THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: frank marino (Page 1 of 2)

FRANK MARINO – Full Circle

January 29, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This is the first album Frank released after his CBS contract came to an end, and four years after the success of the Juggernaut record. Basically, it was still the same band but now he was in more control of his own destiny. I think the title reflects that because he was returning to the vibe and feel before CBS came into his life.

Frank came into my life because I was blown away by his playing after I heard the Mahogany Rush live record. This album is not as full on as that, but it does have its moments. Opener Breakin’ Away is prime time Frank with some killer playing and a great groove. Razors Edge and Hang On have a slower groove and vibe but the notes just fly from that fretboard. The title track is an overblown keyboard-led sprawling almost Prog track that is something Yes would conjour up. Genesis is my favourite track because it melds the old psych Frank with the guitar god that I love, and it’s very 70’s.

Frank has retired from playing due to an illness, but what a player.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FRANK MARINO – Juggernaut

April 27, 2022 /

I have been a fan of Frank Marino since I heard a track on the radio in the UK, from his Live album released in ’78. My jaw instantly hit the floor and I went out and bought a copy ASAP. He is an amazing guitar player of (what I would say) the old school.

The album before this, The Power Of Rock n Roll, is one of my favourites, but I could never understand how all the critics never raved about – he was amazing. It’s a bit like saying today that on their records, Vai and Satriani play too much guitar. HELLO…he’s a guitar player! So, imagine my surprise when reading the early reviews of this album that the critics loved it. What could be so different I thought? They were raving about two tracks in particular, namely Strange Dreams and Story Of A Hero. Both tracks are a lot more commercial sounding and would appeal to a wider audience they said. Well, Frank has always written tracks like this, it’s just now they seemed to be paying attention.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the guitar would not be featuring as much maybe…nope! This is still a killer guitar record. It’s slightly more restrained in places like on Story Of A Hero, but it packs one hell of a punch. Maybe It’s Time, Ditch Queen, and Juggernaut are all seriously impressive as Frank rips the fretboard within an inch if it’s life. Definitely one of rocks most underrated players, and it’s a big shame that due to his health he can no longer play.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH – Real Live Vol. 1

August 28, 2021 /

Frank’s career can be split into eras. His first was the very psychedelic trippy phase. Then he moved into the loud and brash guitar hero phase, and then finally, we came to an almost mix of the two with huge nods to the blues. This album was recorded in his latter phase, in his home town of Montreal in 2001. Don’t get me wrong, it’s chock full of the most killer guitar playing you will ever hear. This record (and Part 2) were part of RSD as limited editions.

To make the tracks fit onto two records, He’s Calling and Poppy have been split into two parts and put on two differing sides. You may also not be familiar with the versions that you hear on this record. For example, Like Voodoo Chile is way slower here and has a heavy blues groove – but jeez does Frank let it go here. Incredible playing! Plus you get an excerpt from Something’s Coming Our Way from What’s Next. His love of Hendrix is here for all to see. As well as Voodoo Chile, you get ripping versions of Red House and Crossroads.

Frank is definitely one of Rock’s greatest and most overlooked guitar players. I’m not too sure we will get to see him play live again as he has a debilitating disease that stops him playing. Other than these two RSD releases, Frank released a six hour DVD last year of a show recorded in Cleveland. I urge any of you who love guitar music to track it down. It’s a final fitting performance of one of Rock’s great guitarists.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

FRANK MARINO – The Power Of Rock And Roll

March 5, 2021 /

There are four Frank Marino albums that are off the charts awesome. This one, Juggernaut, What’s Next, and the Live album. Forget about the fact that two of them were titled Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush – basically it’s the same thing, “Mahogany Rush” was dropped after the What’s Next recordings. No mention of the Hendrix nonsense as I touched on that in the review of the Live album. What I will say is I’m surprised and amazed that more guitarists don’t cite Frank as an inspiration. The only person that does is Zac Wilde. As I have mentioned before, Frank is an absolute monster of a player and he is up there with the very best for me.

We start things off with a couple of Frank-standard rockers. Some healthy solos are thrown in for extra points in the title track and Play My Music. Then track three, Stay With Me, rockets into the stratosphere with some killer playing, the first of the 5 all killer no filler tracks on the album. The close out track to Side 1 is Running Wild, and you just have to hear the playing – it’s other worldly. I’m sure there is a kitchen sink in there somewhere.

Time to take a breather before Side 2 kicks in with Crazy Miss Daisy. Another patent Marino rocker with another killer middle section. Go Strange is next, and is one my favourite Frank tracks. There are lots of textures and grooves happening on this track. Just freakin’ awesome! You run out of superlatives to describe his playing. Young Man is next and the pace drops slightly with a straight up rocker. Last track, Ain’t Dead Yet is my favourite Frank tune. This one has everything times ten. The ending is epic, you feel as though you’re in a war zone.

Big shout out to the band, Frank’s bother Vinnie on rhythm guitar, Paul Harwood on bass, and Jim Ayoub on drums for holding it all together. Another definite buy album. It loses half a point for Play My Music.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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