THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 476 of 493)

BILLY IDOL – BFI Live!

February 1, 2021 /

This triple album was part of a RSD release a couple of years ago. It was recorded at various venues from around the universe. Now that sneer can only get wee Billy so far, and after the minor success of Generation X (especially in America), he needed something (or someone) to give him the boost he needed. That boost came in the form of guitarist extraordinaire, Steve Stevens. This is emphasized right from the get go with opener, Postcards From The Past. A nice tune with amazing guitar. If you have seen Billy live he does put on a good show, but for me Steve Stevens steels it every time.

A good selection of tunes are represented from every corner of Billy’s career, but the best for me are the ones from Rebel Yell – especially Flesh For Fantasy, which is just sublime, and extended as a highlight piece of the show with Steve showing what he is best at. A nice rendition of The Doors classic, LA Woman, is aired. Surprisingly his vocals hold up really well here (he is not the best live as his voice does give out). The best reaction from the audience is for the hits that you’d expect, White Wedding and Rebel Yell. They are given the full treatment towards the end of the show.

Very enjoyable live album and recommend for everyone.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STATUS QUO – Blue For You

February 1, 2021 /

Heads-down-no-nonsense-mindless-boogie!!! That was the Quo’s mantra back in the good old days. Who needs more than three chords, right?! This is the last great Quo album – after this it was a steady decline into mediocrity.

Kicking things off in typical style with this live favourite, Is There A Better Way, with the aforementioned “mindless boogie”. I dare anyone not to get nodding and bouncing along. Sometimes all you need is a simple boogie to shake those blues away, which is exactly what the second track, Mad About The Boy, does to a T. No prizes for technicality here, just good old simple Rock n Roll. You forget what a great team Francis and Rick were. They complimented each other perfectly on vocals and guitar.

Next up is deep cut, Ring Of A Change, with its faster pace four-to-the-floor groove. Then we have the title track, Blue For You, which is the weakest track on the album. It feels out of place and sounds as though it belongs in 1962. Rain is next, which was a number one single, and quite possibly the best song the band ever recorded. Starting with that trademark hard driving groove, with a killer vocal from Rick, and an ear worm of a chorus. Superb middle eight with a couple of key changes thrown in to emphasize the killer groove. Name me a better song they did! I thank you!

Side 2 starts off with Rolling Home, which is a very fast blues shuffle with an almost Celtic middle section. That’s A Fact trundles on in next with its Bo Diddly groove. Next we have Ease Your Mind, with a Chas & Dave pub-rock vibe, and then on to the album closer, Mystery Song – what an all round monster tune it is! Weighing in at a whopping 6.44, it’s one of Quo’s longer tunes. A very quiet and melodic intro leads you into some serious dandruff shaking boogie of the highest order – this vies with Rain as their best tune. Absolute killer song!

So there we have it. Status Quo’s best effort. Does anyone remember the silly dance that went along with the Quo? The hands on the hips boogie head shaker thing???

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

AUTOMATIC MAN – s/t

January 30, 2021 /

Who are these guys I hear you cry? They recorded two albums for Island, this one coming out in ’76. Two notable band members are Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, and Pat Travers (former sidekick guitarist Pat Thrall). If I was pushed for a pigeon hole to put these guys in I would say a bit of pomp-rock mixed with a healthy dose of fusion, and some RnB thrown in for good measure.

Nearly all the songs on Side 1 are written and sung by keys man, Bayette, with that RnB vibe going down. Some nice playing from all involved. Close out track is Geni-Geni, with its cool funk groove is the best on this side. The songs on Side 2 are nearly all band compositions. Second track in, There’s Away, has some great playing especially from Pat Thrall.

They probably would have made a great jam band as it’s quite loose in places. and I can see why there were only two albums. To be honest the vocals aren’t the best, and the average melodies let the songs down in places.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

VAN HALEN – II

January 30, 2021 /

After the success of the first album (if you read my review is definitely one of the best albums of all time), Warner Brothers wasted no time in getting the band back in the studio to record a follow up. Into Sunset Recorders they went, and 6 days later (yes you read that right) out popped baby number two. Again all killer and no filler!!! You are pretty much going to get the same review from me for the first six VH albums as they are genre defining albums.

Album opener is You’re No Good, a cover of a Linda Ronstadt tune (Dionne Warwick before her). What a killer opening tune with the phased bass, Dave’s screams, and Eddie’s killer guitar. Ladies and germs, we have a winner! The first single, Dance the Night Away, has that infectious, ear worm chorus. Then boom… Somebody Get Me A Doctor, with that irresistible riff and swagger. Bottoms Up – Dave’s tribute to all the ladies is almost a boogie. Outta Love Again closes Side 1, and another pop/rock masterpiece with a great chorus and melody.

Light Up The Sky gets things rolling on the flip side, and an absolute monster it is. Hell, the middle 8 and solo are worth the price of admission alone. Eddie’s acoustic showpiece Spanish Fly is next, a sort of Eruption for acoustic lovers. Then the downright dirty groove of D.O.A. blows us all away. Women in Love, and the other single from this album, Beautiful Girls, close things out – both loaded with melody and a sing-a-long chorus.

Just over 30 minutes in length, and every second is pure quality. Only when CDs came in is when albums went to 70 + minutes, and name me one that long where the quality goes all the way through?! Van Halen II is another one that every self respecting rocker should own.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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