Collective Soul LIVE

 

As I get older, I find, I’m not really that fond of live albums. There are some exceptions, where the artist(s) make their songs different than on the original version. However, when I listen to a live album of a band that I’m familiar with, but, not a follower of, I find new songs that I’m not familiar with that I like. In this case, 2 songs on this album that make me want to hear more from Collective Soul. They are “The World I Know” (which is a known track) & “Needs”. These 2 songs make me want to go out & hear more from the band that I hadn’t heard before, other than the hits. The rest of the album is good as well, as there are a bunch of hits that I had heard before, but, I am that rare breed that likes to hear that music that you wouldn’t hear on the radio in today’s world (Exceptions to Internet Radio). They also play tracks from their newest album, which most people won’t have heard yet. That too, is a plus. The Roland brothers give a good go on this album with the rest of the band. I give this 4 out of 5 Music Guru stars.

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Foreigner ~ I Want To Know What Love Is (New Recording with Shriners Hospitals)

There is a new live Foreigner album coming out on February 15th, but, better yet, they teamed up with the kids from Shriners Hospitals & remade this song which can be heard here… https://open.spotify.com/album/1ygUhKPNvdnPvpoQslO42Q    on Spotify, which can be purchased as of January 1st from http://www.showthemlove.org

A video can be seen here…  http://ultimateclassicrock.com/foreigner-i-want-to-know-what-love-is-fundraiser/

Great music from a great band. Thank you Foreigner.

Martin Barre ~ Road Less Travelled

 

The great Jethro Tull guitar player puts out another solo gem with this album. You can certainly hear that Martin Barre was a main contributor of the Jethro Tull sound on this album. The songwriting is similar on some of the songs, although Martin seems to sometimes have a mellower approach, where Ian Anderson may have had a different thing in mind for his lyrics. The singers on this album are very good. Dan Crisp has almost an Ian Anderson style, but, is quite different. Becca Langsford, the female vocals as well as background vocals does an excellent job as well. Also on vocals, there is Alex Hart, on bass, you have Alan Thompson, also in the band is Darby Todd on drums, Josiah J on percussion & Hammond organ, Aaron Graham on drums, & Buster Cottam on standup bass. This album really does sound like a Jethro Tull album from the 1970’s or 1980’s, but, with a new twist to it. I really liked this album…more than I’ve liked some of the Jethro Tull albums of the past era , but, I really do like most of them. I give this a 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars & will include it in my Best of 2018 albums, which will be coming shortly. Get this album. You will not be disappointed.

 

The Unity ~ Rise

 

This group on their sophomore album, could possibly be the next Van Halen. They don’t have the same guitar licks as Eddie, but, the Pop / Rock is certainly there. The singing works as does the band. I would even go as far to say this band would be a good merging of Van Halen meeting Asia. Henjo Richtor & Stef is no Eddie Van Halen or Steve Howe, but the guitar work is smooth & steady throughout the album, minus the slide through a bunch of their songs. Gianbattista Manenti does very well on the vocals, while Jogi Sweers, Sasha Onnen & Michael Ehre keep the music flowing on bass, keyboards & drums. This is a great album & I would give this a 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars…even with the guitar slide. Give this SPV album a try. I think you’ll like it.

Let’s Have A Rockin’ Christmas Vol. 3

 

Another fine bunch of gems from Bongo Boy Records. Taking traditional Christmas  songs to start off the album. Doug Ferony does a fine job on “Jingle Bells” in a swing type manner. Next up is an upbeat “The Christmas Song”. Other non traditional Christmas songs follow that. There are some great songs on this album, & I’m sure that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. The production, as always, is great. Ann M. Wolf does a fantastic job on “Mary, Did You Know?”. Another favorite of mine on this album is “Spend Christmas With You”, which makes me want to curl up with this singer. Christmas music fans will love this CD. I rate this 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars.

Tremonti ~ A Dying Machine

 

If you’ve read my previous reviews, you have already heard of Tremonti, and the last review (See below) got 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. This one, also, gets a 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. This album, however, is a concept album. I didn’t quite get the concept of the album, but the individual songs were all good. Mark Tremonti will be putting out a book in the future to go along with this album & should fill in the gaps for a better story. “Take You With Me” is the current single, which sounds similar to Mark Tremonti’s other bands, Creed & Alterbridge. I think the best song on this heavy alternative rock album, is the mellow track on the album, titled “As The Silence Becomes Me”. This song, while different from Tremonti’s sound on the rest of the album, in my opinion, this is the best song on the album. This is Tremonti’s 4th album with current members Eric Friedman (Creed) on rhythm & lead guitar, keyboards, bass, & backing vocals & on drums & percussion is Garrett Whitlock. Mark, of course plays lead & rhythm guitars & lead vocals as well. I like this album, I think you will also. Mark Tremonti says this is his finest album yet.

Gary Douglas Band ~ Deep In The Water

 

This glorious CD gave me a nice variety of music, all in 1 CD. Starting off with a nice Country type rock song, starting with a pop rock sound. This band could be the next Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, without Bruce’s gruff voice that we’ve all come to love. Singing songs about the typical American life, including holding on to things. “Million Miles Away” slows it down a bit, while giving us a nice short sax solo. The song seems to be, as the title suggests, feeling like being a million miles away. The music is right on target with each song. The voice, while it is good, sometimes throws me off. The song writing is solid. “Oh My Oh My” is a nice upbeat song about money with a great chorus. “Devil In Her Soul” brings about another song about a woman who’s going to bring trouble to anyone who is with her. There are 11 great songs on this album. Some are stronger than others but all are good. I would give this 4 out of 5 Music Guru stars.