Record Reviews
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  | ERIC CLAPTON ~ NOTHING BUT THE BLUES
REPRISE 093624906452 (Barcode: 093624906452) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1994 Released: 2022
Almost thirty years after the filming the documentary “Nothing But The BluesFind albums with this title” in 1994, which tells the story of British guitar superstar Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and his affiliation with Blues Music, capturing his live performances at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, the soundtrack and the film are finally released on CD, DVD and other formats for us to enjoy.
The CD presents seventeen Blues classics, performed by a band, which includes, in addition to Clapton on guitar and vocals, also guitarist Andy Fairweather LowFind albums by this artist, harmonica player Jerry PortnoyFind albums by this artist, pianist Chris StaintonFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist, drummer Andy NewarkFind albums by this artist and the Kick HornsFind albums by this artist horn section.
There are no surprises herein, which is to be expected. Clapton feels like a fish in the water within the Blues idiom and his deep love of the music is evident all the way through. His vocals are steady and strong and his guitar work is as genuine as they come. Most of the material is close to the Blues tradition, more Blues than Blues-Rock, which finds Clapton reverting almost thirty years back in time to his legendary stint with John MayallFind albums by this artist.
The sound is somewhat a bit too dense for a true Blues experience, and a smaller lineup might have served the purpose more accurately, but let’s be honest, Clapton is a Master of the Trade and his understanding of the Blues is truly astounding, which guarantees complete satisfaction to his many fans and followers.
Overall, this is a feast to Blues and Blues-Rock lovers the world over, with the right man in the right place to make sure everything works like clockwork. A bit too loud for me, but hay, I must be getting old... Enjoy!
| | Updated: 23/12/2022Posted: 23/12/2022 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | PROCOL HARUM ~ THE PRODIGAL STRANGER (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2634 (Barcode: 5013929473447) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1991 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the tenth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It is separated by fourteen years from the group´s previous studio album "Something MagicFind albums with this title", which was the last of a string of alums the group recorded at a steady paste in the 1960s and 1970s. This album marks the return of the founding member, Hammond organ player Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, who left the group after the recording of their third studio album "A Salty DogFind albums with this title". As a result three founding members of Procol Harum are present on this album: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and Fisher. The group´s other members on this album are bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist. The album offers twelve new songs, all composed or co-composed by Brooker with Fisher and producer Matt NobleFind albums by this artist. The lyrics are as usual by the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. The album is dedicated to B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the groups founding member drummer, who died in 1990. This remastered and expanded edition adds three previously unreleased bonus tracks: two demos and one live track.
The release of the album was followed by a tour promoting the album. Trower refused to tour and was replaced by Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist. The tour yielded the second live album by the group entitled "One More TimeFind albums with this title".
Musically the album does not follow closely the classic Procol Harum sound and musical direction and in retrospect is the groups most straightforward Pop / Rock oriented album in their entire career. In spite of the double keyboards (piano and Hammond organ) the production shifts the overall soundscape into more contemporary (at the time) environment, which sadly damages the result. The basic melodies and the lyrics are still potentially great, but the album does not reach the same level of depth and the characteristic Procol Harum ambience, as one would have hoped for. As the A/M live album proves, the material was much better suited for concerts than for an intimate home listening experience.
Nevertheless it is still a solid Classic Rock album, which can be enjoyed by the many fans of the group and an important document of the group´s illustrious musical legacy.
| | Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 28/01/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ BEYOND THE MIST
BLACK CROSS 55002 (Barcode: 6284376550022) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1985 Released: 2007
This is a reissue / remaster of the 9th solo studio album by legendary British Rock guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, recorded with bassist / vocalist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin ClapsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original songs, all written by Trower. The first two tracks were recorded in studio and five are live recording at the legendary Marquee club in April 1985. This was the first album recorded after Trower left the ChrysalisFind albums on this label label.
Following his departure from the iconic Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most.
