Record Reviews
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  | 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 |
  | FRANKIE MILLER ~ LIVE AT ROCKPALAST
MIG 90592 (Barcode: 885513905925) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1976 - 1982 Released: 2013
This Box Set presents a collection of live concert recordings by the great British Blues-Rock vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Frankie MillerFind albums by this artist, captured by the German TV program Rockpalast. The 3CD collection presents forty-three tracks, recorded on three different occasions, as described below. With a few exceptions all the songs were written by Miller.
CD1 was recorded on August 28th, 1982 and the lineup includes Miller, lead guitarist Ed DeaneFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mick WeaverFind albums by this artist, bassist Chrissie StewartFind albums by this artist and drummer Malcolm MortimoreFind albums by this artist.
CD2 was recorded on June 3rd, 1976 and the lineup includes Miller, lead guitarist Ray MinhinnitFind albums by this artist, keyboardist James HallFind albums by this artist, Stewart and drummer Graham DeaconFind albums by this artist.
CD3 was recorded on May 6th, 1979 and the lineup includes Miller, Deane, guitarist / accordionist / violinist Steve SimpsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Nick JuddFind albums by this artist, bassist Tex CommerFind albums by this artist and drummer Fran BryneFind albums by this artist.
Miller was blessed with an incredible throaty voice, closely similar to that of Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist, Rod StewartFind albums by this artist or Joe CockerFind albums by this artist, also sharing their affinity to the Blues, making him one of the best British Blues-Rock vocalists ever. He recorded a series of excellent albums for the ChrysalisFind albums on this label label, which were reissued in the brilliant Box Set “...That`s Who! - The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)Find albums with this title”, and which is a must to all British Blues-Rock fans. His live performances are full of energy and zest, as this music in this Box Set proves beyond any doubt.
In 1994 Miller suffered a brain aneurysm, who took him out of the performing environment, but he made a remarkable recovery, which took over a decade, and returned to recording music.
Overall, this is a wonderful archival collection of live performances by Miller at his peak, which is a true delight to all Blues-Rock fans, and offers incredible thrill of music performed with joy and passion. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 10/03/2024Posted: 09/03/2024 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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