The ever dynamic duo is back! This duo consisting of Jack Blades and
Tommy Shaw (of NIGHT RANGER and STYX respectively) have crossed each
others paths yet again.
Who doesn’t remember the flamboyant act called DAMN YANKEES wherein
they first composed and sang together…? Up through the 90s and
especially through these first 6 years of the new millennium they’ve
tried to recapture that immaculate feel and every now and then
they’ve succeeded in doing so, but let’s be honest, they’ve released
just as much junk as they’ve released quality material.
Well, fast forward and here we are once again… This time they’re
paying their debts to some of the artists who’ve inspired the duo
back in their childhood - long before international stardom was a
fact of life.
The good thing is that they’ve tried not to do covers of the usual
bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath etc. – Instead
they’ve chosen material first recorded by artists like Simon &
Garfunkel, Mamas & The Papas, Buffalo Springfield and Steely Dan. A
couple of quite extraordinary sources of inspiration if you ask me!
Basically I like the idea of these tribute/”pay your respect”
albums, but Shaw / Blades make me frown when they choose to
incorporate acoustic guitars en masse. There’s simply too little
distortion here!
The apparent hotspot must be Simon / Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence”
where Shaw / Blades really get to show their vocal capabilities – A
great cover version!
Another worthy mention is the line-up – comprised of Michael Lardie
(GREAT WHITE), Kelly Keagy (NIGHT RANGER) and Brian Tichy (PRIDE &
GLORY, SHAMELESS) plus others.
An okay album if you’re into acoustic cover versions performed by
two of the most admired vocalists of the genre!
