Ace does not need any introduction really, since being in the business since 1974 with Kiss; he has laid down some of the blueprints for many-a-modern guitar player. This DVD is really one for guitar players. There is a 30-40 minute interview with Ace, who tells us the story behind the start of Kiss, their career and his already well-documented exits (2 of!) from the band. I wont go into details, as this will spoil things for the viewer, you will just have to buy it and see! You get an in depth explanation on how Ace developed his smoking guitar, the rocket guitar and the disco light guitars, and a little history of his signature Gibson Les Paul guitars. There are snapshot interviews with Matt Sorun (Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult) and John 5 – who? (Marilyn Manson) and George Lynch (Dokken).
Following this, as I mentioned, for guitar players, Ace shows us in great depth how to play 2 Kiss songs, namely ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Shock Me’. Whilst Ace teaches them very well and gives advice on how to play riffs in different ways, it is a little bit of a bore to be honest, mostly for beginners and players wishing to know the craft correctly. But these are pretty easy songs anyway; maybe it would have been more interesting to play some of Ace’s own tracks. At least the camera angles are comprehensive and you get to see everything going on.
The next section is a series of “jams” with the aforementioned players, ‘Cold Gin’ and Shock Me’ plus later in the DVD on of Ace’s new tracks ‘Pain in the Neck’. Yeah ok, its fairly interesting, by why no vocals? Is this a Gene and Paul (Kiss) restriction, copyright etc? Who knows, but there is no reason not to sing during Ace’s own track! George Lynch during the ‘Cold Gin’ jam doesn’t appear comfortable or knowledgeable about Ace’s song and is very quiet in the mix! Next up is one especially for guitar nuts. A series of bootleg live guitar solos, showing Ace through the ages, but the clips are utter rubbish quality camcorder footage. Its ok for a curious, at least the Kiss solo has the smoking guitar featured.
The modern age strikes back, video tablature of the 2 songs in this instructional DVD also features, very much x-box guitar player. “The Little Kids Rock foundation” also features, but no footage of Ace. Vinnie Appice (Heaven & Hell, Dio and loads more) and Joe Satriani feature and advertise the inclusion of free instruments and free lessons to underprivileged schools in the USA. This is a good cause, but why on this DVD? Maybe I am being cruel here, but I want to see more of Ace. When you do, there are feature length commercials for his latest opus ‘Anomaly’, very cheesy and American! You just have to see them to have a giggle.
On the whole, I don’t really see the point in this DVD; Ace’s first ever DVD could have been so much better, it is not for general consumption and definitely for beginner guitar players whom know nothing of the history of Ace Frehley. Whilst the man is a legend, this is a DVD you will buy if you have to have everything the man ever releases, but in the main, not really that exciting.
http://www.acefrehley.com
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