richard Fortus, would play lead in 99 percent of the bands in the world.
Then there is the catalog. Augmented by plenty of covers (“Black Hole Sun” was welcome, “Wichita Lineman” was weird), the band’s early originals remain uniquely striking.
After 30 years, songs such as “Mr. Brownstone,” “My Michelle” and “Welcome to the Jungle” crash the ears full of fresh anger, danger and insurrection.
But the sound, fury and nostalgia also can come from another time, a worse and disgusting time when few questioned broad streaks of misogyny: “It’s So Easy” and “Used to Love Her” don’t seem raw or funny, but cruel and brutal.
Guns N’ Roses belong to another world. Their connection to the age of the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Queen is an enormous compliment to their music. But some of that music should stay in the past. And I have a suggestion to fill the holes left: Put this band in a room for a month (no more!) and demand these now-adults and still-masters to make a new album.