Record Reviews

RIDES ~ CAN`T GET ENOUGH PROVOGUE 7412 (Barcode: 819873010142) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by American Blues-Rock band The RidesFind albums by this artist, formed in 2013 by the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist with singer / songwriter Kenny Wayne ShepherdFind albums by this artist and veteran keyboardist Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist. The band also includes bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Chris LaytonFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, four of which are originals co-written by the three founding members of the band, one is written by Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, one is written by Stills, one is written by Iggy PopFind albums by this artist and three are Blues standards. Stills is able to put his ego away and embrace a much younger Blues-Rock star like Shepherd in order to create what he calls "the blues band of my dreams" in order to revisit his Blues roots. Surprisingly this unlikely coalition works out splendidly and the album is full of a true camaraderie and more importantly some superb Blues songs with scorching guitar solos all along the way. The new songs are all first class and the covers are updated with sparkling and ass-kicking rejuvenated arrangements, altogether resulting in an album that might have been recorded fifty years earlier – and I mean this as a compliment. For all the Classic Rock / Blues-Rock enthusiasts, who still listen to real music today, this is as good as this type of music ever gets. Nostalgia, "heard it all already", etc. – who cares! This music is alive and kicking and all you contemporary zombie-music lovers eat your hearts out! This music truly rocks!

Updated: 27/04/2019Posted: 27/04/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

RIDES ~ PIERCED ARROW PROVOGUE 7461 (Barcode: 819873013341) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the second album by American Blues-Rock band The RidesFind albums by this artist, formed in 2013 by the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist with singer / songwriter Kenny Wayne ShepherdFind albums by this artist and veteran keyboardist Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist. The band also includes bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Chris LaytonFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, nine of which are originals co-written by the three founding members of the band and the bassist and one is a Blues standard. This album is decidedly less Blues oriented than the debut and offers mostly American Rock with some Bluesy spicing, but the songs are all as good as Rock songs get and are all perfectly executed. Stills still sings wonderfully as does Shepherd and both play tasty guitar solos, so what else can one ask for. At least these guys play what they believe in and they have something to say, which is better that most other "music" maker these days. One can wonder if these guys have it in them to deliver another album of their songs – time will show. Shepherd has a stardom career to run, which personally leaves me rather cold, and it is Stills who made me to listen to The Rides, and I honestly don´t regret it. For all the Classic Rock / Blues-Rock enthusiasts, who still listen to real music today, this is as good as this type of music ever gets. Nostalgia, "heard it all already", etc. – who cares! This music is alive and kicking and all you contemporary zombie-music lovers eat your hearts out! This music truly rocks!

Updated: 28/04/2019Posted: 28/04/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STEVE RAY VAUGHAN / DOUBLE TROUBLE ~ TEXAS FLOOD (LEGACY EDITION) EPIC 886978302427 (Barcode: 886978302427) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1983 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by American guitarist / vocalist / composer Steve Ray VaughanFind albums by this artist and his group Double TroubleFind albums by this artist, a power trio which also included bassist Tommy ShannonFind albums by this artist and drummer Chris LaytonFind albums by this artist. This is one of the few history-changing albums, which brought on the 1980s Blues revival, when this musical genre was slowly being forced out by the awful Pop "music", which was taking over the front stage, and in fact never stopped since. Vaughan and his group presented a fresh look at the Century-old music, which peaked two decades earlier with the electric guitar heroes of the Rock revolution all being deeply indebted to Blues. He successfully, although probably subconsciously, amalgamated the Afro-American Blues tradition with the electrified Blues-Rock and Rock, and spiced it up with his absolutely amazing virtuosity, which left hordes of fans open-mouthed. Vaughan died tragically in a helicopter crash at a ridiculous young age of 35, after recording just five albums, which makes if very difficult to make any assumptions as to his overall contribution to the Blues-Rock genre. In retrospect his albums are full of brilliant guitar solos and heartbreaking Blues vocals, which are a lasting legacy completely immune to the passing time. Vaughan´s deep respect and love of the music played by Jimmy HendrixFind albums by this artist and his interpretations of Hendrix material are particularly memorable. This new edition adds a second CD with a previously unreleased live recording, which includes some material from the debut album and a few other tunes, including three Hendrix songs. This is an absolute must to all Blues-Rock fans, as Vaughan takes no prisoners here and his guitar is simply red hot. Guitar heaven!

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend