The early ’90s were a good time for the Philadelphia rockers Cinderella. Their sound was shifting from glam-metal to blues-rock, and these tunes grabbed from their Heartbreak Station Tour in 1991 have Tom Keifer, Eric Brittingham, Jeff LaBar and Fred Coury in fine form.
The set starts with the rhythmic and energetic “The More Things Change,” where Keifer’s inimitably gritty vocals are met with Brittingham’s chunky bass. “Push Push” then pounds with well timed backing vocals that blend power and melody.
Further along, “Night Songs” is a dense moment with a sing-along that showcases Coury’s thumping drums and LaBar’s thick guitar licks, while the volume is turned down with “Heartbreak Station.” Acoustic guitar and keys are present for the ballad, as Keifer tugs on the heartstrings with his emotive pipes.
The band keep plugging away, and soon “Falling Apart At The Seams” allows for the meticulous rhythm section to impress us, and Keifer’s guitar playing is nothing to spit at, too, but it’s the vulnerable and wise “Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)” that we’ll all associate Cinderella with, and it’s delivered here with heart and soul. “Shelter” exits the night, and it recruits saxophone, female backing vocals and, of course, the quartet’s chemistry that was truly firing on all cylinders on this night.
As the ’90s went on, things changed drastically for Cinderella. They kept the band together until going on hiatus in 2014; unresolved tension within the band kept them apart until LaBar passed away in 2017.
Not just another hair metal band, Cinderella’s bluesy moments, gospel hints and even jam band traces set them apart from the rest. Whether you’re a fan or just enjoy diverse hard rock, investing a couple of hours in 1991 with Keifer and crew is time well spent.