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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Slash shows he hasn't slowed down a bit

By: Melissa Martin

Posted: 09/25/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Over the last 20 years, we've had Slash sliced and diced many different ways: loading the barrel in Guns 'n' Roses, holding down the sanity fort in Velvet Revolver, and delving deep into his very own Snakepit.

But last night at the Burton Cummings Theatre, we saw the iconic guitarist solo. Sort of.

Touring in support of his first solo album, the artist never properly known as Saul Hudson has his name written biggest on the poster. But make no mistake: the sold-out show was a true group effort.

The five of them blew onstage right on time, 9 p.m. There was Slash, Slash's honey-gold Les Paul, vocalist Myles Kennedy (Mayfield Four, Alter Bridge), good ol' Winnipeg boy and drummer Brent Fitz ("I missed you so much I had to get a drummer from here," Slash quipped to the crowd mid-set), lanky CanRock vet Todd Kerns (Age of Electric) and guitarist Bobby Schneck.

Once arranged onstage, they proceeded to rock the hell out. There's no doubt this show was retro, hearkening back to the kind of sex- and guitar solo-drenched rock 'n' roll when women wore fishnets and men wore tight leather. They just don't make it like this anymore, and from the crunchy opening riffs of Slash starter Ghost, you knew this one was gonna be a headbanger.

Slash, stocky frame topped by that legendary top hat, was the leader of this aural assault, firm fingers working the fretboard like a masseuse on a muscle knot. At 45, he hasn't slowed a step, hopping and twirling around the stage as if he wasn't simultaneously nailing out a killer riff.

When Slash and company launched into the spine-chilling Guns 'n' Roses tune Civil War, the testosterone-pumping room went berserk. Who can blame them? It was straight-up, ear-shredding Slash on the six-strings.

But it was also Kennedy, with his razor wail, on vocals that sounded so eerily like he-with-the-bandana-who-can't-be-named.

But Slash still got his big time in the spotlight: At press time, as the show wound to a close just after 10 p.m., the guitarist was shaking his mane to an epic guitar solo. After all, group effort or not, we know whose name is on the marquee.

Concert Review

Slash

Sept. 24

Burton Cummings Theatre

four stars out of five

Attendance: Sold Out

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 25, 2010 C6

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