DVD REVIEW: COLT FORD – Crank It Up! Live At Wild Adventures

Label: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Some performers know how to control a stage and audience from the minute they hit it.  Colt Ford is one of those performers.  He and his band play to the crowd and do what they do best.  These guys make no mistake about their roles – they are there to entertain the people that showed up to see them.  This group, led by bassist and all around good guy Paul Chapman, make their way through all of the hits Colt has recorded over the years as a solo artist or with the assistance of his many friends in the country music world.  Each band member is given his moment to shine at one point or another during the course of this show, while out promoting the front man’s latest disc.

A lot of these songs are given treatment that mirrors the versions that are familiar to Colt Ford fans and country music fans alike.  Whether it is set opener “Answer To No One,” which is an energy filled track that sets the show and disc off on the right foot or “The High Life” which was originally recorded with Chase Rice, the audience is into the set.  Drummer Tim Haines works his butt off keeping the band anchored and on time song after song.  While watching the show, one might think Colt is a name dropper, but fact of the matter is that he has written or performed with a proverbial who’s who of country music over course of his career.  He and his band work their way through familiar songs like “Back” which was originally recorded with Jake Owen and the Jerrod Neimann duet “Crickets.”  The crowd is treated to Colt country-rockin’ to “Country Thang” just before ripping into fan favorite “Drivin’ Around Song,” which didn’t lose a step though it was void of Jason Aldean’s vocals.  One of the best sounding tracks on the collection is “Mr. Goodtime,” as the band is tight, the crowd is into the vibe of the song and show, and Colt is letting the guys in his band do what they do best, especially fiddle playert Justin Bertoldie and guitarist Spencer “Spanky” Bassett.  As the show goes on, you can’t help but wish you were in the crowd for this show.  Even if country music isn’t your thing, anyone into music is into a good time, and that is exactly what is had by everyone from Colt, his band, the crew, and the audience.  Never again will I question a buddy of mine that once told me to give Colt and his band a chance… these guys know how to rock, country style.  Even when the weather tries to dampen the spirits of the crowd while actually dampening the area with rain, the audience plugs along as the band forges through more tracks and ends with the huge hit, “Dirt Road Anthem.”  This is a great live disc with superb production – but better than that, it well represents what Colt and the guys do live.

Video Tracklist: Answer To No One – The High Life – Crank It Up! – Back – Crickets – Country Thang – Drivin’ Around Song – Mr. Goodtime – Waste Some Time / Cricket On A Line / Huntin’ The World / This Is Our Song – Workin’ On – Ride Through The Country – Ske’s Like – Chicken And Biscuits – Dirty Side – Hip Hop In A Honky Tonk – Washed In The Mud – No Trash In My Trailer – Thanks For Listening – Waffle House – Dirt Road Anthem

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Category: Other Reviews