Reviews roundup – Tarja vs. Thor vs. Timothy Craig vs. Jessica’s Theme Band vs.Purpendicular
TARJA
Luna Park Ride
earmusic
“Luna Park Ride” is the third live album released by Tarja Turunen since her departure from Nightwish. Which, if you exclude her Christmas album, equals the number of studio sets. Now I don’t mind that as I’m a huge Tarja fan, but this release is a bit of an odd cove. See, “Luna Park Ride” was previously included in the limited edition of the previous live album “Act I”. So releasing it again is a bit of a kick in the teeth for the hardcore collectors.
It’s also out as a Blu-Ray and DVD as well as on CD and vinyl, but the show wasn’t actually filmed. Instead they’ve collated fan video from mobile phones and hand held cameras,most of which is on YouTube. The claim is it’s “made for you by you”. But you still have to pay for it. And some of the footage is a bit shit. Which, thankfully, leaves the 70 minutes of bonus material. And that’s where you’ll find some wheat amongst the chaff.
The bonus material is a hodge podge of festival appearances and club shows ranging from 2010 to 2014 including the 2010 show at Masters Of Rock in the Czech Republic with choir and full orchestra, something that is the highlight of the package. There is also material from Summerbreeze, Germany in 2011 and it comes up to date with some 2014 footage from Ekaterinburg in Russia.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this, as I have done everything else in the Tarja discography, but it really does feel as though a barrel has been thoroughly scraped. I’ll stick to “Act 1” and even “Beauty And The Beat”!
THOR
Unchained
Cleopatra
Bring on the cheese as the legend that is the Thunder God, Thor, unleashes his mighty mallet of metal.
I must admit I was surprised that what was an EP arrived as a double set. But, lo and behold, it’s a deluxe reissue on CD with six bonus tracks and a full 2 hour DVD featuring the classic Anger concept video with never before seen behind the scenes footage as well as vintage concert performances from 1982-85. Which is a lot of Thor.
Someone at Cleopatra must really love Thor, because this is even better than the “Only The Strong” release from a wee while back. For sure, the music is utterly punch the air and sing along bonkers eighties metal, but that is what made Thor so enjoyable the first time round. And, yes, I am old enough to remember. People with more money than sense (and a record player), should really plump for the vinyl issue, as it’s out in either blue or orange coloured vinyl, with a 20-page comic book reproducing the original Unchained comic. Quality.
TIMOTHY CRAIG
360 Degrees
Ball & Chain
Time to step away from the metal, and head off into my equally beloved country music (every Thursday night, 8pm, http://www.getreadytorockradio.com/ ).
It’s album number seven from Timothy Craig, albeit the first of his that I’ve heard, and it’s easy to see how he would fit comfortably into the US market. He’s got hints of the traditional under his hat, but he’s also savvy enough to aim at the wide open spaces populated by roots rockers and All American boys.
He’s also got the songs to pull it off, and knows how to tug at a heartland heartstring, with the likes of ‘Crime Of The Century’ and the big ballad ‘One Small Miracle’ easy to place on a radio playlist. More traditional fans will take to the fiddle on ‘Flesh n’ Blood’ and the mandolin on ‘Don’t Walk Away’, but whichever groove you drop the needle in, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.
JESSICA’S THEME BAND
Matter Of Time
independent
Southern rock tinged classic rock from the oddly named band. Even odder, they formed in 1989 in Athens, Greece, disbanded in 1994 and reunited in 2013 with new members.
And it’s a very enjoyable mix of seventies classic rock in the vein of Bad Company mixed up with some Allman Brothers Band and even some licks that wouldn’t have been out of place on a Thin Lizzy record. From Greece. The band certainly know their way around a good tune, and with some excellent musicians and good vocals from John Goudoulas, tunes like ‘Black Cat’ and ‘Hard To Be A Hero’ are certainly worth a listen.
Despite their history, this is actually their debut album, and fans of classic seventies rock could do a lot worse than give this a listen.
PURPENDICULAR
tHis is the tHing#1
independent
Purpendicular aren’t the first Deep Purple tribute band to release an album of original material. After all, it’s not that long since Demon’s Eye hooked up with ex Rainbow man Doogie White for an enjoyable release.
However, I suspect that no other Deep Purple tribute band has managed to get so many Purple members and affiliates on one release. Now, it probably helps that Purple drummer Ian Paice spends some of his down time touring with Purpendicular but, deep breath, as well as Ian Paice, you’re getting performing and writing credits with Roger Glove, Neil Murray, Steve Morse, Don Airey and even the The Voice of Dr Who, Sir Tom Baker!
All of which would be for nought if this wasn’t a really good album. For sure, it’s got Deep Purple emblazoned right through the middle like a stick of Blackpool rock, but there are some excellent songs here. The most Purple thing are the keyboards, which really do have that Jon Lord sound about them. Apart from a couple of track where it’s Rainbow era Don Airey that’s emulated.
Apparently, it’s a concept album, but that went right over my head, as I was too busy grooving away to ‘Somebody Done It’, ‘Only To Laugh At’ and other top notch tunes. Granted, a couple of the songs (‘If It’s Possible’ being the biggest culprit) are a bit Ian Gillan solo. And I’m talking “Toolbox” rather than “Mr. Universe”, but those aside, fans of Steve Morse era Deep Purple will really enjoy this.
Tarja video
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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