“Guilty Pleasures Tour: Live from Sydney” is the latest DVD concert release from Meat Loaf. Filmed in Sydney, Australia, in the midst of an eleven date Australian tour in 2011, the DVD captures Meat Loaf’s band in excellent form, and presents a striking visual document from the tour.
The song selection represents all phases of Meat Loaf’s career; including the opening number “Hot Patootie/Time Warp,” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and selections from “Hang Cool Teddy Bear.” There are also plenty of selections from “Bat Out of Hell.”
One thing that stands out is Meat Loaf’s backing band, which is probably the most polished group of musicians he has ever worked with, and they definitely add a new dimension to the old songs. Of course that means that the Springsteen style sound has been replaced with something that sounds bigger, and more like the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
As for Meat Loaf’s performance, he still gives it his all on stage, but his voice has changed significantly and he might be better served by dropping some of the older songs an octave so he doesn’t strain it as much. I imagine fans of Meat Loaf have become accustomed to his voice of late, and will definitely enjoy it.
