Reviews roundup – Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival vs. The Flock vs. Blasted vs. Dave Goddess Group

Reviews roundup – Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival vs. The Flock vs. Blasted vs. Dave Goddess Group
Various Artists
A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival
Cleopatra

Well, I like the blues. And I like Creedence Clearwater Revival. So, what’s not to like? Well, nothing, really. Of course, no-one is ever going to do better than CCR at these tunes, and when people try to do something different, then it mucks up a good song (say hello to The Mynabirds).

No, it all works best when people stick to the blues. So the winners are the people you would expect to come out top. So that’s Mike Zito, Sonny Landreth, Duke Robillard and Kirk Fletcher. The best surprise, however, is the funky yet downbeat take on ‘Proud Mary’ by Blitzen Trapper. Well done, folks.

If the first two sentences apply to you, then you should enjoy this. But much as it pains me to say so, you might want to download the highlights first.

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THE FLOCK
Heaven Bound: The Lost Album
Purple Pyramid

When is a Flock album not a Flock album? When it’s a collection of later period demos from a post Flock project called Strategic Ear Command. Although it does feature founding members Fred Glickstein, Jerry Smith and Ron Karpman alongside a dozen other musicians.

But that’s not to say it’s without merit, even if it a lot more mainstream than the earlier material when they were doing the whole Blood, Sweat & Tears jazz fusion thing. There are some good songs on here, such as the title track, ‘Love Away’ and ‘Rolling With The Clones’.

There is some excellent guitar work in particular, but I don’t know who does what as the sleeve notes don’t go into detail. It’s a wee bit unfocussed, as you would expect from a non-album album, but if your bag is seventies melodic rock with a touch of jazz pop fusion, then it’s worth a listen.

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BLASTED
Curtain Call
Orca

Time for some modern, yet old school metal, and we’re off to the cantons of Switzerland to catch up with Blasted. And blast they do.

Formed by Nico (guitar), Simon (drums), Guillaume (bass) and Carlos (vocals) they give the horns up to Pantera, Lamb Of God and Stone Sour for their riffs and melodies. They’ve got a wee bit of form as well, as they’ve punted out a few albums since forming in 2006, as well as touring with the likes of Pro Pain, Samael, Zuul Fx and Gurd.

And they make a good racket, especially on tunes like ‘Somebody Stop Me’ and ‘Lost Knowledge’, which mix up the aggression with some technical and interesting arrangements. A good ‘un, this.

http://www.blasted.ch/

DAVE GODDESS GROUP
Blown Away
independent

Off to New York City for our final offering of the day, and it’s an EP from the Dave Goddess Group who comprise Dave Goddess (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, and percussion), Mark Buschi (bass guitar, background vocals), Tom Brobst (keyboards, saxophone, flute) and Tom Bazylak (drums.

And it’s quite interesting, as it seems to veer between Tom Petty like seventies rock lite and more modern alt rock. An odd combination, but one that works rather well. And just when you think you’re comfortable out blasts a squalling saxophone solo. It’s one way of keeping you on your toes.

Throw in some legally obligatory seventies chick backing vocals, and it’s getting better by the minute. I must admit, though, I’m not the biggest fan of the lead vocals, but when the band kicks in I can forgive a lot.

It’s only the ballad ‘Fall From Grace’ that fails to get a pass mark from me, and on this four track offering I’ll be listening out for more.

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