Record Reviews

JEFF BECK ~ LOUD HAILER ATCO 081227944452 (Barcode: 081227944452) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 It is truly amazing to see the vitality and chameleonic ability to adapt displayed by some of the veteran Rockers, who are now in their seventh or even eighth decade. British guitarist / composer / bandleader Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist is definitely one the most impressive examples of the Artists, for whom the passing of time is simply completely meaningless. This latest, as of the time of writing, album by Beck and his new crew, which is decades younger than himself, is a wonderful example not of "surviving" in the music idiom, but of keeping a place in the lead. Beck combines forces with two young female musicians, vocalist Rosie BonesFind albums by this artist and guitarist Carmen VandenbergFind albums by this artist, who lead together their own group called Bones. They are supported by bassist Giovanni PallottiFind albums by this artist and drummer Davide SollazziFind albums by this artist. Beck, Bones and Vandenberg wrote together nine of the eleven pieces on the album, Beck wrote one additional piece and co-wrote the remaining one with producer Filippo CimattiFind albums by this artist, who is also the producer of Bones. The music is almost a complete about face to Beck´s extensive flirt with Jazz-Rock Fusion he pursued for several years and comes back to contemporary Rock, at its best. It uses a plethora of Rock sub-genres, including Heavy and Industrial, but sounds incredibly fresh and inventive, unlike most of contemporary Rock music. The vocals are impressive and quite diverse, emphasizing different approach in every song. The lyrics are surprisingly meaningful and often pretty bold, touching on political and social issues, which again is pretty rare in today´s Rock music. The rhythm section does a wonderful work supporting the other musicians amicably and intelligently. But it is Beck´s guitar playing which is the focus of this album, even if it wasn´t completely intended. He is simply extraordinary on each and every of the tunes on this album, playing a stunning variety of sounds and styles, with each of his whining guitar solos being absolute gems. In many respects Beck reinvents Rock guitar playing here, creating an amalgam of Blues, Classic Rock and Fusion guitar techniques and sound, completely unique and absolutely spectacular. The album is overall wonderfully played, produced and recorded, and kudos is due to everybody involved. The album failed, sadly, to make a major impact on the music scene, which is sort of expected, as quality these days is reverse proportional to appreciation and success. Well, we the faithful, salute you Maestro!

Updated: 14/10/2016Posted: 14/10/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ D&B TOGETHER (EXPANDED EDITION) COLUMBIA 5099750788028 (Barcode: 5099750788028) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1973 Released: 2003 This is the sixth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their fourth release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded in 1971 and released by the label in 1972 as "Country LifeFind albums with this title", only to be withdrawn from distribution almost immediately and sold to ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, which released the album with an altered running sequence and the new title "D&B TogetherFind albums with this title". The album presents twelve songs, ten of which were newly recorded and two were recorded during the sessions for Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist´s debut album ("Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title"). Over forty musicians took part in the recordings and they are a loose version of the "Friends" moniker, including of course guitarists Eric Clapton, Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist and Charlie FreemanFind albums by this artist and a plethora of other great musicians. Almost all the songs on this album were written by the Bramletts. Sadly this was the last album recorded by Delaney & Bonnie, who divorced soon after. This remastered and expanded reissue includes six bonus tracks taken from Delaney´s and Bonnie´s solo albums recorded for Columbia after the duo´s breakup. In retrospect this is perhaps the most "perfect" album by the duo, superbly sung, played and produced, with a great mixture of ballads and up tempo numbers and excellent songwriting. It is strange why Jerry WexlerFind albums by this artist (the Atco head poncho) decided to drop the album. The reasons were most probably personal (the strained relationship between the couple) rather than musical. In any case this is definitely the smoothest Delaney & Bonnie album, which potentially might have been a great commercial success, but in reality simply sunk into oblivion. Delaney & Bonnie´s career, as reflected by the legacy of the six wonderful albums they managed to record, is a great example of a missed opportunities and bad luck, which prevented them from becoming superstars, which they well deserved. Their revolutionary concept of integrating Afro-American music with Rock in retrospect had a dramatic influence on countless musicians / songwriters around the world, which changed the face of music and completely eradicated racial segregation in music (at least for a while). For Rock connoisseurs this is a must have gem, which is also a closing chapter of a legend. Younger listeners might lend it an ear to discover what music really is all about, contrary to what is marketed as music today. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/06/2018Posted: 02/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

