Showing posts with label Classic Rock Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Classic Rock Reviews. Show all posts

1/01/2020

Classic Rock Review: The Who-WHO

Release Date: December 6, 2019
Label:  Polydor
It has been said that before death, one’s life flashes before them. With threads from their 55-year history as the loudest and most influential band on the face of the earth woven into the music, The Who’s latest
release, WHO feels like such a flash. It is a journey through the past, a reminder of their power and influence, and a defiant “Love, Reign O’er Me” cry from the front of the stage. No, The Who will not go gentle into that good night.

Pete Townsend has never been accused of holding back. Whether as the deaf, dumb and blind, Tommy or the alienated mod Jimmy, Pete bares the soul of the characters he’s created who are misunderstood and marginalized by society. Pete invented not giving a fuck conveying to disaffected youth, that not only is it okay to be true to yourself, but you will also suffer if you don’t. The energy and aggression The Who as a band, bring to Pete’s songs, amplify both the sound and the fury producing enduring and inspirational anthems.  

After hearing the first lyric on WHO, “I don’t care, I know you’re gonna hate this song.” I pumped my fist with excitement and defiance. It’s not exactly “I hope I die before I get old,” but 54-years later, the attitude is the same. Who fanatics will agree that Pete’s lyrics can contain not-so-subtle digs at Roger, and I can’t help think that this is one of them? …
"that’s fair, we never really got along.” The union of Pete and Roger has survived a half-century, and while oil and water don’t quite mix, they look pretty cool when you shake them up. 

While the surface of these songs is polished, the underlying structure is diverse and complex. Supported by accomplished musicians such as Benmont Tench (Tom Petty), Pino Palladino (The Who), and Joey Waronker (Beck, REM), and at times a full-blown orchestra, the arrangements are multifaceted, and the richness is palpable. It is apparent that perfectionist and original studio gear-head Pete Townshend fussed and fine-tuned until he got it right.

Many of these tracks bring to the present, echoes of the past. “All This Music Must Fade” unearths “The Music Must Change.” “I Don’t’ Wanna Get Wise” resurrects “My Generation.” “Detour” is a nod to the original band name and conjures the foot-stomping freestyling “Join Together.” “Rocking in Rage” is a soul-bearing confession reminiscent of the driving introspection of “The Real Me.”

These are all strong tracks, yet the real gems on WHO are not those which give us a taste of what was, but those that give us a taste of what might be. “Beads on One String” and “Street Song” are this reviewer’s personal favorites.

Not all these tracks hit the famed red, white & blue mod target, however. The Simon Townsend (Pete’s brother) penned “I’ll be Back” is more of a love song that seems out of place and better suited for yacht rock than classic rock. “She Rocked My World” has a sleepy Latin jazz vibe making it feel tired and misplaced. Simon’s other song on WHO, “Break the News” is far more upbeat and a catchy Mumford & Sons-type romp.

Worth noting is the deluxe version, which contains three bonus tracks, two of which are forgettable. The third, however, “Got Nothing to Prove” is a previously unreleased early-60’s gem. Re-orchestrated, it exemplifies the ambition of the band at a young age and nothing short of groovy, baby, groovy.

All in all, this is one impressive offering. The Who have tapped into the well of ingenuity to create the most surprising album of the year. Now in their mid-70’s, Pete and Roger have produced a collection as big and bold as any fan could hope for. After all, old age should burn and rage at close of the day, or as Roger sings in the closing track “Rocking in Rage,” “defying the clock in one last rampage.”

Let’s hope this isn’t The Who’s life flashing before their eyes, but an example of what groundbreaking (and guitar breaking) bands are capable of in the twilight of their careers. This Who fanatic is thrilled they didn’t die before they got old as this is where some of their best work has been born.

Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff
December 31, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:
Rate the Tracks

Tracks:

01. All This Music Must Fade
02. Ball and Chain
03. I Don’t Wanna Get Wise
04. Detour
05. Beads on One String
06. Hero Ground Zero
07. Street Song
08. I’ll Be Back
09. Break the News
10. Rockin’ in Rage
11. She Rocked My World
Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks
12. This Gun Will Misfire
13. Got Nothing to Prove
14. Danny and My Ponies

 

1/12/2018

Classic Rock/Progressive Rock Review: Styx-Pieces of Eight-SACD Ltd. Numbered Ed.

Release Date: September 29, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity

Styx has always been one of my favorite bands, they still are and always will be. So, what is it like to be a lifetime fan of a band and you are still listening to their music? It holds some meaning for folks like myself. The music never sounds old or outdated and you are not expecting anything different…well sometimes it does happen. 

