Reviews roundup – Magnum vs. Christopher Cross vs. Jim Stapley vs. Charlie Wood vs. Danny B Harvey & Mysti Moon

Reviews roundup – Magnum vs. Christopher Cross vs. Jim Stapley vs. Charlie Wood vs. Danny B Harvey & Mysti Moon

MAGNUM
On Christmas Day
Steamhammer / SPV

It’s Chrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiissssssstttttmmas!!!!!!!!!!

And to celebrate same, melodic prog rockers Magnum have put out a record that recreates the glam rock stompers of the seventies.  Sorry, that should read, melodic prog rockers Magnum have put out a record that recreates the melodic prog rock of the eighties.

And as you would expect from Magnum, it’s a wee treat, as they commemorate Xmas Day 1914, when the Germans and English called temporary truces so that they could mingle in no man’s land.  There are no surprises, as Magnum never fail to deliver the goods, although there is some biting guitar work from Tony Clarkin both on this, and the B-side (in old money), ‘Born To Be King’.  The lead track has more bite than it did back in 1994, and for once a rerecording seems worth it.  The three track digital thing has two versions of the lead track, and it’s also coming out as a limited edition of one thousand 10” vinyl singles.  And they’re back on tour in December;

1st December           CAMBRIDGE Junction
2nd December          SHEFFIELD The Corporation
3rd December           PRESTON 53 Degrees
4th December           MIDDLESBOROUGH Empire
5th December           BILSTON Robin 2
7th December           PORTHCAWL, WALES Planet RockStock (headline)

CHRISTOPHER CROSS
Secret Ladder
earMusic

It’s Christopher Cross from the eighties.  Back in 2009 I actually enjoyed his “The Café Carlyle Sessions” release, even though it meant I was officially old.  And this one is rather good as well, as befits the only human being to win the four top Grammy awards in one year (1981): Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also for “Sailing”), and Best New Artist. Show off.

Thirty years on, and he’s still mining a soft rock vein, albeit one with some harder hitting lyrics than you would imagine.  His voice hasn’t aged, and he knows his way around a melody, which helps songs like ‘V’, ‘Light The World’ and ‘Simple’ stick in your brain.  It’s also chock full of top musical talent including bassist Will Lee (Late Night with David Letterman), drummer Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Toto), guitarist Eric Johnson, saxophonist David Mann, and vocalists Michael McDonald and Jeff Foskett (Brian Wilson’s musical director).

The million selling years may be over, but musically, he is as good as ever.

JIM STAPLEY
Long Time Coming
MITA

This seems to be out properly now, so here’s a repeat of my review from May.

Jim Stapley has been beavering away for ages now, both on the club circuit, and as a go to singer for folks well past their sell by date,hence the appropriate album title.  Which means he’s gigged with the likes of Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones and Kenny Jones (The Faces / The Who).

And that’s the kind of thing that probably got Tony Visconti involved as producer of this debut album.  Now even though this is, at heart, a seventies roots kind of thing, I’m delighted that an entire kitchen sink has been thrown at it. Something sadly lacking nowadays.  So as well as a basic band of CJ Evans (drums), Tom Swann (bass), and guitarists Ricky Glover and Johnson-Jay Mewik-Daley, Tony Visconti adds string arrangements, keyboards come from Josh Phillips and James Arben provides tenor and bass sax.  But.  Yes, I said but. There is still room for a string quartet of Rachel Dawson, Sarah Tuke, Polly Wiltshire and Catriona Parker plus (Plus!) Mollie Marriott, Rachel Leavesley and Jessica Morgan on backing vocals. It’s like the last forty years were a bad dream.

And musically, it’s a bit of a doozy, with a cracker of an opener in the shape of ‘No Good Reason’, which could be a lost Bad Company tune, a killer ballad in the shape of ‘Hurricane’, some roots rock on ‘My Way Home’ and another excellent ballad in ‘My Own Worst Enemy’.  For sure, things tail off slightly over the last couple of songs, but then all albums are too long nowadays.

Stapley is a magnificent singer, and he must really regret being born out time.  But those of a certain vintage will lap this up

CHARLIE WOOD
New Souvenirs
Perdido

Hmm, nice.  It’s jazz time.  One of those people who seem to be everywhere, but whose name escapes you, he’s Mr Jacqui Dankworth in real life, so he’s practically jazz royalty.  But as a singer and keyboard player, he can stand on his own two feet.

Well regarded over here, he’s a regular at jazz festivals and venues, and this record will do his profile a power of good.  There is some great music and some witty asides, and with a cracking backing band and good production, songs like ‘Winter Song’, ‘Detache’ and ‘Mercy’ are the kind of thing you will return to time and again.

Not just for hard core jazz fans, this is deserving of a much wider audience.

DANNY B HARVEY & Mysti Moon
Hell Cat Stomp
Rock A Billy

I know Danny B Harvey from The Head Cat (with Lemmy from Motörhead and Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats), as well as The Swing Cats (which had Lee Rocker in place of Lemmy), so I was not surprised to get some red hot rockabilly blasting in my ears.

He’s teamed up with former Devil’s Daughter, Mysti Moon, for this release, and together they rampage through some well known tunes from years gone by.  So you’re getting ‘Black Betty’, ‘When The Levee Breaks’, ‘St. James Infirmary Blues’ and many other weel kent tunes.

The originals (five of twelve) don’t quite match up, but the performance levels are enough to keep you listening.  Me, I loved it, and it’s on repeat play for the forseeable future.