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MEATLOAF
- The Very Best Of
The words and music of Jim
Steinman
has found its way to the greater world in many ways, from his solo endeavours
to his Pandora's
Box project
and even Bonnie
Tyler -
but there is one persona that stood the test of time and really gave life
to these compositions. Meatloaf.
Or M. Lee Aday as his parents dubbed him. Since the mid-'70s this collaboration
has given birth to some amazing commercial rock tracks, Steinman's style
and Meatloaf's
fine voice breathing life into the simplest of moments. Of the 18 tracks
on this twin-disc there are a few not penned by Steinman - other credits
going to the likes of Meatloaf
himself, Steve Buslowe, D. Warren and Andrew Lloyd Webber (teaming up
with Steinman). The nighttime Rock & Roll stories told through music take
many shapes of love, lust, motorcycles, freedom… Bat Out Of Hell
and Dead Ringer make up the first unforgettable introduction to
Meatloaf's prolific career. Dead Ringer features Cher
on guest vocals and Bat Out Of Hell has Max Weinberg on drums (Late
Night with Conan O'Brien sidekick and Bruce Springsteen drummer). Other
memorables include I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That),
Midnight At The Lost And Found, I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth),
Objects In The Rear View Mirror, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth,
Paradise By The Dashboard Light and more. With the lengthy running
times of up to 10-12 minutes for some of the tracks, the 38-second closer,
Nocturnal Pleasure, seems a veritable flash. An amazing collection
of great Rock & Roll moments spanning several decades.
5 / A
- PB
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