|
|
 |
|
|
|
register |
bbs |
search |
rss |
faq |
about
|
|
|
meet up |
add to del.icio.us |
digg it
|
|
|
|
Album Reviews: Colin James, Styx
******************************************************************
GROANIN MITCHELL'S ROCK AND ROLL BBS
NEWSLETTER
*****************************************************************
Volume 2, Issue 3
August 13, 1990
----------------------------
ALBUM REVIEWS
=================
******************************************************************
Salutations for another week!! How's things in
musicland? We're going to keep the format of the last couple of
weeks. That is, a current album review and a classic album
review. If you would like to write a review and have it posted
here, please feel free to. Any music, any style, whatever you'd
feel like doing..Anyway..here we go..
*****************************************************************
CURRENT ALBUM
===============
COLIN JAMES
+++++++++++++++
SUDDEN STOP
+++++++++++++++
Colin James released his debut L.P., in 1989. That
album did well enough, that it established his name around North
America. The single "Voodoo Thing" was played extensively just
about everywhere.
Well, the lad from Vancouver has released his sophomore
L.P., "Sudden Stop". "James" is an extremely talented guitarist
in the same vein as the Texas, blues-rock players. He's young,
(23 years old, I believe) and has a cocky self assured air in his
playing and attitude. On this album, it seems he's been given the
green light to take what he does best, and go with it. What he
does best is blend a tough chunky feel with tasty, sometimes
gritty guitar licks.
Virgin records recruited ZZ Top's producer, Joe Hardy
to work on this L.P., and the results are obvious. "Sudden Stop"
has a nice range of different songs, but never loses it's
cohesiveness. "Just Came Back" is the first single release. It
starts with some low-key delta blues slide work, and then erupts
into a chugging, floor shaking rocker. Also, Colin pays tribute
to his roots, with one song paying homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan,
and another paying tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Bonnie Raitt sings a
guest vocal on the tune "Give It Up".
Songwriter Jerry Williams contributes four songs to
this album. Williams writes for Eric Clapton and B.B. King.
Obviously the record industry is taking Colin James seriously,
and rightly so! "Just Came Back" was the number 10 most played
rock track in the states last week. As I'm writing this, Q-107
just announced that "Just Came Back" is the number 1 rock track
in Canada!!!
My experience tells me that getting past the success of
a debut album, and bettering it on the second, is one of the most
difficult things to do in the music business. Congratulations to
Colin James. He's done it, and in a big way.
******************************************************************
CLASSIC ALBUM
=================
STYX
+++++++
CRYSTAL BALL
++++++++++++++++
Styx was a band that formed in the mid 70s. They were
originally a show band that made the transition to pop-rock. They
eventually had a slew of hit albums and single until they broke
up in 1985, so that lead singer Dennis DeYoung could pursue a
solo career.
Their best album was one of their first. An album
called "Crystal Ball". The group had just hired a second
guitarist-songwriter named Tommy Shaw, (Damn Yankees). The
founding member, guitar player James Young was continually
underestimated, but in truth he was the backbone and driving
force behind "Styx". If you listen to the classis "Come Sail
Away", you'll see what I mean.
"Crystal Ball" is a superb combination of hard kicking
rock, beautiful ballads and 70s theatrical style music. Shaw and
DeYoung were the main writers at that time, but James Young is
listed in the writing credits as co-writer on many of the songs.
The first track, "Put Me On", is a perfect example of
the theatrical-rock style. From the first note, you can picture
them opening their live performances with it. "Mademoiselle" is a
tough sounding guitar song, balanced by exciting three piece
harmonies. "Crystal Ball" is to me, easily the best tune on the
album. Superbly sung and written by Tommy Shaw, it takes you from
soft ballad verse, into a haunting, rocking chorus. "Shooz" is
the fun tune on the album. Just a good old fashioned boogie, Styx
style. "This Old Man" is a beautiful ballad by Dennis Deyoung.
Styx went on to write many excellent tunes after
"Crystal Ball". "Babe", "Come Sail Away" and "Miss America" to
name a few. But, I still feel the flavour and excitement of
"Crystal Ball" represents their best work.
Lie back in your favourite chair, dim the lights, and
turn up the stereo if you give it listen. It'll take you back to
all of the things that were great about the seventies!!
*****************************************************************
That's it for this week. Hope you enjoyed the reviews.
Really, writing an album review isn't that hard, especially if
your writing about a favourite you've heard many times. Give it a
shot!!! We won't bite!!
Thanks for reading..
Rock Star..
|
|
|
To the best of our knowledge, the text on this page may be freely reproduced and distributed.
If you have any questions about this, please check out our Copyright Policy.
totse.com certificate signatures
|
|
|
About | Advertise | Bad Ideas | Community | Contact Us | Copyright Policy | Drugs | Ego | Erotica
FAQ | Fringe | Link to totse.com | Search | Society | Submissions | Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
