Back when Vince Neil and Mötley Crüe parted ways, I was devastated. At that point (and still am) I was a certified Crüehead. At first when I heard the band was going to continue without Vince, I fell into a state of disbelief. Then it happened. John Corabi was in and to me it didn’t look like Mötley. Then “Hooligans Holiday” was released. From day one, I was blown away. It was different but it sounded so fresh and this Corabi guy could sing, really, really well. I was excited the Crüe was back and that they announced a show that was local and I was going to be able to see my favorite band for the second time in my life. Well the show was cancelled and you know the history after that. I also felt cheated not to see that version and hear, in my opinion, some of the best material Mötley Crüe has ever released live.

Fast forward 20 years later and John Corabi decides tour in celebration of the album. I got to catch the show and man it did not disappoint. Live ‘94: One Night in Nashville forever immortalizes the songs and captures them in top form as Corabi still has it and then some. The guitars of Jeremy Ashbrock, Phil Shouse, Tommy Daley, and Corabi compliment each other so well. At times you feel like you are listening to the original studio album. John Corabi’s son Ian is behind the kit and brings the boom as he channels the infamous Tommy Lee. Without a doubt, Ian is the backbone of the band. Topher Nolan on bass is in the pocket and keeps this live album driving. Corabi’s vocals are on point as he can still scream and howl as he did three decades ago.

Standout tracks on the release are the ferocious “Smoke The Sky” and the epic “Misunderstood.” I always felt had the studio album been released under another name, it would’ve been a commercial hit. It was also released at a weird time as rock music started to drastically evolve. That’s the past and it’s all good. The ‘94 album has my respect and Corabi also brought out the best in Mötley.