Slash: Live at the Roxy 9.25.14

Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash (born Saul Hudson) receives top billing for this 2014 engagement at Los Angeles's Roxy Theatre, although he's actually more like a special guest. Slash joins forces with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators for a 13-song set that draws from their collaborative albums, plus material from Slash's tenure in Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver. Kennedy, former front man of Alter Bridge, actually sounds a little like GN'R's Axl Rose, but makes more extensive use of his upper range, which also recalls Ronnie James Dio. The concert offers no real surprises, but the audience reacts with enthusiasm, especially when the band launches into “Anastasia” from 2012's Apocalyptic Love, which starts out like a power ballad before segueing into a full-blown rocker. Other well-received selections include Guns N' Roses' “Nightrain” and “Sweet Child O'Mine,” which is visually accompanied by poison-green laser lights. The camera zooms in on Slash's fret work, which guitarists will appreciate, but it's hard to get a good look at other members of the group besides Kennedy (and Slash's ever-present leather hat and dark sunglasses consistently obscure his face). Towards the end of the set, Slash notes that he first played with the Conspirators at the Roxy five years before, so the gig represents a homecoming of sorts (Guns N' Roses also played the club during their early days). Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include four bonus tracks. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)