Reviews

Weekly Reviews For March 13, 2005

Review Index

I am also Assistant Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

Recent reviews include
Rush - Chronicles (The Video Collection)
Deep Purple - The Early Years
Damageplan - New Found Power
Whitesnake - The Early Years

You will also find some reviews at spacerock.co.uk

The Rocker
New releases from;
Superczar - Pop Art
Various - Further Adventures of the Telepathic Explorers
When's The Future - Then
And many more....

 

New Reviews

Exile - Gospel According To Hollywood - Usher Hall, Edinburgh

A truly outstanding night of gospel music was presented by exile in their Gospel According To Hollywood show at the Usher Hall.

There is something awe inspiring and uplifting about a 100 voice gospel choir backed by a full band. The presentation was slick and professional (apart from the conductor falling over in his excitement), and the soloists brought the music to life.

Augmented by a video presentation detailing the life of Jesus as it would be seen nowadays by Hollywood film executives, the packed Usher Hall lapped up the show. Legal issues prevent me mentioning names but if you have seen a cinema advert from a company named after a fruit and a colour, you'll know which one I mean.

The show featured gospel music previously highlighted in films such as "Oh Brother Where Art Thou", "Bruce Almighty", "The Preacher's Wife" and "Sister Act", and even had the obligatory "Blues Brothers" tribute. The male soloists were the strongest on the night, but the show was, generally, immaculate.

With regular events in Edinburgh, you'd be a fool to miss out on a tremendous night out. Even an old cynic with a dodgy back, managed to have a splendid evening. And it's all for charidee!

Joselyn & Wild Roots - Shapeshifting

Outstanding, and an early entrant in my record of the year list. Of course, I am a sucker for rootsy, hippy music. Just ask Joan Osborne about my restraining orders!*

Josely has a substantial history as a perfomer, playing on bills with the likes of Mickey Hart, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Hasaan Hakmoun with Paula Cole and Los Lobos. She is also an accomplished percussionist as well as an affecting singer, and it is the rhythms that drive this remarkable CD.

Always soulful and always melodic, songs like "For Love" drag you in and refuse to let you go.
The band are totally in tune with the songs, so big props to Viviana Rama on bass, Alan Lightner on drums, Marti Walker on flute & harmonies and Al Keith on percussion. There's a little bit of funk, a little bit of blues and a little bit of folk, all underpinned by shifting, hypnotic shuffles. The songs are life affirming and positive, a beacon for hope.

* My lawyer has asked me to point out that I have never stalked Joan Osborne or been the subject of a restraining order!

Simon Felton - Previous

Simon's back with more intelligent pop. As one who listens avidly to Bryan Matthew's 'Sounds of the Sixties', one of the few shows to veer outwith mainstream predictability, it is reassuring and refreshing to hear such authentically new music arriving like a blast from the past!

The feeling one gets listening to Simon's solo work and as Garfield's Birthday is discovering forgotten gems from the most creative musical era like Fleur De Lys, The Action, The Shape of The Rain and some of the bands on the Rubble collection (to name just a few!) delivered with a modern touch with a lineage stretching through Creation bands like Teenage Fanclub and Ride (I thought of the latter when listening to the wonderful multi-part vocals and psychedelic groove of 'Peepshow'). 'Why do we spend half our lives fists clenched and ready to fight?' asks Simon at the beginning of 'Wait and See'. a deceptively simple little number of great beauty and reflection with softly strummed guitars, keyboards and bass from Simon. On most of the other songs Simon is joined by extra guitars, drums and keyboards and the driving rock of 'Novelty' greatly benefits from this extra backing- you'll swear you've heard this one before- indeed it's exactly the kind of thing the aforesaid Mr Matthews uncovers on his Saturday morning shows! A true modern day sixties classic!

You can even forgive Simon the bubblegum chorus of 'Sugar Pop' as the incisive guitar runs and driving beat continue unabated. 'We Know Your Name' is another solo effort with only James Laming on guitar and backing vocals for company and is another touching little ditty. The guitars are cranked up for 'Always Something' with its irresistible riff interspersed with guitar breaks and its infectious verse and chorus. 'Compatible' has all the melodic splendour of a Beautiful South number. Most of the songs are about 3 minutes in length but the closing track 'Stupid Song' seems to extend to 5 minutes (but actually only lasts for about 2) and in a strange kind of way reminded me of a cross between Arthur Lee's Love and REM. The rest of the time is a 'hidden' heavy guitar groove jam, a perfect way to end the album.

Simon's done it again- another marvellous collection of songs. Do yourself a favour and check it out!

(Reviewed by Phil Jackson for Zeitgeist)

Denison Winter - Philadelphia Songs

In a world where John Mayer wins awards, I find it hard to believe that Denison Witmer isn't building some extra shelves to put his on. It's all deceptively simple, basic guitar riffs and down to earth lyrics, but with a compelling voice and some beautiful melodies.

There's a fragility to his indie / folk vibe that is utterly captivating. Although I never understand how someone can be so open about their feelings and desires, there is something about an acoustic lament, best realised her on "Leaving Philadelphia (Arriving In Seattle)", that touches even this cold, cold heart.

This is an album that's been around for a while, but thanks to Bad Taste who've put it out in Europe, you can admire how it's beautifully put together, and an album that deserves to be heralded on high.

Giles - Blue Funk

I was starting to despair slightly recently, at the dearth of 'must play' albums crossing my path. But there's been a bit of an upswing recently, and this third album from Giles is the latest to reach that hallowed berth on the shelf immediately behind my shoulder. That, in case you were wondering, is where my favourite CDs sit, handily within reach.

Of course, you're always in with a shout round my way, if you cover a Stephen Stills song. Mind you, get it wrong and a savging will be yours. You don't mess with one of my musical icons and get off lightly. But their rendition of "Black Queen" is an absolute gem.

Mark Koehorst on guitar and vocals, Piet Koehorst on bass guitar and Terry Shaughnessy on drums comprise Giles, and across 11 tracks show themselves to be one of the finest rhytm and blues combos currently rocking the joint. Of those eleven tracks, Mark Koehorst wrote eight, and there's a version of the blues classic "C C Rider" and the JJ Cale song "Clyde", trying to keep up sides with the Stills classic.

It says a lot that the originals more than match their illustrious bed partners. "Keep On Dancin" is a swamp rock standard in the making. The funky "So Much Pain", replete with wah-wah guitar and the rocking "Walking Shoes" are probably the best of an exceptional bunch.

Frankly, it doesn't get much better