Nugent, Ted - Nobel Savage


Year of Release: 2001
Label: Recall
Catalog Number: SMDCD368
Format: CD
Total Time: 125:45:00

I do not think there could be a better title for a Ted Nugent compilation than Noble Savage. It fits the motor city madman's persona perfectly. He wields his axe and his guns (for hunting) with a passion and fire in an unusually spirited and energetic way, or to be more specific, he is totally out the ordinary. No, Teddy is not a normal every day run of the mill rock star, he is indeed a noble savage, a great (and underrated) guitar warrior that always smokes it every time he sets foot on a stage or in a studio. He never takes anyone's crap and he swears like a trooper, but one thang for sure, he aims to please with his music. Nugent's rock 'n' roll is the kind that makes you feel energized, empowered, and high as a kite without any drugs or alcohol to induce those feelings. Now in his fifties, he is moving right along, playing music and promoting hunting through his website. No doubt, he will carry on with these passions until the day he dies. I can see him onstage now at a ripe 90 years old hollering as he does on the live version of "Stranglehold," "You gotta have the fuckin' attitude!" He has always had it and always will and that is exactly what makes Ted who he is.

I did not go overboard listening to his music in the seventies but truly loved Ted Nugent, Cat Scratch Fever and Free-For-All." I have never lost my appreciation for his great guitar playing, and to this day think he has always been one of the best in the business playing no bullshit music that kicks ass. What makes this a good overview of his career is that many of the lead singers that he recorded with get the spotlight for a few songs, primarily Derek St. Holmes, who was his best and most recognizable. Some rarer performances are also available. On disc two a song written by Bon Jovi, Nugent, and Richie Sambora called "That's The Story of Love," seems a bit out of character for the gruff Nuge, yet it works, and very well as a matter of fact. In a rare vocal workout, he does "Fred Bear," much to the delight of the audience, while playing an acoustic guitar, yes acoustic, and it sounds great. It is live and raw Nugent at his best. I was disappointed that "Great White Buffalo" (Double Live Gonzo (1978)) was not included but I guess you just cannot please everyone; regardless this is still a great collection of songs.

Although I do not think this is a definitive best of compilation by any means, it does do a nice job of spreading things out taking slices of over three decades of music. It makes me want more! That is the entire purpose of packages like this; it entices you to seek out the artists' entire damned catalog! Well, it worked this time.


Tracklisting:
Disc One: No No No (3:42) / Bound and Gagged (4:35) / Habitual Offender (3:11) / Fightin' Words (4:01) / We're Gonna Rock Tonight (3:23) / Tailgunner (7:02) / Tied Up in Love (4:22) / Knockin' At Your Door (3:54) / Don't You Want My Love (3:31) / Go Down Fighting (4:43) / Thunder Thighs (4:09) / Lean Mean Rock 'N' Roll Machine (3:57) / High Heels in Motion (3:35) / Little Miss Dangerous (4:50) / Crazy Ladies (3:43) / When Your Body Talks (3:17)

Disc Two: My Little Red Book (3:06) / Angry Young Man (3:58) / Painkiller (6:03) / Can't Live With Em (4:21) / She Drives Me Crazy (2:46) / Skintight (3:10) / Funlover (4:45) / Spread Your Wings (5:59) / The Harder They Come (The Harder I Get) (3:39) / That's the Story of Love (3:02) / Fred Bear [live] (8:19) / Cat Scratch Fever [live] (5:26) / Stranglehold [live] (9:55)

Musicians:
Ted Nugent - guitar
others?

Discography:
Ted Nugent (1975)
Free-For-All (1976)
Cat Scratch Fever (1977)
Double Live Gonzo (1978)
Weekend Warriors (1978)
State Of Shock (1979)
Scream Dream (1980)
Intensities In 10 Cities (1981)
Great Gonzos!: The Best Of Ted Nugent (1981)
Nugent (1982)
Penetrator (1984)
Little Miss Dangerous (1986)
If You Can't Lick 'EM ... Lick 'Em (1988)
Collection (1992)
Out Of Control (1993)
Spirit Of The Wild (1995)
Live At Hammersmith '79 (1997)
Loaded For Bear: The Best Of Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes (1999)
Noble Savage (2001)
Full Bluntal Nugity (2001)
Take Two (2002)
Craveman (2002)
The Ultimate Ted Nugent (2002)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: February 1st 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.tednugent.com
Hits: 2561
Language: english

  

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