Brief Chambers of Rock Update - September 23rd, 2013

*Updated 26th September, 2013*

Hi folks and a huge welcome to all new readers!
 

 

Thought it was about time for me to at least touch base with you all again, with a few words outside of the reviews posted.

 

Yes, very busy schedules currently in the Williams household, not to mention craziness in my current day job situation, with long days and a bunch of travel, more than I was told there would be, but ... It's work ...

 

Anyway, just a brief update to you all that I am still working at album reviews and trying to get them wrapped up and posted, but it seems lately I've had even less time to listen to the music in the car on business trip, due to so many business calls enroute, ah well, they'll come folks!

 

Trying to wrap up both James Christian and his wife Robin Beck's solo releases currently, then hope to get Status Quo's latest 'Bula Quo' too, there are a few others in the works too ... :)

 

Right now though, I've been re-familiarising myself with a bunch of acts that Rhonda and I will be checking out this Saturday 28th September at the third Melodic Rock Fest!

 

Organised by Andrew McNiece - www.MelodicRock.com - with help from John Kivel - Kivel Records - it promises to be something special indeed and if you are in the Arlington, IL area this coming weekend Friday 27th, Saturday 28th or Sunday 29th September, make your way to the Home Bar - www.HomeBarChicago.com - it's going to be great and if you don't believe me, go here to check out all the details:

http://www.melodicrockfest.com/

 

The event is going on all weekend, although we will only be able to attend the Saturday event, but there are some great other acts playing on both the Friday and Sunday.
Friday's lineup includes Gary Schutt (Jeff Scott Soto), Glen Burtnik (Styx, Dennis DeYoung), Kelly Keeling (Michael Schenker, Heaven + Earth, Lynch Mob), Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and Bonrud.
Sunday's event are even more impressive with acts including Bombay Black, House of Lords, Ted Poley, Eclipse and Steve Augeri (Tall Stories, Journey).



Here's some of the details on Saturday's lineup for you though folks ...



Saturday's event starts with, The Radio Sun kicking things off, then there's Evolution Eden a power trio, then 7th Heaven who played both the previous Melodic Rock Festivals, so previous attendees should be familiar with these guys for sure!
Some links folks:
https://www.facebook.com/TheRadioSun
http://www.evolutioneden.com/
http://www.7thheavenband.com/

The only band playing from the UK, is Newman from the English south coast, my old stomping ground and they've not long released a great new album in 'Siren'  which just received a top notch review here on Chambers of Rock!
http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/08/newman-siren-album-review.html

Newman will of course be playing various other favourites from their vast back catalogue of nine studio releases, on their first ever US live appearance!

I spoke with Steve Newman last week and he was saying how much of a big deal this was to the band and how excited the band were about finally getting a chance to play to their US fans and that this gig was the first of some very important gigs for them, including Firefest again next month!

I'm looking forward to this set very much!
http://www.newmansound.com/





Next up will no doubt be the emotional appearance of the Brett Walker Tribute, featuring Brett Walker's band members and various guest vocalists from other weekend artists, to pay tribute to the man who passed away suddenly just over a month ago.
Brett was booked to play on the Saturday and with his sudden passing, the melodic rock community just wanted to pay tribute to the guy, by going ahead with his planned set.
I'm sure many will raise a glass in tribute to Brett on Saturday.
RIP Brett ...

https://www.facebook.com/brett.walker.1042032








Kivel Records act Tango Down will play next and their 'Identity Crisis' is an album I'm a fan of, so I know I'll enjoy this!

https://myspace.com/tangodown








The much touted Adriangale will follow, another Kivel Records band but sadly, they are an act I am not familiar with.
I'm sure it will be good though. :)
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adriangale/135735596598758







A very special acoustic set will be next from the magical Heaven + Earth band, and while originally it looked like only three of the band would be playing, I learned last night that it would be a FULL Heaven + Earth band performance, still an acoustic set, but with a full band!

The main man behind the band Stuart Smith, will no doubt impress with his guitar work, although with an acoustic set it will be a little bit of a restrained performance for this talented player!

