Artist: Iain Ashley Hersey 
   Title: Vintage Love ... The Best of
   Label: Avenue Of Allies

I’ve been at this reviewing lark for some 12 years now, and every now and then an artist comes to light that really strikes a cord with yourself, even more so when it nearly slips by without you even knowing of their existence.  One such artist is Iain Ashley Hersey.

It was only when one Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schultz kindly sent us a copy of Hersey's 'Holy Grail' album back in 2005 on which he featured on vocals, along with Graham Bonnet and Randy Williams, that Mr Hersey was first brought to our attention.

That album really blew me away, as did the follow up release ‘Nomad’, again featuring Schulz, this time along with David Montgomery and the mighty Doogie White.  

This album was released in December 2011, and those of you unfamiliar with Hersey’s work can get a taste of what this multi-talent musician is all about with this new release ‘Vintage Love – Best Of’, which really highlights his ability, both as a musician and a song writer, and also his ability to bring out the best in some of the rock finest vocalists around.

The album picks some of the finest of Hersey’s work from the two albums mentioned above, but also the 1998 Fallen Angel opus, which featured Dante Marchl, Mike Stone and Mall favourite, Paul Shortino, plus one previously unreleased track.  All in all, fifteen superb tracks that will have you begging for more.

With great moments like ‘Hold On’ (Shortino), the terrific opener ‘Goin’ Down And Dirty’ (Marchl) and the rocking ‘The Outcasts’ (Stone) from 'Fallen Angel', before the epic ‘Blood Of Kings’ (Montgomery) leading the way from 'The Holy Grail' with the majestic ‘Calling The Sun’ (Schulz) and the rockin’ ‘Holy Grail’ (Bonnet). 

'The Nomad' opus is one of my favourite Hersey albums, with the groove filled ‘Voodoo Spirits’ (Schulz) and the fantastic ‘Sacrifice The Sun’ (Schulz).  The no holds barred rocker ‘L.A Connection’ (White) and what I think is one of Hersey’s finest to date, ‘When Will Love Fade’ (Schulz), all featuring on the album, which is rounded off with the previously unreleased ‘Red Head Rampage’ (Schulz).

If you only buy one "Best of" album in 2012 then I recommend this be your purchase, because this will make you wonder what else you've been missing, and want to find out more about this man and his music as I did myself when I first discovered him.

Tracklisting:

01.  Goin' Down And Dirty 
02.  Distant Memories
03.  Hold On
04.  The Outcaste
05.  Blood Of Kings
06.  Walking The Talk
07. Calling For The Moon
08. Blink Of An Eye
09. The Holy Grail
10. Voodoo Spirits 
11. Sacrifice The Sun
12. L.A. Connection
13. Vintage Love
14. When Will My Love Fade
15. Red Head Rampage 

                  

 

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