Pickin' on Def Leppard: Bluegrass Tribute

Pickin' on Def Leppard (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cmh Records
• ASIN: B000B5KRIO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,158 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

Hailing from Sheffield, the traditional home of the British steel industry, Def Leppard carried the torch for eighties metal from those shores to glory and massive mainstream success in the USA and ultimately the world. The band perfected a pioneering pop-metal style with puns and innuendos to rival fellow rockers AC/DC. MTV appeared in time to project them into every living room across the US and their collaborations with producer Mutt Lange produced two of the biggest selling rock albums of all time. Triumphing over personal tragedies, Def Leppard continues to record, tour and entertain millions of fans today.

Product Description

Behind the over the top image, massive stadium concerts and world tours, Def Leppard are essentially a hard working rock band. At the core of their sound are accomplished and well-written songs. These classic tracks are stripped down and performed bluegrass style with soaring harmonies, mandolin, banjo, dobro and guitar. Tracks such as "Photograph", "Animal" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me" are transformed into rockin’ bluegrass nuggets of gold. You’ll hear Def Leppard in a fresh and inspiring light.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Twangy take on Def Lep classics, August 26, 2007

By 

Sal Nudo (Champaign, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pickin' on Def Leppard: Bluegrass Tribute (Audio CD)

The finger plucking is amazing. Stan Dailey's vocals are formidable, if a little overwrought at times. The backing vocals are also solid, as is fitting when covering a band like Def Leppard. Overall, Cornbread Red deserve credit for covering such an electrically charged, uber-produced rock band like Def Leppard, a group that probably benefits more from a new musical translation rather than straight-ahead cover-song imitation.

Cornbread Red give songs like "Photograph," "Animal," "Hysteria" and "Rocket" a pleasant folksy charm. Elsewhere, heavy rock songs with big-rock choruses like "Foolin' " don't translate as well. The larger-than-life, doe-eyed metal ballads like "Bringin' on the Heart Break" and "Love Bites" also feel a little stifled in bluegrass form. Still, "Pickin' on Def Leppard" demonstrates that all great electric-guitar laden rock `n' roll tunes are at heart great acoustic tunes. Def Lep's popular hits are well represented here, though it would have been cool to see lesser-known songs like "Mirror, Mirror," "Too Late for Love," "Run Riot," "Love and Affection" or "Comin' Under Fire" given a go in bluegrass format.

"Armageddon It" takes the award for the most naturally converted bluegrass tune. Even in electric form, the song's main riff always had a bit of a jukebox country swagger to it, while the chorus is pure ear candy that would translate well in any musical language. Interestingly, the bluegrass version of "Rock of Ages" contains almost as much pep as the heavy metal original. Again, it just shows that great songs translate well in many musical genres. (I once saw Leppard's "Rock Brigade" performed brilliantly by a high school choir on YouTube.) "Pour Some Sugar on Me," as expected, is a rollicking good time as a bluegrass tune. And "Let's Get Rocked," as performed by Cornbread Red, is probably an improvement over the cheesily done original.

If you're a big Def Leppard fan (like me), this album is a worthwhile kick in the pants.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting ;'-), May 27, 2006

By 

TallH2004 "Tricia" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pickin' on Def Leppard: Bluegrass Tribute (Audio CD)

Ok, Not one for Bluegrass Music. But I thought I would give this a listen considering I am HUGE Def Leppard fan. I actually like this CD. I am not exactly sure why????? But I do. At least give the tracks a listen and then decide for yourself. You might find you like it. Although there will be no square dancing (lol)!!!!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, July 10, 2011

By 

Kevin Gabbert (Salem, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pickin' on Def Leppard: Bluegrass Tribute (Audio CD)

Decided to listen to it as a joke and was quite suprised. A lot better than I thought it would be.