THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 399 of 491)

FREE – Tons Of Sobs

August 10, 2021 /

Free were one of the trailblazers of the British blues boom towards the end of the sixties, and this was their first album recorded in late ’68 and released in March ’69. What is truly amazing is that they were all teenagers when this was released, Andy Fraser was only 15, Paul Kossoff was 17, and Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke were 18. This album is the only one that was as raw and blues as they would get. After this they became a lot more polished, culminating in the success of Fire And Water which spawned the single Alright Now.

It’s breathtaking how good Paul Kossoff was at such an early age, before the demon drugs took their toll on him leading ultimately to his death. This album is mostly all original compositions, apart from Going Down Slow which has been covered by all the blues heavy hitters. Here the band use the track as an extended jam with Kossoff really losing himself in the tune. It’s Side 2 that really has the band firing on all cylinders with I’m A Mover, and the other cover, The Hunter, which the band would make their own with a great vocal from Rodgers. It’s hard to believe that 52 years have passed since this was released into the world, and how rock has come full circle, as this type of rock has now become fashionable again.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SHARK ISLAND – Law Of The Order

August 9, 2021 /

Originally called The Sharks, the band were formed in ’79 and actually released an album under this name. A name change occurred in ’85 to Shark Island, and they became the house band at Gazzari’s on the strip. The band started to get a huge buzz going as a great live act, and with frontman Richard Black, everyone thought they were going to be the next big thing. It wasn’t until the recording of this album and signing with Epic, that everyone else started to take notice. Unfortunately, due to the changing musical climate, the band would disappear until 2006.

Opening track, Paris Calling, is one of the best things the band did in their short existence. It has a killer riff, chorus, and melody. Next track, Shake For Me, is a classic Friday night anthem to shake those blues away. Somebody’s Falling again has a great riff (courtesy of Spencer Sercombe), and a great melody – these guys sure knew how to write a tune. Bad For Each Other is the usual record company power ballad requirement. Side 1 closes out with Passion To Ashes, which has a great riff and great guitar tone with a sleazy vocal from Black.

Over to Side 2 and opener Spellbound has a stock hair metal riff and groove with a sing-a-long chorus. Get Some Strange follows and starts with a really nice riff and groove, but it’s the main hook, chorus, and the short ripping solo that get all the praise here. Superb song! Why Should I Believe is ballad number two, and I’ve just realized that Richard Black’s vocals remind me of Jim Morrison – just when he sings a certain why. The song redeems itself with a great solo. Ready Or Not is another one of those big hair rock anthems that every band used to knock out back in the day. The album closes out with The Chain, and is a cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic. Still a really enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PINK FLOYD – Meddle

August 9, 2021 /

For me, this is where Pink Floyd became interesting. I didn’t care too much for all the psychedelic nonsense – even though on Obscured By Clouds there were signs to the direction they were going, but it wasn’t until Meddle that the path became clear. It’s also the last album where the whole band contributed, before Herr Waters would wrest control of the band and the arrival of all the tensions in the group.

I love the production on this record as the clarity and separation are amazing. Basically it’s an album of 2 Sides (aren’t they all). Side 1 is all song orientated, and Side 2 is given over to the epic Echoes. It contains the bringing together of instrumental passages that were written by all the band. It’s now become a requirement of every Prog band worth their salt to have one track lasting a full side. If ever you want to test your audio equipment, this is the perfect track to do so as they use the whole of the stereo spectrum.

The opening burst of One Of These Days is one of the greatest opening tracks, with that hypnotic driving Waters’ bass riff that powers the whole song. Fearless is a classic melancholic Floyd melody with the added bonus (if you’re a Liverpool fan) of the Kop at Anfield singing You’ll Never Walk Alone. I think the band did not know where they were headed when they recorded this, as there is also a lounge lizard jazz tune in San Tropez, and the odd blues of Seamus.

It gets 9/10 just for the inclusion of Echoes from The Grooveman.

FIFTH ANGEL – s/t

August 7, 2021 /

Originally released by Mike Varney on his Metal Blade label, after being transfixed by guitar whizz James Byrd. This is the first and best of the band’s releases. I loved all of the releases that were coming out of the US with the hot shot guitar players at the time. It’s only when you look back that you realize a lot of them were pretty average, mainly due to the fact the guitarists could wail, but the bands couldn’t write good tunes. These guys were different, as they could write good tunes and they also had a decent vocalist in Ted Pilot, and a great drummer Ken Mary who would go on to drum with loads of bands.

In The Fallout is a pretty standard mid eighties metal track, but with a killer solo. Shout It Out has that big anthem feel to it. Call OutThe Warning is peddle to the metal with some Yngwie style widdle – it’s very power metal. The self titled track is next and is very Dio in its delivery, and has a superb lead break. The side closes out with Wings Of Destiny, which has an Iron Maiden intro and pretty standard riffage, again lifted by an unreal solo.

Side 2 starts out with The Night, which is the best track on the album – it’s a power metal anthem. A really cool intro to Only The Strong Survive opens with a riff I have heard before, but my brain won’t release the information. I’m sure the metal heads amongst you will know (let me know!!!). Cry Out The Fools is the penultimate track and is very Michael Schenker with Ronnie Dio singing. Album closer, Fade To Flames, is almost an acoustic fade to black until the song bursts into a Maiden gallop.

So two albums and that was it, until a comeback a couple of years ago. James Byrd released a few solo albums for Shrapnel, which if you are a guitar nut, are worth checking out.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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