Eric Sardinas – Sticks and Stones

Previously posted @ http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/

^thLarger than life hard rocking blues maestro Eric Sardinas is back with the much anticipated 5 album “Sticks and Stones”.

In my opinion Sardinas is one of the greatest rock/blues & slide guitarists that has ever walked on the face of the planet and seeing him perform live is an experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.  However this is damn hard to capture on cd, but the good news is that producer Matt Gruber has managed to achieve this and retain the live gritty vocals and slide guitar sound that is Sardinas.

What we have here are 11 hard hitting country / rock / blues tracks from Sardinas with his weapon of choice being the trusty “electric resonator and brass preaching slide pipe” playing centre stage.  Mixing the eclectic styles of Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Stones, Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins will always produce a magical sound and Sardinas is the master as this cd demonstrates perfectly.

Sardinas himself lives by the mantra ”Respect tradition” and this is what he is about.  His ability to take the classic delta blues sound whilst adding that modern touch without removing the roots is second to non. Whether on the opening track ‘Cherry Wine’ or the hard hitting foot stompin’ instrumental ‘behind the 8’ he fulfils his mantra without question.  

His mojo is working.

8/10

Karl Demata “Cross the Mountain” release date – 12.09.11

Previously posted @ http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/
http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/album-reviews/cd-reviews/karldemata-crossthemountain

Probably better known for his work prog / post rock band “Crippled Black Phoenix” Karl Demata has decided it is time to release his debut CD “Cross the Mountain”.

We kick off with “Barefoot and Walking Blues” and automatically I’m reminded of the tv series “True Blood” and the musical feel based around the series.  Full of comforting foot tapping country rock / blues fluidity with guitar solos that just moves it all on to another level and this is a theme that is revisited throughout the cd, but never gets boring.

There are also sections of this CD that could quite easily sit with ease within any Pink Floyd track, especially where Karls vocals are concerned.   Vocally he’s not great, but then again neither is Dave Gilmore, but the combination of vocals and the gently caressed and expressive guitar work are both hypnotic and mind blowing and the last track “The Circus Never Comes to Town” encapsulates this perfectly.

This cd really is packed full of surprises, twists and turns that are there to be discovered by the endearing listener.  I’m on what must now be my 50^th play in the last 24hrs whilst writing this review and I am still finding little gems of musical wizardry that I had missed previously.

In conclusion: This is not just another ‘run of the mill’ cd.  This is articulate musical expressionism at its best and a must for any lover of music.

9/10 

Clares CD shoot..

Had a fantastic day with Clare today on the CD shoot located at superb derilict mansion in Great Tew Oxfordshire.

Time to take a quick breath..

Seem to be running around like an idiot at the moment looking for a decent location for Clares cover shoot in a couple of weeks time and has only just dawned on me just how big britain really is.  Time to stick a pin in the map and hope for the best lol

Even better news is that the review copies of CDs from Eric Sardinas and Karl Deneta have landed and both sounding pretty good..  Also had Buddy Whittingtons cd land too, but the less said about that the better..

busy busy busy...

Dust and Bones..

I'm not a lover of telephone conversations, but a great chat bouncing a few ideas around with Clare for the cover / inlay of her new CD "Dust & Bones".. Hopefully get the location pictures in the bag over the next couple of weeks.

http://www.clarefree.co.uk/

Virgil & The Accelerators – The Radium (release date sept 2011)

Previously posted @ http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/

It is not often that I get all emotional about a CD,  but ‘The Radium’ which is the first real offering from VATA ticks all of my box’s and more.

We open up with the haunting guitar lead of ‘Working Man’ which is a hard driving blues masterpiece that sets out their stall out nicely for what is to follow. 

With sublime guitar riffs and perfect fretmanship mastery provided in abundance by Virgil.  Gabe supporting and moving things along perfectly on the skins, quite often throwing in runs that many metal drummers would envy,  all tied together by Jack with his driving bass beats.   VATA really have come along in leaps and bounds over the last year and this CD is proof positive of that fact.

