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I wasn't personally very familiar with "Meat Loaf" until later in his career, since I was living overseas when "Bat Out Of Hell" was released. New music doesn't get to Military Bases in a very timely manner! After returning to the States, I guess I just missed what was up with the guy, until a "Meat Loaf" super-fan introduced me to some of his music. It was okay, but only couple of the "Very Best" really made any kind of impression on me - that is until "Bat Out Of Hell II" was released in 1993. Like every other romantic female that likes rock out music, I was totally taken in by "I'd Do anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)." The video actually added to the attraction of the song, even with a rather large "Meat Loaf" as the "hero!"
That album got purchased in a hurry, since I was now married to the previously mentioned "Meat Loaf" super-fan. And I was VERY impressed by this outing! Some of "Meat Loaf's" other albums were floating around our house, but I never paid much attention to them until "Bat Out Of Hell II." There are so many great songs on that album, I had to backtrack in my listening!
Moving on to the present, I found some astonishing facts in the Press Release that arrived with "The Very Best Of Meatloaf," but the album itself blew me away before I ever read anything about his career! I have to quote a few of the facts before I start on the album itself, simply because I was floored when I read them. Did you know that the original "Bat Out Of Hell" is one of the FIVE best-selling albums in history, at 30 Million copies and counting?? How about that "Bat Out Of Hell II" was his first number one album, going FIVE TIMES Platinum, and "I'd Do Anything For Love . . ." won him his first Grammy ever in 1993? And this was followed in 1995 by another platinum album, "Welcome To The Neighborhood?" I sure didn't!
Then there's the new and improved "Meat Loaf" who's revived his movie career that started with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" back in 1975. He has five new movies already in the can, one of which is playing on Pay-Per-View right now. This one is "Black Dog" with Patrick Swayze. The others include "Crazy In Alabama," starring Melanie Griffith and Rod Steiger (Antonio Banderas' directorial debut), "Outside Ozona," with Kevin Pollack, Penelope Ann Miller and Sherilyn Fenn, and "Gun Shy" with Diane Lane. Actually, when "Meat Loaf" started his musical career, the music press condemned him for being an actor, " . . .because actors don't make records." WRONG! At least not this actor! Besides, if you pay attention, which you should, you know that Jim Steinman's lyrics are always character-driven, story songs. Sort of a hard rock "Harry Chapin."
Anyhow, to get back to "The Very Best Of Meatloaf," you have a big surprise in store. In addition to his "very best" songs, some of which have been re- mastered by Ted Jensen with Paul Angelli at Sterling Studios for this album (some pretty awesome versions I might add), there are three new songs, two of which were composed by "Andrew Lloyd Weber" and produced by Steinman. The third is a Steinman/Titleman production, and all three will blow your socks off! It's worth the price of the 2-CD set just for these songs, but there is SO much more here.
Being a super-fan of Weber (I have eclectic taste, what can I say?), of course I have to talk about those songs first. I'll probably commit a cardinal sin in the eyes of some "purist" music fans, but there's no mistaking a song Weber is involved in, and in my opinion, Meat can ALMOST pass for "Michael Crawford." After hearing these songs, I know he'd make one hell of a "Phantom Of The Opera!" Well, he's not singing "Phantom. . .," but he is singing "A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste" from the musical production "Whistle Down The Wind," currently playing in London's West End. To quote Mr. Loaf, "This is the ultimate. If you're gonna reach a pinnacle in over-the-top, this is it." I must agree with that statement.
"A Kiss . . ." is the second song on disk #2 of the set, after "I'd Do Anything For Love . . .," and clocks in at 7 minutes and 36 seconds of absolutely wonderful music. Over Weber's extended career, he's produced several rock-oriented songs in such musicals as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and even portions of "Cats," to mention a few (yes, I've seen them all plus many more). After hearing Meat sing "A Kiss . . .," I can't wait for "Whistle Down The Wind" to hit the States!
Okay, back to the man with the album! I'm a little more partial to disk #2, simply for the selections on this disk, but both disks are totally awesome. Opening, as I said, with "I Would Do Anything . . .," the song still sends chills up my spine. I also have a feeling this song was one of the "improved" versions. It just gets better and better with every listen.
