THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2021 (Page 5 of 13)

Y&T – Black Tiger

September 21, 2021 /

This is the 4th studio album from this San Francisco 4 piece. This album is the middle one, and in my opinion is the best 3 album run of the band’s career with Earthshaker, Black Tiger and Mean Streak. Sure, they had hits on other albums, but for consistency in the all killer no filler department, these albums rule.

Opening up with the short intro piece, From The Moon, and we are off running with the awesomeness that is Open Fire. A great up-tempo rocker with a great riff. Don’t Wanna Lose was an attempt at writing a radio friendly track and they seemed to manage that ok. Hell Or High Water has that slow rock stomp with the big anthem sing-a-long chorus. Forever closes out Side 1, and this is one of the band’s best tunes. I love everything about this song! Killer vocals, guitar, and a great melody and chorus.

Side 2 starts with the epic title track, Black Tiger, and what an amazing intro to start the track. This is up there with one of the best ever songs by the band, and this is one of my go to Y&T songs. A good old fashioned blues rock romp follows with Barroom Boogie. Sometimes the simple songs are the best, and this song is no exception. A simple riff and groove and away we go. My Way Or The Highway is the penultimate tune and another big sing-a-long slow rock anthem. It leads into the close out track, Winds Of Change. Thankfully not the cheesy Scorpions tune. Y&T have always put these slow build monster tracks at the end of albums, and you don’t forget tracks as good as this.

Dave Meniketti is an amazing guitarist and an awesome singer, and the band are killer! This would sit nicely in anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TYTAN – Rough Justice

September 21, 2021 /

A very interesting little band from the latter period of NWOBHM. This album originally came out in ’85 just after the band had split up. Brainchild of ex-Angel Witch bassist Kevin Skids Riddles, and had Steve Gibbs on guitar. On vocals was Kal Swan who would disappear to LA and team up with Doug Aldrich to form Lion. The drummer on the album was ex-Judas Priest drummer, Les Binks.

The metal takes a back seat as the emphasis is on the melody and songs with taking advantage of Swan’s great voice. It all sounds a bit dated listening back today, but songs like Blind Men & Fools, Rude Awakening, and The Watcher are really good songs. My favourite track is Ballad of Edward Case, which is a great up-tempo rocker. A worthy addition to collectors of NWOBHM.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DAMN YANKEES – s/t

September 20, 2021 /

What do you do when you get bored with doing your day job? You go out and form a supergroup with your buddies who are also bored. Released in 1990, this album sold squillions, which with the musical climate changing to the love of all things Seattle – its no small achievement. All their day-job bands had peaked, and they were all on a slow downward trajectory. This was a chance at salvaging some glory.

Produced by Ron Nevison, this is a really good album, and 3 singles were released. Coming Of Age is a freakin’ awesome opening track, with a great riff and superb melody. Bad Reputation, in my opinion, is even better – with a killer hook and chorus and a great groove. Runaway is an AOR classic. The weird thing is, the band have their own sound and there are no hints of their day gigs. High Enough is the predictable ballad inclusion and was a huge smash. I’m sure Ted loved playing this track. The title track closes out Side 1 and has a huge funky riff and groove, and does remind me of Aerosmith around this period.

Come Again is the big production number of the record and opens up Side 2. Mystified is modern country/blues, and Nashville would have loved this song. Back to their rockin’ ways with Rock City, which has a Just What The Doctor Ordered style riff. Next up is Tell Me How You Want It, and I’m stunned this was not released as a single as the chorus and hook are huge. The album closes out with Piledriver, and its the heaviest song on the album – it’s the only track with Ted on vocals. So that ladies and haemorrhoids is how you write a great melodic rock record.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

RONNIE MONTROSE – 10×10

September 20, 2021 /

This is a tough album to review as it was released after Ronnie’s death. The project was actually started in 2003, and only the basic guitar tracks, drums, and bass had been recorded. The original idea was to have ten songs with ten different vocalists. Part of these vocal tracks were recorded before Ronnie passed away, but the rest (as well as all lead guitars) were not completed. So Ricky Phillips along with Eric Singer and wanted to complete the project as a tribute to Ronnie.

There are some amazing performances on this record, both vocally and guitar wise. The guest spots are a bit of a who’s who of who Ronnie worked with throughout his career. Sammy Hagar does a vocal on Color Blind with Steve Lukather providing the solo. Heavy Traffic has a killer vocal from Eric Martin and a superb solo from Dave Meniketti. Any Minute with vocal and guitar by Mark Farner is a great track. Joe Bonamassa plays a great solo on The Kingdom’s Come Undone.

Ricky Philips has done a great job as producer in holding it all together as it comes across as a cohesive band effort, which must have been really difficult with all the artists involved. Sadly Ronnie never got to hear the final effort. A really enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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