DVD: The Pat Travers Band
Boom Boom: Live at the Diamond, 1990
Cherry Red Films (Approx. 70 min.)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

In the 70s, The Pat Travers Band were quite simply one of the tightest, hardest rocking and most spirited bands to take the stage. The sad thing is they didn't get mass recognition until one song, "Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)" became the surprise kegger hit of 1979, and from then on it seemed that's mainly what most of the fans came to hear. Travers dropped out of the music business, or at least the limelight, for most of the 80s. In 1990 he emerged with a new band, a new album (School of Hard Knocks) and a new tour. This show was filmed in Travers' hometown of Toronto during that tour, and if you're expecting to see an archive of evidence that yet another rocker had lost his touch, forget it. The new band was nearly as tight as the classic Travers lineup (you can't lose guitarist Pat Thrall and drummer Tommy Aldridge and not give up at least somethin' in that department), and the energy was right where it ought to be.

Opening with "Snortin' Whiskey, Drinkin' Cocaine," Travers and the boys put the brights on and attack the song with the street-tough attitude the long-time fans remembered so well. Bassist Mars Cowling (who, besides Travers himself, is the only holdover from the classic lineup) is invisible for much of the first 1/3rd of the show, so all your ears know is either he's there or they found themselves a perfect MarsClone, sonically speaking. Finally, the cameraman discovers it's not a trio, and there he is, one of the most underrated bass players of the 70s, thundering away on a classic Fender Precision bass with a trick-looking gold pickguard. Guitarist Jerry Riggs went after his own solos instead of recreating old Thrall solos, for the most part, though he did stay true to the meltdown section of "Heat In The Street." Nothing worse than watching a talented player reduced to portraying another talented player, so it's nice to hear Riggs' take on these great old rockers. And holding down what was probably one of the most exhausting job in rock, drummer Scott Zymowski must've lost five pounds during this performance. Like Aldridge before him, Zymowski was all over the place in constant attack, but with his own currents. Perfect for the tunes. As in any Travers performance, all cylinders were firing all night long.

If you've been a fan since the beginning, you're going to be in heaven over this concert. The set list probably covers most of your favorites, including "Gettin' Betta," "Life In London," "Stevie," Daddy Long Legs," "Ready Or Not" and "I La La La Love You." Fourteen songs, all told. The Toronto crowd is seen bopping along during the songs but don't sound very much like a crowd having their asses rocked off until, of course, "Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)" begins. Same old story, I suppose. It's the curse of many great bands that their worst song will be the one that follows them forever. No matter. Live At The Diamond 1990 is recommended for all fans of Travers, of great guitar rock and of live music played to perfection.

© 2005 - DJ Johnson

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