The songs on this album are some of Trower’s most Rock oriented material, with only partial Blues influence, similar to his two next three albums released in the late 1980s. They are however still spiced by the spectacular guitar playing, which sounds as good as ever and the songwriting is as excellent as always.
Overall, this is another gem of an album in the long list of his solo albums, which happily for us he keeps delivering in regular time interviews. Since this album was deleted ages ago it is a most welcome opportunity to close the gap for his faithful followers, for whom getting this album is absolutely a no-brainer.
| | Updated: 06/03/2024Posted: 06/03/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ LIVING OUT OF TIME
REPERTOIRE 5280 (Barcode: 4009910528921) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2002 - 2003 Released: 2013
This is a remaster / reissue of the 16th solo studio album by the legendary British Rock guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with vocalist Davey PattisonFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete ThompsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all of which are originals by Trower. The album was recorded following a three-years break since the preceding album “Go My WayFind albums with this title”.
Following his departure from the iconic Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most.
There are very few Rock personalities of his statue and legacy still standing today and every new album he releases is an unmistakable blast, on which he definitely takes, as usual, no prisoners.
Overall, this is an excellent Blues-Rock album, with beautifully melodic tunes, solid vocals and sensational guitar playing, which has but a few contenders. Trower’s many followers need no encouragement of course and some of the self-proclaimed new guitar aces would be wise to take a listen. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 30/06/2023Posted: 30/06/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ PASSION
GOLDENCORE 20204 (Barcode: 194111024205) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1987 Released: 2023
This is a reissue of the 10th solo studio album by legendary British Rock guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, recorded with vocalist Davey PattisonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Reg WebbFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete ThompsonFind albums by this artist. A couple of guest musicians also take part in the recording. The album presents nine original songs, most co-written by Trower and Bronze and three co-written also by Webb.
Following his departure from the iconic Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most.
The songs on this album are some of Trower’s most Rock oriented material, with only partial Blues influence, similar to his two next albums released on the Atlantic label. They are however still spiced by the spectacular guitar playing, which sounds as good as ever and the songwriting is as excellent as always.
Overall, this is another gem of an album in the long list of his solo albums, which happily for us he keeps delivering in regular time interviews. Since this album was deleted ages ago it is a most welcome opportunity to close the gap for his faithful followers, for whom getting this album is absolutely a no-brainer.
| | Updated: 12/12/2023Posted: 12/12/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN TROWER ~ THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS
WOUNDED BIRD 6033 (Barcode: 664140603325) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1988 - 1990 Released: 2020
This is a 2CD reissue of the 11th and 12th solo studio albums by the legendary British Rock guitarist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, released on AtlanticFind albums on this label Records in 1988 and 1990 respectively.
CD1 is the album “Take What You NeedFind albums with this title”, which was recorded in a quartet setting with vocalist Davey PattisonFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete ThompsonFind albums by this artist. It presents nine tracks, all written by Trower or co-written with Bronze. This edition adds one bonus track, which is a live version of one of the original album tracks.
CD2 is the album “In The Line Of FireFind albums with this title”, which was recorded in a quintet setting with vocalist Davey Pattison, keyboardist Bobby MayoFind albums by this artist, bassist John ReaganFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony BeardFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks, most written or co-written by Trower, with two originating from other sources. Two tracks feature lyrics by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, Trower’s Procol HarumFind albums by this artist cohort.
Following his departure from the iconic Procol Harum, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most.
There are very few Rock personalities of his statue and legacy still standing today and every new album he releases is an unmistakable blast, on which he definitely takes, as usual, no prisoners.
Overall, these are excellent Blues-Rock albums, with beautifully melodic tunes, solid vocals and sensational guitar playing, which has but a few contenders. The reissue is a most welcomed opportunity to grab a copy of the them. Trower’s many followers need no encouragement of course and some of the self-proclaimed new guitar aces would be wise to take a listen. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 09/12/2023Posted: 20/10/2023 | CD 2 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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