Bruce Dickinson
Accident In Brazil

THE REVIEW

In the tour following the successful album "Accident of Birth," Bruce recorded this live: it's a concert held in São Paulo, one of the favorite destinations of the English singer. As on the album, he is accompanied by a line-up featuring Adrian Smith (ex-Maiden) and Roy Z on guitars, Andy Casillas on bass, and Dave Ingraham on drums.

The concert opens with "Accident of Birth," in a wilder version than the studio one, and Bruce immediately shows a certain dynamism that seemed lost in the last tour with the Irons. After the negligible "Toltec 7 Arrival / Star Children," which, although well executed, adds nothing to the live performance, there's "2 Minutes To Midnight," a classic from the Irons, written by Bruce with Adrian, which the singer introduces by saying: "We call this one Mr. Smith goes to São Paulo," driving the Brazilian audience wild. Then there's "Darkside of Aquarius," played very well, but the bass is too pronounced. Again, the song is introduced by a long talk from Bruce. Next is "The Magician," masterfully executed, in which São Paulo sings the wild scream of the chorus "OH-OH-OOH-OH-OH," and this version is much better than the one recorded in the studio.

Then comes "Road to Hell," excellently executed, which is his solo song where the Irons' style is most felt (after all, it was composed together with Smith). Then some songs from previous albums are played: "Tattooed Millionaire," which, when played with two guitars, has a much greater impact on the listener, the splendid semi-ballad "Tears of the Dragon" and "Powerlave." After "Taking the Queen," which in my opinion is not one of the best on the album, come the final classic concert songs: "Flight of Icarus," to which Bruce has always been attached, "Laughing in the Hiding Bush" from the album "Balls To Picasso," and the final "Run To The Hills," where Bruce promises that the following year he will come, with the other guys, to play in São Paulo. Indeed, the following live album, "Scream For Me Brazil," will also be recorded in São Paulo.

This live does not have exceptional sound, but it is nice to listen to for Bruce fans, who will certainly not be disappointed with a great vocal performance. The other flaw of this live is the complete absence of songs from "Skunkworks," which shows how far Bruce has moved away from the most experimental part of his career (and troubled and unsatisfying from a commercial point of view). It's not extraordinary, but it's always worth listening to Bruce live, especially if he seems to be having fun like in São Paulo!