In half a century of rock & roll, there have been all kinds of rock stars. Full Bluntal Nugity Live takes us into the world of "Motor City Madman"
Ted Nugent. A double-disc set based primarily on a Detroit concert from August 21, 2001, this two-DVD package quickly establishes what kind of rock star
Nugent is. Put simply, he is an exciting live performer, a skilled guitarist and songwriter, and an insufferable right-wing nut job. Watching Nugity, one almost starts to think that it's part rock video and part militia motivational film. Whether on-stage or off,
Nugent takes every opportunity possible to espouse his fanatical passion for guns of all stripes (according to him, owning an Uzi is like owning a Corvette: part of the American Dream) and how he feels about those who don't share his obsession, which he even puts to music when he performs "Kiss My Ass" under the temporary title of "Kiss My Glock." We even get to see the
Nugent clan in full camouflage out for a fun family day of killing. But apart from being a few pawns short of a chess match -- and admittedly, that adds a perverse engagement factor to the DVD --
Nugent is undeniably one of rock's most enduring acts. This new-millennium concert performance stands up well to what he was doing at his peak in the '70s, which, not surprisingly (and quite acceptably), is pretty much the same thing. And there are even five bonus clips from the "old days" that illustrate this very fact. Most of
Nugent's best-loved incendiary material is here: "Stranglehold," "Paralyzed," "Snakeskin Cowboys," "Hey Baby," "Dog Eat Dog," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Wang, Dang, Sweet Poontang," and more -- all delivered with customary hubris and guitar-star bravado by the axeman, aided admirably by drummer Tommy Clufetos and bassist
Marco Mendoza. As a musician, one has to give
Nugent his due. The guy can play -- perhaps not with the technique of the master guitarists, but far better than he's generally given credit for. And, as we learn here, like all true musicians, he has an appreciation of the heritage of rock & roll and the blues, and clearly loves holding his Gibson Birdland as much as his Uzi.
Nugent has an ego the size of the Goodyear blimp but also the ability to back it up. Love him or hate him, this DVD definitely rocks. ~ Adrian Zupp