NIACIN LIVE! BLOOD, SWEAT AND BEERS

Three men with keyboards, bass and drums can make more music than some bands with twice the number of members - that is if you happen to be talking about the mind-boggling musicianship of Niacin. Billy Sheehan (bass), Dennis Chambers (drums), and John Novello (keyboards), are a trio beyond compare.

"Niacin Live!-Blood, Sweat and Beers" comes as advertised, a live session that goes above and beyond the norm with plenty of blood, sweat, and a few beers to quench the thirst of these mighty musical men.

The B3 Hammond is a crucial part of NIACIN's sound, it always has been. They sound like a futuristic Booker T. & the MGs in hyper drive. Novello's keyboards set the table for the incredibly fast and funky chops of Sheehan on bass whilst the amazing and adept Chambers is able to keep it all in order; he is on task every step of the way. Chambers is the kind of percussionist that could play in any setting, night or day, with anyone on the same level as he is, and most certainly, he could adapt to any genre of music if he chose to. His versatility a rhythmic sense of the instrument is truly a wonderful thing to hear. Sheehan, well what can you say about the guy? He is without a doubt a man with few peers at his position in the band. Think what Steve Vai would sound like if he played the bass.

This is an amazing live set with fantastic sound and sonic quality. Recorded in Jarkata, Indonesia and Tokoyo, Japan, the trio really burns with the red-hot flame of passion and desire on every single track. Notable tracks for these ears include "I Miss You (Like I Miss the Sun)" and the VANILLA FUDGE classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On." Actually, they were all fantastic, but those two particular cuts really perked my interest. What is cool about this live set is that two previously unreleased studio tracks are included as a bonus. Live instrumental music does not get any more exciting and interesting than this, period.

Rating: 4.75/5