Tesla first tested out some of their favorite rock classics with their fans in the summer of 2006 during the Electric Summer Jam tour (the first tour with guitarist Dave Rude, who replaced original guitarist Tommy Skeoch... more »). While UFO?s Rock Bottom went down like a storm to a standing, cheering, grandstand crowd of 10,000 in Milwaukee, Black Sabbath?s War Pigs engaged 6,000 people in Lansing, Michigan so much that they refused to leave during a torrential rainstorm which lasted throughout the entire two-hour show. After getting such a positive reaction from their fans, the band knew making REAL TO REEL was a logical next step for them. Real To Reel is a collection of songs that inspired us back in the day when we first heard them in the ?70s, says singer Jeff Keith. We originally had a large list of songs in mind for the record, and we had a lot of fun picking out the ones that ultimately made it onto the album. Making music is all about feeding off of your inspirations and putting your own touches to it. We feel we?ve accomplished this to the highest extent.« less
Tesla first tested out some of their favorite rock classics with their fans in the summer of 2006 during the Electric Summer Jam tour (the first tour with guitarist Dave Rude, who replaced original guitarist Tommy Skeoch). While UFO?s Rock Bottom went down like a storm to a standing, cheering, grandstand crowd of 10,000 in Milwaukee, Black Sabbath?s War Pigs engaged 6,000 people in Lansing, Michigan so much that they refused to leave during a torrential rainstorm which lasted throughout the entire two-hour show. After getting such a positive reaction from their fans, the band knew making REAL TO REEL was a logical next step for them. Real To Reel is a collection of songs that inspired us back in the day when we first heard them in the ?70s, says singer Jeff Keith. We originally had a large list of songs in mind for the record, and we had a lot of fun picking out the ones that ultimately made it onto the album. Making music is all about feeding off of your inspirations and putting your own touches to it. We feel we?ve accomplished this to the highest extent.
"Thank-you Tesla for making this great CD available to those of us who couldn't make it to a show during the summer of 2007. I thought Reel 1 was good but this one's even better. That oh-so-satisfying heavy guitar crunch that showed up on Reel 1's "Walk Away," "Day of the Eagle," and "Rock Bottom" shows up again on Reel 2's "Not Fragile," Saturday Night Special," and "War Pigs."
In the same way that Reel 1's "I've Got a Feeling" actually sounded BETTER than the Beatles original, Reel 2's "I Want to Take You Higher" sounds BETTER than Sly's original. If you love the classic Gibson/Marshall guitar tone, then this is your CD. It contains some of the best guitar sounds I've ever heard, and effectively pays tribute to pioneers like Ronnie Montrose, Joe Walsh, Robin Trower, Gary Rossington, Keith Richards, Tony Iommi and Joe Perry.
Reel 1 and Reel 2 are so fun to listen to, that I'm prepared to plunk my money down on volume 3 if the boys are so inclined. In fact, Tesla is going to HAVE to create Reel 3, if only to pay tribute to the Who, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. Oh, I just remembered another song from Reel 1 that is superior to the original: "Hand Me Down World" by the Guess Who. Great stuff. Buy it!"
Tesla Rocks the Classics
J. Lupton | Just south of Oblivion | 10/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tesla does it again in outstanding fashion. I appreciate the fact that they picked many less obvious songs and made them all their own. Case in point: Montrose's "Make It Last" and BTO's "Not Fragile" both excellent versions that make you appreciate the originals and the tesla-fied versions - they both rock. This cd contains two other gems Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do" and Sabbath's "War Pigs". I've never heard anybody cover Frampton's song (and you thought the live version was the final word!) 12 minutes of electric guitar bliss. "War Pigs" contains a wicked guitar break a la Hendrix (in this case..f'in Frank Hannon very underrated guitarist). I've heard many tribute cds and only a select few can make you forget the original version and seek out a newer version. This cd is easily one of the best cover song cds I've ever heard. P.S. Heard them cover "Rock Bottom" and "Do You Feel Like We Do" in '92 and Tesla rocked the house with smokin' versions of both songs. This rocks...BUY IT and support a band that plays out and is not played out."
Complete the Set with Real to Reel 2
Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 11/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thoroughly enjoyed Real to Reel 1 by Tesla. Had some great covers, both known and unknown. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Real to Reel 2. I don't think it is as good as the first one due to song selection only, but it does contain MY favorite Black Sabbath song: War Pigs. And they do a good job on it. I would honestly give this 4 stars, but I am trying to compensate for "Apetit's" 1 star review (completely Un-appropriate) from Monkeyville USA. What an IDIOT this guy is.
Anyway, if you liked version one you should like version 2. Plus, it gives you the chance to mix and match your personal favorites and burn to one disc."
Awesome Job
vick_troy | Lafayette, LA | 12/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The guys from Tesla have done it again. All they have ever done is rock. They never got into all the hair band, glam stuff. They have always been T-shirts and blue jeans hard rockers. The first album is slightly better because of song selections, only because I was not familiar with some of the songs, but the more I listen the better it gets. Once in a while I recognize on the radio some of the original songs they covered on these 2 albums and man what a great job they did covering them. I can honestly say, of all my favorite artists, Tesla has never disappointed me. I love every album and pretty much every song they have ever done.
Keep on making good rock guys and keep it coming."
Glad they released this for all!!!
Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 12/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The initial plan was to keep Reel 2 as a CD only available to those who went to the concerts, but apparetly popular demand and watching auctions sell these CD's at ridiculous prices, they released it to the public. I'm glad they came to their senses.
Queensryche, Def Leppard, Poison,Ozzy, and Tesla have all released cover albums in the last few years, and this Real to Reel series is the best of all of them. Real 2 highlights are the It's My Body cooper cover,a long with the BTO special "not fragile. Excellent musicianship that we expect from tesla, great guitars. a must have for a tesla fan."