Reviews roundup – Jeff Healey vs. Grand Slam vs. Amelia Curran vs. Red Sun Revival vs. UFO

Reviews roundup – Jeff Healey vs. Grand Slam vs. Amelia Curran vs. Red Sun Revival vs. UFO

THE JEFF HEALEY BAND
Live At The Horseshoe Tavern 1993
Eagle Rock

He’s been a busy man since his sad demise in 2008 when he lost his battle with cancer at the age of only 41.  And here’s another live album to keep you going.  If memory serves, this is the fourth one, and sees him captured live at The Horseshoe Tavern in the company of Joe Rockman on bass, Tom Stephen on drums, keyboardist Washington Savage and backup singers Mischke and Toucu.

He was touring the “Feel This” album, at the time, his third album, and one that saw the first stage of his career coming to a close.  Now he was a great singer with a good back up group, so the music here is first rate.  No doubt about it.  His mix of blues and hard rock was a potent one, and from the opening ‘Baby’s Lookin’ Hot’ and ‘The House That Love Built’, he’s in fine fettle.

Then it’s on into a cover of ZZ Top’s ‘Blue Jean Blues’ before a mellow run through of ‘I Think I Love You Too Much’.  And the rest of it is very enjoyable, bar a turgid go at the Doors’ ‘Roadhouse Blues’. But then he had been in the “Road House” film a few years earlier, so I suppose it makes sense.  I also never cared for ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, but those songs aside, this is an excellent reminder of how good Mr Healey was.

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GRAND SLAM
Waiting For Tomorrow
independent

Grand Slam – no relation to Grand Slam or Grand Slamm – are, apparently, quite well known in Sweden having been formed as a project to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2008.  They’ve submitted a song every year since, without getting close to the elusive prize, and now they’re releasing an EP.

Despite their history, it’s only recently that they firmed up a lineup to play live and promote their music, and this EP of eighties styled melodic / sleaze rock is the next step.  And it’s alright. After all, the Scandinavians are very good at this sort of thing, and even if they never hit the heights of bands like H.E.A.T, they give good melody.

The opener, ‘Get High’, is the best of the bunch with a cracking riff, although the title track runs it close, as it really pushes the keyboards up front to good effect.

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AMELIA CURRAN
They Promised You Mercy
Blue Rose

Seven albums since 2000, and this is the first one I’ve encountered.  Which is my loss, as Ms Curran is a telant to enjoy.  For sure, it’s that whole rootsy, folky, singer songwritery thing that so many do, but with an engaging voice and some interesting songs, it makes for a whole that is a bit of a treat.

It rarely moves out of first gear, but when she wheels out a song from the top drawer, such as ‘Coming For You’, ‘Somebody Somewhere’ and ‘I Am the Night’, then you get the feeling of an old friend who’s reappeared in your life, and it’s as if time hadn’t passed.

Anyone who likes their music heartfelt and bounteous should be buying this record in a hurry.

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RED SUN REVIVAL
Embers
Echozone

Here’s a blast from the past (ish).  See, a few years back I heard an album by a band called The Eden House, which I drooled over rather obscenely.  Well, the debut album from Red Sun Revival was produced by Steve Carey of ‘The Eden House, so I’m rather annoyed I missed it.

But at least I get to catch up with their new EP, and it’s a wee cracker, dripping in gothic melancholia, just the way I like it.  The band were formed by Rob Leydon, who was involved before also in bands such as Voices Of Masada, Adoration, Nosferatu and The Eden House, and together with Matt Helm, Panos Theodoropoulos  and Christina Emery has come up with a very enticing sound indeed.

The opening song, ‘Mistakes’ actually misleads slightly as things turn downtempo a bit sharpish after that, but when you reach songs like ‘Broken’ and ‘Embers’, then you’re off into a world where Anathema used to rule supreme.  And that’s a good place for anyone to be.

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UFO
A Conspiracy Of Stars
Steamhammer / SPV

Time for a new UFO album.  Now that used to be an exciting time, and while it’s still not unexciting, the last few albums have seen UFO finding a middle of the road groove and sticking to it.  It started with “The Visitor”, continued with “Seven Deadly” and carries on with “A Conspiracy Of Stars”.

I suppose it’s because it’s really the Vinnie Moore band these days, and although he’s a great guitarist, he’s not a great songwriter.  The same can be said of the new bass player who contributes a couple of songs and Paul Raymond who has one.  So, whereas the performances are exemplary, there isn’t really one song that makes you punch the air.

Phil Mogg hasn’t lost much of his voice over the years, and is experienced enough to stick to the range he’s comfortable in, and when the band step out of line, as they do on ‘Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun’, then you can hear what made UFO great the first time around.

Rather annoyingly, it’s out in a multitude of formats, so completists will have to pony up for the jewel case, digipack and LP versions.  I’m glas that UFO are still there and still recorfing, but I’m even happier that they’re still heading out on tour and arriving in the UK for a lengthy April / May tour.

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