"One more for the Road" salutes the name Derek Frigo left behind him. The historic aftermath of this recording wasn't known when original Enuff Z'Nuff members Donnie Vie, Derek Frigo and Vikki Fox got together for the first time in many years to perform at the Cat Club in Hollywood August 31st 2003.
Unfortunately this is not a full blown reunion since Chip Z'Nuff wasn't present. Filling in for Chip is Tim Tame. This just underlines the fact that this was never meant to be released on disc. The Cat Club show was more a "rehearsal" leading to the reunion plans being published with a Japan and European Tour in the works.
Enuff Z'Nuff is my favorite band and sadly this record is a love/hate situation. There are pros and cons of this recording;
Pros
Sorrowfully Derek died before a full reunion could take place so just the historic nature of this event alone makes it a sentimental collector's item for Enuff Z'Nuff fans. As a fan you want to have as much music as possible from the band. Therefore this release is eagerly awaited among fans instead of the alternative, which is the tape lying around Donnie Vie's basement for nobody to hear.
Donnie's voice sounds in really good shape on this recording. Along with Derek Frigo's characteristic playing Donnie's voice probably is the thing that comes closest to capture the old magic.
There still seems to be chemistry the old members between and a very positive vibe, which the planned DVD hopefully will prove. The band also sounds tight musically.
Cons
This definitely is a fan only release. The sound suffers from being captured on digital video cameras. The show was recorded on several cameras, which provides the vocals with a weird effect. Because of the overlapping recordings the vocals sounds doubled.
"One more for the Road" should have been limited to a DVD instead, since then you properly sense the magic with both your ears and eyes.
Derek Frigo is a star on the six-string - unfortunately his guitar is too low in the mix.
With only 7 tracks the value for money is pretty weak. There is only one bonus track, which uses the masters Derek played on. However,
Mary Jane is mediocre and you wish for more quality bonus tracks - for example older recordings from the original band.
Overall
This show should fertilize the ground for the reunion Tour so it's understandable that
Chicago native Chip Z'Nuff wasn't present. Since this has become a historic show Chip's presence is sadly missed. Personally this show makes me sad, because it reminds me of something that will never happen. In April 2003 Chip had Christmas candles in his eyes when he told yours truly about the reunion plans and how amazing Derek Frigo still sounded.
"One more for the Road" ends the cycle for the original Enuff Z'Nuff. It's hard to complain when you finally got what you wished for - Derek Frigo and Vikki Fox back in fold with Donnie. Therefore it breaks my heart that there are so many elements that prevent this CD from being great.
Written by
Michael Wednesday, September 14, 2005
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