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(More customer reviews)Poison's new DVD "Seven Days Live," (2006) from the band's performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo is a very unusual and unexpected concert that the band would choose to release. One might expect Poison to release a DVD from a more recent tour (which is more or less a nostalgia act) or release a DVD from the 1990 "Flesh and Blood" tour, when the band was at its commercial peak. But a show from 1993 is totally surprising for a few reasons.
First, this lineup of Poison features guitarist Ritchie Kotzen, stepping in for C.C. Deville, who left Poison from 1991 to 1996. Kotzen made only one album with Poison, 1993's mature and bluesy "Native Tongue," before being fired for shagging drummer Rikki Rocket's fiancé. It seems odd to release a DVD with Kotzen, considering that his tenure in the band was so short lived and that the classic lineup of Poison, with C.C., is hands down the definitive version of the band.
Another reason a show from '93 is an unusual choice is that the set list relies heavily from the band's "Native Tongue" (1993) album. Although "Native Tongue" is a strong and well-written album, it was a relative failure. "Native Tongue" was the band's first album that failed to go platinum, winding up in the dreaded cut-out bin, sitting next to Vince Neil's "Exposed," (1993) Motley Crue's 1994 self-titled album, and David Lee Roth's "A Little Ain't Enough" (1991) by the end of 1994. "Native Tongue" is now out-of-print and is only available used or as a cut-out. It seems odd to release a DVD from a concert showcasing an album that was virtually ignored upon its release and is now forgotten.
All this taken into consideration, a show from 1993 is either desirable or undesirable, depending on what you're looking for. If you are a casual fan or a Poison purist, and want a show of all the hits, you may find yourself disappointed with this DVD. As previously stated, a lot of the songs (nearly half) are from the "Native Tongue" album and many fans will probably be unfamiliar with that material. Also, Kotzen is far more technically proficient than C.C. Deville, and jazzes up the solos from the C.C. material, so purists may be put-off, or they may just be put off by seeing anyone but C.C. on lead guitar.
But other fans may get a lot out of this DVD. I've seen Poison a few times in the last few years, and although I always enjoy the show, I am disappointed that they play virtually the same songs all the time. It's as though the band is frozen in 1990. While a Poison show in the 00s is still a lot of fun, it's most definitely a nostalgia act. With this DVD, it's great to see the band out promoting fresh material. I really enjoyed the "Native Tongue" album, so it's great to hear those songs performed live, because the band nowadays certainly won't do it (although they have played "Stand" with C.C.) And while some fans may not like Kotzen's interpretations of the songs, I find them to be a refreshing change of pace.
Recorded at London's Hammersmith Apollo on April, 23, 1993, among a wildly enthusiastic sold-out crowd, it's easy to forget that outside the hall, most of the audience that so loved Poison only a few years before, were now listening to Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It's a shame that Poison never really survived grunge and has now been reduced to being a nostalgia act, because they deserve better. With "Native Tongue," the band didn't jump on any bandwagon or rehash a tired formula. With "Native Tongue" the band made an earnest attempt to grow as artists and made an album that deserved to be heard. It's a shame that the general public of 1993 wasn't mature enough to like both Poison and Nirvana and felt they had to abandon one and embrace another. But for a few hours within a hall, several thousand fans didn't care if Poison was cool or not.
The actual taping of the show is superb. Shot in mostly color, with some black and white footage, "documentary style," the show is professionally shot and looks and sounds great. Charismatic frontman Brett Michaels has the audience by the palm of his hand, and along with the rest of the band, gives 100 percent.
In conclusion, I would recommend this DVD for fans of the "Native Tongue" album and the more die-hard fans that are familiar with the lesser known material. Casual fans may be disappointed with the lack of big hits, although there are still enough big hits, like "Every Rose Has its Thrown" and "Something to Believe in" to please, although purists still may be put off by Kotzen's interpretations.
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Seven Days Live captures Poison (Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, Rikki Rockett and Richie Kotzen) at the height of their international success with a full show recorded at Londons Hammersmith Apollo in 1993.Featuring classic tracks like Unskinny Bop, Talk Di
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