THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2023 (Page 11 of 11)

GARY MOORE – After Hours

September 7, 2023 /

I think it’s well documented that Gary Moore is without doubt one of the best guitarists of his generation. Though it took him quite sometime to find out just exactly what made him happy. Having been chameleon-like by changing styles almost album by album, it wasn’t until the release of Still Got The Blues in 1990 that Gary truly felt at home. This is the follow up to that album, and was released in ’92. I think it’s safe to say Joe Bonamassa has copied the blueprint of Gary for his own empire.

People forget how good Gary’s voice is and the blues fits it perfectly, it is a fine compliment to his incendiary playing. Having seen him play on the Corridors of Power tour I didn’t think just a few years later he would be rockin’ up with a horn section and female backing singers, but this is still the same Gary just in a different frame. This is my favourite rock album of his, and it’s hard to pick a favourite track as it’s all killer. But, I’m going for the opener Cold Day In Hell, and the duet with BB King Since I Met You Baby. I bet Gary was like a little kid when he got BB to guest on his record.

You are deeply missed Gary and long may your music shine on.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PLINI – Sunhead

September 7, 2023 /

This is the Australian guitarist’s seventh release. Of which, six have been EP’s and only one album. They seem to favour the shorter format and releasing more frequently, as those have all been released since 2011.

Now, I love instrumental albums especially where the guitar is a focus. Plini is from that modern school of playing where drop tuning is the norm to create deep rhythm tracks where the guitar has room to play over the top. Opener Kind is just that, with an excellent choppy fusion groove. Salt+Charcoal is a continuation with the deep and heavy bass groove laying a killer foundation for Plini to lay melodic beauty over the top.

A very smooth jazz piano intro, with a killer bass tone lays at the intro to Flaneur. The tune then opens up with that deep groove, carrying the whole thing along. My favourite track however is the final and title track, Sunhead. A very gentle intro before that deep crushing riff pounds the listener, before we return to melody.

I love Plini and he can do no wrong in my eyes, but I do get how this is not everyone’s taste.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

POISON – Flesh & Blood

September 6, 2023 /

Ah, Poison. The band that everyone loves to hate, and the band that were blamed for the death of melodic rock and the birth of grunge. Of course, we all know now that that the death of rock was premature and today there are some killer rock bands still releasing great music. One thing that people forget about Poison is that they sure know how to write a catchy, memorable tune. Plus, CC Deville has some serious chops.

This is album number three for them. They changed their style slightly to get away from that bubblegum rock tag and tried to write in a more “serious” way. Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, who has the touch of gold for this type of band, and the album duly went triple platinum. Ironically, the songs with the most impact were Unskinny Bop and Something To Believe In – the songs that were more bubblegum pop than the rest of the album.

There are lots of little references to old blues here, mainly due to little intros like on Ball And Chain that either are pure genius or designed deliberately to make them seem a more serious band. Either way, I think they are cool and add colour to the album. My favourite track however is opener Strange Days Of Uncle Jack, a definite step away from the norm that proves the band can rock hard with the best of them.

Let’s face it, Poison write tunes that make people happy, and what’s wrong with that?

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACKFOOT – Strikes

September 6, 2023 /

This album (which was the band’s third release and came out in ’79) was part of a trio of albums which also included Tomcattain and Marauder that were the band at their creative peak. A mixture of some well chosen covers and originals, this is one of my favourite Blackfoot albums. Plus, the cherry on top is you get the band’s awesome signature tune Highway Song.

Although, my favourite track is a little less known ditty: Left Turn On A Red Light. It’s got Southern USA stamped all over it and is a fine continuation of what Skynyrd had started. Love the riff and those harmonies sure hit the spot. Also of note is the appearance of Rick Medlocke’s grandad Shorty on a rip roaring version of his song Train Train. Although, the cover of Free’s Wishing Well is pretty much a straight note for note cover it doesn’t hit the spot for me.

A killer band live that I caught on a couple of occasions. Highway Song always brought the house down and is a bonafide classic, that’s for sure.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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