VANILLA FUDGE ~ WHERE IS MY MIND? (THE ATCO RECORDINGS 1967-1969) ESOTERIC 2882 (Barcode: 5013929488243) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2024 This brilliant 9CD Box Set compiles all the recordings by the American Rock group Vanilla FudgeFind albums by this artist released on the AtcoFind albums on this label label. It includes the newly remastered five albums, a live performance and a plethora of bonus material. It also includes an interesting booklet with background material, historical overview and photographs of the group. The original lineup of Vanilla Fudge included lead vocalist / organist Mark SteinFind albums by this artist, guitarist Vince MartellFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim BogertFind albums by this artist and drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents the mono version of the debut eponymous album “Vanilla FudgeFind albums with this title” and three bonus tracks taken from singles. CD2 presents the stereo version of the debut album two bonus tracks, also taken from singles. CD3 presents the mono version of the 2nd album “The Beat Goes OnFind albums with this title” and two bonus tracks taken from a single. CD4 presents the stereo version of the 2nd album and two bonus tracks taken from album outtakes and a single. CD5 presents the 3rd album “RenaissanceFind albums with this title” and four bonus tracks taken from singles and album outtakes. CD6 and CD7 present a live concert recorded at the Fillmore West, San Francisco on January 1st 1969. CD8 presents the 4th album “Near The BeginningFind albums with this title” and seven bonus tracks taken from singles and studio outtakes. CD9 presents the 5th album “Rock & RollFind albums with this title” and six bonus tracks taken from singles and studio outtakes. Some of the bonus material as well as the live concert recordings in this Box Set were previously released in 2010 as the “Box Of FudgeFind albums with this title” 4CD Box Set on Rhino HandmadeFind albums on this label, which is now a collectors’ item. The original lineup (with guest musicians) released only one more album “MysteryFind albums with this title” in 1984, but that is another story. Vanilla Fudge shocked the Rock World with their revolutionary / visionary eponymous album, which offered a new approach to Rock, based on novel arrangements of Pop songs, which were expanded into mammoth pieces stretching several minutes, completely unheard of at the time, inventing Psychedelic and Hard Rock on their way. I vividly remember hearing their music for the first time during the Summer of Love (in 1967 for the oblivious) and I was completely baffled and amazed, by the sheer audacity of these guys, who were doing to Rock almost the same John ColtraneFind albums by this artist was doing to Jazz. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, the young listeners went along and the Vanilla Fudge became extremely popular for a while. The effect of surprise weakened in time, as the group repeated the same formula time and again and later started to record their original material, and the charm was lost, but they have definitely made a most significant mark of the Rock idiom. They surely invented the concept of a cover sounding infinitely more interesting than an original song. Overall, this is an essential piece of Rock History and having all this material in one box is extremely handy. So if you don’t have these albums individually in your collection, or you miss the a.m. “Box Of Fudge” Box Set, this Box Set is an absolute must have. If you have forgotten how this music sounds, you will thank me for getting back to it I’m sure. There were definitely better days for music!

Updated: 07/03/2025Posted: 20/02/2025

CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ MOTEL SHOT (EXPANDED EDITION) REAL GONE MUSIC 0516 (Barcode: 848064005162) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2017 This is fifth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their third and last release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded in 1970 and released in 1971 with a new version of "Friends", which includes, keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist, bassist Carl RadleFind albums by this artist, drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and guests like pianist Leon RussellFind albums by this artist, guitarists Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist and Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, vocalists Gram ParsonsFind albums by this artist and Joe CockerFind albums by this artist and others. The original album presents twelve songs, which are the usual mixture of Bramletts´ originals and Rock / Rhythm And Blues classics. This expanded and remastered version adds eight bonus tracks, taken from the earlier recording session of the same material, done during the couple´s short lived ElektraFind albums on this label days. Musically the album presents the already established Delaney & Bonnie formula, mixing Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Country music with Rock instrumentation and featuring the duo´s vocal harmonies and Bonnie´s heartwrenching vocal pyrotechnics. Combined with superb instrumental work by the "Friends", the music is full of energy and genuine enthusiasm spiced with talent and good taste, which at that time was still around. The concept of this album being almost entirely acoustic and "informal", recorded during impromptu jam sessions in motel rooms, is nor really reflecting the reality. In spite of the success of a couple of singles taken out of this album it did not sell well and remained highly regarded by some critics and Delaney & Bonnie devotees, but in retrospect disappeared into oblivion, which is a great pity as the music it offered was excellent all through and certainly worth being remembered. On the other hand considering the quality of music that was being produced at an incredible rate at the time, many classic Rock albums shared the faith of this one. It is great to see that the album is available on CD thanks to the outstanding work by the Real Gone MusicFind albums on this label reissue label, which means it can be enjoyed by people who still remember it when it happened in real time as well as being (hopefully) discovered by some younger listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 13/07/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ ON TOUR WITH ERIC CLAPTON (EXPANDED EDITION) RHINO HANDMADE 603497949885 (Barcode: 603497949885) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010 This is a reissue of the third album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their only live recording and their first release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded during the band´s UK tour in December 1969 and released in 1970 as a single LP. This reissue considerably expands the scope of the album offering entire 4 CDs full of music, presenting four entire concerts. The album was recorded by a dream team of top American and British musicians, which included Delaney Bramlett on guitar and vocals. Bonnie Bramlett on vocals, Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist on vocals, Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist on lead guitar and vocals, Dave MasonFind albums by this artist on guitar, George HarrisonFind albums by this artist on guitar, bassist Carl RadleFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bobby KeysFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jim PriceFind albums by this artist, drummer Jim GordonFind albums by this artist and percussionist Tex JohnsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents original songs, which were penned by the Bramletts, as well as classic Rock And Roll numbers. This album brought Delaney & Bonnie to the center of attention of many listeners, who missed their two earlier albums entirely, most probably due to the fact that if featured Clapton, who of course was a superstar. But the music of Delaney & Bonnie was stylistically very different to what earlier Clapton recordings offered of course and presented an unprecedented mixture of Rhythm And Blues, Soul, Blues and Gospel with Rock and Pop, creating an entire new musical universe. This album turned out to be a huge commercial success, but in retrospect failed to establish Delaney & Bonnie as major artists and their career disintegrated after their divorce in 1973, after they managed to record three more excellent albums. This album belongs to the small and exclusive "club" of the best live Rock albums, which also includes Joe CockerFind albums by this artist´s "Mad Dogs & Englishmen: The Complete Fillmore East ConcertsFind albums with this title", Humble PieFind albums by this artist´s "Performance Rockin` The Fillmore: The Complete RecordingsFind albums with this title", Allman Brothers BandFind albums by this artist´s "The 1971 Fillmore East RecordingsFind albums with this title" and a few others. Luckily for the music connoisseurs all these essential albums have also been released in expanded multi-CD versions, which allow the listener to witness the entire performances from which the original albums were assembled upon their original release. This limited edition lavishly packed Box Set, which is a mock of a road case, includes some of the most vital music Rock And Roll produced at its peak, and is a must have in every comprehensive Rock record collection and an essential piece of music history. The same set in a "fat boy" CD case was reissued by RhinoFind albums on this label Records in 2017, which makes it much affordable than the original, now out of print, release. Essential stuff!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 01/06/2018

CD 4 Digipak Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ TO BONNIE FROM DELANEY WOUNDED BIRD 326 (Barcode: 664140032620) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2016 This is fourth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their second release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded and released in 1970 with a new version of "Friends", since the previous version of "Friends", which accompanied them on the live album "On Tour With Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title" was practically hijacked by Leon RussellFind albums by this artist to accompany Joe CockerFind albums by this artist on his US 1970 tour, which produced the legendary "Mad Dogs & EnglishmenFind albums with this title" album. The new "Friends" retained only keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist from the previous band, but offered an impressive list of players, such as guitarists Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist (who played slide guitar) and Charlie FreemanFind albums by this artist and many others, including the Memphis HornsFind albums by this artist brass section, which took part in the recording of their debut album "HomeFind albums with this title". The album presents twelve songs, which are the usual mixture of Bramletts´ originals and Rock / Rhythm And Blues classics. Musically the album presents the already established Delaney & Bonnie formula, mixing Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Country music with Rock instrumentation and featuring the duo´s vocal harmonies and Bonnie´s heartwrenching vocal pyrotechnics. Combined with superb instrumental work by the "Friends", the music is full of energy and genuine enthusiasm spiced with talent and good taste, which at that time was still around. In spite of the success of the preceding live album, this album did not come near to the same level of success and remained highly regarded by some critics and Delaney & Bonnie devotees, but in retrospect disappeared into oblivion, which is a great pity as the music it offered was excellent all through and certainly worth being remembered. On the other hand considering the quality of music that was being produced at an incredible rate at the time, many classic Rock albums shared the faith of this one. It is great to see that the album is available on CD thanks to the outstanding work by the Wounded BirdFind albums on this label Records reissue label, which means it can be enjoyed by people who still remember it when it happened in real time as well as being (hopefully) discovered by some younger listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 02/06/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend