THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: November 14, 2023 (Page 1 of 2)

Sensational Alex Harvey Band – The Penthouse Tapes

November 14, 2023 /

I’ll admit that SAHB were a big schoolboy crush band for me, and I still revisit them often. This album wasn’t loved by the press when it came out as they were accused of taking the easy option as most of tunes are covers.  All of the songs however, were played live at some point over the years and the band did add their originals. There was a few problems withe Alex’s health around this time, so this was more of a take the pressure off record.

Of the three original tracks, my favourite is Jungle Jenny which is prime SAHB with Alex giving us his best story teller lyrics. Of the covers and my favourite of the whole album is a ripping version of Love Story by Jethro Tull. Now, if you’re going to do a cover you have to blow the doors off, and indeed that is what the Harvey’s do here. Giving it the right amount of beef to add to the dramatics and Zal just rips it on the guitar. There are some other seemingly strange choices on the album, like Del Shannon’s Runaway which was a single, and a killer version of Crazy Horses by the Osmonds.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band are one of the best live acts of their time and are greatly missed.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TYRON PACE – Watching You

November 14, 2023 /

I think this is the third album from these German Judas Priest soundalikes. I also beleive it was the last album to feature future Primal Fear screamer, Ralf Scheepers. Close your eyes and you would think this was a lost Priest album from the 80’s.

Yes, it’s that close and not in a bad way as this record is really rather good. Add to the mix a huge production by Tommy Hansen, and we have a winner. I know there are people who think that the band were just stealing from Priest, but if you really listen it’s more of a homage to them. I don’t hear any stealing of riffs or melodies. If you changed vocalists then those accusations would disappear, and you can’t change the way a guy sings, that’s just who he is.

We can split the tunes on the album into two categories. We have full on metal blasters, and hands in the air anthems. My favourites of the  anthems are the appropriately titled Hands In The Air and Get Down, both have the same DNA: a huge sounding riff with a super catchy hook and chorus. My favourites of the more metal tunes are Cry Out, and the speedy Fire In Your Eyes; double kicks all the way!

It’s a very enjoyable record and I’m sure other people will like it equally.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER – Go West

November 14, 2023 /

Now, I’m sure some of you may have seen YouTube clips of LBCP. The one that dragged me in was Lb’s Truth. In that video, the camera is on LB who is ripping some cool slide. Then, the beat kicks in. Next is a quick cut to the drummer who is supposedly his old wife, Honey Bun, with curlers in her hair and an old housecoat keeping the time. Well, it made me smile so much I thought I would investigate further.

Turns out old LB is quite a good country rocker and guitar player. Go West could have been a great single. It has a very catchy hook and chorus with a simple beat and groove. Cooper, a song about how many Coopers you can fit in is really cool. The highlight for me is LB’s Truth/ Civilian Vic. This was my introduction and it’s great to hear the studio version. It’s got lots  of killer slide and great lyrics. I Walk Alone adds a touch of AC/DC crunch to proceedings, I like this tune just has much as LB’s Truth.

Sometimes the internet is a wonderful place.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

RIVAL SONS – Darkfighter

November 14, 2023 /

This is album number eight for these Southern California kings of the retro groove. I think Rival Sons and The Black Keys are the trailblazers, because they have their own sound. You can listen to all the other retro bands around at the minute and they all sound very similar.

I love it when the band dive deep into that heavy R’n’B vibe, and Nobody Wants To Die does just that. It’s an absolute monster of a tune and is my favourite on the album. Bird In The Hand goes further back with some heavy psych pop grooves, and that melody vocal line is so cool. Bright Lights roots are firmly in the blues, but there is so much more going on here. Jay Buchanan’s vocals are just superb, with a hint of gospel in there. Rival Sons are a band that cross genres and there is a great mix of music lovers at their shows, and you can see why when you listen to Darkside. It’s got a singer songwriter vibe, mixed with their natural groovy goodness, and is just irresistible.

They are truly a one off band .

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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