THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 10, 2021

WIDE MOUTH MASON – Stew

September 10, 2021 /

Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, this is the band’s 4th studio album. The band are described as a blues rock outfit, that may be the case as of now, but back in 2000 when this little gem was released, the funk was very much flowing through the band’s musical veins. This album is one groovy beast. A couple of singles were released in Canada, Smile, and Change – which did quite well.

Who’s There is a great groovy funk monster of a tune to open up the album with, and She’s Alone carries on that groove but with an added solo from Shaun Vereault – who is a very tasty player. Once You’ve Got It has a great hook and chorus to go with that irresistible funky groove. They do remind me a little bit (in this song at least) of British groove combo, Amor. Smile is next with its infectious groove and melody. One of the quirkiest songs of the record is next with Bushi Su, which is pure old school funk. If you don’t move to this track, you need a tune up of your groove muscle. Change follows and it’s a simple pop funk with a great melody and groove. Side 1 closes out with Watchewan and it’s early seventies funkarama.

Side 2 opens up with my favourite track, Mad Doctor, which has a killer riff and groove. It’s another time to test that groove muscle as the funk is deep in this one. Exquisite is a slow grinding funk with some nice harmonies and a fantastic groovy middle eight. Sleepwalker is the least funkiest track on the record and feels more like indie rock. Breathe Out has pinched the riff from Queen’s Dragon Attack, well part of it anyway, and there is a nice solo as well. I guess they were listening to the Game at the time. Ease Your Mind is a superb slow funky blues with a very tasty solo. The album closes out with Fa Na Na and is almost Prince-esque in its execution. Superb track. Unfortunately they don’t sound like this anymore as the last album had a bit too much fuzz box for my tastes. Overall, a great album.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

OZZY OSBOURNE – Speak Of The Devil

September 10, 2021 /

You will not here Sabbath songs played better anywhere. This is in no small part due to the amazing guitar of Mr. Brad Gillis. Yep, that guy from Night Ranger. After Randy died, and after a few false starts, Brad was the guy that finished the Diary tour. On two nights at the Ritz in New York, Ozzy decided to play a best of Sabbath set and record it for posterity – and this ladies and germs is it. There was a big argument between Oz and Sabbath at the time, probably due to Sharon being Sharon, and this was Ozzy’s big FU to his previous band.

There is no point in me going through the songs, as everyone will have heard them countless times. All I will say is these are the best versions I have heard of these songs, as Gillis, Sarzo, and Aldridge give them a much need shot in the arm. Brad’s guitar is on the verge of feedback constantly, and the way he controls that whilst playing some killer leads is just awesome. He never overplays, it’s just what the songs need. A fantastic album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

LEE AARON – Metal Queen

September 10, 2021 /

This is the 2nd album from the Canadian songstress, and in my opinion, was the best female rock/metal album around at the time. Yes that includes Diro and Warlock. I think Lee has a better range to her voice, and the band she had around her were better. This is the RSD reissue in glorious shocking pink, and Unidisc have actually done a decent job on this one – unlike Whitesnake’s Live album where they omitted the second disc.

The title track opens the album and shows what a great voice she has – plus guitarist John Albini riffs hard. Lady Of The Darkest Night is more of a melodic rock track than metal, but the chorus and melody are cool – again, John Albini’s guitar shines through and he has a killer tone. Head Above Water is next and the opening riff is awesome. The melody and chorus is quite stock, but again, it’s the guitar that lifts the song. Got To Be The One is a generic power ballad, which as you would have picked up on if you have read previous reviews of mine, are not my favourite type of tune, but again a killer solo saves the day. Shake It Up closes out Side 1 and is a hair rock anthem type of tune.

Side 2 starts with Deceiver, and as with Metal Queen on Side 1, the metal side of Ms. Aaron comes out to play. Great song, big riff, rocking groove, huge guitars, and a killer vocal, it’s the best track on the album. Steal Away Your Love follows and this track would not be out of place on a Judas Priest album of the eighties. Great tune, and a killer guitar sound. The slow build of Hold Out is next up, and the band are trying something a little different with a cool quieter section that flows into the power chorus. Power ballad number two, Breakdown, follows with a Zeppelin style middle eight, and then we are onto the last track, We Will Be Rockin’. That’s just what it does – it’s a good old feel good rock song.

A great little album that sounds just as good today as it did then – mainly down to Lee’s vocals and John Albini’s killer guitar.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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