Five Man Acoustical Jam

Last updated

Five Man Acoustical Jam
Tesla fivemanacousticaljam.jpg
Live album by
ReleasedNovember 9, 1990 [1]
RecordedJuly 2, 1990
Venue Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genre Acoustic rock
Length67:34
Label Geffen
Tesla chronology
The Great Radio Controversy
(1989)
Five Man Acoustical Jam
(1990)
Psychotic Supper
(1991)
Singles from Five Man Acoustical Jam
  1. "Signs"
    Released: December 1990
  2. "Paradise"
    Released: 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly A [3]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]

Five Man Acoustical Jam is a live album recorded at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia and released in 1990 by the band Tesla, using acoustic guitars instead of the electric guitars for which pop-metal [5] bands such as Tesla are traditionally known.

Contents

The biggest hit from the album was the song "Signs", a cover version originally from the band Five Man Electrical Band, who also had a hit with the song. Other songs included "Love Song" and "The Way It Is" (hits from their previous album The Great Radio Controversy ) and covers of The Rolling Stones' "Mother's Little Helper", Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Lodi", and The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out".

Background and recording

Tesla was originally reticent to perform an all-acoustic show. They had performed an acoustic version of their hit "Love Song" at the 1990 Bammy Awards, a local music awards show in the San Francisco Bay Area sponsored by the indie music publication BAM . The performance was so well received, that the band's co-manager Peter Mensch tried to get the band to perform an all-acoustic set during a lull in their touring schedule, while they were opening for Mötley Crüe on their 1990 Dr. Feelgood tour. When Mensch brought up the idea, bassist Brian Wheat replied "Fuck no! We’re a hard rock band, man!", though Mensch goaded them into developing a fully acoustic set by challenging their musical skill, claiming they were unable to pull it off.

The band developed a 90-minute set entirely performed on acoustic instruments, and after three days of rehearsal, debuted the set over two shows at Slim's in San Francisco just before the launch of the Mötley Crüe tour. Given the strength of the two shows, four additional dates were booked during gaps in the tour, and the July 2 show at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, was selected for recording for a potential live album, at Wheat's suggestion. The tapes from the show sat unused for two months, until a live performance of "Signs", recorded at WAAF in Boston, had become a big hit at that station The other co-manager Cliff Burnstein convinced Geffen Records to release the live recordings from the Trocadero show. Initially envisioned as an EP, the band convinced Geffen to release it as a full LP.

In reviewing the tapes, Wheat's acoustic bass playing did not record well, so he re-recorded his parts in the studio, the only overdub work done on the original live recordings. It was decided to title the album Five Man Acoustical Jam in honor of the Five Man Electrical Band, who had original performed the song "Signs" that Tesla covered on the album. The album was released on November 9, 1990. [6] [7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Comin' Atcha Live/Truckin'"Tesla / Garcia, Weir, Lesh, Hunter Original song / Grateful Dead 7:23
2."Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)"Keith, Skeoch 4:41
3."The Way It Is"Hannon, Keith, Luccketta, Skeoch 6:35
4."We Can Work It Out" Lennon, McCartney The Beatles 2:09
5."Signs" Emmerson Five Man Electrical Band 3:15
6."Gettin' Better"Hannon, Keith 3:30
7."Before My Eyes"Hannon, Keith, Luccketta, Skeoch 6:06
8."Paradise"Hannon, Keith, Wheat 5:49
9."Lodi" Fogerty Creedence Clearwater Revival 2:51
10."Mother's Little Helper" Jagger, Richards The Rolling Stones 3:47
11."Modern Day Cowboy"Hannon, Keith, Skeoch 6:09
12."Love Song"Hannon, Keith 9:54
13."Tommy's Down Home"Skeoch 2:04
14."Down Fo' Boogie"Keith, Skeoch 3:21
Total length:67:34

Personnel

Tesla

Production

Charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [8] 63
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) [9] 26
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [10] 65
UK Albums (OCC) [11] 59
US Billboard 200 [12] 12