 It’s obvious to see that artists such as SRV and Philip Sayce are main influences in Virgils life as they come shinning through at every opportunity. Tracks such as; ‘Low Down and Dirty’ and ‘Silver Giver’ (more about later) have a good mix of Sayce and SRV feel about them, however this is not intentional, it is just a fact that they are such a massive influence on his playing that it would be extremely  hard for it not to show through in some small way. Virgil has subconsciously taken the best that his icons have to offer and added his own special touch and the final result is good.

On this CD everyone will love, not like, but love one particular song, if not more, depending on your blues style preference.  Mine is without question the last track of the CD ‘Silver Giver’.  It is a guitar solo of monolithic proportions that just doesn’t let up.  Virgils control of the fret board and understanding of what makes an awesome track is clearly demonstrated here.  This is quite possibly one of the best tracks that I have ever heard and a pure unadulterated joy to witness live.   What we have here is a true masterpiece!    

However,  if I were to be over critical of the CD I’d say that lyrically it can be a little naive in places, but that’s probable down to the fact that these lads are still quite young.  I’m sure this is going to improve as they gain real life experience which will inevitably provide them with a bigger pool to draw from. 

 In conclusion it is not a perfect CD, but it is very damn close.  I for one cannot remember any band producing and releasing such a polished CD as their first offering.  It really is going to be hard to follow this one up, but knowing Virgil & the team they will give it a damn good go.

9/10

http://www.virgilandtheaccelerators.com/

White Wizzard – Flying Tygers review.

Previously posted @ www.midlandsrocks.co.uk
I guess that now is the right time to come clean and admit that although I’ve dipped the proverbial toe into White Wizzard water many times, I’ve never actually been able to sit down and listen to a complete WW CD in one sitting.  For some reason that escapes me they’ve always managed to lose me along the way and I end up wondering off somewhere.  So for me this is completely new territory because for once I have to sit and listen, no matter what.

After quitting WW back in April 2010 Wyatt "Screamin' Demon" Anderson is back fronting again for this CD, but sadly Wyatt has again departed with the impressive Michael Gremio returning to cover vocals on the impending tour.

First track “Fight to the death” achieves what all first tracks should do. It clearly sets the pace and feel of the whole album perfectly with big vocals and massive guitar going straight for the jugular.  It demands that you sit up pay attention and I was more than willing to go along with its demands. 

On the vocal front it is easy to understand how Wyatt earned the ‘screamin demon’ monika and he is on top form hitting notes that I couldn’t hit prior to manhood.  With big vocals and notes that go on forever Wyatt manages to encapsulate the old NWOBM genre but the with added modern day metal punch, which is what gives their credibility.  And then there are those vocal harmonies, which something that tend not to be mentioned when talking metal, but they’re are so reminiscent of ‘Tygers of Pan Tang’ when they were at their best, so they deserve a mention.

 Guitar wise Jon Leon does a fantastic job capturing the feel of 80’s metal.  With riffs flying at you left, right and center it would be very easy to over power the piece, which he doesn’t do.  It is also a very fine line with this genre of music between classic rock guitar and cheese and I’m pleased to report that Jon has it down to perfection and it just makes the hairs on the back of you neck stand to attention.  

On the CD there is some extremely good classic metal; Blood Pyramids, War of the Worlds, and ‘Starmans Son’ to name but a few.  However standing way above the rest for me is ‘Starchild’.  If you were to take everything that was good about NYONM and that genre and mixed it with; ‘Rainbow’, ‘UFO’ and sprinkled with a little early Irons then this is what you’d end up with.  As far as I am concerned this is a true classic power ballad rock anthem, simply superb.

I really didn’t think I’d be able to sit through nearly an hour of White Wizzard, but I’m surprised at just how easy this was.  In my opinion ‘Flying Tygers’ is their best CD offering to date.  I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to anyone with the love of old metal.

Horns Raised.

http://www.myspace.com/whitewizzard

Lerry Miller - previously published @ www.midlandsrocks.co.uk

One of my favourite albums of recent years has been Larry Millers 2007 “Outlaw Blues” which even after 4 years still gets a massive amount of airplay here at Stanley Towers, so I was really looking forward to finally getting to see him live.  However, as I found out the hard way there really is nothing that can prepare you for the onslaught of guitarial magic that descends when Miller enters the ring, no matter how many times you play “OB” or any of his other material.

Watching Miller play is simply mesmerizing and listening to him play is a joy to behold.  I don’t think I’ve ever been captivated by one single person for so long..  After 90mins It’s easy to understand why music moguls compare him to guitar legends such as “Rory Gallagher” and “SRV”.  His mastery of the fret board is second to none.  Far too many of today’s guitarists tend to camp on one part of the neck, but Miller is up and down the neck like a man possessed and those riffs just stream out.   Simply glorious! 

There are also those who compare Miller to Hendrix, but personally I think that’s a little unfair.  From my point of view ‘and in some quarters I could get stoned for saying this’ Larry Miller is much more of a complete package than Hendrix ever was or could have ever been, but that’s just my view.

But, not only is he a fantastic guitarist, but he’s also a great showman and gets the crowd involved every chance he gets with plenty of banter about the Black Country and anything else that crops up.  At some points it almost feels like the crowd is in control of the set list..  He just throws a batch of songs out to the crowd and then supposedly plays the one that produced the best response..  I say “supposedly” because no matter what song he mentioned the crowd always produced the save fever pitch response.. but it made the crowd feel good.

Whilst primarily out promoting his latest CD “Unfinished Business” he never lets this get in the way of previous material and gives a good balance of old and new.   And talking of new.. Tonight was the first time I’ve heard any material from “Unfinished Business” and half-way through the night I did something quite unusual and alien to me.. I put my hand in my pocket and paid the merch stand a visit..  I didn’t even try to blag a freebee!   After listening to the CD a couple of times I think its fair to say that this is IMO the best CD to date and Well worth the expense..

On the whole a it’s been a great night.. its not often that an artist manages to exceed my expectations by so much.  If you get chance to catch him live then do it..  If not, just buy the CD..

http://www.larrymiller.co.uk/index.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midlandsrocks/sets/72157627038929482/show/

Note to self...

You need to blog more you lazy git!

Matt Schofield @ The Robin

Support and other Ramblings.
Last year the discovery of the year for me were Schofields support act and local guys “The Grey Goose Blues Band”.  I was blown away with their modern twist on classic blues whilst retaining the truth and the depth of feeling contained within their own material.  TGBB were by far the best band on the night leaving the song “Sycamore Tree” embedded in my head for many months,  so this year the support band have a very high standard to reach..    
 
Well this would have been the case if there had been a support act.  Support advertised, but not in attendance, so all of us that turned up when the doors opened at 19:30 were left waiting an hour and half before we had any stage action. To get us through this support less period we had Geoff Achinson in abundance powering through the P.A , so it’s not all bad.  For those of you who have never heard of Geoff Achinson he’s an Australian blues/funk genius who manages to get fantastic sounds out of his old guitar without the need for effects pedals.. Just watching him bend and twist the guitar neck to get these amazing sounds is itself worth the ticket price.  Geoff’s   back at the Robin wed 12^th Oct.  Come on down and join the fun.. you won’t be disappointed..
http://www.geoffachison.com/

Matt Schofield
This is only Matts second visit to the Robin..  Last time the crowd was minimalistic, but it looks like the word is spreading and the crowd is pretty good for a midweek gig and all looking forward to hearing tracks from the impending CD due for official release next month.

Matt kicks off with “Don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t loving you” which is one of the tracks on the new CD and I have to confess the only one that I made a note of..  A brave move maybe, but it does set the scene for the night. Traditional and standard blues rhythms in-filled with some ass kicking riffs of pure brilliance.  

However, there are a few bum notes hidden in there too, but this is probably due to a quite nasty finger injury from the night before when he sliced his finger open on a downswing..  Matt took great delight explaining to tonight’s audience in graphic detail about how it happened, about his blood splattered guitar and how cool it must have looked.. But tonight he’s going to be a man about it and carry on as best he can.

At least half of tonight’s set comes from the impending CD and I have to admit that I’m not really inspired by what I’ve heard tonight, but this is often the case when hearing material for the first time.  For me the songs tend to be too long with little content.. guitar riffs when they happen are sublime, awe inspiring and captivating.. this is what he is good at and he’s a joy to watch during these moments, but for me they really didn’t happen anywhere near enough which tended to leave the songs feeling empty and flat.
I also got the feeling that not enough time was spent practicing the new material before going on the road.  There were far too many prolonged pauses with Matt often looking quite lost as he tries to remember the intro to the new material..  Hopefully he will get this in the bag before the end of the tour.

In my last Schofield review I commented that there was something missing that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.. I now know what it is.. When he plays the guitar, throws a riff out for the audience to ponder over or just loses himself in the moment, its full of feeling that just carries you along, whether you want to be carried or not.  However when he sings it’s not there..  no emotion at all.  It’s not that he has a bad voice it’s just that he doesn’t let himself go the same as he does with the guitar, which is a shame.

In conclusion:  I made the comment last time that I came away singing TGGBs “Sycamore Tree” ... Well I’m afraid nothing’s really changed other than this time I left with it playing on my phone. 
http://www.mattschofield.net/

The week ahead.

Well I've finally got over last weeks fiasco and am ready to embrace the week ahead..

This week I'll be shooting "Girls with guitars" which is every mans dream followed by another female shoot for GB Promotions on the weekend... In short this week is going to be full of beautiful women so for the most part I will be smiling..

No more weeks like last week please.

Well that was a terrible week on the gig front.. Mix-up Saxons management end meant no pass for the wolves gig.. Tommy Castro gig cancelled because he needed a few days break and passes for tomorrows Magnum gig revoked!!   Such is the life of a gig tog..

This I can live with. but the real kick in the balls is finding out that some retarded tosser that doesn't know one end of the camera from the other and consistently produces blurred images will be shooting at both Saxons and Magnum's gigs...  To say I'm ever so slightly pissed off with things at the moment is an understatement..

Roll on next week..  it has to get better!  doesn't it?

John Waite - Rough & Tumble Review

Right before we start its confession time. I never liked John Waite! I always found his music to be dull, boring, bland etc. the list of negative verbose diarrheic from my POV is endless, but I’m in a pretty good mood so I wont bore you with it. Other than to add that if I had my way his 1982 single “Missing You” would be made illegal and any radio station found guilty of playing it would be nuked!!

By now I suspect that several of you may be wondering why the hell I’m reviewing a CD by someone that I obviously dislike so much? The answer is quite simple. I was kidnapped by aliens and forced to go to go to his gig at the Robin last year and I’m not ashamed to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. But in my defence It was quite obvious that here was an artist going through a period of change and finally starting to find his own groove, so when the option to review the “Rough and Tumble” CD came up I jumped at it.

For this cd we have a new writing partnership of Waite and Kyle Cook for most of the tracks and it shows.. In the promo pack we get Waite says that “it’s not what people would expect from me, it’s a step to the left” and for most part he really isn’t kidding.

By the 3rd note of the title track “Rough and Tumble” you’re tapping your feet. It has a great hook that just pulls you along and by the 2nd chorus you’re singing along and the air guitar makes an appearance… damn this is good this is what I wanted to hear.

