Pat Benatar Albums (19)
'Summer Vacation Tour Live'
Release Date 1/4/2005
Tracks 15
Label Lemon
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This live recording features Neil Giraldo as co-headliner, but it's Pat Benatar who unquestionably steals the show, running through a set list featuring some of her finest moments ("We Belong," "Love Is a Battlefield," "Heartbreaker," and "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"), a few new tunes, and some performed in an acoustic setting. Benatar hasn't lost a step and her voice can still hit those notes and wail those longs passages in her easily identifiable and distinctive voice. Though other hits from her career could have been used in place of the newer material (where's "Shadows of the Night"?), this is still a fun little live album from one of the best arena rock vocalists of the '80s. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
'In the Heat of the Night: Live'
Release Date 1/1/2004
Tracks 14
Label Disky
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Go'
Release Date 8/12/2003
Tracks 15
Label Bel Chiasso Entertainment
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What The Critics Say
For her first studio album in half a dozen years, Benatar returned with a fairly characteristic and varied set of mainstream rock, longtime cohort Neil Giraldo in the producer and co-songwriter chair (in addition to playing much of the music). While her voice is in fine shape, capable of hard rockers and more measured ballads, there isn't anything all that memorable tune-wise. Most of the songs are preoccupied with romantic disillusionment, which might be an odd state of affairs given the long Benatar-Giraldo personal and professional partnership, but maybe they're just doing what comes naturally to them as commercial music-makers. Hard, arena-styled rock is perhaps the element most to the fore here, particularly in the title track, with its waves of distorted guitars. But the pair seem to be wanting to cover several bases, with MOR balladry ("Brave" and "Please Don't Leave Me"), more acoustic singer/songwriter-shaded stuff ("Sorry" and "Tell Me"), and anthemic pop present as well. The CD also includes an unlisted bonus track, the awful post-9/11 2001 tribute single "Christmas in America." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Unquestionably, Pat Benatar was one of the most popular mainstream rock artists of the early to mid-'80s, as it seemed like her videos were constantly on MTV, her hits endlessly on the radio, and her singles/albums in the upper reaches of the charts. And as evidenced by 2003's Greatest Hits Live -- which is comprised of a vintage performance from August 1981, when some fans would say Benatar was at her peak -- the singer and her backing band also had no problems on the concert stage, either. Fine renditions of all of Benatar's early hits are included here ("Treat Me Right," "Fire and Ice," "Promises in the Dark," "Hit Me with Your Best Shot") as well as a few oft-overlooked gems ("Hell Is for Children," "Precious Time") and even a Beatles cover ("Helter Skelter"). Showcasing as it does one of the most popular live rock attractions of the early '80s, Greatest Hits Live does not disappoint, as it's just as strong -- if not better -- than Benatar's official live release from the era (1983's Live from Earth). ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
'From the Front Row: Live'
Release Date 3/25/2003
Tracks 13
Label Silverline
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The 13-track DVD-audio album From the Front Row: Live dates back to Pat Benatar's early -- and arguably best -- days. Recorded in Austin, TX, in 1981 during the tour to support her Precious Time album, From the Front Row contains the cream of Benatar's first three albums. By the time of this tour, In the Heat of the Night and Crimes of Passion had established her not only as a star, but as an important member of the genealogy of female rockers. Though Benatar always had one eye on the pop charts, this album shows she was a born rocker at heart. Hits like "Heartbreaker," "Treat Me Right," "You Better Run," and the now-anthemic "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," benefit greatly from the 5.1 Surround Sound of this disc. Benatar's band is tight and her voice hits all the notes dead center, with the final effect being close-to-studio versions of the songs while still giving them that live-performance edge. The ten-minute version of "In the Heat of the Night" drags a little, but it's the sole flat spot. On a more general level, From the Front Row would have been more powerful if it had been given an organic feel, but no effort has been made to disguise the fact that the tracks are not flowing in natural order at the same concert. Still, this is an excellent disc for anybody wanting to get high-quality audio of this significant artist kicking out the jams in her heyday. ~ Adrian Zupp, All Music Guide
'Live: Summer Vacation Tour Soundtrack'
Release Date 3/12/2002
Tracks 15
Label Gold Circle
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Just because Pat Benatar's longtime guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo gets top-level billing here doesn't mean anything has really changed. Giraldo has backed her since her heyday and while he may have changed his brand of instrument - it looks like a custom Tele copy, judging by the cover - they still turn out music that is essentially the same as the arena rockers of the early '80s, and Benatar sings it the same fashion as before. Which means that Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Live is part of that celebrated tradition, the "greatest hits live" album, and that may not be a surprise since it is subtitled the "Summer Vacation Tour Soundtrack" which kind of implies that it taken from an oldies tour. To their credit, Benatar and Giraldo turn in professional, accomplished performances and the 15-track lineup is rich with hits, but it's still a greatest hits live album - which means it's satisfactory for those that just don't care which version of a hit they get (as long as they get the hits man!), and perhaps of interest to those hardcore fans that want everything their favorite artist has done, but is essentially not of interest to the great majority fans that just want to hear their favorite songs, the way they were originally released. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'The King Biscuit Flower Hour'
Release Date 7/20/1999
Tracks 13
Label King Biscuit
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
8-15-80, in many ways, is a minor treasure for dedicated Pat Benatar fans: Benatar was captured live in San Francisco, just as she was launching the supporting tour for her second album, Crimes of Passion. Since that record and its predecessor, In the Heat of the Night, are generally considered her best albums, it's not surprising that this concert, which draws entirely from those two discs, finds her with a wealth of great material that she delivers with passion and energy. It's a standard-issue arena rock show, but it proves that Benatar was one of the best female vocalists of the arena rock era. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pat Benatar's forgotten 1997 album, Innamorata, is an acoustic-heavy collection in keeping with the organic, acoustic trend popular in the '90s, yet still incorporates Benatar's trademark rock & roll soul. The songs on this set are not the traditional electric guitar fare -- these songs are fleshed out with strings and acoustic guitars, yet they still manage to rock like Benatar's best. The album has its share of moody, bluesy songs, such as "Dirty Little Secrets" and "I Don't Want to Be Your Friend," as well as acoustic ballads, such as "Papa's Roses." But the best are the straight-ahead rockers like "At This Time," "River of Love" (which also possesses an irresistibly soulful groove), the catchy, radio-ready "Only You," and the amazing "Strawberry Wine." The album is mature, the music is soulful and gutsy, and Benatar's operatic voice is in fine form. This sadly overlooked set is a must for any self-respecting fan of one of rock & roll's true top-notch queens, and proves that this gal's artistry is right on track. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Gravity's Rainbow marked Pat Benatar's return to arena rock after the dismal failure of her blues album True Love. While it well-produced and carefully constructed, the album failed to capture an audience. Although she had returned to the sound that made her famous, both radio and the record-buying public had lost interest and the album slipped off the charts shortly after its release. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
