Record Reviews

MILLER ANDERSON ~ BLUESHEART / CHAMELEON MIG 01142 (Barcode: 885513011428) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2003 - 2008 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of two albums by British Blues-Rock vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist. "BluesheartFind albums with this title" (2003) was recorded in a core trio format with bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgessFind albums by this artist and features keyboard players: Dave BaldwinFind albums by this artist and the legendary Jon LordFind albums by this artist. "ChameleonFind albums with this title" (2008) was recorded in a quartet setting with keyboardist Frank TischerFind albums by this artist, bassist Kris GrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgessFind albums by this artist. Most of the material on both albums consists of Anderson´s originals. This remastered and expanded edition adds two bonus tracks to each of the original albums. Anderson, primarily known as a founding member of the legendary Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist, is a superb singer and extraordinary guitarist, who sadly did not achieve a wide recognition he so much deserves. His career picked up on the German scene with the beak of the new millennium and these two excellent albums document his activities during that period. The music and the stylistic approach is completely retro, sounding as if these albums were recorded in the late 1960s, when British Blues and Blues-Rock enjoyed a tremendous renaissance. Therefore fans of such music should find this album irresistible. Blues-Rock fans not familiar with Anderson´s work should grab this album at the first opportunity, as there are very few genuine manifestations of the genre as good as this one. Anderson´s guitar work puts him on a pedestal of the Blues-Rock heroes, and none of the new generation of Blues oriented guitarists come even close to his fabulous feel of the Blues that he is able to deliver. Overall this is a must have for all Blues-Rock fans out there, no questions asked! Contemporary Blues-Rock is mostly about imitation, so why nor go directly to the source? Enjoy!

Updated: 04/08/2018Posted: 04/08/2018

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CHRIS FARLOWE ~ FARLOWE THAT! MIG 00852 (Barcode: 885513008527) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of a great album by British Blues-Rock vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, recorded with a superb band comprising of guitarist Norman BeakerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave BaldwinFind albums by this artist, bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgesFind albums by this artist (same as this album´s predecessor "Glory BoundFind albums with this title"). A brass section and guest musicians are also present, including the great guitarist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist and the legendary singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, who contributed one of his songs on his album and sings on it with Farlowe. The original album includes fourteen songs and this edition adds two bonus tracks to the original album. The music on this album marks a significant return to more Blues-Rock oriented material, contrary to the dominant Rhythm And Blues / Soul orientation of the two preceding albums. Farlowe´s voice is as strong and expressive as always and the passing of time seems completely unnoticed. His performances are full of vigor, power and the usual heartfelt honesty and emotion. This is another proud addition to the flawless recorded legacy created by Farlowe over the years. Obviously this is a must to all Farlowe fans and an opportunity to grab a copy of this in case you don’t have the original album. They don´t make much music like that any more so if you like your Blues-Rock sounding like it did once, this is definitely it!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 27/06/2016

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CHRIS FARLOWE ~ GLORY BOUND MIG 00812 (Barcode: 885513008121) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of an excellent album by British Blues-Rock vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a great band led by guitarist Norman BeakerFind albums by this artist and which also includes keyboardist Dave BaldwinFind albums by this artist, bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgesFind albums by this artist. A brass section, a string quartet and a few guest musicians also participate. The original album presents twelve songs, a mixture of Rhythm And Blues / Blues-Rock standards and some original new songs including the title song written especially for Chris by the legendary Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist. Ricky ByrdFind albums by this artist, who played on the album which preceded this one, ("The VoiceFind albums with this title") also contributed one new song. This edition adds two bonus tracks. Farlowe is in top form on this album and the material suits his vocal sensitivities perfectly, which results in an ideal match, emphasizing his long-lasting powers as a vocalist. The album does not reveal anything the Farlowe fans had not heard before, but it certainly provides more of the heartfelt vocals, which have very few competitors anywhere. With a great support from all the instrumentalists on this album Farlowe manages to create one more important addition to his discography and one more memory of the long and wonderful career. This is obviously a must have for the numerous Farlowe fans, who perhaps somehow missed the original release with a possibility to complete the collection now. Those who are discovering Farlowe only now (better late than never) this is excellent, honest, direct and highly aesthetic music, which should not be forgotten. As our generation leaves this world, more and more rapidly, music like this one becomes even more important, hopefully making a mark for the future generations.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 26/06/2016

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CHRIS FARLOWE ~ LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 2006 MIG 90842 (Barcode: 885513908421) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2006 Released: 2018 This is a live album by legendary British Rock / Blues / Soul vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, recorded with the band led by Blues guitarist Norman BeakerFind albums by this artist, which included bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave BaldwinFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Damian HandFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul BurgessFind albums by this artist and guest vocalist Nikolay ArutyunovFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents fourteen tracks, which include many Blues and Blues-Rock standards. The DVD presents the same material in video version and a bonus backstage interview. Farlowe, born in 1940 and aged eighty-three at the time of writing, is a veteran of the British Rock scene, starting his career in the late 1950s and getting first attention with his group The ThunderbirdsFind albums by this artist in the mid-1960s. He joined the legendary group ColosseumFind albums by this artist in 1970 and is still an active lead vocalist of the group, almost fifty-five years later, a truly amazing achievement. He has one of the most distinctive voices and his affinity to the Blues is absolutely unique as are his interpretations of Blues oriented material and he has been one of my all-time favorite vocalists since forever. This album finds him exactly where likes to be, singing a wonderful set of Blues-Rock material, accompanied by excellent instrumentalist, including Beaker, who is a superb electric Blues player. Sixty-six years young at the time, his vocals are absolutely untouched by time and he sound wonderful as always. Overall, this is a brilliant Blues-Rock album, one of those which only get better with time, especially when the Blues-Rock scene is thinning out dramatically. Farlowe never made a bad record in his life, and this one is definitely up to par with his abilities. For guitar fans, not familiar with Beaker’s skills, this is quite a shocker, and of course for Farlowe many followers, this is an absolute must in their collection!

Updated: 01/08/2024Posted: 01/08/2024

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CHRIS FARLOWE ~ THE VOICE / HOTEL EINGANG MIG 00892 (Barcode: 885513008923) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1998 - 2008 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of two albums by the British Blues-Rock vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist recorded a decade apart: "The VoiceFind albums with this title" from 1998 and "Hotel EingangFind albums with this title" from 2008, the second being at the time of writing is the last album recorded by Farlowe so far. Both albums are remastered and both include two bonus tracks each, originating from a live recording from 2006. "The Voice" is a beautiful collection of ten Rhythm And Blues / Soul songs, splendidly sung by Farlowe, who is accompanied by a superb band, which includes guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Ronnie LeahyFind albums by this artist, bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgessFind albums by this artist. Other musicians appear on some of the songs, like guitarist Ricky ByrdFind albums by this artist, who also wrote a couple of songs present here, guitarist Norman BeakerFind albums by this artist, vocalist Elkie BrooksFind albums by this artist and others. "Hotel Eingang" is a collection of thirteen Blues-Rock numbers and finds Farlowe accompanied by the excellent guitarist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Frank TischerFind albums by this artist, bassist Kris GrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul Burgess. A brass section and additional guest musicians are also present. Farlowe wrote the title song and Anderson also contributed one of his songs, with the rest being mostly Blues standards. Both albums, although different from each other, show the versatility and undiminished capabilities of Farlowe as a first rate vocalist, who despite his age manages to sound as if he was a few decades younger that his chronological age. He is vital and absolutely relevant, full of great chops and as usual sensitivity and feel for the music. Farlowe is ignoring the fads and fashions of contemporary Pop / Rock and sticks to what he knows best – singing his heart out like only he knows how. Farlowe remains one of the few veteran Rockers, who lost nothing of his relevance and artistic ability over time and who believes in the music he performs, contrary to generations of younger musicians who have very little to say and who completely lost their way over time. As such he is one of the living icons of the better times that music enjoyed in the past. Overall both albums are an absolute must have for all Farlowe fans and in this remastered edition with bonus tracks and a very reasonable price tag are even more attractive. For people who don´t have the original albums in their collection this is a proverbial "steal".

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 25/06/2016

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend