THE
JELLY JAM (Inside Out)
Scary
stuff. The stench of self indulgence is in the air when members of established
bands, in this case Dream Theater, King's X and Dixie Dregs, decide
to take a busmans holiday. In what is really Platypus minus one, Rod
Morgenstein, John Myung and Ty Tabor deserve a pat on the back for not
disappearing up their own rear ends.
For
this is a commendable piece of work, albeit one that sticks closer to
the King's X world view than either of the other members day jobs. Which
in the lofty penthouse suite that passes for Zeitgeist World HQ (cat
stroking optional) is a good thing. Remember, "Faith Hope Love"
is an item to be cherished. Own it or feel my withering scorn.
What
you get for your $, € or £ is a splendid groove ridden monster
of a ceedee performed by master craftsmen, very much in love with what
they do. Which, of course, seeps through the speakers, into the pores
and renders you love lorn.
It's
hard to pick highlights on an outstanding release, but the double whammy
of "Feeling" and "Relieving" is hard to better.
One of the finest releases this year so far.
http://www.insideout.de
THE ATOMIC
BITCHWAX - Spit Blood (I
Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records)
Monster
Magnet guitarist Ed Mundell returns to action with the latest offering
from The Atomic Bitchwax. Now, you should know that I love MM and the
previous Bitchwax offerings, but this time around, it's less assured.
Perhaps,
beacause this is a hodge podge of new and old material thrown together,
rather than being a cohesive new offering. Fair dues, the old stuff
was remixed to make it more of a unit, but I'm not convinced.
When
its good, its very good. New tune "Get Your Gear" is absolutely
awesome, riffing away like the offspring of the long dead riffosaurus.
As always there's a cover tune, but unlike their inspirational takes
on Atomic Rooster and Tommy Bolin, AC/DCs "Dirty Deeds..."
doesn;t cut the mustard. Annoyingly the new material is splendid, and
there is definitely the foundation of what could have been a very good
records. Perhaps with MMs contract ending, Ed needed a few quick bucks,
but for a full price release this doesn't quite make the mark.
For
the technonauts amongst you this is an enhanced multimedia CD with the
video for "Fly On The Wall", interviews etc. But you may want
to wait for a 'real' new record.
PAUL SAMSON
- "Live- the Blues Nights"
Having
just recovered from the Samson 'Live in London 2000' CD also on Mystic
'Love- the Blues Night' came as a bit of light relief!
Seriously though this CD amply demonstrates just how versatile and good
a guitar player Paul is. The first 4 tracks are taken from gigs with
Ric Lee (ex Ten Years After) and Ian Ellis (ex Savoy Brown) at the Fairfield
Halls, Croydon in 1995 and include two Robert Johnson songs 'Sweet Home
Chicago and a very Cream like rendition of 'Crossroads', a Texas blues
(Lowell Fulson's 'Reconsider Baby') as well as a fine Ellis original
'Not Guilty'.
The inclusion of 'Reconsider Baby' was quite a coincidence for me as
on first listen of this CD I'd just returned from a live gig featuring
ace harp player Paul Lamb and his King Snakes (Check them out if you
ever get the chance) and, unless my memory is playing tricks, they opened
their set with that very same number!
Three tracks from the Peter Green Tribute show follow with great versions
of 'Black Magic Woman' (Paul takes the lead vocal) and 'Albatross'.
Two Jimi Hendrix songs are also covered -an arrangement of the unfinished
'Cherokee Mist' (Recorded in 1996 with overdubs added in 2001) and 'Voodoo
Chile (Slight Return') recorded live at Shepherd's Bush in 1997.
The mixing of familiar with not so familiar tracks (like the 2 recorded
in 1996 with the Richard Black Project) makes for an interesting and
varied collection.
Recommended. Contact: www.mysticrecords.co.uk
Paul's web site: www.paulsamson.info
(Mystic Records MYS CD 155)
(Phil
Jackson) musician
and reviewer
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