Live at Sturgis [Video] - .38 Special

"Classic rock" bands never die, they just keep plugging away on the road. .38 Special is no exception. The band, which specializes in a tight, melodic, and song-oriented brand of Southern rock, showcases its warhorse ways on the concert video Live at Sturgis. The show was recorded live at the Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis, SD, on August 12, 1999. The lineup of vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes, vocalist/guitarist Donnie Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, keyboardist Bobby Capps, bassist Larry "LJ" Junstrom, and drummer Gary Moffatt reliably perform the band's greatest hits and a couple of covers for a friendly audience of bikers who congregate annually in Sturgis. At this particular show, the overall mood was literally dampened slightly because it had rained, and it was unseasonably cold. Nevertheless, .38 Special rips through signature tracks like "Rockin' Into the Night," "Caught up in You," and "Hold on Loosely." But the standout songs here are "Twentieth Century Fox," "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys," "Fade to Blue," "If I'd Been the One," "Rebel to Rebel," and "Deja Voodoo." The one significant disappointment on Live at Sturgis is that eight fine songs are lumped together in a medley: "Back to Paradise," "Somebody Like You," "Teacher Teacher," "Rough-Housin'," "Stone Cold Believer," "Like No Other Night," "Second Chance," and "Chain Lightnin'." The encores are covers of Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A." and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band." Musically, the biggest overall surprise is that Barnes tackles much of the lead guitar work. The Live at Sturgis DVD extras include a band biography, discography, photo gallery, and the new studio track "Just One Girl," which is also available on the Live at Sturgis CD. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide