Full Bluntal Nugity

by Vincent Jeffries

Like Double Live Gonzo recorded over 20 years before it, Full Bluntal Nugity is a concert recording that features the Motor City madman's biggest and best '70s arena rock hits. Recorded live during a New Year's Eve performance at Ted Nugent's annual Whiplash Bash in the guitarist's hometown of Detroit, this collection also includes plenty of Nugent's fast-talking concert banter. Not only is Nugent in fine performance form, but his accompaniment -- courtesy of drummer Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne) and bass player Marco Mendoza -- is also top-notch. The recording is clean and the performances are surprisingly energetic. Listening to Nugent as he blazes his way into the fifth decade of his performing career is a bit of a wonder, as songs like the epic "Great White Buffalo" and "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" sizzle with the man's hard-edged guitar crackle and type-A vocal blasts. Classic records like Free for All and Cat Scratch Fever from Nugent's peak '70s solo era are perhaps the best source for new listeners looking to get into the man's music. But hardcore fans and especially completists will get plenty of kicks out of Full Bluntal Nugity.