Veteran rockers REO Speedwagon punch out a polished 94-minute set for this PBS-aired Soundstage performance from July 2008 in which frontman Kevin Cronin still sings in the same boyish style that brought his quintet to fame in the 1980s with staples such as “Take it on the Run,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” “Time for Me to Fly,” and “Keep on Loving You,” most of which hail from 1978's You Can Tune a Piano... and 1980's Hi Infidelity. More recent material from 2007's Find Your Own Way Home leaves less of an impression, but longtime fans will surely appreciate the inclusion of 1971's “157 Riverside Avenue” and 1972's “Golden Country” in the 16-song set (expanded from the broadcast's abbreviated 10 songs). Some of Dave Amato's guitar noodling here has a distinctly ‘80s sound (he alternates between single and double-necked axes), but REO's tight and timeless harmonies help counteract such dated tendencies, suggesting a crunchier version of The Eagles. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include an interview with Cronin and keyboard player Neal Doughty, as well as a pair of bonus acoustic numbers. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)
REO Speedwagon: Live in the Heartland
(2008) 94 min. DVD: $19.99. Koch Vision (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4172-3086-X. Volume 23, Issue 6
REO Speedwagon: Live in the Heartland
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