Get it in Target stores and there are two bonus tracks: a live version of their cover of Sweet’s "Action"(they used this to open their Euphoria UK tour with and it’s a stormer!) and "When I’m Dead and Gone."
Best Buy's version has two different bonus tracks, "No Matter What," done live, and another studio track, "Winter Song."
So where am I going with this? Wal-Mart, to try and outdo the rest, have signed up with Def Leppard for a separate CD for the princely sum of $6, that includes five additional cover songs and three backstage interviews. It is quite different from Yeah! as it isn’t tracks done by the whole band together.
Opener is "American Girl," the Tom Petty classic, and it rocks along very respectably. This only features Joe Elliott and Viv Campbell from Def Lep along with Marc Danzeisen on drums and vocals and Jesse Sheely on vocals.
An interview jumps between each band member without introductions, this is the same on the other interview “intermissions.”
"Space Oddity" next, this done by Joe Elliott and I began to think that he’d got hold of the original music backing track and sung over it, but the drums are probably the real giveaway to show that’s not the case. You can tell that Joe put a lot into this one.
Next track is "Dear Friends," originally done by Queen, written by Brian May. This is done entirely by Rick Savage and again you know it’s incredible what he has done and although it is short (1:27) it is an excellent interpretation.
The last track was originally recorded by early '70s glam rocker Jobriath. Joe Elliott is the sole Leppard on this track, playing Fairground Organ and it’s just something really melancholy. He pulls in Dave Browne on piano and Ronan McHugh on cellos and in a way it kind of brings back memories of the Def Leppard track "Two Steps Behind." Soft album closer.
Bottom Line On the Bonus
All said and done, this “bonus” CD is alright, although I really only picked it up more out of curiosity than anything. How many copies they’ll sell will probably be limited, but that doesn’t really matter to these guys.The main Yeah! album will sell because it’s Def Leppard and they are getting stacks of promo opportunities and have been back on TV a lot on the late night talk show circuit. They also have the added bonus of being out on tour with a fantastically popular band called Journey! Yes, what a double header!
The Bonus Mini Album CD I’d actually give 5 out of 5 on the individual merits of the band members and what they’ve achieved here, and the interviews, which aren’t bad for just off the cuff stuff. For $6, it’s actually well worth the money. Enjoy this and the tour, if you can get tickets!
