THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 432 of 493)

GAMMA – 2

May 17, 2021 /

Out of the three original albums, if I’m pushed, I would say this is my favourite as the songs are more consistent – although it’s a hard decision as I love the first one as well. In true Ronnie fashion, he had doubts about the band and would call it a day with them after the next record – just like he did with Montrose. A shame, as I thought the band were flying.

This album is all about Ronnie and vocalist Dave Pattison. It is noticeable that the keyboards are featuring more, and would be very prominent indeed on the next record. The first two tracks are stone cold classics: Mean Streak and Four Horseman rock hard with great riffs, killer vocals, and some really tasty guitar. Dirty City is next and I think it was released as a single – its the most commercial track so far. With a nice atmospheric intro it leads into a very 80’s keyboard main riff mirrored by the guitar. Close out track to Side 1 is Voyager, which has a very laid back groove, awesome melody, and superb vocals from Davey.

Keyboards again start off Side 2 with the intro to Something In The Air, which is a cover of the Thunderclap Newman tune – its a great take on the original. Cat On A Leash is an awesome tune with Ronnie dropping fills in every spare gap he can. This track is definitely all about Ronnie, and the middle section with the dropped down groove is just sublime. Skin And Bone is a slower paced track with a heavy riff and Davey sings is ass off. Mayday is the last track and closes out the record. Its the fastest song on the album, and once again, it’s the Davey and Ronnie show. A great album and would sit well in any rocker’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

SAD CAFE – Fanx Ta-Ra

May 17, 2021 /

Back before they became soft rock chart toppers (with hits such as Every Day Hurts and My Oh My), they were quite a rockin’ outfit with an eye firmly on America. Ironically, this album wasn’t released in America until much later. In their softer moments Steely Dan spring to mind, but with a British rock edge. This is their first album and I originally bought it when it first came out in ’77 after seeing them on the Whistle Test, and I still enjoy giving it a spin today. Hailing from Manchester, vocalist Paul Young would later go on to sing with Mike And The Mechanics until his untimely death in 2000.

Tracks such as Hungry Eyes and Sail On show the soft rock pathway they would take later with subsequent albums, but overall this album does rock. Opening track, Babylon, has a great melody and guitar from Ashley Mulford. Side 1 is given over to the more softer side of the band, whereas Side 2 could be described as Prog – especially with the weird intro to The Further Adventures Of Mad Alan, which then leads into the killer title track, Fanx Ta-Ra. With its heavy sounding opening, to the Santana style middle section, this is a great track. My other favourite moment on the record is Clumbidextrous, which is an instrumental – apart from a brief spoken section at the beginning. This track would have made it onto any Prog band’s album of the period.

Not a bad album at all and would set them on the road for success – although is does sound a bit dated.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STREETWALKERS – Red Card

May 16, 2021 /

Having seen them performing tracks from this album on the Old Grey Whistle Test, I went out and bought this album the day after. Formed by ex-Family members Roger Chapman and John Whitney, this is the band’s third album released in ’76. They came around at the wrong time, as just they were gaining a bit of traction, Punk came along and the musical landscape changed nearly overnight. Taking what Family did and expanding the sound with more proggy vibes – they had a sound all of their own. Of course Chapman’s distinctive gravelly tones and vibrato are up front and centre, and the music that supports it is strong and diverse.

Run For Cover is a great opening track and the addition of Bob Tench on guitar really drives the song. Me An Me Horse And Me Rum is a strange but lovable track. Crazy Charade is all about Chapman and is driven by an off funk groove. Daddy Rolling Stone has an underlying old RnB groove, and is reminiscent of Family with Chapman singing his ass off. Side 2 starts with Roll Up, Roll Up and is another funky tune in the Family vein. Between Us follows, and has a barrow boozer vibe to proceedings. Shotgun Messiah has a very southern US vibe – they would get some success in the US with this type of tune. Decadence Code with its funk/reggae groove closes out the album with Chapman wailing all over the track. This type of music is seeing a bit of a revival. Whether Streetwalkers become fashionable again it remains to be seen.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Ritual

May 16, 2021 /

NWOBHM pioneers are still plugging away after 40 plus years, albeit with only one original member, which is fully loaded compared to some legacy bands that have zero original members. Somewhat invigorated with the arrival of guitarist Mickey Crystal (who is a first division musician) and the band have released an album that stands proud against anything they have done before.

Opening track, Worlds Apart, shows Mickey’s talents to the fullest – both with the full on riff and killer leads. Destiny has a touch of Ozzy with the main riff, and has a nice chorus. Rescue Me is up next and starts with a slow chugga riff – its a decent tune. Raise Some Hell follows and has that NWOBHM riff that I am sick of hearing. Every band and his dog has used this riff so many times – it should be put out for retirement. The song is saved by a killer solo. Spoils Of War closes out Side 1 and is a nice epic tune and the big production of this side. It sounds nothing like the Tygers if I’m honest, mostly thanks to the epic guitar from Mr. Crystal.

Side 2 opens with the single White Lines which is an ok song with a nice chorus and melody, but (and this is becoming a habit) the song is lifted by the guitar. Words Cut Like Knives is power ballad 101 with a nice vocal from Jac. Damn You is straight from the NWOBHM rule book with a textbook riff. Art Of Noise is next up and is the most modern sounding track on the album with the pounding bass. Close out track, Sail On, has an almost Malmsteen intro and sounds very euro metal – its a great track. Big shout out to the rhythm section of Gav Gray on bass, and Craig Ellis on the pots and pans – who lay down some great grooves. Mickey Crystal sadly left the band after this, saying he was being used just to write songs and that Weir’s involvement was minimal. Shame, as he is a top class musician and he will be missed.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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