My hopes for the rest of the cd are soaring and then dashed in an instant.. “Shadows of Love”.. what is this shit?.. noooo 80s regression.. this has to be the worst track on the cd.. it encompasses everything you don’t want to hear in a rock song.. “you go your way, I’ll go mine, but you’re still my girl”.. wtf is this crap? THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO HEAR.. god I thought “Missing You” was bad!! Tip.. might be an idea to skip this track if you’re feeing a little suicidal.. you’ve been warned.

After the above glitch the cd starts to sort it out again.. “Its Evil’s” got a funky kind of groove going on and although the air guitar stays in its case for most part its still enjoyable fare as are most of the 12 tracks. There’s also a cracking cover of Turners “Sweet Rhode Island Red” which gets me up and dancing round the room again with plenty opportunity to once again practice the air guitar.

Now in the promo pack it says that all 12 tracks are single contenders, but I’m not sure. On the whole it’s a damn good cd and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to it over the last week or so but there are 4 tracks that really stand out for me. We have a reworked “Mr Wonderful”, which was originally released on his debut solo album “Ignition”. Then there’s “Rough and Tumble”, “Further The Sky” and the absolutely beautiful last track “Hanging Tree”… yep I said beautiful!! This single track makes you forget the not so good stuff and makes the journey worth while.

For me this CD is a massive improvement on anything that Waite has released before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a shame it has taken him so long to get there but I for one hope that Waite continues down this path of enlightenment.

Rant and rambles..

The Slade Rooms in wolves... one major subject that pisses me off is lighting.. now i know not all small venues can afford the greatest kit, but when a "new" venue has a great set of lightting, but for whatever fucking reason known only to themselves, refuses to use it really PISSES me off..  if I wanted to work in darkness I'd become a coal miner..  get your act together!!  and while i'm ranting.. get shot od those chanddeliers.. they make more noise than your PA system..

other news... looks like the company where i've been storing all my archives pictures has ceased opperation.. this means that the "archived models & gigs" part of the site is down until I can find another relaible storage provider.  as soon as one is found i'll look at uploading it all again.

Quick update

Have  added the recent Revamp & Epica shoot to the site.. full screen flickr slideshow here.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/midlandsrocks/sets/72157626245781596/show/

Virgil & The Accelerators shoot can be found here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midlandsrocks/sets/72157626075259301/show/

Also.. looks like the server where I store all the archived gig/model shoots has gone tits up.. currently looking to find a new location to store these images. 

Mitch Laddie and Danni Wilde @ The Robin 2

Mitch Laddie

Right so its first gig of the year and I’m at the Robin 2, here in sunny Bilston to catch  a couple of up and coming blues performers; Mitch Laddie and Dani Wild..  Although I’ve not seen either of them live before, I have been playing their latest cd’s constantly ‘which I’d like to add are both enjoyable’ over the past couple of months so my expectations for tonight are rather high.

First to step up to the plate (my new catchphrase) is Mitch Laddie who kicks off with “Awakening”, which is the first track from his new “This Time Around” cd.  It’s jazz funk style intro tickles your ears in a very Geoff Achison kind of way, lulling you into a false sense of security and then WHAM it hits you full on like a bloody freight train.  In many ways its quite reminiscent to the outro of Fleewood Macs “The Chain” only this is a thousand times better.. On the cd this sounds good, live sounds absolutely fantastic. 

The mood is set and Mitch keeps things ticking nicely over for the next hour, taking the tempo up and down.  From ground level raw blues of “Here’s a drink” to the jazz, blues, funk feel of  “Me Johnson” , both from the new cd and both potential classics.

As for Mitch himself it’s really hard to label him with any specific blues style.  He plays with the emotion of Sayce and Achinson and the maturity of Santana.  There’s also glimpses o; f Martin Taylor, Alex Skoinick and Greg Howe in there too.  Not only does this make his playing style both complete and unique, but it also makes him a joy to watch.  It really is hard to believe that this guy is still only 20 years old.  Definitely one of the best young British blues players I’ve had the pleasure to see in a very long time.

