THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 467 of 492)

BLACK SABBATH – Technical Ecstasy

February 19, 2021 /

This is Sabbath’s 7th studio album, and thought of amongst fans as the weakest release of the original line up. Maybe because the songs are quite happy sounding and not the trademark heavy doom sounds of previous efforts, or that they were all out of their minds on all sorts of chemical substances and the focus wasn’t there. I actually bought this on the day of release and remember being stoked for a new Sabbath album. So it’s with this in mind that I review this over 40 years later, and I can admit, it’s not as good as I remember it.

The first two tracks are quite good with Ozzy’s trademark howling vocal sounds as strong as ever, and the riff to You Won’t Change Me is very doomy and what I would expect Sabbath to do. Third track in, Its Alright, has Bill Ward on vocals and is most definitely not Sabbath material – it’s a poor song and just doesn’t fit. Last track on Side 2, Gypsy, starts with a drum riff that steals straight from Cozy Powell and is another average song.

Over to Side 2 and All Moving Parts Stand Still is an ok song, but far from a classic. Rock n Roll Doctor is next and it’s just meh! She’s Gone, a ballad and another track that is just ok – it won’t set the world on fire that’s for sure. Album closer Dirty Women, and as the title suggests, not the deepest song in the world. It must of took Ozzy all of 10 secs to come up with the lyrics.

Musically, it’s not that bad and has a nice middle section. It’s the closest musically to what you would expect Sabbath to release. The album was produced by Tony Iommi, and you have to wonder what he was aiming for.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

ERIC GALES – The Bookends

February 18, 2021 /

Is this the world’s best kept secret? For those who have not heard of Eric Gales, this is his 18th studio album. Signed by Electra in ’91 as a guitar prodigy, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he had disappeared between the cracks. The last couple of albums has seen his popularity rise, and rightly so, as he deserves everything coming his way.

This album kicks off with Intro, an absolute monster of a short instrumental piece that sets the tone for the record with its funky grooves. First song is Somethings Gotta Give, featuring the soulful vocals of B. Slide, which gives the song a great commercial vibe. Funky nirvana is next with Whatcha Gonna Do with a serious funky vibe with some killer playing by Eric. The funk continues with It Just Beez That Way that almost goes to fusion territory.

By now you should all be groovin’ around which ever space you listen to these funky vibes. You just don’t here records like this anymore. Killer!!!!

Side 1 closes out with Southpaw Serenade, a slow blues groove that features Doyle Bramhall II on a guest solo. A great soulful tune. Over to Side 2 we go with How Do I Get You, which has a great hook and would make a great single. Reaching For Change starts with a fat blues rock riff that reminds me of Kings X – plus a ripping solo is supplied by Eric. Somebody Lied is next up with its off-time groove. The Beatles classic With A Little Help From My Friends is next, which features the amazing Beth Hart on vocals. Which takes us to the close out track, Resolution, an instrumental track with a slight difference – it’s not all widdly-widdly but played with soul and invention, and like the first track, has plenty of use of the swell peddle.

And there you have it! The album bookended by two non-vocal tracks. Do your self, and your collection a favour, and bring some Eric Gales into your life. If by chance he plays near you, go and see him live, you won’t be disappointed.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TONY MACALPINE – Maximum Security

February 18, 2021 /

This is the 2nd out of the 13 solo studio albums that Tony has released – plus he is on countless projects and guests on squillions of things. This was released in ’87 when the guitar shred fest was in full swing, and this album definitely falls into that category. I would put him along side Malmsteen in style, although I think Tony has a lot more melody to his playing. Tony plays all guitars, bass, and keyboards except where George Lynch guests on a couple of tunes for the obligatory guitar battle.

This is above average fair for the shredder community, as the attention to melody and structure is evident throughout. There are vocal lines, but played on guitar, that give the workouts a purpose – a bit like Satriani does. There are a few references to classical pieces (Chopin is credited on two pieces), but they all were doing that back in the day for a bit of credibility. The aforementioned Tears Of Sahara with George Lynch is my favourite track as they try to outdo each other with who has the best licks.

This is for guitar slingers and aficionados only, and anyone else who has a passing interest for over the top guitar.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

ZZ TOP – Tres Hombres

February 17, 2021 /

This is the third full album by Texas’s greatest musical export to the world, and by the time this was released on the world they had found their groove and were rollin’. This was the album that opened them up to rest of the US. This time all of the songs were originals, and all written by the band.

Waitin’ For The Bus gets things movin’ and is classic ZZ of this period, and the segue into Jesus Left Chicago is just sublime bluesy groove goodness. Beer Drinkers adds a little heaviness to proceedings, and has some Billy G licks that keep on goin’ right until the fade out. Master Of Sparks is quite a laid back tune until the solo, which is short but hot. Side 1 ends with Hot Blue And Righteous, which is a slow blues ballad.

Flipping over to the classic ZZ tune Move Me On Down The Line – short and sweet at 2.30 but it hits the spot. Precious and Grace is next up with that dirty fuzz riff and a killer middle 8. Then hidden away in the middle of Side 2 is the song that would change everything for them. La Grange has the most simplest of riffs, but what a riff it is. It still gets the hairs on my arm standing up when I play it today. Who knows what Billy is singing at the beginning, but it sets the mood perfectly. Killer tune!!! Sheik is up next, and how do you follow that?! You slot in the oddest tune on the album with and an almost funky vibe. This song is the one that would pave the way for the not too distant future as Tejas and El Loco would both have experimental moments of pure genius. Album closer Have You Heard? finishes things off nicely with some gospel blues.

Not their best album as that would come later but definitely a good album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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