Review
"HUGHES-TURNER project"
Only few months passing their solo-albums ("Slam" for Turner and "Building the machine" for Hughes), we are here to review this Hughes-Turner project born from the collaboration of the two ex-Purple, and with other great musicians like JJ Marsh and Shane Galaas.
The two singers recently made a tour among the American radios, named VOICES OF CLASSIC ROCK, that includes also other artist of indiscussed fame like Bobby Kimball and Jimi Jamison; now they are giving us this gift that I define simply a masterpiece.
The start is stunning with DEVIL'S ROAD, meant to be the train of the whole album. The rhythm runs with the two singers, passing each other their microphone, with the guitar that rides riffs a-la Blackmore.
YOU CAN'T STOP ROCK 'N' ROLL is the classic hymn to the immortal music. Here is Turner that sets up an intro based on a really forced blues; then he gets to the chorus, and at last it's freedom: "You can't stop rock 'n' roll". Gold guest in this song is PAUL GILBERT with his guitar solo.
MISSED YOUR NAME is another ride a-la Purple. A real rock 'n' roll with a heavy metal punch. Then the voices mix up perfectly. And it's really surprising the solo by Joackim Marsh, as a duel with the keyboardist Vince di Cola.
MYSTERY OF THE HEART
After three "ride-like-the-wind" songs, now it's time for the "stripteasing" ballad. In this case Glenn Hughes plays the bass, leaving the entire job of making the solo vocals to Joe Lynn Turner. A song that in a way makes us go back to the past (What does the word "Rainbow" mean to you?). You can't miss this soft atmosphere that gets us to a peaceful feeling. The voice of Joe is perfect for this kind of song.
SISTER MIDNIGHT
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!! The masterpiece. A fantastic piece of music. A funky intro (Glenn's trademark), and a rhythm that takes you off to another dimension. Turner fits it perfectly, and the result is something excellent. "Do you wanna be free?" Try to listen it !!!!!!!!!
BETTER MAN
Entirely written by Hughes, in some episodes I couldn't recognize the difference between the two voices. The perfect pair.
HEAVEN'S MISSING AN ANGEL
mmmmmmmhhhhhhhhh............... here is another great ballad. Turner gives the way to Glenn that sings the entire song. You can easily recognize the Lizzy-style. It's not a case, because the great guest in this piece is John Sykes, who can here express his unlimited talents.
FADE AWAY
A dreaming track, as the two alternating voices fly in the air. Another piece full of rich atmospheres, that makes us go back to the past, again.
RIDE THE STORM
Now it's time to get back to ride the storm. The "old but gold" Rainbow rhythm jumps in my mind. The two singers are really stunning, like two snakes enveloping around a sharpened sword. What a rhythm, guys !!!! Here is Akira Kajiyama the guest guitar hero on the solo.
RUN RUN RUN
It's the missing piece to the song that just finished. The keyboard of Vince di Cola helps the guitars to bring the two singers on the extreme run.
AGAINST THE WALL
It's the Japanese bonus track. But I think I couldn't live without this. If Stormbringer was missing a song, this would make the fit. Don't miss Akira Kajiyama on the guitars.
ON THE LEDGE
The two heroes leave us on the ledge of something that you will understand listening to this song. The solo by Vince di Cola really seems to be taken from the soundtrack of Dario Argento's horror movies. Really a great song, maybe the most complex and fascinating.
Now we are here, waiting the Japanese tour in May, followed by a live-album, and then....
Crossing our fingers,
ROBERTO COSENTINO (translation by Giampietro Frulli)