Steve Morse – Out Standing In Their Field

Details: 2009, Ear Music, CD

Steve Morse is a musician with who I have a curious relationship, having turned up at different points in two of my favourite bands, Kansas and Deep Purple. However, with each band he has had some weighty shoes to fill in the shape of Kerry Livgren and Ritchie Blackmore respectively. That said, I put aside my prejudices and love for all things Blackmore to find that, ultimately, Purpendicular has ended up being one of my favourite Deep Purple albums of all time. It’s a shame that the quality has steadily declined since then, to the point where the band really should give up…

So it was with mixed emotions that I turned to his latest solo album, ‘Out Standing In Their Field’. My predilection for instrumental albums has started and finished with Joe Satriani, having been put off by Steve Vai’s wilder excesses. So it was to my relief that I found Morse more disposed to the Satriani approach of putting the song first, rather than feeling the need to show off his axe skills. Opening song ‘Name Dropping’, in fact, reminded me of a heavier version of ‘Extremist’ era Satriani, a cool groove leading into a smooth, melodic song where Morse is happy to share the limelight with Bass player Dave Larue as and when needed. The soundscapes are large, tough, grand in ambition but never overwhelming. Morse’s talent has never been in question, and the sign of a true great is often a player who appreciates less is more. He doesn’t need to show his ability to play huge numbers of notes in quick succession, because he can. Well, that’s until ‘John Deere Letter’ (of which more later!),

What we have here is an album which could be considered ‘eclectic, and definitely suffers from a split personality. Its not so much a call for the days of vinyl and a ‘red’ and a ‘black’ side, rather there are 3 sides to this story!

I’m pleasantly impressed by the first four tracks, with the jazz fusion of ‘Brink of the Edge’ followed by the faintest echoes of modern day acoustic led Purple in ‘Here and Now and Then’. We have a series of midtempo numbers, then, which slip rather disconcertingly into the driving country of ‘John Deere Letter’. Hmmmm this is, to be honest, why I tend to avoid guitar led albums, and ‘More To the Point’ is just too many notes for this simple brain to handle. I have no doubt that to some, these would be the pinnacle of the album but, alas not for these ears. Fortunately ‘Unnamed Sources’ slows things down again, and ‘Flight of the Osprey’ starts deceptively with an acoustic guitar, before launching into a hard driving rock song that displays far more energy than Purple have managed for a number of years.

Baroque ‘n Dreams is a curious track to finish. It would be all too easy to compare the melody to Ritchie Blackmore’s current liking for Renaissance music but the bass rumbles away in the background, giving the track a certain latent menace, always threatening to erupt, but kept under control. As a closing track, it offers a brave and unusual conclusion, avoiding the obvious drama and eruption with which to finish.

So what we have here is an album that (thankfully!) avoids the worst excesses of guitar hero albums. By so doing, it confirms that Morse is, in fact, a guitar hero. Able to adapt to many styles, comfortable in them all yet not over-showy, there’s one thought to leave with.

Please, please, leave Deep Purple. This album has more energy, more variety and more unpredictability than the hoary old behemoths can manage nowadays. It appears that, ironically for a band who have earlier had 3 sensational guitarists pass through their ranks, they are holding their current incumbent back.

Highlight: Flight Of The Osprey

Score: 3.5/5

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BE

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Sondura – Live Before You Die

Details: 2009, HardSound Records, CD

Sondura’s début album “Live Before You Die” explodes out of your speakers like a greyhound leaving its trap: it’s hard and fast, aggressive in all the right places and chock-full of solid riffs and battering drums. Their press release cites Metallica, Nickelback and Hundred Reasons: well, I don’t get the Metallica comparison, but the other two are right on the money. Hard and heavy, yet melodic and well-played, it’s an impressive opening shot from this young band.

Bold, brash, new Brit metal, no one track outstays its welcome (which is presumably the intention?), but in the breathless rush I do find myself sometimes wishing some of the tracks went on a little longer, allowed themselves room to grow perhaps….thankfully there is some consideration given to this: the opening title track, “Scars” and “Never Get Enough” are all the more vibrant and relentless when placed before “Black And White” and “Falling Free,” both of which slow the pace and bring in a greater depth. Indeed, “Falling Free” grooves like a classic 70’s rock ballad – albeit one with a modern kick up the jacksey! It should be mentioned here that “Scars” has an opening riff that is pure Iron Maiden, a remorseless rhythm and a closing solo that screams “primetime Megadeth!” at the top of its voice!

