THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 25 of 50)

ERIC GALES – The Bookends

February 18, 2021 /

Is this the world’s best kept secret? For those who have not heard of Eric Gales, this is his 18th studio album. Signed by Electra in ’91 as a guitar prodigy, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he had disappeared between the cracks. The last couple of albums has seen his popularity rise, and rightly so, as he deserves everything coming his way.

This album kicks off with Intro, an absolute monster of a short instrumental piece that sets the tone for the record with its funky grooves. First song is Somethings Gotta Give, featuring the soulful vocals of B. Slide, which gives the song a great commercial vibe. Funky nirvana is next with Whatcha Gonna Do with a serious funky vibe with some killer playing by Eric. The funk continues with It Just Beez That Way that almost goes to fusion territory.

By now you should all be groovin’ around which ever space you listen to these funky vibes. You just don’t here records like this anymore. Killer!!!!

Side 1 closes out with Southpaw Serenade, a slow blues groove that features Doyle Bramhall II on a guest solo. A great soulful tune. Over to Side 2 we go with How Do I Get You, which has a great hook and would make a great single. Reaching For Change starts with a fat blues rock riff that reminds me of Kings X – plus a ripping solo is supplied by Eric. Somebody Lied is next up with its off-time groove. The Beatles classic With A Little Help From My Friends is next, which features the amazing Beth Hart on vocals. Which takes us to the close out track, Resolution, an instrumental track with a slight difference – it’s not all widdly-widdly but played with soul and invention, and like the first track, has plenty of use of the swell peddle.

And there you have it! The album bookended by two non-vocal tracks. Do your self, and your collection a favour, and bring some Eric Gales into your life. If by chance he plays near you, go and see him live, you won’t be disappointed.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TONY MACALPINE – Maximum Security

February 18, 2021 /

This is the 2nd out of the 13 solo studio albums that Tony has released – plus he is on countless projects and guests on squillions of things. This was released in ’87 when the guitar shred fest was in full swing, and this album definitely falls into that category. I would put him along side Malmsteen in style, although I think Tony has a lot more melody to his playing. Tony plays all guitars, bass, and keyboards except where George Lynch guests on a couple of tunes for the obligatory guitar battle.

This is above average fair for the shredder community, as the attention to melody and structure is evident throughout. There are vocal lines, but played on guitar, that give the workouts a purpose – a bit like Satriani does. There are a few references to classical pieces (Chopin is credited on two pieces), but they all were doing that back in the day for a bit of credibility. The aforementioned Tears Of Sahara with George Lynch is my favourite track as they try to outdo each other with who has the best licks.

This is for guitar slingers and aficionados only, and anyone else who has a passing interest for over the top guitar.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

ZZ TOP – Tres Hombres

February 17, 2021 /

This is the third full album by Texas’s greatest musical export to the world, and by the time this was released on the world they had found their groove and were rollin’. This was the album that opened them up to rest of the US. This time all of the songs were originals, and all written by the band.

Waitin’ For The Bus gets things movin’ and is classic ZZ of this period, and the segue into Jesus Left Chicago is just sublime bluesy groove goodness. Beer Drinkers adds a little heaviness to proceedings, and has some Billy G licks that keep on goin’ right until the fade out. Master Of Sparks is quite a laid back tune until the solo, which is short but hot. Side 1 ends with Hot Blue And Righteous, which is a slow blues ballad.

Flipping over to the classic ZZ tune Move Me On Down The Line – short and sweet at 2.30 but it hits the spot. Precious and Grace is next up with that dirty fuzz riff and a killer middle 8. Then hidden away in the middle of Side 2 is the song that would change everything for them. La Grange has the most simplest of riffs, but what a riff it is. It still gets the hairs on my arm standing up when I play it today. Who knows what Billy is singing at the beginning, but it sets the mood perfectly. Killer tune!!! Sheik is up next, and how do you follow that?! You slot in the oddest tune on the album with and an almost funky vibe. This song is the one that would pave the way for the not too distant future as Tejas and El Loco would both have experimental moments of pure genius. Album closer Have You Heard? finishes things off nicely with some gospel blues.

Not their best album as that would come later but definitely a good album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

METALLICA – Hardwired…To Self Destruct

February 17, 2021 /

The band that everyone loves to moan at. Not sure why, as they know their limitations and basically they do what it says on the tin.

This is the RSD version on red vinyl. This is definitely a return to form after the very disappointing St Anger and the poorly produced Death Magnetic, even though the songs were really good on that album. I personally think this album sits really well with the classic albums, and would have been a natural successor to And Justice. This is their 10th studio album, and the first for 8 years mainly due to the ongoing issues with James’ health and addictions. The haters can do one for all I care as this is a killer album. For those of you who are used to listening to this album on CD, the running order is slightly different so they can squeeze the tracks on the vinyl.

Opener and the title track is classic Metallica huge riffs fat guitars and plenty of chugga chugga. Atlas Rise, another monster tune and was the first single. By this time you should be bouncing round the house. Now That Your Dead is a slightly more experimental song, and a slower pace, but still a monster tune.

Over to Side 2 we go and the other single, Moth Into Flame, is ripping it up with some fast fat riffage and loading up on the chugga’s. James’ vocals are stronger than he has ever done. In fact, the whole band are smokin’. I still don’t like Kirk’s lead sound though. I think it’s too thin and too much wah wah, but that’s just me. Am I Savage is next and slows the pace right down at the intro before exploding into a slow grind. Disc 1 closes with Halo On Fire, which starts slow, and is what Metallica dish up for a ballad – with a great melodic vocal from James before reverting to big chugga’s at the middle section.

Onto Disc 2 we go and Confusion announces its arrival with staccato drums and matching fat guitars and chugga chugga’s a plenty. Dream No More with its monster Sabbath style riff is next – a huge sounding tune. ManUNkind ends Side 3, with a slow bass and guitar sequence before it gets all Metallica with a huge catchy riff and groove.

Flipping over to Side 4 with Here Comes Revenge, and there’s no let up in the quality of the songs – another huge tune. Murder One is next and it’s a fitting tribute to Lemmy with an evil riff. In the blink of an eye, the last song Spit Out The Bone is upon us, and its the song with a nod back to the early days as it’s pure old school thrash.

So don’t believe the haters, Metallica are far from finished and I really enjoyed it.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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