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I wasn't personally very familiar with
"Meat Loaf" until later in his career, since I was
living overseas when "Bat Out Of Hell" was released.
New music doesn't get to Military Bases in a very timely manner!
After returning to the States, I guess I just missed what was
up with the guy, until a "Meat Loaf" super-fan introduced
me to some of his music. It was okay, but only couple of the
"Very Best" really made any kind of impression on me
- that is until "Bat Out Of Hell II" was released in
1993. Like every other romantic female that likes rock out music,
I was totally taken in by "I'd Do anything For Love (But
I Won't Do That)." The video actually added to the attraction
of the song, even with a rather large "Meat Loaf" as
the "hero!"
That album got purchased in a hurry, since
I was now married to the previously mentioned "Meat Loaf"
super-fan. And I was VERY impressed by this outing! Some of "Meat
Loaf's" other albums were floating around our house, but
I never paid much attention to them until "Bat Out Of Hell
II." There are so many great songs on that album, I had
to backtrack in my listening!
Moving on to the present, I found some
astonishing facts in the Press Release that arrived with "The
Very Best Of Meatloaf," but the album itself blew me away
before I ever read anything about his career! I have to quote
a few of the facts before I start on the album itself, simply
because I was floored when I read them. Did you know that the
original "Bat Out Of Hell" is one of the FIVE best-selling
albums in history, at 30 Million copies and counting?? How about
that "Bat Out Of Hell II" was his first number one
album, going FIVE TIMES Platinum, and "I'd Do Anything For
Love . . ." won him his first Grammy ever in 1993? And this
was followed in 1995 by another platinum album, "Welcome
To The Neighborhood?" I sure didn't!
Then there's the new and improved "Meat
Loaf" who's revived his movie career that started with "The
Rocky Horror Picture Show" back in 1975. He has five new
movies already in the can, one of which is playing on Pay-Per-View
right now. This one is "Black Dog" with Patrick Swayze.
The others include "Crazy In Alabama," starring Melanie
Griffith and Rod Steiger (Antonio Banderas' directorial debut),
"Outside Ozona," with Kevin Pollack, Penelope Ann Miller
and Sherilyn Fenn, and "Gun Shy" with Diane Lane. Actually,
when "Meat Loaf" started his musical career, the music
press condemned him for being an actor, " . . .because actors
don't make records." WRONG! At least not this actor! Besides,
if you pay attention, which you should, you know that Jim Steinman's
lyrics are always character-driven, story songs. Sort of a hard
rock "Harry Chapin."
Anyhow, to get back to "The Very Best
Of Meatloaf," you have a big surprise in store. In addition
to his "very best" songs, some of which have been re-
mastered by Ted Jensen with Paul Angelli at Sterling Studios
for this album (some pretty awesome versions I might add), there
are three new songs, two of which were composed by "Andrew
Lloyd Weber" and produced by Steinman. The third is a Steinman/Titleman
production, and all three will blow your socks off! It's worth
the price of the 2-CD set just for these songs, but there is
SO much more here.
Being a super-fan of Weber (I have eclectic
taste, what can I say?), of course I have to talk about those
songs first. I'll probably commit a cardinal sin in the eyes
of some "purist" music fans, but there's no mistaking
a song Weber is involved in, and in my opinion, Meat can ALMOST
pass for "Michael Crawford." After hearing these songs,
I know he'd make one hell of a "Phantom Of The Opera!"
Well, he's not singing "Phantom. . .," but he is singing
"A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste" from the musical
production "Whistle Down The Wind," currently playing
in London's West End. To quote Mr. Loaf, "This is the ultimate.
If you're gonna reach a pinnacle in over-the-top, this is it."
I must agree with that statement.
"A Kiss . . ." is the second
song on disk #2 of the set, after "I'd Do Anything For Love
. . .," and clocks in at 7 minutes and 36 seconds of absolutely
wonderful music. Over Weber's extended career, he's produced
several rock-oriented songs in such musicals as "Jesus Christ
Superstar," "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
and even portions of "Cats," to mention a few (yes,
I've seen them all plus many more). After hearing Meat sing "A
Kiss . . .," I can't wait for "Whistle Down The Wind"
to hit the States!
Okay, back to the man with the album! I'm
a little more partial to disk #2, simply for the selections on
this disk, but both disks are totally awesome. Opening, as I
said, with "I Would Do Anything . . .," the song still
sends chills up my spine. I also have a feeling this song was
one of the "improved" versions. It just gets better
and better with every listen.