It’s not all about Mitch though; I’d also like to take the time to mention his bass player Rhian Wilkinson, who, lets be honest is not the most charismatic bass player that I’ve ever seen, BUT, he is the first person that has ever made me want to learn to play the bass.  His interaction with Mitch was superb, never understating or overstating his place on stage, no competing egos, just a perfect musical marriage.  Now I finally understand why it’s cool to play the bass.

Great set guys.. Look forward to seeing you again in the future.

Set list:

Awakening, So Excited (SRV), Get You Back, Out Of My Mind (John Mayer), What Are You Living For?, Here's a Drink, Mr. Johnson & This Time Around.

http://www.mitchladdie.com

----------------------------------------------------------------- 

Dani Wilde

With 2 cds now under her belt Dani is getting quite a reputation for being a damn good blues player / songstress, so I’m looking forward to this set, possibly more than I normally would.

She kicks off the set with “Little by Little”, which is one of my favourites from her first cd “Heal My Blues“.  However the delivery doesn’t quite grab and she seems a little nervous, but this seems to settle down as we make our way through the first song. “Red Blooded Women” is next up from the new “Shine” cd and wow.. what a difference, what a voice.  Not quite as raunchy as Joanne Shaw Taylor, she’s quite a bit more soulful and has a tonal range that reminds me of Skin from “Skunk Anansie”  which is good.

Joining Dani on stage is her brother “Will ‘Harmonica’ Wilde” who when not gigging with Dani has his own band “The Neptune Blues Band”, but I digress.  Now as you might have guessed from the hint in his name Will plays the harp, which, as anyone that really knows me will tell you is quite possibly my favourite instrument of all time.  Now getting back to the cd “Shine”.. I like it, but there’s something missing and I realized what it was tonight and that’s the harp.. Although it is there on the cd its too far in the background and not a dominant force, but tonight its in your face and its bloody beautiful, this is how it should be and not over produced out of existence.. Short rant over.

Halfway through the set Dani loses a string.  Un-phased Dani brings the acoustic out a few songs earlier than planned and carries on with the original set, leaving Will to cover the big solos on the harp.  However,  whilst as a harp lover this was great for me, I just find it hard to understand why she didn’t have a spare guitar in the wings?

This aside it works well and we get to the end of the set and then Will is kicked back onto stage to do an impromptu solo whilst Dani restrings her guitar, which was pretty impressive to ay the least, not the stringing of the guitar, but Wills singing.  Guitar restrung were treated to one more song before the lights go up and its all over.

Well I walked into the Robin with very high expectations and I wasn’t in the least disappointed,  Dani was a revelation to me and a joy to behold.  The added bonus for me though was Will.. I don’t think he will ever be remembered as a great harp player, but he’s pretty good and he managed to introduce a new dimension to Danis music that I hadn’t heard on the CD.  

In brief - A fantastic night that was over far too quick and left me wanting more.

Set list:

Little by Little, Red Blooded Woman, Shine, Some Kinda Crazy, Abandoned Child, Slow Coach, Love Me Like A Man, Bring Your Lovin Home, Miss You & In The Mood.

http://www.daniwilde.com/

Black Country Communion @ The Civic halls, Wolverhampton. - 29.12.10

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midlandsrocks/sets/72157625578173373

Yearly round up to follow..

19.02.11
Well what happened to the yearly round-up?  It didnt happen, i'm afraid, mainly due to health reasons that I won't bore you with.  All I will say is; 2010, on the whole,  was a fantastic yuear for me on the gig tog point.. I got to see some fantastic bands, meet some wonderful people even made a little money, which is good.

Highlight of the year for me was "Black Country Communion" with "Eric Bibb" coming a very close second.. what a contrast.

Much thanks to Pete and the Midlands Rocks team who helped make 2010 such a great year.

And a special mention has to go to Mike for putting such a great little venue on my doorstep.. Of cours I'm talking about the Robin 2.  http://www.therobin.co.uk/