Steve Hunter - Before The Lights Go Out

Steve Hunter - Before The Lights Go Out - 2017

"Before The Lights Go Out" is long time Alice Cooper/Lou Reed Guitarist Steve Hunter's latest solo album. The cover art and title make a statement about his failing eyesight, but don't make the mistake of thinking this is a quiet wave goodbye. As soon as you put on the first track, you will know that this is more like a Blues Rock Declaration of Independence! There are sexy grooves, luscious guitar tones and melodies galore.

As with all Hunter's releases, there is some diversity and sound imagery, not least of which is Tienes Mi Corazón where alongside his nylon string improvisation comes the sound of his own heart. And listen out for Joe Satriani adding his fire to the heat of "Mojo Man."

Also joining Steve on a couple of tracks are two great Bass players: Erik Scott can be heard on "Mojo Man," Erik is also an Alice Cooper alumni. On "Under The Bodhi Tree" is Andy Stoller. Steve and Andy toured together with Tracy Chapman during the "Telling Stories" album period, most recently Andy has been touring with Ann Wilson of Heart.

Steve Hunter is his own man; he has been around the block with a forty-five year career.

From his 1973 solos on Alice Cooper's "Billion Dollar Babies" album, his legendary acoustic work on Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill," his "Intro" to Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" and his searing opening solos on Aerosmith's version of "Train Kept A Rolling" Most recently he can be heard on Alice Cooper's 2017 album "Paranormal" making this his ninth Cooper album appearance. The Deacon is not done yet but his life is evolving! He has challenges playing live now but his honed skill, tone, power and soul, is dished up on this hot plate of guitar driven instrumental tastiness.

01. On The Edge Of Uncertainty
02. Mojo Man
03. Summer's Eve
04. Cinderblock
05. Softtail Deuce
06. Tienes Mi Corazón (You Have My Heart)
07. Ice Storm
08. Under The Bodhi Tree
09. The Other Side Of The Coin
10. Happy Trails (vocal Karen Hunter)





 
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Too Smooth - Still (Repost)

Too Smooth - Still  - 2011

Formed in 1973, Too Smooth featured stunning songs and twin guitar runs; intricate time changes and fall-off-the-cliff dynamics; riverine vocal melodies, close gospel harmonies and bubbling musical improvisations. These were elements of what was coming to be called progressive rock and associated with acts ranging from Yes to Wishbone Ash - yet Too Smooth also offered a decided tip of the hat to the proud tradition of Lone Star boogie, blues, and hard rock. Too Smooth should have become one of the most successful rock acts in the world; as it turned out, they had to settle for simply being one of the best.

CD 1
01. Crippled Duck
02. You Say When
03. Friends
04. Smile
05. Leavin' It Up to You
06. Try a Little Magic
07. Let Me Be
08. You & I
09. Windmill
10. I Love the Way
11. Song For the World
12. Soon Our Time Will Come - Mamie Mama (medley)

 

CD 2
01. It Must Be Love
02. Here to Stay
03. I Love You
04. Man Knows Nothing
05. Texas Hospitality
06. Lonesome Road Back Home
07. You Take Me to Paradise
08. Just Be Yoursself
09. Believe In Me
10. Don't Stop Lovin' Me
11. Where Has All the Magic Gone?
12. Nobody Knows Me Like I Do




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Dean Ford - Feel My Heartbeat

Dean Ford - Feel My Heartbeat - 2017

from The MusePatrol

In 1969 a Scottish group named The Marmalade hit the charts in a big way with their Top Three ballad, “Reflections of My Life”. It was a melancholic look back at life, sung by a young singer/songwriter who had not yet lived it. The singer was Dean Ford (Born Thomas McAleese). The Marmalade made their splash and suffered the fate of many entrants into the 60’s sweepstakes. They had a couple of hits and faded into history, only to return sporadically on oldies radio, the odd soundtrack or the occasional K-Tel compilation.

Ford has now released a new solo album, “Feel My Heartbeat”. It’s a no-nonsense, filler free affair containing 10 songs with a strong narrative flow. The subjects are love, searching, mortality, progeny and acceptance of what is and what might have been.

Dean has returned to the music business after a long sabbatical and possibly felt the need to reintroduce himself to fans he left behind decades ago.  The irony is, “Reflections of My Life” is far more relevant and poignant a statement now than it was for Dean Ford in the year 1969. The man has aged but the voice retains its youthful aspect  that comprise “Feel My Heartbeat”.

01. Heaven in Your Eyes
02. Hello Bright Eyes
03. Feel My Heartbeat
04. Crazy About a Girl
05. Under Your Wing
06. Cosmos
07. Room in My Heart
08. Stay Awhile
09. Over Yesterday
10. Dance a Little Dance








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Rudy Romero - To The World (Re-Post)

Rudy Romero - To The World - 1973

from BadCatRecordings
What little attention this album seems to get stems from George Harrison's supposed appearance on four of tracks (the performance credits don't list Harrison).  If true, that's not a bad claim to fame, but the album actually has much more going for it.

Rudy Romeo's initial claim to fame came as a member of San Diego's The Hardtimes.  When that band and a one-shot follow-up The New Phoenix called it quits Romero struck out in pursuit of a solo career and in the early 1970s was signed to the Colorado-based Tumbleweed imprint.  Produced by former Hardtimes singer Lee Keifer, 1973's "To the World" found Romero working with an impressive list of musicians.  In addition to the supposed Harrison appearance, the line up included Clear Light keyboardist Ralph Schuckett, Things To Come bassist Bryan Garofalo, and former Undertakers drummer Warren Pemerton.  To my ears Romero had a highly commercial voice that was well suited to the pop and softer rock materials he wrote.  In fact most of the ten Romero-penned tracks had at least some degree of commercial potential, with 'If I Had the Time' and '' being two of the two highlights.  So back to Harrison for a moment: if you believe the story he played on four tracks -  ‘Lovely Lady,' ‘Nothin' Gonna Get You Down,' ‘Doing The Right Thing,' and ‘If I Had Time'.  To be honest about it, I've got my doubts, due in part to the fact Harrison's mid-1970s playing style with a heavy emphasis on slide guitar was very unique and easy to spot.  With the exception of the title track, none of the guitar work on the collection reminded me of that style.  Who knows ...  In an interview with Patrick 'The Lama' Lundborg, fellow Tumbleweed artist Robb Kunkle was clear in saying Harrison played on the album.  

01. Simple Thing
02. To The World
03. Anyway We Can
04. Lovely Lady
05. If I Find The Time
06. Notihing Gonna Get You Down
07. Level Out
08. You Used to Be So Light
09. Love Comes (When It Wants to Anyway)
10. Doing The Right Thing

Rudy Romero - Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
John Ussery - Guitar
Bryan Garofalo - Bass
Warren "Bugs" Pemberton - Drums
Peggy Sanding, Ralph Schuckett - Keyboards
Lee Kiefer - Percussion, Vocals (Background)
James M. McGee, William Hinshaw, Arthur Maebe - French Horn
Dalton Smith, Ollie Mitchell - Trumpet
William Hurasch, Sid Sharp, Ralph Schaeffer - Violin
Harold Diner, Robert Knight - Trombone
Venetta Fields, Clydie King - Vocals (Background)
Joey Deaguero - Vibraphone, Vocals (Background)
Jesse Ehrlich -  Cello







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