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [13] Gold50,000^
United States (RIAA) [14] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mötley Crüe</span> American heavy metal band

Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California in 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist/lead vocalist Greg Leon. After some time, Leon was replaced by guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Michael White respectively. The latter was soon replaced by Vince Neil. Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They have also achieved seven platinum or multi-platinum certifications, nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, twenty-two Top 40 mainstream rock hits, and six Top 20 pop singles. The band has experienced several lineup changes over the years, leaving Sixx as the only constant member; these included the introduction of lead vocalist John Corabi and drummers Randy Castillo and Samantha Maloney, both of whom filled in for Lee following his departure from Mötley Crüe in 1999; he returned to the band in 2004. In October 2022, after 41 years of service, Mars announced his retirement from touring with the band, with former Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 replacing him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poison (band)</span> American glam metal band

Poison is an American glam metal band formed in 1983 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The most successful incarnation of the band consists of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Bret Michaels, drummer Rikki Rockett, lead guitarist and backing vocalist C.C. DeVille, and bassist Bobby Dall. The band achieved huge commercial success in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s and has sold 18 million records in the United States and over 55 million albums worldwide.

<i>Dr. Feelgood</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Mötley Crüe

Dr. Feelgood is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on August 28, 1989. Dr. Feelgood topped the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band's only album to claim this position. It was the first album Mötley Crüe recorded after their quest for sobriety and rehabilitation in 1989. In addition to being Mötley Crüe's best selling album, it is highly regarded by music critics and fans as the band's best studio album. This was also the band's last album to be recorded with lead singer Vince Neil until the 1997 album Generation Swine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Y&T</span> American hard rock band

Y&T is an American hard rock/heavy metal band formed as a cover band in 1972 in Oakland, California, with the lineup that would record the first album cementing in 1974. The band released two studio albums on London Records as Yesterday & Today in the 1970s before shortening their name to Y&T, after which they released several albums on A&M Records beginning in 1981, and later on Geffen Records, Avex Records, and more. The band was originally co-managed by Herbie Herbert and Louis "Lou" Bramy. The band has sold over 4 million albums worldwide to date, output summarized as 18 albums, three greatest hits collections, and a boxed set.

<i>New Tattoo</i> 2000 studio album by Mötley Crüe

New Tattoo is the eighth studio album by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released in 2000. Artistically, New Tattoo shows the band returning to the earlier musical style that gave them commercial success in the 1980s and early 1990s. This is the only album by the band not to feature drummer Tommy Lee, who left the band a year before, and was replaced by former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinderella (band)</span> American glam metal band

Cinderella was an American rock band formed in 1983 in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum studio albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation and popularity. Cinderella initially had a glam metal sound throughout the late 1980s before shifting into a more blues rock-based sound during the early to mid 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla (band)</span> American rock band

Tesla is an American rock band from Sacramento, California. In late 1981, bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon formed a band named City Kidd, which evolved into Tesla. By 1984, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Tommy Skeoch, and drummer Troy Luccketta had joined the band, forming their classic lineup that appeared on all of the albums and live shows during their initial run. The band adopted the Tesla moniker shortly before recording their first album, as another band with a name similar to City Kidd already existed.

<i>Theatre of Pain</i> 1985 studio album by Mötley Crüe

Theatre of Pain is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on June 21, 1985. Released in the aftermath of lead vocalist Vince Neil's arrest for manslaughter on a drunk driving charge, the album marked the beginning of the band's transition away from the traditional heavy metal sound of Too Fast for Love and Shout at the Devil, towards a more glam metal style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson (band)</span> American rock band

Nelson is an American rock band founded by singer/songwriters Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. The band achieved success during the early 1990s with their debut album After the Rain, that included "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection".

<i>Mötley Crüe</i> (album) 1994 studio album by Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe is the sixth studio album by heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was released on March 15, 1994. It was the band's only album released with singer John Corabi, and was the first album of new material released by the band since their 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood.

