CD Reviews : Music critic Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some interesting new releases
Resident music critic Kevin Bryan gives us his take on the latest CD releases
Our resident music critic Kevin Bryan has given us his veridct on the latest CD releases this week - and here is what he thinks.
“No Static At All-A Journey Into AOR” (Cherry Red Records)- The term “Album Orientated Rock” was first employed on American FM during the early seventies, providing the country’s radio programmers with an all encompassing format for the melodic delights delivered by a wide array of classic rock acts.
Many of the radio friendly creations showcased in this 3 CD archive anthology didn’t make too much of an impact on the public consciousness on this side of the Atlantic but a few bona fide chart successes have been included to add a little commercial appeal to the proceedings, with John Parr’s “St.Elmo’s Fire,” Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone” and Robert Palmer’s 1986 cover of Cherrelle’s “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” emerging as three of the musical highlights. Compiler Kent Miller has also found space for a string of superior album tracks from the likes of Journey, Styx and Gregg Allman.
Carl Verheyen Band, “Promised Future” (Wienerworld)-Veteran singer and guitarist Carl Verheyen is probably best known these days for his contributions to several Supertramp albums and his work as a Los Angeles session musician.
The critically acclaimed Californian leads a fine band in his own right too, and “Promised Future” provides a fine vehicle for his crisp and concise guitar work as he serves up some excellent self-penned material for your listening pleasure alongside a splendid cover of Jesse Colin Young’s “Light Shine” and an eight minute long live tribute to his old friend and Supertramp colleague Rick Davies in the shape of “Take The Long Way Home.”
Atomic Rooster, “Friday the 13th-The BBC Sessions 1970-1981” (Cherry Red / Esoteric)-This newly remastered 2 CD set brings together all the surviving BBC Sessions and Concert appearances that the various incarnations of this distinctive rock outfit captured for posterity during their decade or so together, showcasing five hitherto unreleased tracks as well as their complete John Peel Sunday Concert appearance from 1971.
The band led by keyboard ace Vincent Crane actually went through quite a few stylistic changes over the years but it’s their early prog influenced output which captures Rooster at their brilliant best and listeners are rewarded here with a couple of versions of each of their memorable hit singles, “Devil’s Answer” and “Tomorrow Night.”