The remastered & reloaded All Night Long from Sammy Hagar will pretty much knock you back a few steps. Originally released in 1978 (and in 1979 as a UK-only version under the title Loud & Clear), this is Hagar and his band delivering hard and heavy 70s rock. With Bill Church on bass and background vocals, Alan ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald playing keys and backing vocals as well, Denny Carmassi on drums, and Gary Pihl on guitars and backing vocals, this live collection was originally released sans overdubs. On this remastering, it sounds pristine.
From the pounding “Red,” to Carmassi and Church beginning the chunk of “Rock ‘N’ Roll Weekend,” to the inclusion Montrose classics like “Make It Last” and a bad-ass arena rock sing-along, “Turn Up The Music,” it’s pretty much wailing guitars and rolling big drumming here. There’s even the obligatory poppy love tune, which became a monster hit for Rick Springfield, “I’ve Done Everything For You,” and the heaviest moment (and best tune for me personally), the over-the-top blues rock fire of “Young Girls Blues.” The slide work on “Bad Motor Scooter,” the second of two Montrose tunes, is over the top and a perfect closer for this sweet little live album.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
