Reviews roundup – Allman Betts Band vs. Jailbirds vs. Lucifer’s Friend vs. Dewa Budjana vs. Stamina vs. Paula Harris
THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND
Down to the River
BMG
That’s Devon Allman and Duane Betts, sons of Greg and Dickey. Both have been working musicians for decades, as well as some stints with the Allman Brothers Band, but after Betts opened on a Devon Allman tour last year they decided to team up for another shot at success. Although your heart does go out to bass player Berry Oakley Jr., the third scion of an Allman Brother who sadly fails to get a marquee header. Although ABB might confuse fans of a certain Swedish pop group.
I’ve kept half an ear on the various groups Devon Allman has been in over the years and I doubt that fans of Honeytribe or Royal Southern Brotherhood will find anything to complain about here. So it’s mainly about branding. With the passing of his father and the demise of the Allman Brothers Band it was maybe time to acknowledge where it all began.
So it’s good, especially when Allman takes the lead vocal as Betts has a more fragile voice. Although it works well on ‘Autumn Breeze’ which tips a hat to the jazzier outings of the early ABB days. The rest of the band are no slouches either with Johnny Stachela (guitar), John Ginty (keyboards), R Scott Bryan (percussion), and John Lum (drums) all putting in sterling shifts.
The title track and ‘Shining’ are probably the most “southern” and I can happily live forever without hearing the Tom Petty cover, ‘Southern Accents’ but pound for pound this is as good a southern roots record as I’ve heard in a long time. Definitely worth checking out.
I shouldn’t be amused by the back cover but I am. It’s a picture of 3614 Jackson Highway which as any fule kno was a 1968 album by Cher. You know, the Cher his Dad briefly married.
JAILBIRDS
Nothing Good Lasts Forever
Golden Robot
It’s true. I never see a Mr Whippy van anymore.
Aussie / Irish rockers Jailbirds have bunged this out as a taster single for their forthcoming “The Great Escape” album. So are they Thin Lizzy or AC/DC. Well neither actually. There is a hint of classic Oz Rock in the air but they’re a more straight-ahead affair than that.
It’s revved up seventies classic rock with a hint of gumby metal about the riff. It’s very enjoyable even if I keep hearing the chorus as “make it real, make it real, let Vera take the wheel” which definitely lessens the impact. But it does what any self respecting single should do which is make you go “ooh. I must find out more”. A good one.
LUCIFER’S FRIEND
Black Moon
Lucifer’s Records
Lucifer’s Friend are certainly making up for lost time since their reformation with the compilation album, live album, studio album and now this second studio set.
The original members John Lawton (ex-Uriah Heep), Peter Hesslein and Dieter Horns are still in situ and for a band whose combined age is in the two hundreds they have a fire and aggression that puts many young ‘uns to shame. It’s still the seventies amalgam of prog, hard rock and melodic rock but this really seems to have acquired a harder edge than before. And (whisper it) they sound more Heepy than before. Listen to ‘Passengers’ and tell me it’s not a long lost “Innocent Victim” outtake.
And it’s the rockier ones that seem to hit home best with ‘Palace of Fools’ and ‘Call the Captain’ absolutely superb. For sure, some of the Lawton range has gone but he knows where his voice is and works it well. The musicians are in sparkling form as well, and the whole album is a real treat. Prog fans will really take to ‘Behind The Smile’ but this is a record that fans of seventies hard rock should really give a chance. Cracking.
DEWA BUDJANA
Mahandini
MoonJune
I do like how they’ve done the elephant the courtesy of getting it a travel blanket in case it gets a bit nippy.
A couple of years have passed since I heard “Zentuary” from Balinese guitarist Dewa Budjana when I was well impressed with his jazz fusion meets Eastern scales with prog rock notions.
His profile was raised with that one, and this should spread its wings even wider seeing as how the record sees him collaborating with Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess! And in the fact that it’s DT drum runner-up Marco Minnemann whose pounding the skins and you can hear the sounds of a few bums getting squeaky. Chuck in guest appearances by Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante and jazz guitar ledge Mike Stern and this one comes with some big expectations.
Which are met. Although not to begin with as the opening ‘Crowded’ has Frusciante singing. Yeah. But from then on things really take off. ‘Queen Kanya’ is as good as fusion gets. Seriously, years from now people should be using it as a reference point. If you’re looking for guitar pyrotechnics then ‘Hyang Girl’ is where you should be looking while those in search of things more on the rocky side should take a listen to ‘ILW’ where you wonder if Dream Theater made a serious mistake passing on Minnemann.
It’s certainly more “mainstream” than his earlier outings but it still manages to be out there enough. A stunning release.
STAMINA
Live In The City Of Power
The Rock Company
It’s a strange old world when a power metal band can chalk up nineteen years and four full length studio albums without even briefly entering my consciousness. Of course, Stamina is a shite name so I maybe skipped past thinking they were trying to sell me wrestling steroids.
Last year saw them at the City Of Power Festival in Zgierz, Poland where the tapes were running, leading to this live album. We’ve already established that I’m no expert but it seems that most of the setlist as from their “System Of Power” album. Which makes sense as that was the one they were promoting. But I still reckon a live album should provide a bigger spread.
They’re good, mind, with vocalist Alessandro Granata (who only arrived in 2015) a quality find. Musically, it’s quite old school, eighties influenced power metal with a few hints of prog metal hither and thither. It’s a bit rough in places but I’d rather that than have another Unleashed In The Studio effort and when they knock out one of their better tunes (‘Love Was Never Meant To Be’ and ‘Holding On’) then they definitely make an impact.
If you hunt down the physical releases via their record label then you’ll get a DVD as well. Enjoy.
PAULA HARRIS
Speakeasy
Blu Gruv Music
Paula Harris arrived quite late to the world of the blues but rapidly notched up some big awards and a lot of acclaim. And now she’s decided to move into the world of jazz.
Or more specifically the world of thirties and forties late night after hours jazz. Which is nice. There are a few guests but the core band comprises Nate Ginsberg on piano, Rich Girard on acoustic bass, and Derrick “D’Mar” Martin on drums. Yes, you read that right. Nae guitar, all acoustic. And it works.
Most of the songs are originals although she does dip into the world of Billie Holliday, Donnie Hathaway, Louis Jordan and Thelonious Monk along the way. But it’s the new songs that really grab your attention with’I Wanna Hate Myself Tomorrow (For Raising Hell Tonight)’, ‘Something Wicked’ (with fabulous trumpet) and ‘You Don’t Look A Day Over Fabulous’ instant favourites.
The physical release also comes with four bonus tracks which should encourage you in its direction. the best of this is a take on Blood, Sweat & Tears ‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’, a song I’ve always loved and really showcases her tremendous vocals. As befits the concept things never get out of first gear but with some great songs and fabulous performances why would you want it to. Nice.
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St Columba’s Hospice Tribute Fund for Linda Hamilton
http://linda.hamilton.muchloved.com/
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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