THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: November 27, 2023 (Page 1 of 2)

KATMANDU – S/T

November 27, 2023 /

Dave King was part of the original Fastway band that were put together after Fast Eddie left Motorhead, and he stayed there until they disbanded. Dave put Katmandu together with ex-Krokus member, Mandy Meyer. This is the only album that the band put out, and Dave now resides in the band Flogging Molly. One and they’re done!

There are so many bands that didn’t get passed that first album and I guess there are a million reasons why. If you don’t get that one big song to tie the album to, then it’s definitely uphill all the way. This album falls into that category. It’s a solid record, but it just misses that one stand out song. When The Rain Comes is a killer track, but it has zero appeal for a single. It’s got a killer bluesy groove and riff, and I love Dave’s voice. Warzone also rocks like a mutha, and takes it for my favourite tune.  

Still a very enjoyable listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DR. FEELGOOD – Private Practice

November 27, 2023 /

When you think of Dr. Feelgood, you automatically think of Wilko Johnson with that crazed expression on his face moving manically all over the stage, and Lee Brilleaux with the stained white suit giving you the evil stare. This band oozed menace, but they were so good live. It’s ironic then that the biggest hit they ever had didn’t feature Wilko, because he left the band in ’77.

Milk And Alcohol was a ripping single with a killer riff, and it actually made the top ten in the UK, you can’t go wrong with a shuffle. If only real bands had a chance to do that today. There is another track here that I wished they had released as a single, that’s Take A Tip. It has a much busier riff and groove but it’s so cool. I think it would have done better than Down At The Doctors, which is a also great tune but it doesn’t make you want to move like Take A Tip.

There are no original members left alive which is sad, but they left behind some great old school rockin’ R’n’B.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

CINDERELLA – Still Climbing

November 27, 2023 /

I have to say, I was amazed that this album actually came out on a major label. Every other “Hair” band at the time were being released from contracts, as the musical landscape had changed so much in such a short space of time. Tom Keifer was certainly ahead of the curve with steering the band down a more bluesier approach, as nearly every new rock band today have done the same. The album had some rough reviews upon its release, which were totally unfounded as a lot of journalists just wanted to be hip to what was now relevant, but me… I love it!

Cinderella are still one hell of a rock and roll band, and there are some smokin’ tracks for you to savour. Bad Attitude Shuffle opens the album with some old school blues swagger before that very familiar Cinderella groove kicks in. All Comes Down has that kind of Aerosmith swing, it’s one of my favourite tunes. Freewheelin’ is my favourite tune however, this is the one song that would be at home on any of their albums. It’s got a kickass uptempo groove with some great slide playing, and Keifer just firing off those lyrics.

Other than a live album, that was it from Cinderella. It’s a shame because you feel like they had more than four albums in them.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

GRAND PRIX – There For None To See

November 27, 2023 /

Grand Prix are probably more famous for who has been in the band than for the albums they put out. Bernie Shaw was the original vocalist who went on to join Uriah Heep, keyboard player Phil Lanzon would also join Uriah Heep, and this album’s vocalist Robin McAuley would later join up with Michael Schenker. While most of Britains rock bands were all getting caught up with NWOBHM and getting heavier, Grand Prix were still in that late 70’s rock groove swimming against the tide.

Every song feels like they are trying to do the big show stopper centrepiece number. Check out Paradise and Keep On Believing. These are songs that bands like Kansas and Styx were coming out with at the time. My favourite on the album is the close out track Relay. A more concise and straight to the point type of song, but still with buckets of melody and more of an uptempo groove.

I haven’t heard this in ages, and I was pleasantly surprised how good it was.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