Rockin' the Joint (CD - 2005)

Captured in 2002 at a rare club appearance in Las Vegas, ROCKIN' THE JOINT presents a live set that in large part pays homage to Aerosmith's early days. In support of the full-length JUST PUSH PLAY, the swaggering Bostonians break in new cuts "Beyond Beautiful" and "Light Inside"--both fitting neatly into the band's canon. Concert staple "Same Old Song And Dance" features a fine midsection vamp, followed by gleaming renditions of "No More No More" and the moody "Seasons Of Wither." "Draw The Line" spotlights Joe Perry's bluesy slide work while the requisite (if not sappy) power ballad "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" is handmade for a swaying crowd of late-to-the-party fans.

The 'smiths then dust off Bull Moose Jackson's risque boogie "Big Ten Inch Record," pushing into an extended jam of "Rattlesnake Shake." This fevered version of the Peter Green-penned classic is profoundly apropos; seeing The Jam Band (featuring future Aerosmith cohorts Tom Hamilton and Joe Perry) play it in 1970 gave Steven Tyler the itch to drop everything and follow his rock-star dreams. minimize