Stuart will be joined by H+E vocalist Joe Retta (Sweet), Richie Onori (Sweet) on drums, keyboard wiz Arlan Schierbaum and guest bassist Tony Morabito, as Chuck Wright will not be available due to a prior Quiet Riot commitment.
I'm certain this will be great, although would've loved to have seen a full electric set!

No doubt they'll be tracks from 'Dig' their latest album performed, check the review of that, captured here:

http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/03/heaven-earth-dig-album-review.html

Catching up with Stuart Smith last night, he told he was really looking forward to it, pumped as he headed out for one more band rehearsal.
http://www.heavenandearthband.com/








Mecca is a great project formed by Joe Vana, a very slick vocalist as well as ex-Toto players bassist David Hungate and former Toto vocalist Fergie Frederiksen, but they also had the talents of former Survivor singer / songwriter Jim Peterik helping nail down some great stuff!
Sadly for Melodic Rock Fest # 3, Fergie is not well enough to perform due to his health battles. All is not lost though as Survivor frontman Jimi Jamison has offered to step in and help out and there is just a chance that Fergie may at least be present at the event, even if he's not available to sing.
I'm sure it will still be special!

Last year's 'Undeniable' was a very impressive album and you can check out my review of that here:

http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2012/02/mecca-undeniable-album-review.html


https://www.facebook.com/MeccaTheBand

W.E.T. is the combination of Jeff Scott Soto (Vocals), Eric Martensson (of Eclipse on guitars) and Robert Sall (of Work Of Art on guitars/keyboards) and combined they have put out two very strong albums, the latest being the excellent 'Rise Up!'

These guys are just a class act and Jeff Scott Soto never disappoints!

To check out 'Chambers of Rock's' review of 'Rise Up,' go here:
http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2013/04/wet-rise-up-album-review.html


http://jeffscottsoto.com/WET2/








Headliners on Saturday are Canadian rockers featuring Harry Hess and gang, Harem Scarem!
Just a few years back these guys had called it a day, but now they are back and have a new album out soon 'Mood Swings 2.'
They will be a perfect end to a packed day of class acts, oh and yes, that is just Saturday's line up!!

http://www.haremscarem.net/


 

Rhonda and I are only bummed that we can't be there for the whole weekend and will sadly only be there on the Saturday, but what a day that plans to be for sure!

Hope to pull together as much of a review of the Saturday gig as I can folks, so look out for that too.

 

Plan to post a review of the Dokken show from August 3rd, now sadly looks beyond me, again due to the lack of time to wrap it up in my own words from my notes made that evening. Sorry ... :(

 
 

Well, aside from that please stick with Chambers of Rock, there will be more to come.
Cheers, have a good week folks!

Keep on rockin'!!!

Al 

 

 

Pat Travers Band – ‘Can Do’ album review

 

 

 

 

Pat Travers Band – ‘Can Do’ album review

 

Released on: Frontiers Records. Release date: Available now.

 

 

 

 

Pat Travers has had my attention ever since I first heard ‘Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights),’ the then leadoff single - And probably best known song to date! - from his magic ‘Live! Go For What You Know’ album, recorded during his ‘Heat In The Street’ tour.
The b side to that single was his excellent live interpretation of ‘Stateboro’ Blues,’ - Not included on the then live vinyl album. - the Blind Willie McTell jam, that is best known done by the Allman Borthers, but Pat’s version just knocks that for six! - IMHO!

 

 

After getting the live album under my belt, I went out and immediately picked up his classic albums prior to the live release, starting with ‘Makin’ Magic,’ then ‘Heat In The Street,’ ‘Pat Travers’ and ‘Puttin’ It Straight.’I soon realized that my interest in PT was well justified when I discovered that Thin Lizzy guitar players Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham both played guest spots on two of those early albums – ‘Makin’ Magic’ – Brian Robertson and ‘Puttin’ It Straight’ – Scott Gorham. 

Subsequent studio albums followed the live release in the shape of ‘Crash and Burn’ the album that included the strange choice of cover in Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love,’ plus a bunch of synths on the album that threw some fans, but was supported by a London (UK) live show, where I caught my first PT live show and loved it!

He also played the Reading Rock Festival soon after the London gig.

 

‘Radio Active’ followed and was OK, pretty good but it seemed to lose some of PT’s earlier rockin’ momentum to a degree, then came ‘Black Pearl’ which although it included another Marley cover in ‘Misty Morning’ it had some real gems like ‘Who’ll Take The Fall,’ ‘Stand Up,’ ‘The Fifth’ and more.
I loved ‘Black Pearl’ and being a fan of melodic rock / AOR I was longing to get a copy of follow up ‘Hot Shot’ but the import prices at the time were nuts and subsequently I could never find a copy of ‘Hot Shot’ at a reasonable price - Still can't today! - so never did hear the album ….

 

I guess what I’m trying to say here is I’ve always loved PT’s music for what it was, although many rock fans don't like his voice so much, but I think it works great with what he's playing and even with some of the funky twists he took on ‘Crash and Burn,’ ‘Radioactive’ and kind of ‘Black Pearl’ I took it and it grew on me.

 

After that, PT really went back to more of his blues roots and I kind of lost touch with a number of subsequent releases – Let’s say at least ten of them! – until the live ‘Stick With What You Know’ release which was great!
I did catch the Pat Travers Band live in the UK, probably two or three times in the 90's and live, it was still an enjoyable show.

Another blues release in ‘Travellin’ Blues’ followed, then the enjoyable last studio album that I got ‘Fidelis.’
Note - 'Fidelis' album review here:
http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2010/08/pat-travers-fidelis-cd-review-released.html

‘Blues on Fire’ in 2012 I didn’t get, nor the ‘Live at the Bamboo Room’ release, but ‘Can Do’ is perhaps about to get PT noticed again!

 

It certainly seems that with this album, Pat’s kind of targeting a shift from the more blues driven hard rock he’s best known for, to a more commercial melodic rock angle for the most part and that is fine, but the end product isn’t all it should be to me ...

 

 Being on the Frontiers label should’ve swung this the right way and song wise it’s good, very good IMO and I’ve seen comments on the vocals not being so good, well, Pat’s been doing this a long time now and his style leads to a rougher edge, so yes maybe they are a little rougher than previous releases but it still in the PT realm for me.

 

 

Opening with title track ‘Can Do’ it comes across as perhaps a more commercial direction for PT but as I mentioned the production feels it’s lacking a little something.
I actually like the song but the key the song is in seems odd with the phrasing and as an opening title track, it’s doesn’t perhaps seem as powerful as it could’ve been.
Still good and grows for sure, but takes a little getting used to, getting into.

 

 

‘Stand Up / Give It Up’ next tries to play more so on his blues rock styling’s and his voice does sound rougher as this song goes on actually, but it’s a good groove.

 

 

I think ‘Diamond Girl’ is a great commercial track in a radio friendly style, great melodies on this one, nice shared melodies on the guitar from PT and the equally excellent Kirk McKim.

 

 

Next ‘As Long As I’m With You,’ contains some nice slide guitar touches, with some great backing guitar harmonies and the solo is just class, the song is in a slower groove with an underlying dirty riff. I would add though, that the actual song line, where Pat sings, 'As Long As I’m With Yoooou,’ does become a little repetitive though.

 

 

Boy does the harmony / chorus line of ‘Long Time Gone’ remind me of something else …?! Nazareth’s ‘Gone Dead Train’ possibly ...?
 It’s a song that creeps in with a screaming, repeating guitar line then builds into the chorus to get it going.
The chorus though is just so catchy, whereas the verses are more dirty, stop start edgy, kind of staggered then the pre-chorus brings things back in and the chorus just kills!
The guitar solo is another killer too and these days PT is happy to share the lead work with the hugely talented Kirk McKim and they do this so well, bringing back some memories of the Pat Thrall days!
Long time drum buddy Sandy Gennaro is as good as ever and along with Rodney O’Quinn on bass, they’ve got things down well.

 

 

‘Wanted (That was then / This is now)’ has a haunting vibe to it, almost Bad Company like at times and it’s really got something, but there is one really cheesy line in it, ‘Oh man, I sure wish I had a nice cold beer …,’ that I’m thinking, come on Pat really, but then that’s the humourous angle that PT often likes to throw into his songs for ya!

 

 

It’s funky time next and more slide guitar on ‘Armed and Dangerous’ which is certainly another tongue in cheek funny twist song. It almost has a Lynyrd Skynyrd like twist about it actually, fun times PT!

 

 

Next song, a cover of the Eurythmics ‘Here Comes The Rain (Again)’ really threw me a curve ball … Strange kind of choice ...
At first I thought, no please, but it has come to grow on me.
This is a song that again I wish the overall production was better on, the distortion in sound here and there just isn’t good … 

     
After the last song, I began to think what next and ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is a nice instrumental that begins initially, well not unlike The Police’s ‘Walking on the Moon,’ but then develops its own identity, although a little spacey the instrumental has some really nice lead work, some nice harmonizing kind of like a bluesy Thin Lizzy. Nice!

‘Dust and Bone’ comes next with a real blues groove, some nice slide guitar, laid back generally, kind of cool, almost funky but still with a rockin’ groove to it.  

 

 

 Keeping with a bluesy style, ‘Waiting On The End Of Time,’ but then it’s almost not unlike some of David Lee Roth's fun sing-along kind of material before it then provides an absolutely ripping killer solo, then back in the fun time tune. Go guys go!

 

 

Closing track ‘Red Neck Boogie’ is more or less self-explanatory and when you hear it you’ll know what I mean. Rock ‘n’ Roll boogie woogie, honky town grooving number.
Good times PT!

 

 

It is an enjoyable new album from the Pat Travers Band, nice to see that classic PTB logo on the cover too, some nice songs, interesting cover version, but overall it's in a style that should please many in the PT fan club!

The only downer for me is the overall final mix, which at times I just wish it was better, it just doesn't sound as good as it should be, but direction wise, I like it though.

Rating:

For songs, performance = 4 out of 5
Overall = 3.5 out of 5  

Website:
http://www.pattravers.com/


Toto live at Chene Park, Detroit, Michigan

Toto live at Chene Park, Detroit, Michigan

 

Sunday August 25th, 2013

 

 

 

 

Seeing the band Toto live is such a rare treat, especially when you realise that the last time they played Detroit was in fact July 19th, 2007 … Yes, I remember it well as I reviewed that show for http://classicrock.about.com at the time.

That was a great night, although sadly that night the lineup was missing a major player, as David Paich was missing and in fact the time I saw Toto here before that was back in 2002 and there was a massive storm here.
It stormed so badly that night, that opening band The Tubes pulled out of doing the show, because they didn’t figure it would go ahead …, but it did.

  

Anyway, whatever ... The band are back in town again and this time, WITH David Paich!
Indeed the current lineup that has been touring features original players Steve Lukather and Steve Pocaro as well as David, also Joseph Williams who sung on the ‘Fahrenheit’ and ‘The Seventh One’ albums.
Also long time drummer – one of my favourites – Simon Phillips who stepped into the band after Jeff Pocaro passed away in 1992 and Nathan East on bass wraps up the main band and then there are two very good backing vocalists too, Amy Keys and Mabvuto Carpenter.

The stage was set, as the band is opening for Michael McDonald (ex-Doobie Brother) on a bunch of dates across the US, they’re playing on the edge of the Detroit river in an excellent amphitheater in Detroit’s Chene Park.

We were a little nervous about heading downtown, but this was Toto after all a completely world class act who for way too many years have been so wrongfully overlooked by their home country here in the USA.
With the talent they’ve always had and still have in mountains – Don’t come much bigger than mountains right?! – it was a show that I for one, was not going to miss.

They opened the set going straight for the throat with ‘On The Run’ and it just sounded so, so good and it’s just great to see that David Paich is there on piano and keys, as well as Steve Pocaro.

Very happy to have been witness to this wonderful event first hand.

‘Goodbye Elenore’ next just never sounded better!
This band is just so on their game, so tight, I mean the interplay between them all is just spot on!

 

Toto, live in Detroit!
Top - Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and Nathan East, brilliant!
Bottom - Simon Phillips, drum maestro!
Photo's: Alun Williams

I was beginning to think I’d died and gone to heaven when they chose to play ‘Hydra’ next, Luke’s guitar work just stunning, he just rips out the licks and Simon’s drumming, phenomenal!
The sound they produce is just so lush, so rich even in an outdoor setting, these guys got it so right. What a night!

 

 

For the casual Toto fan, ‘Rosanna’ reached many of the crowd to get them up on their feet, it’s just so sad they are not headlining the venue on the night. Perhaps also the fact that the gig was not strongly advertised, certainly not well enough is why there was not a big, sold out crowd in attendance.
Perhaps also the location scared a lot of folks off coming to the show as well.
Had it been Pine Knob / DTE Energy Music Theatre, Freedom Hill or even Meadowbrook, I think this would’ve been a lot better attended show. Shame …
Luke and Joe’s shared vocals on ‘Rosanna’ were just class, it all sounded simply immense and the band just jammed it out at the end of the song, great!

Toto live on Detroit's riverfront - Photo: Alun Williams
 

 

Luke stepped up to the microphone and said to the crowd, ‘Hey Detroit, wassup?!
It feels like it’s been a thousand years since we last played in town.’He dedicates the next song to his Mom, who he lost a few years back and shared how she always inspired him so much.
‘I Won’t Hold You Back’ was pure AOR heaven, just beautiful, it gave both Rhonda and I goose bumps.

 

 

From their last studio album, they provided us the title track ‘Falling In Between’ next which becomes a cool epic on its own.
 Simon’s sporadic drum fills, in sync with Luke’s guitar runs is just mint! Brilliant!

 

 

Top - David Paich and Simon Phillips
Bottom - Luke plays out in front of Simon Phillips
Photo's - Alun Williams

 

Luke dedicates the next song to ‘Our brother Jeff Pocaro … And our brother Mikey Pocaro back in LA … We thank you all, for your prayers and well wishes …’
‘Wings of Time’ from ‘Kingdom of Desire’ is a monster track, just so beautifully presented and as so much much of Toto’s work, so rich and very soulful.

 

 

Luke introduces, ‘Joseph Williams, the GREAT Joseph Williams, give it up for him!’

Joe steps up to the mic and says, ‘I’d like you all to join me in singing this next song that I wrote with David Paich, the GREAT David Paich! It’s called ‘Pamela!’Truly yet another strong song from the Toto jukebox and David Paich has an excellent solo piano spot in the middle that captures jazz and honky tonk moments and he’s just got the ‘it’ factor about him, no question! Magic!

 

Two masters of the keys, Steve Pocaro (Top) and David Paich (Bottom)!

Photo's - Alun Williams

 

 

Next up Luke grabbed an acoustic guitar and again talks it up well saying, ‘This is a song written by David Paich many moons ago and we’d just like the set the record straight on where David got his inspiration to write this and it’s actually about a new sexual position he invented, it’s called ’99!’Funny guy Luke!

 

They of course played it all so well, magic! Some excellent solo acoustic work from Luke and the band kind of eased off and then leave just David and Joe Williams, as David then starts jamming on his own and then the band all came back on stage and then wham! ‘White Sister’ kicked into play and they totally rock out brilliant, everyone, Luke, David, Steve, Simon and Nate, just jammed this out with David rocking on the piano and Simon plays powerhouse style! Loved it!

 

Then Luke said, ‘Are you guys ready to party?’ Cue ‘Africa’ and it was beautiful and once more, the sound was immense!
David stepped out from behind the piano and is gesturing that everyone should clap their hands as David was.
Another absolute winner!

David Paich - 'You need hands ... '
Photo - Alun Williams
 

 

As we realised it must be getting close to the end of the set … ‘Hold The Line’ just rocked the place and the set was done.

 

 

 

This was one great show, it really was and I for one really look forward to the new Toto live DVD coming out later this year.

Seriously, if you want to see a class act live, then look no further than Toto!They deliver the goods no question about it, thank you guys!

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Website:

http://www.totoofficial.com/


Night Ranger Live ‘Rockin’ the Riverfront,’ Detroit, Michigan.

Night Ranger
Live ‘Rockin’ the Riverfront,’ Detroit, Michigan

 

August 16th, 2013

 

 

 

Well, this was another great summer evening for a rock show, especially on the riverfront in downtown Detroit.
Sure there’s the stigma attached to just being in the downtown Detroit area and stories of shootings, etc, then that the city of Detroit is bankrupt, but really being at this show it’s like that’s the last think you’d be thinking of!

This show is one of many in the area in and around Detroit that is for the most a free show …

What people may or may not be aware of though is that to see this show for free – Or any of the other local area ‘free’ shows - means being situated outside of the sectioned off assigned VIP seated area in front of the stage that is set aside typically for up to around 200 lucky punters, to sit pretty comfortably and not in the masses surrounding the VIP area.

 

As it turned out, we did not have VIP passes when we got there, but that’s another story …
Very kindly a local businesswoman saw Rhonda and I looking frustrated about what had transpired and asked us if we would like two VIP passes …



Thanks www.MoonMics.com you guys rock!

Ed side note: Drummer's - check these mic's out guys!

 

 

There is a Police presence at the gig location and other security on hand which then sadly later on in the show, made it clear why it’s needed when an overly inebriated fan started getting a little out of hand towards the front and required five or six of Detroit’s finest, to ‘man handle’ this guy out and down to the ground.
He was a big lad, clearly intent on wanting to stay and see the show out, but that wasn’t happening. Ah well … 

 

 

I’ve been lucky enough to cover most Night Ranger shows that have come through the area, not always that close to home and sometimes like this show, they have been like a forty five minute to an hour’s drive away, yet they still kind of fall as to what’s considered a Detroit gig. This one most certainly was though and right on the riverfront!

 

 

The intro track, AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long,’ cranked out at a slightly higher level than the music up until the point when the band hits the stage.
They opened with the excellent ‘Lay It On Me’ from their last album, 2011’s ‘Somewhere In California’ and while I love the track, there were some sound problems initially.

‘Sing Me Away’ was next and it all started sounding better and ‘Four In The Morning’ too, great stuff guys!

Jack Blades of Night Ranger (Top) 'Rockin' Detroit's Riverfront!
Joel Hoekstra, Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Eric Levy (Bottom)
Photo's: Alun Williams
 

 

When they introduced Damn Yankees tune ‘Coming Of Age,’ from Jack Blades ‘little side project,’ the crowd sound level went up a notch, most likely due to the Ted Nugent connection and the band seemed to be taking it all in their stride now.
Anything related to Ted Nugent, is always a winner with a Detroit crowd!
Jack Blades is the consummate showman too, as he flirted with the crowd as well as he went walking backwards across the stage dragging the mic stand as he sang with him, just grinning from ear to ear.

 

 

 ‘You know what? We’re having so much fun here, do you mind if we just play whatever we want tonight?’ Jack Blades continued to toy with the crowd and received a huge roar of approval.
He asks the crowd, ‘So … How many of you know that Brad (Gillis) here used to play with Ozzy Osbourne?’It seems plenty from the response, he then says, ‘How many of you didn’t know?’Foolishly a few hands went up and Jack says, ‘Well, it’s about time you did!’

He went on to explain about how the sad turn of events in the loss of Randy Rhoads, led to Brad being asked by Ozzy to step in last minute to complete the pre-arranged tour dates, before then returning to the Night Ranger fold and recording ‘Dawn Patrol,’ their first album.
Jack turns to the band, ‘Hey, do we know any Ozzy stuff?’
Brad kicks off the riff to ‘Crazy Train’ and the band follows suit and the crowd go nuts!
Fellow guitarist Joel Hoekstra seems to take the lead vocal role here and does very well, although Jack does share some too.
Fun stuff …

 

 

 

Top - Brad Gillis get's crazy about time spent with Ozzy!

Below - Eric Levy and Joel Hoekstra, yeah it's Night Ranger!

Photo's: Alun Williams

 

Next up Jack spoke of the movies that they’ve done soundtracks for and introduced ‘Secret of my Success’ next which sounded as good as ever.
They really have written some fantastic songs.
‘Eddie’s Comin’ Out Tonight’ from ‘Dawn Patrol’ next still sounds as strong today as ever too. I love it!
 

Johnny Cash or Joel Hoekstra?! - Photo: Alun Williams

It was then time for Jack to make a little fun of Joel Hoekstra, as Joel brought an acoustic guitar out, ‘Doesn’t he look like Johnny Cash folks? You walkin’ the line there Joel?!’

Jack then adds, ‘We’re going to play another Damn Yankees son for you, is that good?’

‘High Enough’ hit the audience just as well as ‘Comin’ Of Age’ did and the cheers reflected the crowd’s more than happy approval.

 

 

Kelly Keagy and Jack Blades singing 'Goodbye' - Photo: Alun Williams



 

 

 

‘Now let’s play a song that Kelly sings,’ said Jack and ‘Goodbye’ was yet another winner.

‘When You Close Your Eyes’ rolled into ‘Don’t Tell Me You Love Me’ which the latter included the band taking things down a little with a few lines of ‘Hotel California’ before picking up the pace with a couple of lines from Deep Purple’s ‘Highway Star’ and then we had reached the end of the set.

Brad Gillis with Kelly Keagy, they rock! - Photo: Alun Williams

I looked at my watch and they’d only played an hour …

The crowd created enough noise to bring the band back out again and Kelly Keagy introduced the band, ‘Eric Levy on keyboards, Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Brad Gillis!!!
On bass guitar and lead vocals, the Damn Yankee … Jack Blades!’


 Jack of course returned the favour with the introduction of ... ‘Kelly Keagy!’

 

Plenty of appreciation all round from the crowd and they continued with ‘Sister Christian.’ Wonderful!
 

Jack then proceeded to thank all the local Detroit rock radio stations over the years that have supported Night Ranger and they close the night with the only song they could, ‘You Can Still Rock In America!’

 

So no complaints from the crowd, who seemd to go home happy, I personally wished they had given us a little longer of a set as there were plenty more well known songs they could’ve given us, but they were – as always – very good indeed!

Live, Night Ranger is one tough act to beat!
Thank you guys for so much great music, please keep it coming!
Looking forward to the new album next year, although I wish it would be here sooner!

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

 

Website:

www.NightRanger.com

 



Newman – ‘Siren’ album review

 

 

 

 

Newman – ‘Siren’ album review

Released on: AOR Heaven. Release date: Available now

 

 

 

So, here we have the latest and greatest release from Newman, 'Siren' is in fact the tenth studio release from the band and yes, Steve Newman and ‘friends’ have conjured up something magical once again!

The thing I have always enjoyed about when Steve puts out a Newman album is he is always consistent and I for one have yet to be disappointed by the project.

 

Much as I’m sure Steve will hate me saying this, Newman has really – At least in the studio. – always been just that, a project as he’s pretty much had different people involved each time, with the exception of one mainstay on drums – I guess the one instrument Steve really does not play, although I’m sure he could! – in Rob McEwen for the past five studio releases.
He’s the guy is who Steve has always called upon to play on each album since the 2006 release ‘Heaven Knows’ and I must say, he’s always done a fine job by me!
Steve has yet to call upon his full live band to perform on a Newman release, but I guess if you can pretty much do it all yourself, go for it!

 

For this release though, Steve has got other input by calling upon first, from his live band Shaun Bessant for some guitar work on one song, also to Robert Sall (Work of Art / W.E.T.) to co-write another of the songs here. Two other contributors here are Newman’s new live band drummer Pete Newdeck (Eden’s Curse) for co-writes on two songs and to another old friend in Nick Workman (Vega, Kick) on another.

 

 

If you’ve been a fan of previous Newman releases, then I’m certain you’ll love this, as I hear elements from various aspects of his previous releases across the board and perhaps as more of an added bonus, the focus is less on ballads / slower paced tracks and more on up tempo numbers.

 

 

So to open these twelve tracks, is the storming ‘Scar of Love,’ which kicks things off in a similar rockin’ fashion to say the likes of ‘Heaven Knows,’ or ‘Hero To Zero,’ just rocks like a good ‘un, pummeling double kick drums, huge chorus, great riffs …, you get the picture … Nice start Steve!

 

 

‘Had Enough’ has actually become one of my absolute favourites on the album through repeated plays and you know, it almost brings to mind a little of what Steve captured on his very first Newman album, back in ‘98.
Maybe I’m just a nostalgia freak! LOL!
It’s got great production value, just a really wonderful sound that stays pretty simple through the verses, but then the chorus is just so rich. Wonderful!

It’s perhaps because Steve has kept a lot of simplicity in the song structure, something that when you really strip down what Def Leppard do, you realize that the songs themselves from the band, are pretty simple and there’s a lot to be said for that, when it comes to writing hook lines / catchy choruses.

Now I come to mention Def Leppard – And Steve will probably hate me for this, but … - next song ‘Arcadia’ gives a little nod perhaps, not only to perhaps ‘Hysteria’ but maybe John Waite’s ‘Missing You,’ in its structure.
No bad thing, familiarity works great for many folks, but I am only saying ‘similar’ not rip off, as all three songs mentioned of course completely have their own identity.

 

 

‘Another Bitch Of A Night,’ is certainly a more edgy track certainly throughout the verses, but then comes the chorus and yes, great harmonies and rich sounding, then the bridge takes you somewhere else with some nice twists.

 

 

 

Next song ‘Feel Her Again’ is simply classic Newman from the building intro to the slick verse and strong chorus once more. Some great changes here and there and Steve calls upon Work of Art’s Robert Säll for the ‘guest’ guitar solo here.
Nicely done indeed, a solo Steve would be proud of.

 

 

‘Some Kind of Wondeful’ starts as strong as the opener ‘Scar …’ It just races out of the starting blocks and has another edgy approach to it, almost punky in Steve’s vocal in places, then it almost reminds me a little of something like Toto in their heavier moments. Kind of clever …

 

 

Title track ‘Siren’ kind of creeps up on you from its start and then the chorus hits and Steve does it again, winner!
There’s certainly classic Newman about this too where I’m reminded of ‘Heaven Knows’ and even ‘Art of Balance’
To a degree, but then Steve pulls out some great interplay with keys too, nice touches and …, next please!

 

 

 With ‘When It Comes To Love’ Steve brings his live band guitarist Shaun Bessant to provide the lead solo here.
It’s one of those songs that build and just really comes into its own, from a very familiar sounding opening riff and then it eases back through the verse and then grows in the chorus and then goes back and forth from easy verses into the up tempo choruses and there’s a little edginess in the bridge, that’s followed by the rather tasty solo from Mr. Bessant.
It's just magic stuff!

 

‘Crossfire’ seems to be classic Newman, but I really think there’s a very Journey like vibe to this song, certainly very much so through the chorus phrasing. The underlying musical interplay through the verses and pre-choruses is also very modern day Journey like too.
There’s quite a bit of layering about ‘Crossfire’ too, really nice, there's almost a likeness to ‘One Step Closer’ here and there too. Good 'un!

 

 

There’s quite a different feel / vibe altogether through the verses in ‘Waiting For The Day To Come’ although there are little elements not unlike ‘Primitive Soul’ at times as well.
I do like the - albeit too brief – harmony guitar part in the last third of the song, but there’s obviously a lot more to it.
It’s a relatively mid tempo number, with some edginess but still plenty of melody.
It’s all good by me …

 

 

So to the albums only true ballad, power ballad that is, made clear by the heavy piano presence. It's something that Steve has certainly mastered in his writing, not just 'the art of balance,' but the art of ballads too! Ha! Sorry, a little cheesy pun there!
The solo in ‘The Foolish One,’ here is to die for, magic Steve, absolute gem mate!

 

 

It’s funny as I mentioned on ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ that Steve had captured elements of Toto’s heavier moments in that song, well, there’s a heavy, kind of Toto feel about final track here ‘I Don’t Know Why,’ right down to some very Luke  - Steve Lukather - like guitar moments, but the keyboard touches are right there with some of Toto’s best moments.
It’s a great closing track it really is, very strong indeed in such a way that it sounds like an epic track yet it’s under five minutes long. Love it!

 

 

As I said at the start, the thing with Newman the band or Newman the man is that it’s consistent and that’s not bad.

  He may bring different guest players in, but for the most part, it is Steve Newman singer / songwriter / guitarist / all-round musician and producer to boot and he has not released an average album yet, let alone a bad one!!

 

 

So, hat’s off to you again Steve, you really do put so much time and attention to detail into your work and just ignore the doubters, clearly based on the gigs in recent years that the band is picking up, I’m not the only one recognizing that this talent deserves praise.
It’s a winner by me, no doubt!

 

 

Rating: 4.75 out of 5

 

 

Website:

 

www.Newmansound.com

Go here directly to hear samples of all Newman's work!
http://www.newmansound.com/Discography.htm