REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: May 21, 2021

ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION – Champagne Jam

Formed back in ’71, this is a mid-period release from ’78. Not as famous as other southern rock bands, mainly because they didn’t travel much outside of the US, and they had a softer approach – compared to say the Allman’s and Skynyrd. This album includes the top ten single, Imaginary Lover.

Things start off brightly with the up-tempo Large Time, which shows off the twin guitar attack of Barry Bailey and JR Cobb. I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight is slower in pace and is a decent tune. Then ballad city rolls in with Normal Love, which is super syrupy and meh. Side 1 close out track is the title track – the best track on the album. It has a great southern swagger and groove and is almost a shuffle. A soft rock gem.

Side 2 has the aforementioned single, Imaginary Lover, and it’s very Fleetwood Mac in its execution. Next up is The Ballad Of Lois Malone and is as southern sounding as it gets with that hint of country. The Great Escape and Evileen are what you would call yacht rock and end the album on a bit of a whimper.

Earlier albums had a lot more edge and groove to them. It’s an ok record and not a bad album for sure, but it does sound very dated.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

ALAN HOLDSWORTH – Road Games

Considered by many as the guitarist’s guitarist, Holdsworth is one of the true innovators of the instrument. Acknowledged for his use of advanced musical theory in stretching the possibilities of melody and harmony by using weird and wonderful chord progressions. Eddie Van Halen is name checked in the credits, and I’m sure it’s because of Ed that Ted Templeman is an executive producer.

This basically is an extended EP, and with only has six tracks, it clocks in under 25 minutes. This is one for the muso’s amongst you as there aren’t many real time songs, although, the title track Road Games has a normal song structure with lyrics and everything, and the track Was There (which has the amazing Jack Bruce on vocals) is the best track on the album. There is no doubt that Holdsworth was an incredible player, and his playing here is exceptional. Ably accompanied by the amazing Jeff Berlin on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums, this album is for jazz fusion aficionados and for the curious.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.