Next up is "A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing
To Waste." With a full orchestral background, complete changes
of style in places, and one of the smoothest vocals I've heard
from "Meat Loaf," it's a hard to describe song, but
is truly magnificent. The music, lyrics, delivery, harmonies
and backing vocals all contribute to make this the most outstanding
selection on disk #2 - and that's saying a hell of a lot! The
chorus lyrics (and they change during the song) grab you in the
gut, and the orchestral accompaniment is a tremendous enhancement.
Some lyrical examples from the first portion include "The
loneliest words you'll ever know/ If only, if only it was so/
The loneliest words that there'll ever be/ It could have been
me, it could have been me . . .A kiss is a terrible thing to
waste/ It's something that's always been so. . .And one of these
night you're gonna show me you already know/ There's a feast
waiting for you and you've never even gotten a taste/ It's later
than you think and a kiss is a terrible thing to waste."
Changing in midstream, the music and lyrics go in an entirely
different direction, but it all fits together. Examples from
the next section include "Tire tracks and broken hearts/
It's all we're leaving behind/ (Let's get away from the pain)/
It doesn't matter what we're losin'/ It only matters what we're
going to find!" and closing with "It's later than you
think/ And/ A kiss is a terrible thing to waste."
Continuing with the second disk are some
of "Meat Loaf's" most memorable songs, including "I'd
Lie For You (And That's The Truth)," "Not A Dry Eye
In The House," "Nocturnal Pleasures (another one that
sounds re-mastered), "Dead Ringer For Love" (the original
version done as a duet with "Cher"), a totally rockabilly/rock
version of "Midnight At The Lost And Found," a bit
longer version of one of my favorite songs, a soul-wrenching
rendition of "Objects In The Rearview Mirror May Appear
Closer Than They Are," and, of course, winding up with the
rousing "Bat Out Of Hell."
Going back to disk #1, the opening track
is the other Weber/Steinman song, "Home By Now/No Matter
What." Again there's no question of Weber's influence, but
Meat makes the song his own. "Meat Loaf" calls this
track ". . .absolutely brilliant. It may turn out to be
my favorite song I've ever done." It sure is one of my favorites
too! Orchestral accompaniment also appears on this song, and
the opening vocals are a soft, sad caress. The song begins with
We should have been "Home By Now," a haunting intro,
then segues into "No Matter What." The composition,
harmonies and instrumentals really exhibit Weber and Steinman,
as well as "Meat Loaf," at their best. This is another
extremely hard to describe song, but very beautiful. With the
right promotion, this could be another chart climber.
Another of my favorites from "Bat
Out Of Hell II" is up next, a Remix of "Life Is Lemon
And I Want My Money Back." It's got more instrumentals,
a harder edge and more emphasis than the original - which only
makes it better. I always liked the lyrics to this song, even
if I don't agree with ALL of them. Still, the title (and lyric)
is priceless in my book!
The next several songs are all "Meat
Loaf" classics, including "You Took The Words Right
Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Nights)," "Two Out Of Three
Ain't Bad," "Modern Girl" and "Rock And Roll
Dreams Come Through."
"Is Nothing Sacred," the new
Steinman song, follows, and this one is another heartfelt ballad
that overflows with emotion - both musically and lyrically. It's
a rather simple song, but with a beautiful melody, and lyrics
". . .Is nothing sacred any more/ Is forever just another
word/ Is a promise something people used to keep/ When love was
worth fighting for . . . If we can say goodbye/ Is nothing sacred
any more?"
Probably the most famous "Meat Loaf"
song is up next, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light."
This is the 1977 version with "Ellen Foley" on the
female vocal, and "Todd Rundgren" on guitar. It's a
long story/song, and if you've never heard it, well, you don't
know what you're missing, so check it out. The "baseball
play-by-play" euphemisms for sex done by Phil Rizzuto (All-Star
Yankee shortstop and the voice of the New York Yankees) are as
great as ever!
Rounding out disk #1 (and this review)
is "Heaven Can Wait," another classic, and quite an
appropriate note to end on. This is one of the BEST "Best
Of" albums I've ever listened to in a year where one hell
of a lot of reunion tours and "Greatest Hits" or "Best
Of" albums were released. "Meat Loaf's" music
has never been "ordinary" rock, and the new songs only
add to his repertoire of story rock. If you're a fan already,
you probably already have, and love, this set. If you're on the
fence about this "Meat Loaf" guy, plunk down the bucks
and go for it - it's worth it! If you've never listened to "Meat
Loaf" before, this is THE album to start with, because it
IS "The Very Best Of Meat Loaf!" |
