Reviews roundup – Whitesnake vs. Louise Connell vs. Dave Kerzner vs. Chris Stark
WHITESNAKE
The Purple Tour
Rhino
Another Whitesnake live album. Really. What’s this – the seventh in the last 15 years? It’s a lot. And to be honest, Sir David can’t hit the notes he used to in the old days. He’s cracking on a bit after all and hasn’t made a pact with Whoever like Glenn Hughes has. Regardless, here’s another one. The selling point this time is that it was recorded on the Purple tour following on from the Purple album. So it’s strange that less than half the songs are Purple tunes with the rest being the usual Snake suspects.
It’s better than some of the live releases. I doubt I’ll ever play “Made In Britain” again, for example, and on ‘You Fool No One’ the band hits a peak they’ve haven’t hit in a while. They’re also slightly less metal since the arrival of Joel Hoekstra. Which is a good thing. The keyboards are also up in the mix for the first time in a long time although still considerably less subdued than when the late Jon Lord was in his Purple prime. There are a few bum notes (‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’) and ‘Mistreated’ should have been left at home. It’s a single disc release. perhaps because Whitesnake seem to be settling into a support act again. That’s when they’re not playing the end of the pier. Blackpool Winter Gardens anyone? I’m tempted.
It’s a solid release which given my Whitesnake habit was bound to slide itself into the collection. The Purple tunes make it worthwhile and you can never have too many versions of ‘Give Me All Your Love’. It’s out in a million formats including CD, Blu-Ray and vinyl, with the latter looking rather lovely on the turntable. But could someone tell the folk at Rhino that the shitty piece of paper banding on the Blu-Ray version should result in someone being sacked. Now. That aside, “make some fucking noise, Birmingham!”
LOUISE CONNELL
Squall
9th Story
The artist formerly known as Reverieme. Or TAFKAR as she will now be known. It’s a sensible move as I, for one, could never pronounce her stage name properly.
I liked the Reverieme releases – a combination of alt-folk, stripped back electronics and eighties sci-fi soundtracks. But this is slightly different as a lot of the more unusual sounds have diminished and it’s a more traditional singer / songwriter sound. But that works because she is a fine, clear and chiming singer and writes good songs. So job done. This is meant to be the first part of a trio of EP releases with “Echo” and “Rale” to follow.
Songs like ‘ILO’ and ‘Maria’ have enough pop references in them to give her a push in the right direction and with BBC Radio Scotland giving her some play then hopefully it’s only a matter of time before the big boys down South do likewise. The best thing to come out of Airdrie since the 211 to the Motherwell Asda.
DAVE KERZNER
Static
independent
This is the second solo release from Dave Kerzner who has been making waves in the modern prog world for quite some time with Sound Of Contact, the band he founded with Simon (son of Phil) Collins).
He’s certainly been busy plundering his book of contacts as this sees Steve Hackett (Genesis), Durga & Lorelei McBroom (Pink Floyd), Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train) and Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) popping in to play along with an array of others. And this follow-up to “New World” will definitely appeal to people yearning for the classic days of Pink Floyd.
Because it is very Floyd like. But in a good way, not a plagiarist way. It’s also a concept album, although the concept seems to be the world’s a bit shit nowadays. I’ll tell that to my deid Dad and his family once I leave this life. You know, the indentured miners who lived in squalor when child mortality was an everyday part of life and the average lifespan of my my Grandads peers was 40.
But first world problems aside, it works very well as a suite with the spoken dialogue holding the story together. Roger Waters will certainly approve! ‘The Truth Behind’ was the big moment for me but fans of classic prog will hold on to this with delight.
CHRIS STARK
Juxtaposition
independent
Some instrumental shred guitar, sir? Why certainly. Have yourself some “Juxtaposition”.
And we’re off to Hawaii to meet up with arch widdler Chris Stark who is more than happy to demonstrate that his fingers are most dexterous.
It’s also no surprise to learn that he has attended the Vai academy (yes. really) and it’s Steve of that parish that he most resembles. Although the hairstyle is much more Satriani! But, seriously, he really is a good guitarist. And when he adds that to a melodic sensibility then his take on shredding is a real treat.
That happens a few times on this release with ‘Surfing The Jetstream’ (koff), ‘Highway One’ and ‘Speed of Night’ the big winners. Granted, it’s probably a bit too long and would have been better without the bonus tracks but fans of guitar instrumentals looking for something new would be well advised to look this way.
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St Columba’s Hospice Tribute Fund for Linda Hamilton
http://linda.hamilton.muchloved.com/
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The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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