THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 134 of 491)

ROBIN TROWER – In The Line Of Fire

November 4, 2023 /

This is Robin Trower’s third album to feature Davey Pattinson on vocals and would be Robin’s last for Atlantic. I do like Davey on vocals, but nobody can beat Jimmy Dewar singing this type of music.

If you’re used to hearing Robin doing his patented heavy blues/funk groove then this album is a bit of a departure. Eddie Kramer was brought in to produce it and the result is a lot more polished and clean.

Turn The Volume Up feels like an attempt to do a big rock song, especially with the hook and sing a long gang chorus. If that’s what they were aiming for then they missed the boat by a few years. I realize I’m being a bit negative and that gives a false impression, as the record is very enjoyable indeed. In fact, there are plenty of groovy moments. For example, Natural Fact has a real cool blues funk riff with a great swing to it, and I Would Still Be Here For You is pure old school Trower with a killer riff and the guitar tone is superb it’s my favourite track. However, the big rock grooves of Everybody’s Watching is a close second with a massive hook and chorus!

Robin doesn’t make bad records and even though the feel of this one is different from old it’s still a great record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SHADOW KING – s/t

November 3, 2023 /

Great band, great album, but unfortunately the wrong time.

Lou Gramm had left Foreigner in ’90 and had already released a couple of solo albums before forming Shadow King with Vivian Campbell. They are another in the long line of one record bands, as this would be the only record they put out before Campbell left for Def Leppard and Gramm would return to Foreigner.

This album sounds huge thanks to a ripping production from Keith Olsen who gave it a heavier Foreigner vibe. Most of the tracks are written by Gramm and Bruce Turgon, Campbell only gets his name on the final track Russia. Anytime Anywhere is a hands down classic and is my favourite. It’s a kick ass up tempo groove with a huge hook and chorus. This song alone should have been huge.

There are the smattering of ballads, (as you would expect) of which Don’t Even Know I’m Alive is the best. It’s the rockier tunes on the album that get my attention like I Want You with a standard rock groove, but it’s the hook and chorus that just grab you. Danger In The Dance Of Love has a killer intro and I would say is the wild card track on the record. It has a great huge guitar sound and Gramm’s voice sounds massive.

A very solid record deserving of your attention.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WAR – Galaxy

November 3, 2023 /

Now, I have mentioned my love for killer 70’s funk and instrumental groove albums a few times. But, I also have a bad habit of buying records upon hearing one killer tune. This album by War released back in ’77 is one of those records.

The title track is a pure gold, a funk classic that has a groove and vibe to die for. It deserves a 10/10 rating on its own. The only other track that comes close to that level of groove is the end of the fourteen minute The Seven Tin Soldiers. War have had chart success in their career with some soul classics but it’s the funk that I love, which when they do it, they do it so well.

As I mentioned, the title track is killer and if you can pick the album up cheap enough it’s worth it.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

COVET – Catharsis

November 2, 2023 /

Now, if you’re into guitar music and guitar players and you have not heard of Yvette Young over the past few years, then I’m guessing you may have been trapped in a cave or you may have left this planet all together. She is such a breath of fresh air in what has become seemingly an Olympic event with modern guitarists to see how many notes and sweeps you can squeeze into the smallest amount of time. Her note choices and sense of melody, coupled with the way she plays is breathtaking and the sheer joy on her face will tell you when she plays it is her definite happy place.

I love all of this album and find it such a calming experience to listen to. If you’re expecting shred city then forget it. There are no wasted notes here, just beauty. It’s hard to pick a favourite but I will go with either Firebird or Merlin as these are the two tracks that resonate with me the most as the melody and groove are so cool on them both.

Do yourself a favour and buy this record, you will not regret it.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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