Yup. I'd also put State of Grace in the same basket.

Just to say...

Legendary mastering engineer Bob Ludwig has recently announced his retirement, along with the closure of Gateway Mastering Studios, the facility he founded in 1992. He made the announcement on 2 July 2023, saying: “I won’t be taking on new mastering work as of June 30. - src

Knowing Axl, Perhaps was turned in the last day

Remember that time in 2006 when Axl showed up at Derek Trucks' show at the Roxy and hung out with them afterwards? Five years ago, members of the Big Damn Band shed a little more light on how it was to hang out with him in Trucks' tour bus. They mention how they were wary at the time to spill the beans to the media despite numerous call-ups around the world. A lot of fans have disliked their story, because it paints Ax in a little... unfavorable light.

https://pca.st/eh1qwdxz#t=1592

Do I believe their story? In essence, yes. They met Axl, for sure. They remember his then-age correctly (44yrs). He was interested in getting Derek to play on CD. This was in February, a few months before Ron was begged to join the band. All that stuff checks out in terms of timelines.

They describe Axl as pretty easygoing at first. During the afterparty, he takes in loads of Patron tequila. No more Mr Nice Guy. After some left-field events like a call from his stepsister Amy Bailey to inform him of a newborn nephew/niece, Axl storms into Derek's tour bus, where the others have already gathered. He insists everybody listens to some CD tracks. His abrasiveness kills the mood and he intimidates everybody. Derek's wife passes out, the BDB members scuffle out at the first opportunity. Derek is left alone with Axl. He manages to loose Axl at the parking lot and hides under a car. Axl's handlers presumably find him wandering around, utterly wasted, hollering at the out-of-sight Derek.

It's a rare and, I'd say, pretty believable look into his mindscape in that era. That's likely the routine TB have had to deal with repeatedly when he's had too much to drink in a social setting. Had he presented the offer differently, Derek might've even guested on CD. But this is how Axl rolls. It's sort of amazing that he got people like Bucket to join the band in the first place. Has he really changed that much since? I doubt. It's something of a miracle he's kept the touring act together all these years.

It's probably more in the lines of Jimmy Iovine being ticked off by it. Iovine then discouraged Axl. It's an odd thing to say, but yeah - Interscope had an opening to release the album, but they apparently slow-walked Axl into starting over again.