http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=163283&category=POPREVIEWS&BCCode=&newsdate=8/23/2003

The classics make Def Leppard
 
By MICHAEL ECK, Special to the Times Union
First published: Saturday, August 23, 2003

ALBANY -- The phrase "Def Leppard" existed in young Joe Elliott's mind long
before he ever had a band to attach it to. Little did he know that almost 25
years after he finally climbed on stage with such a well-monikered crew, Def
Leppard -- which helped launch the great wave of British heavy metal -- would
still be going strong in 2003.

Elliott and the Lepps leavened a hit-packed show at the Pepsi Arena on Friday
with a brace of songs from the group's latest album, "X," and a few nods to
heavy-rocking forbears.

Many of the tunes from "X" fit well within the band's catalog of sing-along
chart-toppers. But the rules of radio have changed since the '80s, when bands
like Leppard ruled the airwaves.

Translated, that means these guys can't scare up a hit to save themselves these
days. Don't try telling that to the faithful, though. A number of folks in the
crowd sang right along with the new stuff, too.

Elliott, 44, dedicated "Long Long Way To Go" from "X" to the combined U.S. and
British forces in Iraq. Before singing "Now," he thanked those in the crowd
decked out in Union Jacks for their years of support.

A quick acoustic interlude found the singer strumming a bit of Lynyrd Skynyrd's
"Sweet Home Alabama," and he also quoted from Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love"
during the hard-rocking "Rocket."

The latter also featured a guitar duel between fretmen Vivian Campbell and Phil
Collen. While it showed off both gents' considerable skills, it was more
friendly than competitive.

The quintet didn't disappoint when it came time to roll out the classics.

Elliott did sound a little tired by midset, but he still made sure that all
concerned had a good time.

The opening riff of "Photograph" would have made everyone jump to their feet if
they hadn't already been standing for the entire show. It was the clear
highlight of the night, but "Animal," "Hysteria," "Armageddon It," "Pour Some
Sugar on Me," "Rock of Ages" and an encore of "Love Bites" were pretty fine,
too.

Production-wise, the concert was surprisingly simple, with no video screens or
pyrotechnics to accompany the music of a band so linked to the video age.

Opening act Ricky Warwick braved the arena solo and was quite impressive. A
former member of New Model Army, the Belfast-born Warwick speaks with a brogue,
strums with a vengeance and sings like a man possessed by northern soul. Imagine
an Irish Mike Ness, and you've just about got the picture.

His solo debut, "Tattoos and Alibis," produced by Elliott, will be released in
September.

MUSIC REVIEW

DEF LEPPARD with Ricky Warwick

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Pepsi Arena, Pearl Street, Albany

Length: Def Leppard, 2 hours. Ricky Warwick, 30 minutes.

Highlights: The band's quintessential hit ``Photograph'' drew the biggest
response of the evening.

The Crowd: About 5,000 faithful stood all night long to hear hits from Britain's
best pop metal jukebox.

Upcoming: Pop stars Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake perform at the
Pepsi tonight.

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The Hearst Corporation, Albany, N.Y.