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Bryan Adams Uplugged A & M Records He got his first real six string, oh, at the five and dime. Apparently, that's also where he got the bulk of his lyrics. Never one to ride trends, Bryan Adams has released his own Unplugged album, choc full o' the hits that made him world-famous in Canada. Canadian content laws require that the majority of bands on Canadian radio be Canadian bands. And although he was born and raised in the land of the moose, Mr. Adams doesn't qualify, by Canadian law, as part of that percentage. It's in the face of just that kind of adversity that Bryan Adams shows his individualistic spirit and brings the hackneyed institutions of rock and roll to their knees. Who else would dare sing of being "18 Till I Die," or about having really, really, really, really, ever loved a woman? Dylan? Lennon? Guthrie? Vanilli? No, none of them compare. Of these harsh times of lost love and confusion, on "Cuts Like a Knife," Adams intones, "Na na na, na na na, na na." This is a clear nod to another titan of lyrical integrity, political provocateur and tantric love god Sting, who once wrote similarly, "De do do do, de da da da." These are clearly words to guide a generation. The acoustic renditions of these songs only serve to bring out the hidden subtleties the suped-up electric version kept in the background. I didn't even know until now that "Fits Ya Good" was actually a samba. "18 Till I Die" just keeps showing me more, especially with the supporting horn section, reminiscent of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. "When You Love Someone" prophesized the little horn part at the beginning of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On and On and On and On and On," from the Titanic soundtrack. But then, Adams has always kept one step ahead in the pop world. Zamphir rocks! But wait - there's more. You get Adams favorites "Heaven," "A Little Love," "I'll Always be Right Here," and a daring epic medley of "If Ya Wanna Be Bad ÷ Ya Gotta Be Good/ Let's Make a Night to Remember" that is nearly five minutes long. This could end up being Adams' "Stairway to Heaven." I can't help but question, though, why the duet with Pavarotti wasn't duplicated for this special recording. Maybe it was too expensive to ship him to Vancouver. But even that minor oversight can't bring down this monumental album. Acoustic music may never recover. -Nick |
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