Aerosmith: Steven Tyler (vocals, keyboards, harmonica, mandolin, percussion); Joe Perry (vocals, guitar, dulcimer); Brad Whitford (guitar); Tom Hamilton (electric bass); Joey Kramer (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Desmond Child (vocals, keyboards); Don Henley, Lenny Kravitz (vocals); Thom Gimbel (saxophone, keyboards, background vocals); John Webster (keyboards, programming); Richie Supa (keyboards); Mapuhi T. Tekurio, Melvin Liufau, Wesey Mamea, Liainaiala Tagaloa, Sandy Kanaeholo, Aladd Alatina Teofilo Jr. (Polynesian log drums). The Margarita Horns: Tom Keenlyside (saxophone); Ian Putz (baritone saxophone); Paul Baron, Bruce Fairbairn (trumpet); Bob Rogers (trombone). Recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studio, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and A&M Studios, Los Angeles, California. “Livin’ On The Edge” won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal, and was nominated for Best Rock Song; “Cryin'” was also nominated for Best Rock Song in 1994. “Crazy” won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. By 1993, Aerosmith’s comeback was in full swing, and GET A GRIP proves that, after soldiering on through drug problems and interpersonal tensions, the band wasn’t about to let its new lease on life get away. Most of the material on GET A GRIP is a far cry from the band’s celebrated ’70s work, both structurally and in terms of production. But while the sound is a bit more panoramic, incorporating more keyboards and a grander, more pop-oriented approach, Steven Tyler and the boys have lost none of their fire here. Tyler’s voice may have changed a bit over the years, but what he’s lost in sheer lung power he’s gained in character, and on the power ballad “Crazy” (one of the biggest hits of the band’s career), he demonstrates the passionate poignancy he’s capable of. While there are more pop-friendly tunes here than on some of their earlier albums, GET A GRIP does not lack for sheer rocking energy. Songs such as “Livin’ on the Edge” are fueled by Joe Perry’s distinctive rock-god guitar work, and the Perry-Tyler songwriting team generates both musical sophistication and four-on-the-floor hard rock.

• RSD Release Date: n/a
• Genre: Rock