Record Reviews
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  | 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 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILLER ANDERSON ~ BRIGHT CITY
MIG 00802 (Barcode: 885513008022) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of the debut album as a leader by British vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, one of the great unsung heroes of the British Blues-Rock scene, who is still active at the time of writing. After spending three years with the Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist as its vocalist / lead guitarist and recording five splendid albums with the band ("HalfbreedFind albums with this title", "The Battle Of North West SixFind albums with this title", "The Time Is NearFind albums with this title", "OverdogFind albums with this title" and "Little Big BandFind albums with this title"), he recorded this album with a dream team of musicians which included Keef Hartley Band keyboardist Peter DinesFind albums by this artist and bassist Gary ThainFind albums by this artist, as well as drummer Eric DillonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mick WeaverFind albums by this artist, guitarist Neil HubbardFind albums by this artist, vocalist Madeline BellFind albums by this artist and Jazz musicians: flautist Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist. The album presented seven original songs, all written and composed by Anderson and was originally released on the cult DeramFind albums on this label label. This reissue adds one bonus track, which is a live version of one of the album´s original songs, recorded almost four decades later.
The album presents a stunning collection of songs which cover a diverse spectrum of music that thrived at the time, moving elegantly between Blues-Rock, Folk-Rock, Prog-Rock and Jazz-Rock, emphasizing the lack of stylistic snobbishness and pompousness. These musicians were able to play delicate Folksy ballads, heavy Rock riffs and Jazzy improvisations with the same ease, completely naturally and always with full dedication. No wonder this music sounds so much better than the garbage marketed on the music market today, as it belongs to a completely different universe of musical values.
Anderson emerges on this album not only as a great vocalist and guitarist, but also as a superb songwriter. Each of these tunes is a little Rock gem, which lost absolutely nothing of its glamour over time. Sadly Anderson did not make another recording under his own name for almost three decades following the making of this album and returned to active recording career only by the turn of the Millennium.
Although not mentioned on the album´s packaging, the original master tapes were probably remastered, as the CD has a great sound quality, faithfully retaining the unique sound of the early 1970s, which of course is absolutely brilliant. This album is an absolute must to connoisseurs of the British Blues-Rock scene in particular and British Rock in general, a great trip down the memory lane and an important glimpse at a point in history, when music simply kicked ass. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 23/04/2016Posted: 23/04/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MILLER ANDERSON ~ FROM LIZARD ROCK!
MIG 00842 (Barcode: 885513008428) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2013
This is a wonderful collection of live recordings by veteran British Blues-Rock vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist and his band, which also includes keyboardist Frank TischerFind albums by this artist, bassist Kris GrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Klaus SchenkFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded during various concerts played in Germany, where Anderson enjoys a loyal support from a large fan base. The 2CD album presents nineteen electrifying performances and two bonus tracks, altogether a feast of brilliant Blues-Rock material that lasts for solid two hours.
Most of the songs included on the album were composed by Anderson and present a mix of old material originating in the good old days when Anderson was a member of the Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist and other songs written over the years, as well as a few Blues classics, which get a new treatment by Anderson and the band.
The material confirms that Anderson is still in fantastic form and belongs to the absolute top league of Blues-Rock performers originating in the 1960s and still active today. His songs are excellent, his guitar work is stunning and his vocals are convincing and full of power. He manages to keep the spirit of the British electric Blues revival alive and kicking, playing music that refuses to become irrelevant and withstands the tides of time, leaving all the garbage that passes as music these days way behind.
Sadly Anderson is surely one of the most underappreciated guitar players around and is almost never mentioned as an influence in various music sources, which list completely unoriginal second rate guitar players as idols. Life is a bitch that way, with many young players that could have learned so much from this man, are most probably completely oblivious as to his existence.
Overall this is a wonderful Blues-Rock album, which includes all the elements the fans of the genre expect to find on a great album: heartbreaking vocals, extended soul wrenching guitar solos and a great band supporting the front man. This album does not disappoint in any of the above prerequisites. A definite must-have to all serious fans of the genre!
| | Updated: 28/04/2016Posted: 28/04/2016 | CD 2 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEEF HARTLEY BAND ~ HALFBREED
ESOTERIC 2050 (Barcode: 5013929715028) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008
1st album by the excellent Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist, one the best Blues / Rock / Jazz ensembles ever, founded by drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist following his stint with John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist. The band featured a nucleus consisting of singer / guitarist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Spit JamesFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter DinesFind albums by this artist, bassist Gary ThainFind albums by this artist and Hartley on drums. In addition a horn section was added to expand the band´s sound, which on this album consisted of the best horn players in Britain: trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Harry BecketFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Lynn DobsonFind albums by this artist and Chris MercerFind albums by this artist. Together this nine-piece band had a tremendous power and considering the quality of its members it was simply the best "little Big Band" around at the time. Hartley´s sensitive drumming drives the music through a set of fantastically well written and superbly arranged tunes, which are Blues based but extend often into Rock and Jazz. The guitar work is stunning, the brass arrangement just right on the money, in short heaven on earth for any Blues fan, but basically early Jazz-Rock Fusion enthusiasts will find here everything they need to make them happy. Definitely a classic of the genre and an essential piece of music if ever there was one!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEEF HARTLEY BAND ~ LITTLE BIG BAND
ESOTERIC 2051 (Barcode: 5013929715127) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2008
5th album by the excellent Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist, one the best Blues / Rock / Jazz ensembles ever, founded by drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist following his stint with John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist. This live recording in London´s legendary Marquee Club is a most ambitious project the band undertook, expanding its personnel to a full scale Big Band of 16 musicians, which included the best Jazz players on the UK scene at the time. The entire project was prompted by an invitation from the BBC to record live and the bandwagon got rolling from there. Alongside the Hartley regulars the additional players include trombonist Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist and many more. Although the material is Blues based, in fact the orchestral arrangements and the entire concept is a tribute to great Jazz Big Bands, which were a great source of influence to Hartley. This is not only great music but also a great document of the times, when musical project could be made to come true regardless of their complexity and expense. Just sit back and succumb to the engulfing sound of the band in its full might – satisfaction guaranteed! Superb stuff!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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