Possibly the best two tracks on the album are slotted together in the middle: “A Thousand Miles” and “Free Spirits” are both muscular; powerful, melodic metal. Vocalist Tom Watson can scream with the best of ‘em, but you can always hear the words (some vocalists these days sound like they’re gargling a bag of rusty nails) and his brother Jack proves himself an excellent guitarist. Rhythm section Steve Dillon (bass) and Fred Green (drums) are a tight and impressive unit. “Fake” is another piledriver, (with , yes I’ll go with it, a mid-section that does recall Messers Hetfield, Ulrich et al) and “Last Man Standing” again slows the pace, if not the intensity, to good effect.

“Live Before You Die” is an accomplished début, and at its best when the guys let some light and shade in. Assuming they get some solid label backing behind them (and hopefully a suitable support slot that enables them to reach a wider audience), the follow-up release could really make waves. Sondura have all the right ingredients to be something special.

Highlight: A Thousand Miles

Score: 3.5/5

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NJ

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GTFM Rock Show Preview

This week, we talk to our old friend and special guest Jeff Collins. Local author,broadcaster and rock aficionado, he has a new book out documenting the story of Stuart Cable, drummer with the Stereophonics and Killing for Company. New music this week from Joe Perry, Gun and Creed plus as usual Rock News from the Web and a ‘Rare Track’ chosen by Rock Show listeners.

——

email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk

Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM

or on the Internet by pointing your media player at

http://qtss.lrc.glam.ac.uk:8000/gtfmmp3

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The GTFM ROCK SHOW with ANDY FOX,

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Various Artists – Time Machine

Details: 2005, Universal, 3CD

I seem to have spent an in-ordinate amount of time on 2009 releases recently which is all very well, but the collector inside gets an equal amount of satisfaction from unearthing a lost or previously personally undiscovered gem from rock music’s past as I do from hearing a new album hitting the spot. For the musical archaeologist though, a scatter-gun approach to unearthing lost treasure can be expensive and only occasionally successful, especially when looking at the classic early labels of the late 60s and early 70s. That’s why collections such as this are a Godsend, reprising the old sampler albums of old but nowadays offering many more than the average 12 or so tracks that they did to sink your teeth into. “Time Machine – A Vertigo Retrospective” to give this clam-shell style box-set it’s full and proper name emerged roughly four years ago now and of course focuses squarely on that most collectable of labels, the Vertigo Swirl imprint. Featuring 41 tracks and something like nearly 4 hours of music its a valuable taster that can stop (or at least offset for a while!) what could be a pricey purchase of an individual artists release, especially if your after vinyl because of course a rare Vertigo Swirl can cost a small fortune! It also disproves the theory that some seem to hold that if it appeared on the Swirl it was automatically something to behold in terms of musical quality. That’s clearly not the case. The label was home to some great albums and great artists but as you listen through the set you realise that it was more simply a home to what was then called progressive rock… basically a catch all of styles for anything that didn’t fit on more mainstream labels a record company may also have had.

Disc one is a good example of the label’s variety wrapped up in the first few tracks. The appealing rock of Colosseum and “The Kettle” from the very first Swirl album sits aside a rollicking slab of r&b in the shape of Juicy Lucy’s “Who Do You Love”. Clear Blue Sky move from folk-rock to blistering guitar within the confines of “My Heaven” and Mannfred Mann’s Chapter Three offer a pointer as to what was deemed progressive with a song about as far away from Mann’s previous band’s hits as perhaps could be expected at that point, with the gloomy “Travelling Lady”. The fact Vertigo spawned some artists who were to breakthrough from the underground scene is nicely exemplified by the inclusion of tracks from Black Sabbath and Rod Stewart, and not the most obvious of tracks either as usually happens on compilations. Instead there’s “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” and “Handbags And Gladrags” to remind of both acts formative years. Meanwhile the proto-metal talents of May Blitz, the likes of jazz oriented Nucleus, proggers Gentle Giant and the female fronted Affinity may all ring a bell but if your anything like me you’ll be reaching for the fortunately well annoted 48 page booklet for pointers on Gracious, Bob Downes and Ben. Although maybe not where Ben is concerned. “The Influence” a ten minute plus jazz-fusion marathon to endure rather than enjoy at the end of this disc.

Compiled in a loose chronological order, disc two sees further well known names that graced the label introduced with Uriah Heep’s “Lady In Black” a familiar song aside offerings from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (“Midnight Moses”) and Nick Simper’s post Deep Purple band Warhorse who enter the fray with “Mouthpiece”. Again there’s lesser known acts such as Dr. Z, Jimmy Campbell and Tudor Lodge to discover but what is noticeable is that back in these time artists generally got a second chance regardless of sales. It was after-all a time when a hit single was seen as something of a sell-out of underground principles in some quarters so offering from later albums by May Blitz, Colosseum and Juicy Lucy are a reminder of days when label support actually was a given.  Given the clearly limited appeal of some of the offerings such support is as admirable as it seems almost non-existent these days.

Probably the only disappointment in disc three for me is the choice of Status Quo’s “Paper Plane” as the representative of the British boogie merchants début on the label. A hit single and a great song, but included on so many compilations down the years. Besides there is better to be found on the “Piledriver” LP which being one of the better sellers for the label is one of the most common vinyl “swirls” to be found. Certainly more common than albums from accompanying bands Atlantis, Nucleus, Aphrodite’s Child and in vinyl form anyway Jade Warrior who’s “Mwenga Sketch” or at least the “Eclipse” album it represents here has along with the bands other albums been subject of good looking reissues in recent years on the Repertoire label. A label that is a good source actually for further investigation into a number of the bands on this set. Ironically not Ian Matthews though! A folk artist with connections to Fairport Convention he is one artist who I was tempted to buy albums of after listening to this set, although it was “If You Saw Thru’ My Eyes” not the “Tigers Will Survive” album I found, that was the original home to the song “Little Known”; a title that just about describes my knowledge of many of the artists on this set! One name that is familiar is “Vangelis O. Papathanassiou” although that mouthful would get shortened before notoriety was found. Fittingly though its Vertigo’s most successful act of the period that gets the final say. The mighty Black Sabbath signing off a fittingly eclectic but superbly realised collection with “Spiral Architect”.

Overall, this is simply a great collection for the collector, compiled with great thought undoubtedly, and although a few years old now it’s still relatively easy to find too. Certainly easier than finding affordable vinyl copies of some of the acts featured, and although it will never climb to the prices some of those rarer titles have demanded, I have no doubt that one day it could become quite a collectable in its own right.

Score: 4/5

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BL

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Blue Oyster Cult – Club Ninja

Details: 1986 (2009 reissue), Lemon, CD

Ladies and gentlemen, Blue Oyster Cult fans, take your seats, or rather, get in your corners, there’s no sitting on the fence with this one. You either love Club Ninja, or you hate it. Historically, the album in the band’s extensive catalogue that’s the most-reviled and criticised (and oft-derided as “all filler, no killer”), this recent re-issue by Cherry Red on their Lemon label gives us the chance to re-assess its merits. Sony have fairly recently undertaken a comprehensive re-mastering of all the Cult’s classic albums, complete with a slew of bonus tracks, from demos to live cuts. Obviously they decided not to waste their time and money on Club Ninja, and have farmed it off to Cherry Red – without any bonus tracks being made available. So you just get the nine-track original album – with nothing to sway the “for or against” arguments in any new direction.

I’m nailing my colours to the mast – I’ve always liked Club Ninja and while no-one would hold it up against Secret Treaties, Tyranny And Mutation or Agents Of Fortune, I am quite prepared to defend it stoutly when compared to the likes of Spectres or Mirrors, and certainly way superior to the horrible The Revolution By Night. 1976’s Agents Of Fortune had perfected the blueprint for their brand of hook-laden metal and all the band’s subsequent studio albums had followed this format – Mirrors was far too lightweight for many fans – and Club Ninja doesn’t upset the boat in that respect.

“White Flags” is a solid opener, with typically inventive lyrics and “Dancin’ In The Ruins” is a catchy offering, much in the mould of “Burnin’ For You” (from Fire Of Unknown Origin). Quality-control slips somewhat on “Rock Not War” which is a bit of a clunker with plodding drums and synthy-keyboards, but, hey, it’s not that bad. (It’s one of a pair of tracks penned by Bob Halligan Junior, the other being the distinctly-average “Beat ‘Em Up” which really is as dubious as its title suggests).

“Perfect Water” however, is a bona fide Cult classic, still in their live set today, and one of those Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser compositions that oozes sheer melodic class, while retaining a hard edge and featuring a great solo. “Spy In The House Of The Night” and “Shadow Warrior” are great tracks as well and while “When The War Comes” doesn’t leave much of an imprint, “Madness To The Method” closes the album in fine style with driving guitars, understated piano and tuneful vocals working on clever and witty lyrics – all trademark Blue Oyster Cult. The returning Sandy Pearlman’s production (Bruce Fairbairn had handled the previous Revolution By Night album) and whilst there is an occasional over-reliance on 80’s-sounding keyboards, it never detracts from the overall sound, which still holds up well today.

Much of the initial criticism of Club Ninja seemed to come from fans upset by the fracturing of the original line-up: prior to Revolution By Night, drummer Albert Bouchard had been sacked (or “left” depending on whose account you listen to) and before recording began on Club Ninja, Allan Lanier had also departed, reportedly upset by the band’s increased use of outside writers. Twenty-three years later and we can discount this observation: Club Ninja deserves another listen based on its own merits (which are many) and, whilst it is certainly not faultless, it is a more-than-worthwhile part of a great back catalogue., with at least three or four superb tracks. There is one disappointment however: for once, the inventiveness and surreal approach often evident in the artwork on the album sleeves (Fire Of Unknown Origin, Spectres, Cultosaurus Erectus) is sadly missing – Club Ninja has the worst-sleeve of any Cult album. It’s appalling…..but don’t let that distract from the music within.

Highlight: Perfect Water

Score: 3.5/5

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NJ

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GTFM Rock Show Preview

This week,its an alternative rock week featuring the new album from supergroup Them Crooked Vultures who feature Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones.   We’ve also got tickets to give away to see Gun in Swansea and Bristol.  New music this week from Creed,Alice In Chains Slayer,and Biffy Clyro plus the usual Rock News from the Web and a listener chosen “Rare Track”.

——

email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk

Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM

or on the Internet by pointing your media player at

http://qtss.lrc.glam.ac.uk:8000/gtfmmp3

——

The GTFM ROCK SHOW with ANDY FOX,

22.00 to 24.00 every Wednesday

Confessions Of A Vinyl Collector

So the purchase of the 7″ singles last time around did lead to a renewed period of vinyl purchase. I have to confess that this month, aside from spending a little on the reissued first two albums by the then entitled “Yesterday & Today” (now residing on a single disc, tho’ sadly sleeve-note lacking set entitled “OneTwo”) it’s been vinyl all the way with some very welcome additions.

Ironically, aside from a single private purchase last week all of these have come from my local second hand vinyl dealer based in Ammanford. My first post payday trip to Gwlad Deg strengthens the case for not visiting a single place too often as there was a good deal of new stock in this time, with apparently a newly purchased collection to search through offering the following five additions for an all-in amount of £27.

Def Leppard – Rocks Off EP… a relic from the age when Leppard were “Heavy Metal” and not reluctant to admit it! The excellent three track, début EP albeit in yellow label third issue guise ie. minus that distinctive picture sleeve the original few had. Cost me about £10 as I recall but worth having all the same as its a piece of history and “Overture”, “Getcha Rocks Off” and “Ride Like The Sun” are all nwobhm classics.

Man – All’s Well That Ends Well… been after this one for a while. The final offering from the Welsh rock band until they reformed some six years or so later. A good live album given that it was basically a contractual filler with some of my favourite Manband songs on it such as “The Ride And The View”, “Born With A Future” and of course “Spunk Rock”.

Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic… ironic that I should pick this up just before all the Tyler’s quit/Tyler hasn’t quit nonsense started. This is proper Aerosmith, before all the big ballad, MTV dominating sameness of the 80s and 90s. Still looking for good vinyl copies of s/t, “Get Your Wings” and “Rocks” but this’ll do for now!

Cheap Trick – Dream Police… another CP title to the steadily growing collection. The new studio album “The Latest” has lead me down the route of needing to hearing a lot more of this band and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Fortunately there’s plenty to check out.

Hawkwind – Space Ritual… there’s plenty to check out in the Hawkwind catalogue too. Probably too much given that there are at least 100 albums out under either the bands name or credited to acts with close associations. This one is an essential though, with it huge fold out sleeve and excellence within the grooves. It usually goes for a higher price that the £4 I got it for. The vinyl is in VG condition, the sleeve though looks like someone has struggled at some point folding it back the way it originally came. Not to worry – I’ll keep this in a pvc sleeve to stop it falling apart any more!

Doesn’t it always happen? You’re searching through boxes, spot an album that looks interesting but a little pricey. Give it a miss on this occasion then get back to the computer, look for reviews and find nothing but good things said about it (but sadly no link to at least download a test copy to see if they’re right). You then have to spend the week worrying that no one else has had the same thought and gone in and bought the damn thing… perhaps that last bit is just me but the next album fits that whole story.

Alcatraz – Doing A Moonlight… £7 with a label that announcing ex-Man guitarist Will Youatt as part of the band, this is the said album that caught my eye. I’d never heard it before, couldn’t find anything on mp3 (it’s not out on CD I think) and consequently was back at Gwlad Deg the Friday after the Saturday before to snaffle my copy. Not disappointed either as its an accomplished album of 70s rock that anyone who appreciates the Manband will enjoy.

Of course, spending £7 is not an option in a record shop. You might as well round it up to a tenner if you can find something for the balance. Well I found three £1 buys!

The Byrds – The Original Singles Vol.1 and Vol2… I wanted these as I was at the time reading an account of the music scene in 1967 entitled “The Act You’ve Known For All These Years”. Looking at the impact not only of “Sgt. Pepper” and the likes of Dylan, The Beach Boys and Pink Floyd around this time another band heavily mentioned were The Byrds so this pairing at a pound each made sense to purchase.

B.T.O. – Street Action… I wrote about “Not Fragile” a few weeks ago and quite honestly its another album I have enjoyed listening too so much its lead me to look out for further titles in the bands history. I’ve already added the début album and “Head On” previously but this was intriguing as it was post Randy Bachman’s (original) involvement in the band and was unsuccessful at the time… yet again though I’ve found a couple of gems on it.

Finally then, another £12 in the same shop a week or two later. This time though it was merely an excuse to get out of the wander around town in and out of shops looking for shoes for the kids or something. Again the book mentioned above was the reason behind buying the first title.

The Moody Blues – In Search Of The Lost Chord… another big impact album but a fairly small price for an original mono copy (£6 iirc) which plays exceptionally well. Some mug writing track times on the cover being the reason why this was so reasonable I think. I’ve never really heard much past the obvious big hits by the Moodies before but quite liked this.

Grand Funk Railroad – Grand Funk… another album with a cover in need of attention but with vinyl which after the PVA glue treatment (daub on the kids glue taking care to get the grooves only not the label, leave it to dry then peel it off and it lifts all the age-old dirt out of the grooves) plays a treat opening up another band that I really should own more of.

Nazareth – No Mean City… the quest for a decent sized Nazareth collection continues (with past comments about what to avoid or at least leave until its collection filler time noted with thanks) and this one is an essential purchase from the Scots band who by this point boasted SAHB’s Zal Cleminson amongst their ranks. Got to be one of the best covers of the era as well. My “Warhammer” loving son certainly appreciates the “Ork-ness” of the front cover, Rodney Matthews drawn character.

Oh yes, that single none local purchase came by way of a mail out from Joe Geesin. Seems Joe is selling off some of his vinyl and there was one title that immediately caught my eye….

Bruce Dickinson – Accident Of Birth… to be honest I wasn’t even aware that this was out on vinyl. I’ve had the CD since its release and quite honestly its my favourite solo album of Dickinson’s by some way. The cover art, a spoof on Maiden’s Eddie surely, is excellent in full size format and the quality within the grooves I’ve written about before.

But why, if you already have it on CD did need to spend £9.50 including postage to get it again on vinyl you may ask? Well, things are just better on vinyl aren’t they? It’s not logical I know but then that is why this piece is called “Confessions Of A Vinyl Collector”. I can’t justify it, merely report that once again I’ve bought something twice!

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BL

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Mick Jones and Kelly Hansen talk Foreigner

Been wondering what happening in the Foreigner camp?  With “Can’t Slow Down”, the first new release to feature the band’s name since 1995, recently released in the States this interview with stalwart Mick Jones and new lead singer Kelly Hansen should answer all your questions.

Broadcast on the GTFM Rock Show on the 11th November 2009 it features the pair talking about the new album, some 500 live dates worldwide undertaken since Hansen was recruited and the legacy of the band too, including an especially interesting piece where Hansen speaks of the difficulties in delivering some Foreigner classics.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Mean Streak – Metal Slave

Details: 2009, Black Lodge Records, CD

A good, solid Scandinavian melodic metal effort that with the band’s name may hint at a bit of Y&T appreciation but in reality has more similarities to fellow mainland European bands Helloween, Hammerfall and Primal Fear whilst offering regular nods to the British metal gods of Maiden, Priest and Saxon.  Fairly generic stuff then you may think, and spotting titles like “Raise Your Hands”, “Rock City” and “Metal Slave” won’t change those intial thoughts but its all original stuff rather than retreads of old chestnuts and actually is all done rather well.

“Whom The Gods Love Die Young” provides an impressive welcome, emerging out of a sound effect laden intro tape that should be good in the live arena before “Battle Within” recalls Saxon with a few added Maiden-like backing vocals and hints of Iron Maiden again make themselves evident in the “Aces High” alike opening of “Eyes Of A Stranger” (another recycled song title!) which turns out to be a more impressive song than initial listens suggested.  Within a couple of spins I found I was looking forward to this and appreciating some more than decent guitar work.

The Priest-like thumping rhythm of “The Seventh Sign” doesn’t quite hit the same spot which the preceding songs achieved but doesn’t mark the start of a major downturn either, instead it introduces something of a mini Priest tribute section with “Raise Your Hands” something you could well imagine Halford delivering in post-British Steel era. The slower tempo of “Sin City Lights” with it distinctly Scorpions flavoured chorus works well mid-album as something a bit different, “Rock City” ticks the box in terms of a song possessing a radio friendly chorus and whilst “Sinner And Saints” won’t have Coverdale thinking he should have reversed his lyrics on the similarly titled Whitesnake ditty of many years past it does provide a finale that will encourage respins.

I guess it would be easy to dismiss this as run of the mill Euro-metal that in all honesty offers little new, guilty of lacking originality being the main critism one could level at Mean Streak.  However there is a phrase that goes “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and the four piece apply this principle well on this album simply offering a disc’s worth of decent material that the old 80’s metal fan in me can’t help but enjoy.

Highlight: Eyes Of A Stranger

Score: 3/5

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BL

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GTFM Rock Show Preview

This week, we feature the new album from Bon Jovi called ‘The Circle’, and we have an interview from Mick Jones and Kelly Hansen from Foreigner, talking about the new album ‘Can’t Slow Down’. We’ve got copies of the new Status Quo DVD,’Live in Montreux’ to give away as they begin their 31 date UK tour and new music this week from Muse, Babylon Bombs, Transatlantic and Slayer, plus as usual Rock News from the Web and a listener chosen “Rare Track”.

——

email DJ Andy Fox via rockshow@gtfm.co.uk

Listen live in the Pontypridd, South Wales area on 107.9 FM

or on the Internet by pointing your media player at

http://qtss.lrc.glam.ac.uk:8000/gtfmmp3

——

The GTFM ROCK SHOW with ANDY FOX,

22.00 to 24.00 every Wednesday