In the world of Hard Rock music, few have sustained longevity quite like Night Ranger. A story that began now over 40 years ago, Night Ranger has sold over 17 million albums, standing out on the ’80s scene with songs such as 1982’s “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” 1983’s “When You Close Your Eyes” and 1984’s “Sister Christian.” A combination of exceptional guitar work from Jack Blades and Brad Gillis, along with anthemic songwriting, Night Ranger are a band that fit respectively within more mainstream Rock-n-Roll, but also the Hard Rock genre.
Really a band that deserves to be celebrated along with the best Rock acts from the ’80s era, now in 2023, they offer fans something different with their new live album 40 Years and a Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Released on October 20, 2023 through Frontiers Music SRL, and one of the band’s list of live records (from 1990’s Live in Japan to 2016’s highly charted 35 Years and a Night in Chicago), this new one stands out boldly.
Firstly, celebrating 40 years of Night Ranger, dating back to the release of their 1982 album Dawn Patrol, the new live performance was recorded on November 9th of 2022 out in Cleveland, Ohio at KeyBank State Theatre. Fair enough, what really prompts you to pay closer attention is that the band – Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Brad Gillis, Eric Levy, and Keri Kelli – recorded it along with The Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO).
Something that adds a new dynamic to Night Ranger’s music, the orchestra was made up of 80 plus musicians ranging between 12 to 18 years of age, representing more than 40 schools in the Ohio state area. Rather cool for the band and the kids, in the past the CYO have performed with the likes of Styx and Kenny Loggins. This all in mind, the orchestra played the entire set of the evening with Night Ranger, and the results were something magical.
To recap, the set includes 12 songs, all of which sound colorful and full of life. And with this, standouts include “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” the emotional “Goodbye,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love,” but also the epic “Night Ranger.” Each dressed with a new layer thanks to the orchestra, nothing sounds out of place, and it all works together rather nicely.
Overall, 40 Years and a Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra is a fitting way for Night Ranger to celebrate a very special anniversary. Furthermore, what is really cool is that beyond the live music to enjoy on either CD, vinyl, or streaming, Night Ranger are also offering the visual of that evening in Ohio both on Blu-ray and DVD. In all, thoughtful, memorable, and something you will want to listen to (or watch) many times over, Cryptic Rock gives 40 Years and a Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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