REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: glenn hughes

GLENN HUGHES – The Way It Is

Will the real Glenn Hughes please stand up. Glenn has covered being part of a group, a solo artist, and just about every musical style imaginable. He has such an amazing and powerful voice that he could sing the phone book and it would sound amazing. He just goes through the gears so quickly from the most delicate soft sounding to full on rock god in a blink of an eye, such control. To me when that funk groove is present that’s when Glenn really shines. The Hughes/Thrall album he did with Pat Thrall is one of my all time favourites, that is the real Glenn Hughes. This album is very close to that one.

The title track gets things going and with a super slick smooth groove that doesn’t stretch Glenn too much. Next up is You Kill Me with guest guitarist Stevie Salas who also co- wrote the tune. As you would expect, this is a full on funk rock beast. Never after is very much in the style of Hughes original band Trapeze. Rain On Me starts with a classic Hendrix sounding riff and groove, and Glenn’s vocal is so good. Curse is Glenn showing just what control he has over his voice with a slow R’n’B groove. Talking of Hendrix, next up is a cover of Freedom, a near enough note for note version. The Truth Will Set Me Free has a killer uptempo groove agin with tan funk under current.

It’s favourite track time. Stoned In The Temple is just awesome. A major funk rock groove with a monster hook and chorus, one of the best tracks Glenn has done. Too Far Gone is as close as Glenn gets to AOR. Back to the funk with Second Son, a superb riff and groove, this is what he does best. Take You Down follows and is almost a Steely Dan tune, a very smooth slick tune. The album closes out with Don’t Look Away and it’s the big vocal monster on the album with Glenn dropping all the notes. Of course Glenn is now in The Dead Daisies doing the big rock thing again, but it’s the funk that’s his true home.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

GLENN HUGHES – Building The Machine

Released 20 years ago, this was The Voice Of Rock’s 9th solo release. The first 4 solo efforts nearly passed unnoticed as he was playing really small venues just to keep going. Of course, he is known by most people as being in the Mk111 and Mark1V line ups of Deep Purple. He was the best vocalist in the band, and yet he was not the lead vocalist as that honour went to Mr Coverdale. Well known for his like of all things funky and soulful, he was partly responsible for turning Purple in that direction – resulting in the departure of Richie Blackmore for the first time.

Anyway, let’s get down to reviewing this slab of wax. It starts with Can’t Stop The Flood and it sounds exactly like you would expect, a big funk rock tune to get your grooves firmly in place. Inside keeps things going in that funky direction before Out On Me arrives and takes us back to Glenn’s first outfit, Trapeze, with the feel and soul of the song. A cover of Rare Earth’s I Just Want To Celebrate is next, and as expected, is rocked up to go with the song’s funky grooves – plus a guest appearance on vocals and guitar from Pat Travers. Don’t Let It Slip Away is next and is downright dirty funk, and for me is the best track on the album. Great key changes and harmonies. Feels Like Home has the unenviable task of following after that and it is a really laid back tune, but with a great vocal from Glenn. The old Deep Purple song, High Ball Shooter, is next and is given the full funk treatment. When You Fall starts with a big fat riff from JJ Marsh and is a really good funk rock tune – with the usual over the top vocal from Mr Hughes. I Will Follow You closes out Side 3 and is ballad central. Beyond The Numb opens up Side 4 with its cinematic beginning and a killer Glenn vocal. It’s a really cool groovy tune. The album ends with Big Sky and is a quiet ending to a really rockin’ record.

I would say Glenn was at his vocal peak at this point and his voice is undeniably awesome. Also a big shout out to JJ Marsh whose lead and rhythm playing is top drawer.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.