Chunky booming bass and that unmistakable voice begin Hughes’s first solo album for nearly a decade. As you know, he has not been exactly quiet or taking it easy in the intervening years. ‘Voice In My Head’ is followed by ‘My Alibi’, ‘Chosen’ and ‘Heal’. That opening quartet exudes explosive power that really resonates with me. Glenn speaks about his higher power; he certainly has a god given gift.
Talking about power, Ash Sheehan is a driving beast as he relentlessly delivers from the drum stool. This record is largely heavy with just a flourish of keys courtesy of Bob Fredzema, long-time Hughes guitarist Soren Anderson supplies sonically dynamic riffs, and he is also responsible for the blistering production, alongside Mr Hughes, of course.
How the voice of rock does it at 74 years old, I don’t know, but I am so glad he does! He states that this could be his last solo record, especially in a Rock style, if it is a way to finish! I don’t care what band Hughes is fronting, be it Trapeze, Black Country Communion, or any of his collaborations, be it with Robin George, Joe Lynn Turner, Toni Iommi or Pat Thrall, others too many to mention, he is a phenomenon that delivers total quality.
For me, though, the differing styles that punctuate his solo albums are the pinnacle of his career; from Blues to Funk to Soul, they are all pure quality. They are his undisputed legacy. I’d better say more about this stunning album, but before I do, I must mention his live performance. I have seen him as both a solo artist and a band member. Every show is memorable and a massive event, where he owns the stage.
Chosen is a ‘Hot Damn Thing’, much heavier than Resonate, it takes until the 8th track ‘Black Cat Moans’, before the power subsides and we get something funkier. This is followed by ‘Come And Go’, which gives our performer the chance to demonstrate his more delicate range, it is a show stopper, it is spine tingling, and the instrumentation is absolutely absorbing.
All great things come to an end. This album closes with ‘Into The Fade’, quite simply, there are no limitations, no expectations, no imitations, it is a thing of wonder. Lyrically, the record is dark, giving our man from the Black Country the chance to glance back and reevaluate his life and acknowledge his mistakes, more importantly, to be at peace and be contented. He is not ravaged by his past misdemeanours like many of his contemporaries; instead, he remains a ROCK ICON! Superb!
Review: Paul Mace
TRACKLISTING:
- Voice In My Head
- My Alibi
- Chosen
- Heal
- In The Golden
- The Lost Parade
- Hot Damn Thing
- Black Cat Moan
- Come And Go
- Into The Fade
Tour dates:
14/10 – O2 Academy – Bristol, UK
15/10 – Guildhall – Portsmouth, UK
17/10 – KK’s Steel Mill – Wolverhampton, UK
18/10 – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – London, UK
21/10 – O2 Ritz – Manchester, UK
22/10 – Boiler Shop – Newcastle, UK
24/10 – Rock City – Nottingham, UK
25/10 – The Garage – Glasgow, UK
Line-up:
Glenn Hughes – Vocals
Soren Andersen – Guitar
Ash Sheehan – Drums
Bob Fridzema – Keys