THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2021 (Page 8 of 15)

STREETWALKERS – Red Card

May 16, 2021 /

Having seen them performing tracks from this album on the Old Grey Whistle Test, I went out and bought this album the day after. Formed by ex-Family members Roger Chapman and John Whitney, this is the band’s third album released in ’76. They came around at the wrong time, as just they were gaining a bit of traction, Punk came along and the musical landscape changed nearly overnight. Taking what Family did and expanding the sound with more proggy vibes – they had a sound all of their own. Of course Chapman’s distinctive gravelly tones and vibrato are up front and centre, and the music that supports it is strong and diverse.

Run For Cover is a great opening track and the addition of Bob Tench on guitar really drives the song. Me An Me Horse And Me Rum is a strange but lovable track. Crazy Charade is all about Chapman and is driven by an off funk groove. Daddy Rolling Stone has an underlying old RnB groove, and is reminiscent of Family with Chapman singing his ass off. Side 2 starts with Roll Up, Roll Up and is another funky tune in the Family vein. Between Us follows, and has a barrow boozer vibe to proceedings. Shotgun Messiah has a very southern US vibe – they would get some success in the US with this type of tune. Decadence Code with its funk/reggae groove closes out the album with Chapman wailing all over the track. This type of music is seeing a bit of a revival. Whether Streetwalkers become fashionable again it remains to be seen.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Ritual

May 16, 2021 /

NWOBHM pioneers are still plugging away after 40 plus years, albeit with only one original member, which is fully loaded compared to some legacy bands that have zero original members. Somewhat invigorated with the arrival of guitarist Mickey Crystal (who is a first division musician) and the band have released an album that stands proud against anything they have done before.

Opening track, Worlds Apart, shows Mickey’s talents to the fullest – both with the full on riff and killer leads. Destiny has a touch of Ozzy with the main riff, and has a nice chorus. Rescue Me is up next and starts with a slow chugga riff – its a decent tune. Raise Some Hell follows and has that NWOBHM riff that I am sick of hearing. Every band and his dog has used this riff so many times – it should be put out for retirement. The song is saved by a killer solo. Spoils Of War closes out Side 1 and is a nice epic tune and the big production of this side. It sounds nothing like the Tygers if I’m honest, mostly thanks to the epic guitar from Mr. Crystal.

Side 2 opens with the single White Lines which is an ok song with a nice chorus and melody, but (and this is becoming a habit) the song is lifted by the guitar. Words Cut Like Knives is power ballad 101 with a nice vocal from Jac. Damn You is straight from the NWOBHM rule book with a textbook riff. Art Of Noise is next up and is the most modern sounding track on the album with the pounding bass. Close out track, Sail On, has an almost Malmsteen intro and sounds very euro metal – its a great track. Big shout out to the rhythm section of Gav Gray on bass, and Craig Ellis on the pots and pans – who lay down some great grooves. Mickey Crystal sadly left the band after this, saying he was being used just to write songs and that Weir’s involvement was minimal. Shame, as he is a top class musician and he will be missed.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DREAM THEATER – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

May 15, 2021 /

This whole album is a concept piece and a sequel to Metropolis Pt. 1 that appeared on the Images and Words album. To try and explain this quicklyL it’s about a man called Nicholas who goes into regression therapy, and while he is under hypnosis he sees a girl named Victoria Page. He learns that she was murdered and she is now haunting him to reveal the truth about her murder. This also the first appearance on record of Jordan Rudess on keys – after the departure of Derek Sherinian.

This is one of the best albums of the Prog rock genre, and is rightly regarded as a masterpiece. I am lucky enough to have seen this performed in its entirety (with the original recording line up) on various occasions – and you felt like you were seeing something special. I won’t bother to dissect each song as it is one whole piece that is split into sections. The highlights for me (and there are many) are: Overture 1928 and Dance Of Eternity/One Last Time – they are just other worldly and supremely written and composed pieces that I never tire of hearing. If you don’t shed a tear with The Spirit Carries On then you are not human. In my opinion, the band miss the creativity of Mike Portnoy. There is that spark missing from the albums recorded after his departure. If you are a fan of this genre, then you know how good this record is. If you are are somewhat curious, then you should buy this at the earliest your wallet allows.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

DAN REED NETWORK – s/t

May 15, 2021 /

I’m not sure if anyone would put Portland, Oregon as the capital of Funk, but for a couple of years in the late eighties, it was Funk central – thanks to the Dan Reed Network. The band actually formed back in ’84, but it wasn’t until ’88 that they secured a record deal with Mercury. So what happens when you give a big rock production to the catchiest funk and R&B songs ever written? Well, the short answer is this beast of an album! The band were put together with mega producer Bruce Fairbairn, and engineer Mike Fraser. With those two at the helm, and some killer tunes, it was impossible not to score big.

Every song on this album screams hit – I kid you not! After the rap intro of World Has A Heart Too, the next three songs are just perfection. Get To You was released as a single and is a superb funk groove masterpiece. Ritual has a more rocky approach, but again is a great tune, and that is followed by Forgot To Make Her Mine – what a 1, 2, 3 that is. Bands would kill for just one of those songs. Tamin’ The Wild Nights is the obligatory ballad that was in the contract in the eighties. The side closes with I’m So Sorry which is a fantastic pop song. I think you would agree that was a pretty awesome first side.

Side 2 starts with the band’s big number of this record, Resurrect, and is contender for the “best song they did” trophy. This song as everything: it rocks, it seriously grooves, and it has one hell of a sing-a-long chorus and melody. I defy anyone not to move to this song. Baby Don’t Fade is a slowed down dirty funk tour-de-force – with a groove and melody to die for. Jeez I forgot how good this album is. Human is next and is more of a straight up pop tune – again, melody is high on the list of priorities. Halfway Around The World is the Side 2 ballad, again eighties contracts deems it so. Which brings us to album closer, Rock You All Night Long, and it does what it says on the tin, but with a funky groove.

The album after this, Slam, is also a great record, but then it slowly faded away and Dan went a bit fruit loops and new age, and disappeared for a long time. You guessed it, it’s another everyone should own one!

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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