Next up is "A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste." With a full orchestral background, complete changes of style in places, and one of the smoothest vocals I've heard from "Meat Loaf," it's a hard to describe song, but is truly magnificent. The music, lyrics, delivery, harmonies and backing vocals all contribute to make this the most outstanding selection on disk #2 - and that's saying a hell of a lot! The chorus lyrics (and they change during the song) grab you in the gut, and the orchestral accompaniment is a tremendous enhancement. Some lyrical examples from the first portion include "The loneliest words you'll ever know/ If only, if only it was so/ The loneliest words that there'll ever be/ It could have been me, it could have been me . . .A kiss is a terrible thing to waste/ It's something that's always been so. . .And one of these night you're gonna show me you already know/ There's a feast waiting for you and you've never even gotten a taste/ It's later than you think and a kiss is a terrible thing to waste." Changing in midstream, the music and lyrics go in an entirely different direction, but it all fits together. Examples from the next section include "Tire tracks and broken hearts/ It's all we're leaving behind/ (Let's get away from the pain)/ It doesn't matter what we're losin'/ It only matters what we're going to find!" and closing with "It's later than you think/ And/ A kiss is a terrible thing to waste."
Continuing with the second disk are some of "Meat Loaf's" most memorable songs, including "I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)," "Not A Dry Eye In The House," "Nocturnal Pleasures (another one that sounds re-mastered), "Dead Ringer For Love" (the original version done as a duet with "Cher"), a totally rockabilly/rock version of "Midnight At The Lost And Found," a bit longer version of one of my favorite songs, a soul-wrenching rendition of "Objects In The Rearview Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are," and, of course, winding up with the rousing "Bat Out Of Hell."
Going back to disk #1, the opening track is the other Weber/Steinman song, "Home By Now/No Matter What." Again there's no question of Weber's influence, but Meat makes the song his own. "Meat Loaf" calls this track ". . .absolutely brilliant. It may turn out to be my favorite song I've ever done." It sure is one of my favorites too! Orchestral accompaniment also appears on this song, and the opening vocals are a soft, sad caress. The song begins with We should have been "Home By Now," a haunting intro, then segues into "No Matter What." The composition, harmonies and instrumentals really exhibit Weber and Steinman, as well as "Meat Loaf," at their best. This is another extremely hard to describe song, but very beautiful. With the right promotion, this could be another chart climber.
Another of my favorites from "Bat Out Of Hell II" is up next, a Remix of "Life Is Lemon And I Want My Money Back." It's got more instrumentals, a harder edge and more emphasis than the original - which only makes it better. I always liked the lyrics to this song, even if I don't agree with ALL of them. Still, the title (and lyric) is priceless in my book!
The next several songs are all "Meat Loaf" classics, including "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Nights)," "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad," "Modern Girl" and "Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through."
"Is Nothing Sacred," the new Steinman song, follows, and this one is another heartfelt ballad that overflows with emotion - both musically and lyrically. It's a rather simple song, but with a beautiful melody, and lyrics ". . .Is nothing sacred any more/ Is forever just another word/ Is a promise something people used to keep/ When love was worth fighting for . . . If we can say goodbye/ Is nothing sacred any more?"
Probably the most famous "Meat Loaf" song is up next, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light." This is the 1977 version with "Ellen Foley" on the female vocal, and "Todd Rundgren" on guitar. It's a long story/song, and if you've never heard it, well, you don't know what you're missing, so check it out. The "baseball play-by-play" euphemisms for sex done by Phil Rizzuto (All-Star Yankee shortstop and the voice of the New York Yankees) are as great as ever!
Rounding out disk #1 (and this review) is "Heaven Can Wait," another classic, and quite an appropriate note to end on. This is one of the BEST "Best Of" albums I've ever listened to in a year where one hell of a lot of reunion tours and "Greatest Hits" or "Best Of" albums were released. "Meat Loaf's" music has never been "ordinary" rock, and the new songs only add to his repertoire of story rock. If you're a fan already, you probably already have, and love, this set. If you're on the fence about this "Meat Loaf" guy, plunk down the bucks and go for it - it's worth it! If you've never listened to "Meat Loaf" before, this is THE album to start with, because it IS "The Very Best Of Meat Loaf!"
© 1998 by Mary Ellen Gustafson aCCESS tO tHE mUSIC zONE
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