THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 380 of 492)

COLOSSEUM 2 – Electric Savage

September 23, 2021 /

This is the second album from a relatively short lived jazz fusion combo, who were built around the talents of drummer John Hiseman and the incredible guitar of Gary Moore. For Moore, this was sandwiched in between his stints in Thin Lizzy. Moore has always been chameleon like in following trends in rock music, and this music was made for him to show his talents. Every song is a bit of a widdle fest, and a drummer’s showcase, as chops are flying in all directions.

Opening track, Put It This Way, is an out and out jam fest with some serious playing. All Skin And Bone is more of a groovy track with a nice funk rock vibe where Hiseman shows how many different things he can hit in the shortest space of time. Rivers is a slow blues/jazz piece with a vocal by Moore, and lots of really tasty guitar. Last track on Side 1 is The Scorch, and it most certainly does. A very spacey synth intros the tune, and we go into an all most classical piece before drum and guitar savagery take over.

Lament opens up Side 2 and it has a very Celtic vibe to the piece, which Moore would revisit later in his solo career. Desperado follows and is quite a wild fusion piece with lots of mirroring from all players. Am I is a slower jazz vibe with some really nice guitar from Gary, before we get to album closer Intergalactic Strut – and it most certainly does strut. A great riff and groove and some monster playing.

There is probably more of Gary’s solos on these three albums than on most of his solo albums. If you are a Moore fan then this is for you.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

VEGA – Only Human

September 22, 2021 /

This is Vega’s sixth studio album and was released on Frontiers in 2018. If you’re not familiar with the UK melodic rock scene, then this band may have passed you by. The roots of the band go back to ’99 when vocalist Nick Workman was in a really good band called Kick. James and Tom Martin had been writing tunes for a lot of bands and artists within that scene, and Frontiers thought it would be a good idea for them to form a band with Workman singing. Anyway, fast forward to now with this album. Although the roots of the music are firmly in the eighties, all of the tracks are very modern sounding with the emphasis on melody. The album sounds great production wise, and was produced by the band and mixed and mastered by Harem Scarem’s Harry Hess.

Opening track, Let’s Have Fun Tonight, is a great up-tempo rocker with a great melody and hook. Worth Dying For takes the foot of the gas slightly, but again a great melody carries the tune along. Last Man Standing would have been a huge hit if we were in the mid eighties, but alas we’re not. l do love the chorus and melody. Come Back Again slows the tempo down and is a lighters-in-the-air arena anthem type of song. All Over Now is another AOR masterpiece. It doesn’t remind me of anybody outright, but it also reminds me of everybody (if that makes sense), as their love of all things eighties is very apparent. Mess You Made closes out Side 1 and has a more modern sound, as well as a nice solo in the middle eight.

The title track leads off Side 2 and another big AOR anthem is on the menu. The rest of the album follows along a similar path with very well written and played songs. My only gripe is there is not enough rockin’ tunes, and I know the band can really play the crap out of the harder stuff. I’m not a big fan of Frontiers as a label, as they always try to put bands together to play to a script. IMHO, the art and originality goes out the window when that happens. Anyhoo, a great album and if you love this type of rock then you’ll be happy.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GIUFFRIA – s/t

September 22, 2021 /

After the demise of Angel, and before the House Of Lords, Gregg Giuffria decided to go at it alone with a band named after himself. At the time, Journey were becoming mega huge and every record label wanted in on the action. So MCA signed the band on the premise that they would deliver an album in that vein. All songs are original here, and are mostly Giuffria and David Glen Easley cowrites, and three tracks have Craig Goldy added to the mix. The band recorded three albums of which this is the first, and the third one was never released.

You can tell what the record company were aiming for with the singles that came from the album in Call To The Heart and Lonely In Love – both very radio friendly syrupy love songs. The band cut loose and rock out occasionally on tracks like Don’t Tear Me Down, Line Of Fire, and Trouble Again where Craig Goldy is allowed to show his chops – but mostly this is a keyboard sausage fest. Eisley’s voice does sound like Steve Perry on certain tracks, and whether that’s natural or not you can guess for yourself. This is a pomp/aor fans wet dream, but for me it’s just an ok record that doesn’t quite hit the spot.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

Y&T – Black Tiger

September 21, 2021 /

This is the 4th studio album from this San Francisco 4 piece. This album is the middle one, and in my opinion is the best 3 album run of the band’s career with Earthshaker, Black Tiger and Mean Streak. Sure, they had hits on other albums, but for consistency in the all killer no filler department, these albums rule.

Opening up with the short intro piece, From The Moon, and we are off running with the awesomeness that is Open Fire. A great up-tempo rocker with a great riff. Don’t Wanna Lose was an attempt at writing a radio friendly track and they seemed to manage that ok. Hell Or High Water has that slow rock stomp with the big anthem sing-a-long chorus. Forever closes out Side 1, and this is one of the band’s best tunes. I love everything about this song! Killer vocals, guitar, and a great melody and chorus.

Side 2 starts with the epic title track, Black Tiger, and what an amazing intro to start the track. This is up there with one of the best ever songs by the band, and this is one of my go to Y&T songs. A good old fashioned blues rock romp follows with Barroom Boogie. Sometimes the simple songs are the best, and this song is no exception. A simple riff and groove and away we go. My Way Or The Highway is the penultimate tune and another big sing-a-long slow rock anthem. It leads into the close out track, Winds Of Change. Thankfully not the cheesy Scorpions tune. Y&T have always put these slow build monster tracks at the end of albums, and you don’t forget tracks as good as this.

Dave Meniketti is an amazing guitarist and an awesome singer, and the band are killer! This would sit nicely in anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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