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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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

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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

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