Reviews roundup – The Magpie Salute vs. David Fitzpatrick vs. Kid Ramos vs. Scarecrowz vs. Reportage

Reviews roundup – The Magpie Salute vs. David Fitzpatrick vs. Kid Ramos vs. Scarecrowz vs. Reportage

 

THE MAGPIE SALUTE
High Water I
Provogue

Sometimes it’s true. You know, the whole lightning in a bottle thing. I mean there’s only one “Bat Out Of Hell”. Well, there’s three but there’s only one. Same with “Shake Your Money Maker”. I really thought the Black Crowes were going to be amazing after that. I was wrong. Now I’m wrong about a lot of things but that isn’t one of them. Their decline was a sight to see. And then the brothers went solo (ish). That always works out well.

And so it proves with the second album from Rich Robinson and his Magpie Salute. The first one was alright. It was live so you could forgive them for the odd meandering jam. But in the studio it needs to be tight and focussed. Now I know that he seems to want to be in the Grateful Dead or Widespread Panic but even they managed to (mainly) write some songs. That doesn’t really happen here.

A couple of the songs have you punching the air with ‘Send Me An Omen’ a real highlight but the likes of ‘Sister Moon’ just make you want to shake them by the shoulders and shout “shape up” at the top of your voice. The musicians are all great, masters of their instrument and John Hogg has a fine voice, but you really wish they had a producer that could kick them up the arse. Because there is a potentially great band in there waiting to get out. A bit like the Black Crowes were. Oh…

 

DAVID FITZPATRICK
Parachutes In Hurricanes
Daystorm

This is the debut solo album from David Fitzpatrick, the main main in the – wait for it – Dave Fitzpatrick Band. Which does make you wonder.

Turns out they’re well known on the Milwaukee music scene. Naturally I have know idea what they sound like but the leader of the band is a mainstream Midwestern American rocker. You know the kind of thing you hear when the lead character in a road movie is driving off into a dusty horizon. Springsteen before he became serious, Mellencamp before he started investigating the inside of his rectum. That sort of thing.

It also happens to be a style I really enjoy. And Mr Fitzpatrick is rather good at it. There are some strong melodies and hooks, the record has been really well produced and sounds major for what I imagine was minor money. The arrangements are excellent with some well placed horns and organs hither and thither and an array of songs well worth repeat plays. ‘Long Way Down ‘ and ‘How I Wish’ were the winners for me but you can stick your needle in any groove and find something worth listening to.

 

KID RAMOS
Old School
Rip Cat

Kid Ramos is back after a long break due to family / health issues but time hasn’t dampened his fervour for the blues.

It’s the kind of record that puts a smile on your face as the mix of originals and covers jumps out the speakers and gives you a hug. He was always a great guitarist and he manages to get a unique tone out his instrument that is just a delight.

The record was knocked out in two days, kicking off with a jump blues tribute to BB King. Then he’s off into one of my all time favourite blues tunes – ‘All Your Love’ by Magic Sam. Now he’s not that good but still comes out fighting fit. Three of the originals are co-writes with singer Johnny Tucker and those are real highlights. There’s also a guest turn from Kim Wilson and a vocal debut from his 17 year old son! But he’s their on merit and does a good job.

There are covers of numbers by Arthur Alexander, Wes Montgomery and T-Bone Walker amongst others and a fabulous original instrumental in the shape of ‘Mashed Potatoes And Chili’. The only song that misses for me is the Buddy Holly hit ‘Heartbeat’ but that aside, this is the sound of a good time, all the time.

 

SCARECROWZ
Refuel
Independent

Off to the Canadian colonies now for some hard rock meets metal.

Scarecrowz are the band and despite the appalling spelling are actually quite entertaining. They’ve been on the go in various guises since 2000 although only founding member and vocalist/guitarist Ger Madden is around from those days. He’s now augmented by Julian Leblanc on bass and Francis Gregoire. on bass with J-L Bourgie temping on lead guitar and they make a fair fist of their slightly retro sounding hard rock.

The metal side comes mainly from the vocals and he guitar solos and it does lift the material. The also throw in a few Clutch / CoC moments which give a southern flavour to proceedings. It’s not all top drawer so you may want to try before you buy but you won’t go far wrong with ‘Octane’, ‘ Smoke & Mirrors’ or ‘Chicks in White Pants’. Yes, really.

 

REPORTAGE
Prison Of Ice
Molot

A quick scoot across the Bering Strait and we’re in Russia to find out aboot Russian metallers Reportage.

And it’s trad metal in an Accept vein with a few galloping Maiden type riffs, which isn’t a surprise as they seem to earn a few kopecks with a Maiden tribute show. And there’s nothing wrong with that when it’s done well. Reportage do do it well.

It’s their debut album so they’re still learning their trade but they’ve got a few live shows under their belt supporting the likes of Deep Purple, Accept, W.A.S.P, Lacuna Coil, Gamma Ray and UDO. So they know their way around their instruments. They’ve already got a couple of really good tunes to their name with ‘Ride the Stream and ‘Don’t Run Away’ catching my attention. Album number two is underway but fans of Maidenesque metal should be trying this on early doors.

 

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