THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 425 of 492)

SAXON – Wheels Of Steel

May 29, 2021 /

This, ladies and hemorrhoids, is what NWOBHM was all about. To me, Saxon were the best band to come out of this period. Even though they disappeared into the wilderness for a while, they had all the songs and could write a tune. Now, I know everyone will say Maiden were the best – blah blah blah – but to me, a lad from “OOP NORTH”, Saxon were the schnizz!!! I’m from Doncaster, a working class town where the coal mines and railways were the main industries (until Thatcher destroyed them, but that’s another story) – it was also the land of the working man’s club. I remember seeing Son Of A Bitch a few times in said clubs before they were Saxon. To see one of our own making it was awesome.

There is not one bad track on this record – in fact – there were even two hit singles on this opus of awesomeness. 747 Strangers In The Night, which is a great choice for a single, and Wheels Of Steel with that repetitive riff – plus they got to play on Top Of The Pops. Opening track was an anthem for the NWOBHM movement as a whole – what a flag bearing track it is. Freeway Mad carries on the fast bike and car theme that opens side two – a belter of a track. Every song is just fantastic right up until album closer, Machine Gun, where Graham would do his tribute to Hendrix by setting fire and smashing up a guitar.

I could go into lengthy detail how one person took control of the band, which is a sad tale to tell as the heart and soul of the band was removed. The band are still rocking today, and I hold out hope for Graham and Steve that one day all hatchets can be buried and see them all on stage again. A classic.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

WISHBONE ASH – Live Dates

May 28, 2021 /

Wishbone Ash are one of the UK’s best bands, and the originators of the harmony twin guitar attack. This live show was recorded in ’73 on the British tour to promote the Wishbone Four album. The guitars of Andy Powell and Ted Turner would be the band’s signature sound and copied by many. They have a very unique sound with the vocal harmonies that compliment the guitars to great effect.

The album starts with The King Will Come, and if I where to name a tune that best encompasses the band’s sound – this would be it. A brilliant song that sounds great in the live environment. Warrior is next from the brilliant Argus album. The song has an almost hypnotic Celtic feel that is strangely haunting. Throw Down The Sword closes out Side 1 and we continue with the Celtic medieval vibe. The lyrics conjure up images of King Arthur, which isn’t to far from Torquay where the band originate from.

The Ballad Of The Beacon on Side 2 is a great tune and one of the tracks I have loved since I first heard it. The melodies and harmonies really shine. Side 3 contains three of the band’s best know tunes: The Pilgrim, Jail Bait and Blowin’ Free (which surprisingly was released as a single in the UK and did really well). Side 4 closes out the record with 2 live favourites in Lady Whiskey and Phoenix. Phoenix is timeless, and the arrangements of the guitars and vocals is sublime.

The band were great up until the New England album, then after that they seemed to lose the spark. Anyway, this a really good live album that showcases them in their prime.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Y&T – Earthshaker

May 28, 2021 /

Formed in Oakland California back in ’74, they were originally called Yesterday and Today. In ’81 they changed their name to Y&T and released this, their third album, in ’81. To some, me included, this is their finest moment. Led by the supremely talented Dave Meniketti on vocals, and awesome guitar. For two albums at least, I thought they would go on to join the big leagues. They had everything going for them, great players and killer songs – plus they had Journey’s management team with them.

The first thing you notice here is the killer production. Every thing is super clear and separated. The drum sound is freaking huge and makes for a monster sound. Hungry For Rock is a great song to open with, as it does what it says on the tin. Dirty Girl, complete with very suspect lyrics, is a killer tune with a great vocal and guitar. Shake It Loose is my personal favourite as the tune rocks – it has a huge fat riff and planets of guitar. Squeeze is the only song that Meniketti does not sing, Phil Kennemore handles this one, and I think this is the only time he did. What a way to close with Rescue Me, an absolute epic close out track with killer everything.

Side 2 kicks off with Young And Tough and a fat huge distorted riff that leads into a big sing-a-long rock anthem. Hurricane is next – I could not think of a more apt name – as this kicks in just like one. The guitar playing is top draw and shows how awesome Meniketti is as a player. This track most definitely ROCKS!!! Let It Go slows the pace down slightly, but has a very catchy chorus and hook and the obligatory killer solo to add that cherry on the top. Knock You Out follows and is another high octane rocker that doesn’t disappoint with that awesome middle section. This band sure know how to pace an album as the close out track is about as epic as this band get. One of the best power ballads you will hear.

In my humble opinion, I think this is their best album. Sure they had some killer tracks on all of their releases, but none had quality songs all the way through like Earthshaker had.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

KHRUANGBIN- Con Todo El Munro

May 27, 2021 /

I find this band a bit of an anomaly in today’s music scene. On paper there is no way this band should be successful – they play what they want without any outside pressure, and they play mostly instrumentals (other than the occasional chant), plus they play a mix of differing world music styles. They hail from Texas, and this album draws heavily on influences from the Middle East, Spanish, and Latin music. The band comprise of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Johnson Jr. on drums. There are guest musicians, but these three are the band and are unbelievably good muso’s.

Khruangbin play seriously chill music, and for me, it hits the perfect spot when you want to really relax and lose yourself in the grooves and feel as though you are in the Texas dessert. Favourite tracks are Maria Tambien, which – as well as the heavy Latin flavour – also has some funk on the side just to make your chills that little bit groovier, and Evan Finds The Third Room, which again adds the funk to proceedings to give it that little fizz. If you want something a little bit different and away from the norm, then I recommend this highly as its a thoroughly enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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