THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 427 of 491)

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND – Live

May 26, 2021 /

What happened quite a lot in the seventies was that bands put out live albums as sort of filler albums, to pad out the contract, then the record companies would make them single albums – thereby giving the public a highlights set. The Harvey’s were a fantastic live band and I would have killed to have a full concert at the time. Anyhoo, we are least left with this single disc as a testament to one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

This was recorded at the Hammy O in ’75. I caught the tour after this and they were smokin’. The album starts off with Fanfare, which is a short intro piece that leads into the pulsing bass of Faith Healer – one of SAHB’s best loved tunes and has been covered by lots of bands. The song has a lot more oomph live, mainly due to the guitar being turned up. Harvey’s love of all things comic book is represented by The Tomahawk Kid, and he is away and in full story telling mode, “Captain Dan and Billy Bones and me The Tomahawk Kid”. I lapped this up when I was at school. Again, its a lot leaner and heavier in the live setting. Next is Vambo and is as heavy as the band would get. A great chopping riff from Zal – this would be his showcase spot in the show. “Vambo Vambo sweat and labour he never never steal from neighbour” a mantra for a modern age. If only!

Over to Side 2 with the awesome Give My Compliments To The Chef, which shifts through the gears to the killer middle section. Great tune! Their biggest hit in the UK, a cover of Tom Jones’ Delilah is next, and was a great sing-a-long for the crowd. Framed closes out the album, although it didn’t close out the show, that would be Anthem (complete with bagpipers), which brought a tear to the eye. It sees Alex in full on gangster modern spitting out the lyrics.

I doubt we shall ever see bands like this ever again, and this album definitely is a moment in time never to be repeated.

10/10 from the Grooveman.

ELECTRIC SUN – Firewind

May 25, 2021 /

On the outside, it seemed like a strange decision to leave the Scorpions just as they had signed a new contract with Phonogram – they were on the up. But Uli had been unhappy with his position in the band for a long time, and decided the time was right. Uli is a huge Hendrix fan and you can hear it in his playing – he was even seeing Jimi’s old girlfriend for a while, Monica Danneman. I for one, find that a bit strange, but what do I know.

There is no denying Uli’s brilliance as a guitar player, but his vocal style is not for everyone as it feels as though he is straining all the time. Cast Away Your Chains is a nice opening track with some killer playing. Indian Dawn, musically, is freaking awesome especially in the breakdown section and has a very 70’s vibe. I’ll Be Loving You Always is a ballad with some great playing, but this is the one track where you realize that a better voice would have been heaps better. The title track follows and is great Euro metal sounding piece where Uli really stretches out on the guitar. A short instrumental piece, Prelude In Space Minor, closes out Side 1 and is very Hendrix in its execution.

Side 2 opens up with Just Another Rainbow and is very Band Of Gypsies – especially with the intro. Children Of The Sea is up next and is pleasant and laid back tune, but the vocals do detract somewhat. Chaplin An I is another very similar track before we get to the album closer and the big showpiece Enola Gay (Hiroshima Today). This is where Uli shows us what a killer guitar player he is and unloads every weapon in his arsenal. This is why every guitar player cites him as an influence. All the effects and toys are on display in the the full on Hendrix tribute in part three, the Attack Of Enola is outstanding.

So you may wonder why I bought this album, with me not being to keen on the vocals? Well its all about the guitar. I’m a huge guitar fan, and there is enough guitar awesomeness on display here to keep me more than happy.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

OZZY OSBOURNE – Diary Of A Madman

May 25, 2021 /

After Ozzy was ejected from Sabbath (or quit – depends on who you believe), he was at a huge turning point in his career. He was addicted to just about every known chemical that he could shove in his body, and his voice and attitude in Sabbath towards the end was pretty bad. So his next step had to be a huge one and a decisive one. When he found Randy Rhoads and released the first Blizzard Of Oz album, it was a huge boost for Ozzy, but with the release of this, the 2nd album, his legendary status had been assured thanks to Mr. Rhoads.

Make no mistake about it, these songs are all about Randy. His playing on this record is outstanding – rivalling the impact EVH would have a few years earlier coming from the same breeding ground in and around the Pasadena area. Every song on offer here is the best the Ozzman recorded throughout his solo career. From the opening crunch of Over The Mountain, you know you are hearing something special. I know Sabbath die hardship would say Ozzy’s best days were there, but in reality everyone knew this band was on a different level. It would only be broken by tragedy with the untimely death of Randy in that well documented stunt/accident that went horribly wrong.

We all know and love familiar songs on the this record, but it’s the sleeper tracks like You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll where Randy destroys on the fade out that I love. I wish that had been extended a lot longer. His rhythm tone alone is incredible throughout. S.A.T.O is another track where Randy just lets loose with the incredible riff and the control of the guitar is incredible when it’s always on the edge of feedback. I think most rockers and metal heads own this, and rightly so, as it’s in the metal fans owners manual.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT – 3

May 24, 2021 /

Well, I guess after 22 years it would be about time to record the follow up to the second album. The groundwork for this album was made when Portnoy joined Petrucci on the recording of his last solo album, Terminal Velocity. That would be the first recording the ex-Dream Theater band mates would make together after Portnoy leaving the band to pursue challenges new – with his 17,000 projects he has been a part of since leaving. Also appearing here is the other member of DT, Jordan Rudess, keyboardist extraordinaire, and stick bass legend, Tony Levin.

If Portnoy was proving a point in regards to whether he still had the chops to play complex and strength sapping pieces anymore, I think with the first track Hyoersonic, those fears are simply put to rest as his playing here is other worldly. A jazz/Prog/metal masterpiece describes it perfectly. Second track, Beating The Odds, is more of a straight ahead track – well for these guys it is – and it does feel like a DT track. Keyboards are featured more on this piece and its full on widdly overload.

Side 2 starts with Liquid Evolution, and I’m guessing it’s describing musically how they have evolved over the last 22 years. A very fusion vibe for this relatively short piece. Back to the heaviness with the opening exchanges for The Passage Of Time, and this feels like an older Liquid Tension piece – my favourite so far. Petrucci, as well as being a shredder par excellence, can also play the most beautiful emotive runs. The weirdly named Chris & Kevin’s Amazing Odyssey is next, and starts with a very strange opening bass section and evolves as it continues for the whole track. Then it’s cover time for an over the top rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. Awesome! The very ballad-esque guitar piece Shades Of Hope is next, and then it’s onto the showstopper, Key To The Imagination, which is an incredible piece of music.

So the 22 years hasn’t changed them one bit, and they are still pushing boundaries.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