Record Reviews
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  | ROGER CHAPMAN ~ CHAPPO / LIVE IN HAMBURG
BGO 824 (Barcode: 5017261208248) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2008
1st and 2nd albums by UK singer Roger ChapmanFind albums by this artist, recorded following the demise of FamilyFind albums by this artist and later StreetwalkersFind albums by this artist, the two bands he led since the late 1960s and up to the late 1970s. Chapman´s decision to go solo was a logical move following his experiences with bands, which failed to gain large following, despite the fact that they played some of the best music recorded in the 1970s, both Prog and later Classic Rock. He was at the top of his vocal powers and idiosyncratic showmanship and unique throaty voice had no equals, neither at the time nor later. Chapman selected an excellent band to accompany him on his debut studio album, which included Henry SpinnettiFind albums by this artist on drums, Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist on guitar and the legendary Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist on bass. Ex-Family cohort Poly PalmerFind albums by this artist also participated on several tracks. Following the release of the studio album Chapman formed a touring band, christened ShortlistFind albums by this artist, which included some of the musicians who played on the studio album and added Ex-King CrimsonFind albums by this artist saxophonist Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist, which was recorded live in Germany a few month later and released as the second album. Both albums absolutely kick butt are superb examples of Classic Rock, even when recorded relatively late, when Rock was already dying. Chapman still enjoys quite a lot of popularity, especially in Europe, and continues to perform and record. For his fans these albums are an absolute must!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CHRIS FARLOWE ~ WAITING IN THE WINGS
MIG 00962 (Barcode: 885513009623) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1991 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of an album recorded by the British Blues-Rock vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist in the early 1990s, following a five years long period of inactivity in the recording studio. The songs on this album were recorded during several studio sessions, featuring different lineups. As a result no less that six guitar players are featured: Micky MoodyFind albums by this artist (Juicy LucyFind albums by this artist), Alvin LeeFind albums by this artist (Ten Years AfterFind albums by this artist), Albert LeeFind albums by this artist (everybody), Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist (ColosseumFind albums by this artist), Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist (Procol HarumFind albums by this artist), Phil PalmerFind albums by this artist (a great session player) and Tony CrooksFind albums by this artist (The KickFind albums by this artist with bassist Leo LyonsFind albums by this artist, ex-Ten Years After, who also plays here).
Despite the stellar team of musicians and a very solid collection on songs, the album was rejected by the Major record labels and was finally released on a tiny Spanish label BarsaFind albums on this label Records (originally titled simply "Farlowe") and than on FreestyleFind albums on this label Records in UK (with a different mixes of two songs), but disappeared from the market almost immediately. This reissue adds four bonus tracks, two of which are the original mixes of the two a/m songs and two more, which are live recordings.
Obviously produced for the US market, this album has a much more Rock oriented sound and luster, taking Farlowe away from his Blues-Rock roots. Nevertheless it is still a very solid album as far as Farlowe´s vocal delivery is concerned and for his many fans this album deserves a proud place in their collection. Sadly it will take another five years for Farlowe to record another studio album.
| | Updated: 27/04/2016Posted: 27/04/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | PROCOL HARUM ~ LIVE AT THE UNION CHAPEL (COLLECTORS` EDITION)
EAGLE VISION 030 (Barcode: 5034504903098) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004
If everything Procol HarumFind albums by this artist ever did was to record their 1967 single “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”, they would have already ensured their position in the Rock’s Hall Of Fame as authors of the definitive, hypnotic and most brilliant Rock song of all times. Of course (and luckily for all Procol Harum’s many admirers, myself included) they managed quite a bit more with a long chain of brilliant albums recorded in the 1960s and 1970s and two reunions: the first one in 1991 and the second in 2003. The 2003 reunion resulted in the recording of a new album called The Well`s On FireFind albums with this title, and a world tour to promote the album. This DVD documents the final concert of the tour upon the band’s return to UK. The unusual setting for the concert – a church – adds a dramatic background to this spectacular event and makes this DVD even more spectacular and theatrical than expected. The band includes two of the band’s founding members Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist on piano & vocals and Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist on organ, accompanied by Matt PeggFind albums by this artist on bass, Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist on guitar and Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist on drums. With several months of touring behind them the band plays spotlessly and the strength of the material reaches its full glory. The material form the new album is included and of course many of the band’s greatest past achievements, including the full version of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”, which is quite a rarity. Additional material includes interviews and other bonus stuff. The CD included in this set contains the highlights of the concert. This is a must for all Procol Harum fans and basically for anybody who loves great Rock. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and DTS, 139 minutes.
| | | DVD+CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | PROCOL HARUM ~ NOVUS
EAGLE 659 (Barcode: 5034504165922) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the twelfth 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 band´s previous studio album "The Well`s On FireFind albums with this title". Although the only founding member of Procol Harum still present on this album is vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, the sound and the musical style of the group remain pretty stable over time. The piano / Hammond organ double keyboards dominated sound, which has been the group´s trademark over time, is here and so are Brooker´s unique dramatic vocals. The Hammond is handled by Josh PhilipsFind albums by this artist, the bluesy guitar by Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist, the bass by Matt PeggFind albums by this artist (son of the legendary Dave PeggFind albums by this artist) and the drums by Geoff DunnFind albums by this artist. The album offers eleven new songs, almost all co-composed by Brooker and Philips. This is the first album by the band which features lyrics by the poet Pete BrownFind albums by this artist (of CreamFind albums by this artist and Jack BruceFind albums by this artist fame) after decades of working with the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist.
Musically the album does not break any new ground, but it stays, as already mentioned above, faithful to the band´s tradition to produce highly melodic lyrical and even melancholic songs, which often amalgamate elements of British Folk and some Classical Music influences. Brown´s lyrics are perhaps less ominous and mysterious, but they are full of his whimsical metaphors and dry British humor, which is all for the best. The songs vary in their intensity and expressiveness, but the best of them are certainly up to par with the great legacy of Procol Harum at its best.
Overall it is mostly "more of the same", which in the case of a band like Procol Harum is quite a compliment. I had a great fun listening to these songs and the idea that someone is still able to write music like this is a lifesaver. Not everything has to change in time, and for Classic Rock fans staying in the past means staying alive. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 27/01/2019Posted: 27/01/2019 | CD 1 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 |
  | PROCOL HARUM ~ THE WELL`S ON FIRE
EAGLE 209 (Barcode: 5034504120921) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003
This is the eleventh 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 twelve years from the group´s previous studio album "The Prodigal StrangerFind albums with this title". Although only two founding members of Procol Harum are still present on this album: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and Hammond organ player Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, the sound and the musical style of the group remain pretty stable over time. The piano / Hammond organ double keyboards dominated sound, which has been the group´s trademark over time, is here and so are Brooker´s unique dramatic vocals. The group´s other members are guitarist Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist, bassist Matt PeggFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist. The album offers twelve new songs, almost all composed by Brooker except for a couple of Fisher´s contributions, and one instrumental piece by Fisher. The lyrics are as usual by the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist.
Musically the album does not break any new ground, but it stays, as already mentioned above, faithful to the band´s tradition to produce highly melodic lyrical and even melancholic songs, which often amalgamate elements of British Folk and some Classical Music influences. It is perhaps more Rock oriented than earlier releases, but not dramatically so. Reid´s lyrics are, as usual, full of meaningful statements, moral and social observations and other characteristics of his writing, which are in complete contrast to contemporary monosyllable dominated monstrosities that pass for lyrics. The songs vary in their intensity and expressiveness, but the best of them are certainly up to par with the great legacy of Procol Harum at its best.
Overall it is mostly "more of the same", which in the case of a band like Procol Harum is quite a compliment. The group extensive touring and their ability to produce new material gained them a solid following and fan base among the next generation of music lovers, that did not grown up in the glow of their early stardom, which can only be said about very few other Classic Rock groups out there. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 28/01/2019Posted: 28/01/2019 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | PAUL RODGERS ~ ELECTRIC
SPV 4001617297025 (Barcode: 4001617297025) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999
This is the fourth solo studio album by British singer / songwriter Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist, the voice of legendary groups like FreeFind albums by this artist and Bad CompanyFind albums by this artist and undoubtfuly the most impressive white Blues / Blues-Rock vocalist ever. The album presents ten original songs, all written by Rodgers (music and lyrics), recorded by a tight unit, which includes guitarist Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist, bassist Jaz LochrieFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim CopleyFind albums by this artist. Rodgers plays some guitar and piano, Tom KeelysideFind albums by this artist plays flute and there are also some female background vocals.
The music on this album marks a return to the Blues based songwriting, which is Rodgers´ trademark, away from the MOR approach that characterized this album´s predecessor "NowFind albums with this title", recorded a couple of years earlier. The overall level of the individual songs is excellent and in retrospect they lost nothing of their quality over the years. Rodgers´ vocals are impeccable, as always, full of the soulful, bluesy charm, that knows no equal.
The instrumental parts are also perfect for the job, with many good guitar solos and tight, highly professional executions from start to finish. The flute adds a beautiful touch on "Over You", creating a sort of "Celtic Blues" feel and making it the strongest song on this album by far.
Overall this is a fine album by a superb Artist, who manages to stick to what he does best and tries to do his own thing despite the reality, which basically tries to rob music of all its values. Rodgers always was, and still is, a completely unique voice, a natural born Blues ambassador, who spills his emotions to share them with his listeners with total dedication. I wholeheartedly recommend getting hold of this gem, although it´s pretty tough to get hold of a copy these days. This music is absolutely timeless!
| | Updated: 07/02/2016Posted: 07/02/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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