THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: February 22, 2022

DAVID LEE ROTH – Diamond Dave

February 22, 2022 /

Other than the album that Dave recorded with John 5 that has never been released, this is the forgotten album in the DLR catalogue. Only previously available on CD, and released in 2003, this album creeped out as a vinyl release towards the end of 2021. I think everyone was expecting an old school Dave album, but Dave being Dave, released a blues/RnB album with the majority of the tracks being covers.

Ironically, the best track on the album is the only slight nod to his past, the self penned Thug Pop. The highlights of the covers are Hendrix’s If 6 Was 9 which is a really cool version, his take on Soul Kitchen by The Doors which is a really cool rendition, and Shoo Bop which I think was a Steve Miller tune. Not his best for sure, but it’s quite an interesting insight into the tunes that do it for Dave.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

JOE SATRIANI – Flying In A Blue Dream

February 22, 2022 /

I think all rock fans were surprised when Joe had huge success with Surfing With The Alien, as rock instrumental albums weren’t supposed to be that popular. So there was a bit of pressure on the follow up to see if it was a fluke. Also, the first album was mostly electronic drums so it’s nice to hear a real drummer on this album. If anything, this album is better than Alien.

The opening title track is superb and I love the the melody of the guitar and that driving groove. In fact, the driving factor throughout the record is how well Joe creates guitar melody’s and hooks from what usually would be vocal lines. There are some super creative pieces on here with the use of peddles, sounds, and tones like on the track Headless where it sounds like a harmonica is being used.

Of course the big thing on this album is having tracks with vocals, and the best of those for me is Strange with that off time funky groove. Big Bad Moon has the riff to On The Road Again, only with some serious guitar overload. The best of the instrumental tracks is The Bells of Lal Part Two. The guitar playing is just insane and if you want to know why everyone raves about Joe, then go no further than here. I’m a big fan of Joe and he continues to make great records.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