THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: June 19, 2021

MAHOGANY RUSH – IV

June 19, 2021 /

This is the album where the hippy psychedelic leanings of Frank’s music started to give way to the more guitar hero rocker tunes. This also coincided with being the first recording for his new label CBS. Ironically, Frank would be battling with them for the entire length of his contract. This would also be the last Mahogany Rush record, as Frank Marino would be in front hereafter. A very underrated artist, not just as a guitar player, but as a songwriter as well and all the tunes are self penned.

Opening track, I’m Going Away, is a reminder of the psych leanings of Frank’s early music and is a great tune. The funky vibes of Man At The Back Door is next up, and has some really cool tones from his guitar. Live favourite, The Answer, follows and has a very Hendrix groove and riff and the middle section is killer – Frank lets rip with some spacey solo. Jive Baby is a great step away from the norm with a jazz/funk vibe and groove. Side 1 closes out with Its Begun To Rain, and the late sixties love and peace vibe is alive and well.

Side 2 opens with Dragonfly and you will not hear a better riff and groove. I love everything about this track – the spacey solo is just the cherry on the top. Little Sexy Annie is a sped up beast of a tune with a great riff and melody line, and some ripping guitar to blow your blues away. The very weird, Moonwalk, follows and after the intro the track goes into Mahavishnu territory as Frank’s shows his chops. The album closes with IV The Emperor and is an epic spaced out psych fest with lots of guitar. A great and enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MORE – Warhead

June 19, 2021 /

Another one of the many casualties of the NWOBHM period of band’s who had a shot, but ultimately came up short. Probably more famous for having an ex-Iron Maiden vocalist in the band in Paul Mario Day, and Laurie Mansworth who went on to form Airrace, and I think he had something to do with the Cartoon in Croyden as well.

When you don’t have the songs there is not a lot you can do. I mean they are alright, but nothing jumps out and grabs you. Opener, Road Rocket, is ok but that riff was used by the Egyptians its that old. A cover of Arthur Brown’s Fire is next and it’s ok, but nothing amazing. Soldier is a half decent tune with a nice instrumental section. Side closer, Depression, is not a bad attempt at doing something a little more commercial, but the production is so flat it does nothing for the song – it almost feels like a demo.

Side 2 opens with the title track, Warhead, and again, it’s basic riff-erama that needs a boost to lift it. Mario Day’s vocals are the best thing about the song. Way Of The World at best is pub rock, and if it wasn’t for the guitars of Mansworth and Kenny Cox, this whole album would be a bust. We Are The Band has a variation on “the riff” and is ok. Album closer, I Have No Answers, starts with one of the worst guitar pieces you will ever hear, until the song starts at a gallop and could be a Hawkwind cast off.

What should have happened here is that the record company should have stumped for a half decent producer to work with the band on the songs. This album just sounds like a collection of demos that shouldn’t have been let out of the bedroom. Only for NWOBHM completists.

4/10 from The Grooveman.

Archives

© 2024 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