<i>Girls, Girls, Girls</i> (Mötley Crüe album) 1987 studio album by Mötley Crüe

Girls, Girls, Girls is the fourth studio album by American rock band Mötley Crüe, released on May 15, 1987. The album contains the hit singles "Girls, Girls, Girls", "You're All I Need", and the MTV favorite "Wild Side". It was the band's final collaboration with producer Tom Werman, who had produced the band's two previous albums, Shout at the Devil and Theatre of Pain. Like those albums, Girls, Girls, Girls would achieve quadruple platinum status, selling over 4 million copies and reaching number two on the Billboard 200. The album marked a change to a blues-rock influenced sound, which was met with positive reception.

<i>Generation Swine</i> 1997 studio album by Mötley Crüe

Generation Swine is the seventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on June 24, 1997. The album marks the return of lead singer Vince Neil following his last appearance on 1991's Decade of Decadence and the last to feature drummer Tommy Lee until the 2008 album Saints of Los Angeles. It is also the band's last album to be released on Elektra Records. The album's name as well as the title track is derived from Generation of Swine by Hunter S. Thompson.

<i>The Great Radio Controversy</i> 1989 studio album by Tesla

The Great Radio Controversy is the second studio album by American hard rock band Tesla, released in 1989. The album's sound has been described as "glam metal to play inside the cab of a tractor-blusey denim and downright wholesome".

<i>Bust a Nut</i> 1994 studio album by Tesla

Bust a Nut is the fourth studio album by American hard rock band Tesla, released in 1994. It was their final studio album on Geffen Records. The first single was "Mama's Fool," followed by "Need Your Loving" and "A Lot To Lose." The album was certified gold by RIAA on March 16, 1995.

<i>Mechanical Resonance</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Tesla

Mechanical Resonance is the debut studio album by the American hard rock band Tesla. It was released on December 8, 1986, by Geffen Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Feelgood (Mötley Crüe song)</span> 1989 single by Mötley Crüe

"Dr. Feelgood" is a song by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home Sweet Home (Mötley Crüe song)</span> 1985 single by Mötley Crüe

"Home Sweet Home" is a power ballad by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was originally released in 1985 on the album Theatre of Pain, and again in 1991 for the Decade of Decadence 81-91 compilation album. It has been covered by several artists, most notably country singer Carrie Underwood, who released her version as a single in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixx:A.M.</span> American hard rock band

Sixx:A.M. was an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 2007 by Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and James Michael, and was a side project of Sixx, who was also at the time bass guitarist for Mötley Crüe. The group is best known for their songs "Life Is Beautiful" and "Lies of the Beautiful People". The name Sixx:A.M. is a combination of all of the members' last names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)</span> 1990 song by Mötley Crüe

"Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" is a song by Mötley Crüe. It is the tenth track from their 1989 album Dr. Feelgood and was released as the album's fourth single in May 1990. It peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on the Mainstream rock charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Day Cowboy</span> 1986 single by Tesla

"Modern Day Cowboy" is the debut single by American heavy metal band Tesla, from the band's debut studio album, Mechanical Resonance. The song's lyrics make references to criminals such as Billy the Kid and Al Capone, until the final verse, which references Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

References

  1. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  2. Five Man Acoustical Jam at AllMusic
  3. Garza, Janiss (December 7, 1990). "Five Man Acoustical Jam Review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  4. "Tesla - Five Man Acoustical Jam CD Album". CD Universe . Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  5. Huey, Steve. "Tesla - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved March 2, 2021. The idea behind 1990's Five Man Acoustical Jam was virtually unheard of -- a pop-metal band playing loose, informal acoustic versions of their best-known songs in concert...
  6. Elliot, Paul (November 13, 2021). "Tesla: the musical miracle of Five Man Acoustical Jam". Louder. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  7. "25 Years Ago: Tesla Break Through with 'Five Man Acoustical Jam'". ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  8. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9121". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  9. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  10. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN   4-87131-077-9.
  11. "Tesla | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  12. "Tesla Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  13. "Canadian album certifications – Tesla – Five Man Acoustical Jam". Music Canada.
  14. "American album certifications – Tesla – Five Man Acoustical Jam". Recording Industry Association of America.