THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 7, 2023

AL HARLOW – Now

January 7, 2023 /

I’m sure a lot of you will have heard of the band Prism. They had a US hit with Don’t Let Him Know in ’81, I think. Well, Al is still a member of that occasional gigging band, and this is his solo album released in early 2022. Al also released an album under the Harlow name back in ’77, so it’s not his venture out on his own.

So, what does Mr Harlow sound like out on his own? Well it’s mostly songs written in the pop/rock vein. There is one track on the album co-written with Brian Adams and Jim Vallance called Way Of The World, which is what you would expect, a big ballad. Lots of early sixties vibes through a lot of the album, and I Believe, which was mixed by Mike Fraser, is a perfect example of this. My favourite track is He Don’t Live Here No More which has a really cool bluesy vibe, and I love the guitars on this one. I great little record and you just don’t hear tunes being made like this anymore.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACK STONE CHERRY – s/t

January 7, 2023 /

This is a reissue of the band’s 2006 debut album, on the great Music On Vinyl label. Black Stone Cherry are one of the earliest retro vibe bands, and one of the best.

The album opens up with Rain Wizard , a ripping track with a monster riff and groove with just a hint of Soundgarden in there. Blackwoods Grove follows with another fat huge riff, and this track really swings. Lonely Train starts with a real busy groove and that main riff sounds so simple but sooo cool. The hook and chorus are huge! Maybe Someday has a serious 70’s groove going down, especially the main riff. Epic stuff! When The Weight Comes Down follows and the main chords are very punk rock in feel, I’m really loving Chris Robertson’s vocals. Crosstown Woman is bringing the heavy with the drums and guitar at the intro. Killer vocal and I love the whole groove of the song. Shooting Star closes out Side 1, and I love the phased guitar opening, the guitars sound huge on this one.

Hell And High Water opens up Side 2 and this is the most commercial radio-friendly tune so far. Great track! A cover of the Yardbirds’ Shapes Of Things follows and it’s almost unrecognizable from the original, it’s played with a lot more energy and is a great dirty rock groove. Violator Girl is next and it’s also my favourite track. It’s all about the riff and groove. I play this tune a lot! Tired Of The Rain is the most chill track on the album, with added B3 by Reece Wynn’s. Big riffs and chords announce the arrival of Drive with a full blast vocal from Chris. The album closes out with Rollin’ On, another very commercial sounding track, again with Reece’s B3 for flavour. A great album and would be a worthy addition to anyones collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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