Record Reviews

JAN HAMMER ~ BLACK SHEEP / HAMMER WOUNDED BIRD 0173 (Barcode: 664140017320) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1978 - 1979 Released: 2005 4th and 5th albums (originally released on the AsylumFind albums on this label label) combined here as one set. By the end of the 1970s Jan HammerFind albums by this artist moved completely into rock and these two albums are his best achievements in that genre. He could still write excellent songs and as these two albums feature three very good vocalists: Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist – also a great bass player (Back DoorFind albums by this artist, Brian AugerFind albums by this artist), Bob ChristiansonFind albums by this artist and Glenn BurtnickFind albums by this artist, the result was surprisingly good. Quite close to Prog, these two albums include excellent instrumental work by Hammer, who uses the electronic keyboards like a true virtuoso. Just listen to his interpretation of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist’ “Manic Depression” to appreciate his abilities. As these two albums were unavailable for ages, it’s good to seem them back in circulation. People who are not familiar with this music might be quite surprised listening to them now.

CD 2 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JON LORD BLUES PROJECT ~ LIVE EAR MUSIC 4029759140672 (Barcode: 4029759140672) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2011 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of the only album by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Jon LordFind albums by this artist and his group Blues ProjectFind albums by this artist, which included some of the finest British musicians associated with Blues and Blues-Rock idioms: guitarist / vocalist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / vocalist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist, vocalist Maggie BellFind albums by this artist, bassist / vocalist Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete YorkFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live and presents twelve tracks, which include original material by the members of the group as well as classic Blues songs by British and American songwriters. Lord, primarily known as the founder of the seminal Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, but also as a respected Classical composer, had a deep affinity towards the Blues and recorded several Blues albums with the Australian band Hoochie Coochie MenFind albums by this artist. This album, recorded in May 2011, almost exactly a year before Lord’s untimely death, is one of his very last recordings. The music is absolutely divine and the stellar lineup offers some breathtaking vocal and instrumental performances, in the best tradition of the British Blues / Blues-Rock. Lord’s Hammond organ gets a lot of the well-deserved exposure and everybody on the stage seems to have a great time, which projects directly on the music played. Overall, this is a true blast from start to finish, an unadulterated serving prepared by savvy veterans, who know their stuff inside out and seem to be completely unaffected by time. The album is an absolute must to all British Blues / Blues-Rock fans and a great reminded of the many talents of Jon Lord, who is greatly missed!

Updated: 08/09/2021Posted: 08/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

TEN YEARS AFTER ~ A STING IN THE TALE (DELUXE EDITION) DEKO 1052 (Barcode: 691026178271) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of the 2017 album by the iconic British Blues-Rock group Ten Years AfterFind albums by this artist. Following the death of the original guitarist / leader Alvin LeeFind albums by this artist in 2013 and the departure of the founding member / bassist Leo LyonsFind albums by this artist the current lineup of the group includes founding members: keyboardist Chick ChurchillFind albums by this artist and drummer Ric LeeFind albums by this artist with veteran bassist Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist and vocalist / guitarist Marcus BonfantiFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs, all co-credited to all four members of the group and this new reissue offers three live versions of the songs on this album and a live version of a song from the “A Space In TimeFind albums with this title” album. Although reunions of iconic bands more often than not result in grotesque efforts to take the time back, on some rare occasions they are able to preserve the quality of the original bands to a large extent, this being one of them. Both the material and the performances are genuine Blues-Rock, gutsy, energetic end definitely worthy of attention. Of course nobody can revive the virtuosic guitar playing of Alvin Lee, but to be honest nobody has to. This music is full of great energy and the current instrumentalists can deliver what is needed, and the vocals are surely way better than those of the founder. Overall and against all odds, this album is an excellent effort, which should please all true Classic Rock, Blues-Rock enthusiasts and is definitely worth investigating, proving that the saying “they don’t make music like that anymore” is not an absolute truth. Personally I immensely enjoyed this album from start to finish. Highly recommended!

Updated: 14/11/2021Posted: 14/11/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

TEN YEARS AFTER ~ NATURALLY LIVE (DELUXE EDITION) DEKO 1065 (Barcode: 691026178394) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of the live album by the iconic British Blues-Rock group Ten Years AfterFind albums by this artist recorded in 2018. Following the death of the original guitarist / leader Alvin LeeFind albums by this artist in 2013 and the departure of the founding member / bassist Leo LyonsFind albums by this artist the current lineup of the group includes founding members: keyboardist Chick ChurchillFind albums by this artist and drummer Ric LeeFind albums by this artist with veteran bassist Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist and vocalist / guitarist Marcus BonfantiFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen songs, three co-credited to all four members of the group and originally released on the “A Sting In The TaleFind albums with this title” album, eleven were written by Alvin Lee and one is a blues standard. This reissue offers two bonus tracks added to the track list of the first release from 2019. Although reunions of iconic bands more often than not result in grotesque efforts to take the time back, on some rare occasions they are able to preserve the quality of the original bands to a large extent, this being one of them. The choice of the material is an obvious tribute to the classic Ten Years After recordings and both the material and the performances are genuine Blues-Rock, gutsy, energetic end definitely worthy of attention. Of course nobody can revive the virtuosic guitar playing of Alvin Lee, but to be honest nobody has to. This music is full of great energy and the current instrumentalists can deliver what is needed, and the vocals are surely way better than those of the founder. Overall and against all odds, this album is an excellent effort, which should please all true Classic Rock, Blues-Rock enthusiasts and is definitely worth investigating, proving that the saying “they don’t make music like that anymore” is not an absolute truth. Personally I immensely enjoyed this album from start to finish. Highly recommended!

Updated: 20/11/2021Posted: 20/11/2021

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

TRAMLINE ~ MOVES OF VEGETABLE CENTURIES REPERTOIRE 1105 (Barcode: 4009910110522) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008 This is the 2nd and last album by the excellent but little known and short-lived British Blues-Rock band TramlineFind albums by this artist, which included the extraordinary guitarist Mick MoodyFind albums by this artist, who would later become famous as member of such bands as Juicy LucyFind albums by this artist, SnafuFind albums by this artist and WhitesnakeFind albums by this artist. The other band members were vocalist John McCoyFind albums by this artist, bassist Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry PoppleFind albums by this artist and on this album are supported by a brass section on several tracks. The band, in contrast to most other Blues-Rock outfits at the time, played mainly original material, which was quite excellent. This little gem was completely lost in the vaults for many years and this reissue gives us the opportunity to appreciate it, saving it from oblivion. A classic!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend