Cinderella Album: “Live at the Key Club [Axe Killer]”

Cinderella and a few other "hair bands" (will we ever get to stop using that term, folks?) have it worse than anybody. This is because there couldn't be any more of an extreme difference between 1) the reality of how good this band is and 2) how they are doomed to be looked back upon as a shameful waste by egoidiot critics. Let's focus on Cinderella, shall we? Jon Bon Jovi "discovered" them, which although that isn't a free pass for artistic integrity, it should damn well get people's attention. This band started as a "hair band", to make it at the time, but were VERY QUICK to legitimately become a quality rock band. Nothing more than that, but a damn good rock band at the very worst.

Don't know Cinderella? I'm not one to immediately suggest live and hits albums, but this album is VERY GOOD. Almost recommendable as an introductory suggestion. Other than the fact that the band continues to shy away from one of the most underrated albums of all time, "Still Climbing," they do blend just the right amount of their other material to make a PERFECTLY paced setlist. Even their early stuff from "Night Songs" sounds more credible here.

Already know Cinderella and don't have this? I can approximate your respect for them will ATLEAST double upon hearing this album. There are subtle string/keyboard arrangements underneath that are at times more than just decoration. Somebody in this band knows how to orchestrate!!!!! Drummer Fred Coury plays such great violin accompaniments in spots, I'd like to see them play a Kansas cover! I think they could handle it. Listen to the textures on brilliant pieces such as "Nobody's Fool" and "Heartbreak Station" and you may very well ponder why Cinderella will probably have only ever gotten a 15 minute chunk of real fame. Not that I don't think they aren't better suited for a bar/club environment, however....

That is why this album is so good. It is "raw"; not in a sense of crappy production-it was mixed very well! But it is raw in an energetic and emotional sense. The band's staple rockers "Gypsy Road", "The More Things Change", and even 86's "Somebody Save Me", sound almost unbelievably fresh, timeless, and "un-hairmetal". This album is a must as it proves they have a hunger and drive, still today, that most of "today's acts" have no clue about. They never sold out and changed their sound, but they did evolve better than almost any other band in rock history, it's just that few people know it. If I saw them at a club and didn't know who they were, I'd have no idea they were "just another piece of 80's driftwood." Which I maintain they are not!!! And for all of you wondering why I'm using much of my breath on the hair topic and don't care either way, just think of it this way: you are ahead of the rest, these are topics that must be included when seriously reviewing a work by a band such as Cinderella.

My personal favorite, "Shelter Me," is beyond perfect. The most amazing piano solo of the night compliments the usual soulful guitar work. As a piano player myself, it's great to see Cinderella using that instrument for more than just a three chord comp.

Cinderella is not fake and pretensious, and this is the album to confirm that. I believe that so much, I think an AC/DC fan is the perfect example of someone who, if not into Cinderella, might have some respect after spinning this album.

Rock and Roll will never die. And don't you let it. Check out this album.

I just saw CINDERELLA Live for the first time two weeks ago at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The talent and sheer power that they showed me that night was staggering to say the least. Simply put, they were one of the finest live rock n' roll bands I have ever seen...or heard.

CINDERELLA has always been unfairly lumped in with throngs of so-so talented "hair bands" of the 1980's that were higher on hair, flashier on style, heavier on eyeliner, and tighter in spandex than they were on musical chops or ability. CINDERELLA has more in common with Aerosmith or AC/DC than Poison or Warrant (which has to be one of the worst bands ever formed!). And on stage, Tom Keifer, Eric Brittingham, Jeff Labar and Fred Coury shine as top-notch rockers...far outdistancing everybody else to emerge from those metal days of the 80's. Their Philly-blues style of rock n' roll is as fresh today as ever before.

Seeing them live was the catalist for me purchasing this CD. Honestly, I never even knew it existed until I started digging for something to add to my CINDERELLA collection. "LIVE AT THE KEY CLUB" starts out strong and just keeps getting more intense as each song thunders on. This is basically a "Greatest Hits Live" collection, but it has all the flavor and intensity of a perfect rock concert. The sound is clean, mean, and in your face. You FEEL like you are in the audience...literally.

So, if you want to experience a great live CD by a superb live band...CINDERELLA LIVE AT THE KEY CLUB will not disappoint!

I'm not going to be too long-winded here. I would just simply like to say that if you are a Cinderella fan of ANY degree and you don't own this recording.....YOU NEED TO. Nothing short of outstanding. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. Period. Now place your order.....!!!!!! You will not be dissappointed.

I saw Cinderella live on 7/2 in Detroit and woke up the next morning and bought this CD-they were that good. The CD is the next best thing to seeing them live.

As big of a live album nut that I am, I would highly recommend this fourteen track '80's hair metal release to anyone who even remotely digs this genre of music. Wasn't even aware of this CD until recently. Even more so, that since I've seen Cinderella play live fairly recent, I can appreciate 'Key Club' just that much more. Tunes that are always great to hear are "Push Push", "Shelter Me", the wailing "Night Songs", "Somebody Save Me", "Falling Apart At The Seams", their signature gem "Nobody's Fool", "Gypsy Road" and the total '80's rocker (you know it!) "Shake Me". Essentially, a must-have.