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Artist: David Byron Band |
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OK, get out those patch-covered denim jackets that have been in the back of your wardrobe since the 1980's, you're going to wear them with pride again if you give this album by the David Byron Band a listen. It brings back fond memories of places like the good old Newcastle Mayfair Rock Nights flooding back and shame on those who destroyed a way ff life for rock fans in the North East. The tracks on this album were recorded between 1980 and 1982 as there is a bonus CD of rehearsal and live songs to boot. What more could you want?! CD1 starts off with 'Bad Girl', where there's no mistaking the similarities of the bass beat and drums of that used on the 1990 smash 'Black Velvet' by Alannah Myles. It also has that sultry sound that is very relaxing as well as exciting at the same time. That early 80's theme comes into play on 'Fool For A Pretty Face', its light guitar riff chopping through the song, matching anything from that era as if we've never been away for the ... 30 years now! There's also a thumping bass beat driving through 'Need Love' that adds an edge of coolness that helps the guitar fill out the song to its potential. It's obvious that the collaboration of David Byron and Robin George is one made in heaven here, as not once does it sound like one is trying to outdo the other, (David Lee Roth and Steve Vai ring any bells?), no more so than on 'Safety in Numbers', where George's guitar work could easily take over the song, but Byron's vocals are given equal billing on this Saxon sounding track. In fact, what's the betting a couple of pairs of spandex trousers were used in the making of this album! Knowing how tight those trousers were, it really comes to no surprise 'Still Wanna Hold You' begins the way it does! Even the Bee Gees are put to shame as the signing reaches a pitch only dogs should hear, before they settle themselves down to get through this spiritual-type track. After a touch of the blues-tinted 'Gets A Little Crazy', which sadly peters out with too much repetition of its title, the band funk things up with a very laid back 'Learn To Dance', so laid back that its verging on the nice n' sleazy. It has a slowed down feel of the Climax Blues Band hit 'Couldn't Get It Right' and you just don't want the song to end. Things get back to the rockier side with 'What's Your Game', a real R n' B thumper which even gives the keyboard its own solo spot, though Georges guitar eventually gets its penny's worth in as well. Finishing off with the acoustic / electric ballad 'One Minute More', sounding more of a live track from rehearsals, you can try out CD 2, which has more of a rough and ready mixture from rehearsals in 1981, giving fans the chance to heave a wee insight into what can sometimes be a private affair for some bands. The live tracks from a gig in 1980 from Liverpool sound so much better, so much so that if you close your eyes you almost feel like parts of the audience who seem to lap up the David Byron Band, just as much as they possibly did when they followed Byron through his career with Uriah Heep and Rough Diamond. Definitely a set of CD's for his most ardent of fans and anyone who wishes to delved into Classic 80's British Rock. Review
by: Bob |
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Tracklisting: CD 1 01.
Bad Girl
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Tracklisting:
CD 2
01.
How Do You Sleep?
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All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
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