THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: frank marino and mahogany rush

FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH – What’s Next

February 15, 2024 /

There are three studio albums (plus one live album) where Frank Marino was at the top of his game. Before your Satriani’s, Vai’s, and all the myriad of copy cats, Frank was nearly alone in the mid to late seventies making great guitar records. What’s Next was the first of those studio albums, it was released back in ’80 and it’s a bonafide classic.

Whether it’s trippy workouts like Finish Line, which was more in tune with older Mahogany Rush records, or full on blues workouts like Rock Me Baby and Roadhouse Blues, to full on rock assaults like Something’s Coming Our Way, Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame and Mona, Frank lays it down big time showing he is one of the most underrated players out there. My favourite track is Rock ‘N Roll Hall Of Fame. It features blistering playing that brings up goosebumps whenever I hear it.

I would have loved to have seen Frank on one of those G3 tours, he would have more than held his own. If any young kids are reading this and interested in guitar, listen to this album because you will be blown away.

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.

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