Consider this point, what is like for a music fan to hear the music they have been listening to for the last 30 to 40 years and suddenly it all sounds crisper, brighter, and clearer than ever before? Well, I can tell you it can be a revelatory experience to hear this music in the SACD format. 

The SACD release by Audio Fidelity last September of Pieces of Eight rocks and I heard things I have never heard before. This is what this format is intended to accomplish. I am here to tell you the job was well done (again) by Audio Fidelity. I am little late to the party but nevertheless I am reporting in to all of the respective lifetime rockers and audiophiles.

Pieces of Eight was a multiplatinum release and with good reason. The music offered radio friendly rock at the time and it was also a nod to the progressive elements of the band. The prog sounds came through loud and clear for this listener, however when I first heard it as a teenager I thought it just rocked. Which it did and still does, I just became older and more educated somewhere along the way.

Pieces of Eight is a very strong release right up there with the high echelon of prog rock releases like Grand Illusion but it rocked a bit harder. So, dare I say more metal this time around? It is there, all of it in its raging glory - rock, metal and prog. Anyone that liked to crank up the tunes can appreciate all of those genres coming together in an explosion of sound. 

That felt good to get all that off my chest and let y’all know how I really feel about this music. So, get yourself a copy before they run out again, even if you have all the other formats, you need to hear this SACD!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 11, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Tracks: 
01. Great White Hope
02. I'm O.K.
03. Sing for the Day
04. The Message
05. Lords of the Ring
06. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
07. Queen of Spades
08. Renegade
09. Pieces of Eight
10. Aku-Aku


1/11/2018

Classic Rock/Progressive Rock Review: Styx-Pieces of Eight-SACD Ltd. Numbered Ed.

Release Date: September 29, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity

Styx has always been one of my favorite bands, they still are and always will be. So, what is it like to be a lifetime fan of a band and you are still listening to their music? It holds some meaning for folks like myself. The music never sounds old or outdated and you are not expecting anything different…well sometimes it does happen. 

Consider this point, what is like for a music fan to hear the music they have been listening to for the last 30 to 40 years and suddenly it all sounds crisper, brighter, and clearer than ever before? Well, I can tell you it can be a revelatory experience to hear this music in the SACD format. 

The SACD release by Audio Fidelity last September of Pieces of Eight rocks and I heard things I have never heard before. This is what this format is intended to accomplish. I am here to tell you the job was well done (again) by Audio Fidelity. I am little late to the party but nevertheless I am reporting in to all of the respective lifetime rockers and audiophiles.

Pieces of Eight was a multiplatinum release and with good reason. The music offered radio friendly rock at the time and it was also a nod to the progressive elements of the band. The prog sounds came through loud and clear for this listener, however when I first heard it as a teenager I thought it just rocked. Which it did and still does, I just became older and more educated somewhere along the way.

Pieces of Eight is a very strong release right up there with the high echelon of prog rock releases like Grand Illusion but it rocked a bit harder. So, dare I say more metal this time around? It is there, all of it in its raging glory - rock, metal and prog. Anyone that liked to crank up the tunes can appreciate all of those genres coming together in an explosion of sound. 

That felt good to get all that off my chest and let y’all know how I really feel about this music. So, get yourself a copy before they run out again, even if you have all the other formats, you need to hear this SACD!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 11, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Tracks: 
01. Great White Hope
02. I'm O.K.
03. Sing for the Day
04. The Message
05. Lords of the Ring
06. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
07. Queen of Spades
08. Renegade
09. Pieces of Eight
10. Aku-Aku


4/07/2017

Classic Rock Review: Grand Funk-All The Girls In The World Beware-Hybrid SACD

Release Date: February 24, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity

Grand Funk’s All The Girls In The World Beware was a different release for the band. From track to track you didn’t know what to expect. For some fans that never sets that well however I remember loving this album. To listen again as an entirely different person with ears that are paying attention to all the nuances, I quickly realized there was more going on here than I realized.

It takes a process like Audio Fidelity’s Hybrid SACD format to bring out all the details you may have missed the first time around. What I heard besides a good rock album to spin at one of the teenage parties we had back in the day, is a band fully matured and embracing all the elements of rock, pop, funk and blues.

The title track is one funky workout particularly on the bass. Farner cuts loose with some rap like high speed vocals and phrasing to keep up with Mel Schacher’s crazy Jaco like riffs (and I am not saying he was anywhere near Jaco’s expertise, I am pointing out the dominance of the instrument). It is more than that galloping bass in many rock scenarios, it is quite involved. Then you get the less serious band on the spoof “Look At Granny Run Run.” You can tell they were loose and having some fun with that one. 

Then it gets more serious with lyrics and music on “Good & Evil.” That track just oozes with emotion like a slow rockin’ blues amped up to the next level. Farner could not only sing but man could he jam on the six-string. The unusual (at his point in their career) marathon ends after nearly 8 minutes of high octane musicianship. Craig Frost’s organ sure added another atmospheric layer to the track as well, it always did but this time it was decidedly more dark and mysterious. This track showed everyone that they were still the great musicians they always were and the pop oriented tunes were for hit radio to keep the label happy. Tracks like “Good & Evil” were for the longtime fans that remember when they were a three-piece banging out songs like “Paranoid” and “Inside Looking Out.” 

Of course, “Bad Time” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” were big hits. Those songs never get old. Again, Mel’s bass totally steals the show on “Some Kind Of Wonderful.”  Mark and Don made a great vocal duo as well and it had quite an impact when they joined forces. Two of the best voices in rock could not be beat. 

All The Girls In The World Beware was another good choice to add to the Audio Fidelity archives but my thought is any GF album would be! Great music, sounds, the hooks, and especially all the details, come popping out on this remastered special edition limited numbered release.

 
24x12 Cartoon Poster of Grand Funk That Came With The Original Release on LP






4.5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 7, 2017
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music

Tracks: 
01. Responsibility   
02. Runnin'   
03. Life   
04. Look At Granny Run Run   
05. Memories   
06. All The Girls In The World Beware   
07. Wild   
08. Good & Evil   
09. Bad Time   
10  Some Kind Of Wonderful
 

2/27/2017

Classic Rock Review: Grand Funk-Shinin' On SACD Hybrid Ltd. Edition

Release Date: January 27, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity
Audio Fidelity continues to be one of the most innovative and fun labels to acquire classic rock music from. Taking the best of the old and converting it to a new format is one of their specialties. The only thing is that you may miss out on their releases unless you act quickly. Each release is a limited numbered edition.

Their legacy continues with another Grand Funk classic titled Shinin’ On. The label’s hybrid SACD series endures with great success. Shinin’ On was originally released on vinyl with 3D glasses to view the ultra-cool cover. This SACD version comes with the 3D glasses included! And yes, I did have the LP version and it was one of my favorite albums. As a matter of fact, I loved the entire GF catalog.

Grand Funk had the advantage of having two lead singers with Mark Farner (guitar) and Don Brewer (drums). Mel Schacher (bass) and Craig Frost (keyboards) were an integral part of the band as well, giving them a layered full sound to accentuate the vocal styles of the two main voices. Frost filled out their sound after the band had performed as a power trio for many years. I appreciated the addition of keys, although I am sure some fans didn’t but that’s the way it goes when changes are made with anything.

This was an excellent album in my estimation. It had the signature Farner guitar licks that at times were cutting like a knife but this was not the heavy Grand Funk Railroad of the past. This version of the band was more modern and pop oriented with less blues influence.  They continued with the same formula that brought them so much success with the previous release We’re An American Band. Also the remake of big hit by Little Eva, “The Loco-Motion,” was proof that the formula could work very successfully for the band. 

The entire idea of the SACD is to bring out sounds more to the front so they pop out and grab you. That method has always worked well for these ears. “Carry Me Through” was a good showpiece for that new-found sound. Brewer was on lead vocals and the music was complex and progressive with a multitude of Farner’s stinging leads inviting Brewer’s strong vocals to new heights. Some of the other things I noticed more than ever before were the subtleties of Frost’s keys interlaced throughout the track and his superb command of his instrument. That factor certainly gave the band the proverbial icing on the cake to their presentation. This element prevailed as the band went from strength to strength throughout the recording.

The music on Shinin’ On was radio friendly and it still rocked, offering the best of both worlds and it made for a fine record to spin at parties. I enjoyed it when it first came out and I still do. Now in the SACD format I can appreciate this great album even more.

4.5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
February 27, 2017
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks:
 

1. Shinin' On
2. To Get Back In
3. The Loco-Motion
4. Carry Me Through
5. Please Me
6. Mr. Pretty Boy
7. Gettin' Over You
8. Little Johnny Hooker




11/24/2015

Classic Rock Review: Deep Purple Live (Three Albums)

Release Date: May 26, 2015, September 18, 2015
Label: earMusic

Once officially recognized as the loudest band in the world, Deep Purple are one of the towering figures of heavy metal from the 70s, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. With over one hundred million albums sold and a career spanning six decades, they are one of the most influential bands of all time. Formed in 1968, in Hertford, England, the band currently consists of Ian Gillian (vocals, harmonic, and percussion), Ian Paice (drums, percussion), Roger Glover (bass), Steve Morse (guitar), and Don Airey (organ, keyboards). 

Having released nineteen studio albums and dozens of live albums, they show no signs of slowing down.  This year has seen the release of three live albums, two of which are double albums. They are Long Beach 1971, …To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo) featuring Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord from the DP MK2 lineup and From The Setting Sun…(In Wacken)

The thing I like about “Speed King” is the way it captures the atmosphere of playing live. From the talking to the audience to the rawness of the music, it is easy to just close your eyes and imagine being there all those years ago. Clocking in at just over eleven minutes, “Speed King” is the first of four long jams, with this being the shortest, to make up the album.  Whereas “Speed King” acts as a bit of warm up for the band, “Strange Kind of Woman” finds them loose and comfortable in a kind of blues rock style reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. It starts of rocking and wild enough, and keeps getting better from there. The guitar parts are great, the drums consistently on point, and the vocals sparse yet effective. It is easy to tell that they are enjoying themselves. 

“Child in Time” is a truly epic song, clocking in at over twenty minutes in length. There is a great energy
running throughout the song, and a nice even pace to it all. The tempo changes are smooth and effortless. The guitar part in the beginning of the second half of the song is just a fantastic display of musicianship. “Mandrake Root” is a great hard rocking song. It starts out nice and heavy and gets very interesting when the keyboards take over. Not to be overshadowed by keyboards, the guitar takes over around the eight minute mark for one quality solo. It is the longest song at over twenty-seven minutes in length and it does drag a bit after the halfway point, but things do pick up for the last third of the song with some feedback that gets in the way. 

The other two lives albums are not only both double albums …To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo) and From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken), but they also share many of the same songs, so I would like to go over the songs that appear only once first. To The Rising Sun opens with the tone setting “Après Vous.”  The crowd is into it and there is a lively atmosphere that is infectious. “Uncommon Man” starts off slow and mellow, and rising nice and steadily before ending with a sweet instrumental part. The drums get things rolling on “The Mule” before completely taking over with a blistering solo that steals the show. It does not end there because the keyboards and guitar join in to make for one memorable song. On From The Setting Sun, “Highway Star” is a great hard rock song, with the right attitude and spirit, that is enhanced by the uncompromising and unrelenting music. “No One Came” is another song that is nothing short of fantastic. It comes out confident and full of momentum and it never loses it the whole way through. 

Most of the songs on …To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo) and From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken) are the same with little variation besides small differences in length, but that is about it. I like this because it shows how consistent they are in their live performances. “Hard Lovin’ Man” is a banging rock song on both albums that is hard not to move to, with a rhythm that practically calls out to be head banged to. The shorter versions of “Strange Kind of Woman” both dazzle again. In a tribute to the late actor, “Vincent Price” is very enjoyable with an appropriately haunting atmosphere and an eerie sound that is perfect for a horror movie. 

The instrumental “The Well-Dressed Guitar” is an impressive display all around. The song is just pulsating with electric energy that it never gets old.  “Above and Beyond” is a moving tribute to Jon Lord, an original member of the band who died in 2012. The sound of “Lazy” is anything but as the organ will certainly get you going, and things really get rocking once the guitar kicks in and things are off to the races from there. “Don Airey’s Solo” is a simple and beautiful song whose light and pleasant sound is a welcome change. “Space Truckin’” is a fun song with a carnival-like atmosphere. It would make a great party song. “Smoke on the Water” is simply an amazing song that could not be any more perfect. It is chilling when the crowd joins in the singing. It is definitely the type moment that calls out to be experienced live. “Black Night” is a rip-roaring tune that has probably the best guitar part of all the songs.

When it comes down to it, all three albums are high quality productions. If you are a die-hard collector or fan, then I would not hesitate to recommend all three. If you are not, then I would go with Long Beach 1971 and one of the others. Overall, I find it hard to pick a favorite between …To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo) and From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken). There are only a few songs that do not appear on both albums, so not much is being left out. You cannot really go wrong with either album, if you have to choose between the two. All in all, I would say that these three live albums do a fantastic job of making the listener want to be there.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Strange Kind of Woman, The Mule, Highway Star, Vincent Price, The Well-Dressed Guitar, Smoke on the Water, Black Night

Tracks:
Long Beach 1971
1. Speed King
2. Strange Kind of Woman
3. Child in Time
4. Mandrake Root

From The Setting Sun… (In Wacken)
Disc 1
1. Highway Star
2. Into The Fire
3. Hard Lovin’ Man
4. Vincent Price
5. Strange Kind of Woman
6. Contact Lost
7. The Well-Dressed Guitar
8. Hell to Pay
9. Lazy 

Disc 2
1. Above and Beyond
2. No One Came
3. Don Airey’s Solo
4. Perfect Strangers
5. Space Truckin’
6. Smoke on the Water
7. Green Onions / Hush
8. Black Night

…To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo)
Disc 1
1. Après Vous
2. Into the Fire
3. Hard Lovin’ Man
4. Strange Kind of Woman
5. Vincent Price
6. Contact Lost
7. Uncommon Man
8. The Well-Dressed Guitar
9. The Mule
10. Above and Beyond
11. Lazy

Disc 2 
1. Hell to Pay
2. Don Airey’s Solo
3. Perfect Strangers
4. Space Truckin’
5. Smoke on the Water
6. Green Onions / Hush
7. Black Night

Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff
November 24, 201
Review Provided By Write A Music Review

7/01/2015

Classic Rock Review: The Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers Deluxe

Release Date: June 2, 2015
Label: UME

It is hard to think of rock music without The Rolling Stones.  Formed in 1962 and one of the leaders of the British Invasion, they are one of the biggest acts of the last fifty years, and do not appear to be stopping any time soon.  Considered to be one of their best albums, Sticky Fingers is their ninth British and eleventh American studio album and one of their “golden era” albums of the late sixties and early seventies.  Though now a four-piece, The Rolling Stones consisted of Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Mick Taylor (lead guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums) back then.  This two disc deluxe edition is a must have album for rock fans.  With a remaster of the original and another album featuring alternative and live versions, Sticky Fingers does not disappoint.  

There might not be a better opener in rock music history than “Brown Sugar.” It is a song that once you hear it you cannot forget it.  The music is fun, playful, and upbeat that takes on a new dimension when the lyrics are considered, dealing with sex, race, slavery, and drugs.  There is a sweet horn section and the guitar riff will be forever recognizable.  Following up “Brown Sugar” is “Sway,” a great, sultry blues rock jam, with a superb outro on guitar.  “Wild Horses” is a low-key country rock ballad and a real emotional piece.   It is the kind of song where you just need to lean back and let the music wash over you and take you in. 

With an opening guitar riff that sinks into your bones, “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” is one beautiful rock song.  The music is lively and thrills like lightning during a summer storm.  It also has a fabulous instrumental part.  It starts around the end of the two-minute mark with Bobby Key’s saxophone solo, before some smooth guitar work takes over.  “You Gotta Move” is a short blues song that is heavy on the slide guitar.  “Bitch” really turns up the heat.  It is one jumping rock tune, with tons of punkish attitude and a great use of horns that gives the song some extra flavor.

Taking things in the other direction, “I Got the Blues” is a toned down, anguished blues rock song.  The low-key music is continued in the somber, acoustic song “Sister Morphine.”  The country rock song “Dead Flowers” has a little more pep in its step than the previous two, though the lyrics carrying some darker undertones. Capping off the album is the wonderful ballad, “Moonlight Mile.” It is a great song that is a dark and emotional journey reflecting on the loneliness of the open road.

The disc features an additional ten songs with five being alternative versions of songs from Sticky Fingers and the other five from a live performance.  The alternative version of “Brown Sugar” features Eric Clapton and there is an acoustic version of “Wild Horses” that is just as good as the original.  The condensed version of “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” does not have much on the original.  The saxophone is sorely missed.  The extended version of “Bitch” is pretty rocking with instrumental parts.  The live performance songs include the single “Honky Tonk Women,” while the rest come from earlier Stones’ albums, Beggars Banquet (“Stray Cat Blues”) and Let It Bleed (“Live with Me,” “Love in Vain,” and “Midnight Rambler”).  The live versions sound clean and clear, and add a nice value to this deluxe edition.  “Live with Me” is a sweet, rocking song and the blues rock epic “Midnight Rambler.”

The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers is just an exceptional album.  This is a quintessential rock album that is a must have for fans of The Rolling Stones and rock music, in general.  I will go so far as to say that is definitely one of those albums that you should listen to before you die.  

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Brown Sugar, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, Bitch, Moonlight Mile

Tracks:
Disc One
01.Brown Sugar
02.Sway
03.Wild Horses
04.Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
05.You Gotta Move
06.Bitch
07.I Got the Blues
08.Sister Morphine
09.Dead Flowers
10.Moonlight Mile

Disc 2
01.Brown Sugar (Alternate Version with Eric Clapton) 
02.Wild Horses (Acoustic Version)
03.Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (Alternate Version)
04.Bitch (Extended Version)
05.Dead Flowers (Alternate Version)
06.Live with Me (Live At The Roundhouse, 1971)
07.Stray Cat Blues (Live At The Roundhouse, 1971)
08.Love in Vain (Live At The Roundhouse, 1971)
09.Midnight Rambler (Live At The Roundhouse, 1971)
10.Honky Tonk Women (Live The Roundhouse, 1971
)
 
Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff
July 1, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music Review



7/01/2014

Classic Rock Review: Various Artists-Light My Fire – A Classic Rock Salute to The Doors

Release Date: June 24, 2014
Label: Cleopatra

When it comes to the great music makers of the late 60s and early 70s, there is no question that The Doors is among them.  Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965, The Doors were Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar), and John Densmore (drums).  Taking their name from the Aldous Huxley’s book about experimenting with mescaline, The Doors would go on to be of the most influential and controversial bands of their generation, and, not to forget, one of the most successful, selling over 100 million albums worldwide since their self-titled debut was released in 1967.

Led by their charismatic front man, The Doors took the rock world with gusto, topping the charts with hit records and songs.  At the forefront of the 60s counterculture movement, they were no stranger to controversy.  Refusing to bow to a call for censorship saw them banned from The Ed Sullivan Show after one performance.  After playing their #1 hit song “Light My Fire” without the recommended studio changes, the producers informed the band that they would never to play on the show again. An unfazed Morrison replied: "Hey man. We just didthe Sullivan Show."  Unfortunately, rock stardom caught up Morrison, who died in Paris of a drug overdose in 1971.  The remaining members would release two more albums before disbanding.  Though they spent less than a decade together, the incredible music that they made together lives on.
Light My Fire – A Classic Rock Salute to The Doorsplays to tribute to The Doors endearing legacy.  Produced by former Yes member Billy Sherwood, the appearing musicians read like a Who’s Who of the classic rock world.  The album features appearances by Jimi Jamison, Lou Gramm, Ian Gillian, Pat Travers, Chick Churchill, Todd Rundgren, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and many others. 

Light My Fire – A Classic Rock Salute to The Doorsis at its best when there is a lot of energy put into the song, such as the opening track “L.A. Woman.”  It is one of the better songs on the album and is a sharp and crisp rendition. “Roadhouse Blues” is another song that sounds amazing and is a real testament to the type of quality that can be found on the album.  “Intro (People Are Strange)” is another gem.  It is a piece of music that is interesting, creative, and unique.  Also, I think the album really hits its stride in its latter half with spirted performances from “Hello, I Love You” to “The End.” 

It is no means a perfect album, though.  I think that some fans will prefer the original versions over some of these covers.  With bands as talented and iconic as The Doors, some things that they do on the originals are hard to duplicate, the heights too high to reach.  Also, there is an issue of overproduction on some of the songs, such as “People Are Strange.” The music sounds too slick and polished, too much like some of the modern stuff being pumped out.  It did not get in the way much of me enjoying the album, though.

Light My Fire: A Classic Rock Salute to The Doors is one of the better tribute albums that I have heard.  It is full of gifted musicians who love the music and it shows in their efforts.  I would not suggest this as an introduction to the band if you are new to their music.  I do recommend this to classic rock fans and The Doors fans, of course.  It makes for a nice addition to the collection and keeps The Doors legacy going strong. 

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: L.A. Woman, Roadhouse Blues, Spanish Caravan, The End

Tracks:
01.L.A. Woman
02.Love Me Two Times
03.Roadhouse Blues
04.Love Her Madly
05.Riders on the Storm
06.The Crystal Ship
07.Intro (People Are Strange)
08.People Are Strange
09.Touch Me
10.The Soft Parade
11.Hello, I Love You
12.The Spanish Caravan
13.Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)
14.Break On Through (To the Other Side)
15.Light My Fire
16.The End

 
Brian McKinnon

July 1, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review