PETE'S PLAY LIST
July 2003
| 1) | WALTER TROUT BAND |
“Life In The Jungle” | Ruf Records |
| Originally issued on the small Swedish
Bozz Electra label, and then by Provogue, “Life In The Jungle”
now enjoys a welcome reissue on Ruf Records.
Available for the first time in a few years in the UK, “Life In The Jungle” was the album that first brought Walter Trout to the attention of Scandinavian and latterly, the European and UK fans. In retrospect the importance of the album in 1990 was that while Walter was breaking new ground in the UK – he almost single handedly resurrected rock blues over here -through some dynamite live shows - the album showed his ability to transfer his on -stage energy into the studio. “Good Enough To Eat” is pure raw power, while the title track is the perfect summation of Walter’s talent. “Frederica” on the other hand is a typical Walter ballad, and “Serve Me Right To Suffer” remains a Trout show stopper nearly two decades since his days with John Lee Hooker.A great album by a man who went on to win the prestigious LA Music Awards “Album and Guitarist of the Year” categories. |
|||
| 2) | THE MELT |
“The Melt” | OSR Records |
| Every now and then a band pops up
and sweeps the board like a breath of fresh air. Working in the rock blues
idiom The Melt offer much much more. It’s not just the energy, the
crucial guitar riffs, the heavy duty blues harp, or even the powerful
rhythm section. No, the reason The Melt impress aside from a very contemporary
approach to their rocking blues, is both the originality of their songs
and above all that little thing called enthusiasm.
Imagine the drive of the early Hoax, the raw gut power of Johnny Lang, the riffs of Kenny Wayne Sheppard, the passion of Walter Trout, and you are getting close to the sheer frisson of this young band. The Melt hail from Skegness, take no prisoners and will shortly be hitting London, don’t miss them! Listen to Jumping South and No Shame - these are just examples, the whole CD is great! |
|||
| 3) | NELSON NORWOOD |
“Long, Loud ‘n’ Sweaty” | Guapa Records |
| Another band from the Austin conveyor
belt, but Nelson is a fine song writer, full of rock and roll sensibilities
and backed here by the indefatigable Double Trouble rhythm section.
The album is full of Keith Richards style killer riffs, and Black Crowes style songs, best encapsulated by the superb Lucky Strike track. Again there is talk of a UK tour. If it happens
check www.nelsonnorwood.com |
|||
| 4) | JIMMY GRISWOLD |
“Get To Work” | Grizzo Records |
| Creeping up the chart, mainly because
people keep coming up to me to ask what it is we are playing at the gigs.
Released to tie in with his recent club tour of the UK, Jimmy G hails from Connecticut but is based in Tampa bay. This is relevant as his guitar playing style is somewhere equidistant between Ronnie Earl and Roy Buchanan, with just a hint of Florida’s Les Dudek about the vocal style. "Get To Work" is a superbly recorded, tough blues outing full of hot licks, unrelenting fuck and the ghost of the afore mentioned Roy Buchanan. It’s all there on the funked up blues of “Con Game” and the more obvious long linear guitar lines of “Buchanan’s Train”. This track as they might say at the races is worth the price of admission on its own. |
|||
| 5) | MICK CLARKE BAND |
“Live In Luxembourg” | Taxim Records |
| Originally released exclusively though
his web site,(www.mickclarke.com), Mick has remixed this essential live
album for a European release through Taxim Records One hell of a kicking album. This is everything Mick Clarke fans and guitar fans in general, would want. The new mix is brighter than the original but retains all the power, and on stage energy of an artist at his peak. The play list includes old favourites like “Lookin’ For Trouble”, and a fine reading of Willy Dixon’s slow blues “Your Gonna Miss me When I’m Gone”. But ultimately this is an accurate aural document of a killer live set in front of an enthralled festival crowd. |
|||
| 6) | ROGER CHAPMAN |
“Techno Prisoners” | Mystic Records |
Sounds even more powerful now than on its original release... One of Roger Chapman’s most controversial but I think most satisfying albums. Produced by The Bolland Brothers who gave the world such instantly forgettable tunes such as “Rock Me Amadeus”, this unlikely meeting of one of Rock’s most powerful and unique vocalists with the pop Wunderkind’s of Techno, has stood the test of time well. Listen to the sheer power of “The Drum”, and the reworked production of the Chappo live favourite Prisoner, rechristened “Techno- Prisoners”, and the unlikely meeting of the two styles works. There’s also a cracking version of “Ball of Confusion”, which would grace any self respecting FM radio. Complete with 5 bonus tracks recorded with Alvin lee and Tim Hinkley, this is arguably one of the Chapman’s finest albums, even though it’s a massive departure from what he is known for. |
|||
| 7) | AZAM KHAN's Midnight Special |
“Moving On” | AK Records |
A slightly misleading play list candidate in that since this album was recorded, the band have headed in a more rocky direction and have lost the hugely impressive harp player Alistair Hall. That said this is a fine blues set, by a fast maturing band. Azam Khan has finally found his voice, and impresses throughout on subtle blues guitar. Special guest vocalist Ian Shaw adds vocal swoops and scintillating harmonies. Midnight Special recently played a hand full of Euro festivals, and this album splendidly suggests what they are capable of! |
|||
| 8) | KILA |
“Luna Park” | Kila Records |
| Now for something completely different,
this ethereal Celtic outfit have already released 5 albums, but “Luna
Park” is a milestone for the band, reaching new heights in their
13 year history. Mixed by former Zappa/ Van Morrison/John Lee Hooker and Stevie Wonder cohort Mick Glossop, this album comprises 7 instrumentals and 4 songs, that range from the haunting and ethereal to the impressive heights of inspired instrumental virtuosity. At times the band comes close to The Gypsy Kings, Clannad and even the fondly remembered moving Hearts. To call this world Music would be to shrink the market place for music for some magnificent music. Open your ears and listen |
|||
| 9) | ROGER CHAPMAN |
“The Shadow Knows” | Mystic Records |
Alongside Chapman’s “Zipper” album, “The Shadow Knows” is one of Chappo’s less known albums. Together with 4 “Live In Berlin” bonus tracks (originally released in Europe as a 4 track cd EP). The Shadow Knows” was essentially Chapman’s last, out and out rock album, and the final Geoff Whitehorn production collaboration. “Leader of Men”; “Ready To Roll” and the very infectious “Sitting Up Pretty” all benefit from a funky undertow, while the live version of the Mike Oldfield composed, Chappo hit, “Shadow On The Wall”, gives an idea of the sorts of fevered festival crowds RC can still pull in Europe. |
|||
| 10) | THE TYLA GANG |
“Rewired” 3-track demo | White Label |
| The Tyla Gang are back and recording
and planning to tour.
Sean Tyla (Ducks Deluxe/Help Yourself) is back with a new line-up including Savoy Brown/Clouds bass man Ian Ellis, and batch of killer songs. A potential single “Montanarama”, extends Sean’s former West Coast infatuation. It’s an epic panoramic FM radio friendly song that wouldn’t disgrace Springsteen. Full of an angst ridden world weary, on the edge vocal style, it is easily one of Sean best ever efforts and begs to be heard on US classic rock stations. “Take It On Trust” is raw gut boogie while “Hollywood Blues” adds a funky vibe, and suggests that the reformed Tyla gang could have recorded their best ever album. Watch out for live dates in Autumn, this could be killer show! |
|||