Record Reviews

CHRIS FARLOWE ~ OUT OF THE BLUE / BORN AGAIN MIG 00872 (Barcode: 885513008725) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1984 - 1985 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of two albums, his fifth and sixth studio recordings, by the British Blues-Rock vocalist extraordinaire Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist. These albums mark Farlowe´s return to the recording career after an absence that lasted a decade and a half. On both albums Farlowe is supported by a lineup consisting of highly professional musicians, which features guitarists Mo WithamFind albums by this artist and Phil PalmerFind albums by this artist and many other top players of the time. Each of the reissued albums is expanded with bonus tracks. Despite his extensive career as a solo artist and lead vocalist for such legendary ensembles as Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist or ColosseumFind albums by this artist, Farlowe somehow never achieved the fame and glory he truly deserves. Many people, for reasons that are beyond me, don´t like the timbre of his voice, which I personally find simply irresistible. Farlowe arrived on the British scene in the early 1960s and his unique voice became immediately his trademark. He flirted with Pop and Rhythm And Blues, but his true vocation was always the Blues. Besides the fact that Farlowe was always a superb vocalist, he also displayed an unusual ability to interpret the songs, using instant vocal improvisation, a very rare ability among his peers. In retrospect he has always been one of my all time favorite Blues-Rock vocalists, alongside Paul Rodgers, and I feel frustrated that so few people are able to hear his greatness. These two albums present a great collection of Blues-Rock oriented material and they have lost nothing of their charm since the time they were recorded. Sadly they were to become the only studio output by Farlowe during the 1980s, but of course he was to reemerge again in the 1990s and 2000s. This album is an interesting document of an era, when music was already starting to disintegrate into corporate garbage and collective brainlessness. Lucky for us some people have not lost their wits yet. If you missed this stuff at the time, now is the time to repent!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 25/04/2016

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks 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

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