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Artist: Howard Leese |
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When it comes to unsung
hero’s the name of Howard Leese should be right up there with the best
of them, as for twenty years Leese was the guitar force behind Heart,
also known as their secret weapon (hence the album title). Now
it's time for Leese to step into the spotlight for his first solo
release and after more than three decades in the business, it’s been a
long time coming and is well worth the wait.
If you're a guitar player and you want some vocals for your album, you’d do no wrong in bringing in some of the biggest, if not the biggest, names in rock and Leese has done just that as he has the might of Joe Lynn Turner, Paul Rodgers, Duke Fame aka Paul Shortino, Jimi Jamison, Andrew Black and Keith St John, all guest appearing on this album as vocalists. That's as well as having Keith Emerson on keyboards for one track and Mark Schulman duly playing all the drum parts. The list alone should put the album in good favour with most of the Melodic/Hard Rock world and believe me it doesn’t disappoint one little bit. Opening up with ‘Alive Again’ with JLT on vocals getting the album off to a great start, the album mixes true blues rock, with melodic elements without being a dated piece and this is reflected from the opener as Leese lets the vocals do the talking so to speak. 'Heal The Broken Hearted’ find one Paul Rodgers taking up the vocal batton for this track, which the track itself will no doubt be compared to Jon Bon Jovi’s Young Guns stuff, but that sound never did Mr JBJ any harm so I don't see why it should this track. Turner again features on the next track ‘Hot To Cold’, this time dueting with Deanna Johnston of Rock Star INXS fame. This song has a harder edged blues vein to it and is actually one of my favourites tracks off the album. It has a definite modern edge to it that makes it the most commercial of all the tracks. Next up are two instrumental pieces, first up is ‘French Quarter’ which features Emerson on keyboards, but it's the guitar playing of Leese that makes this one stand out from the rest, as his easy going guitar playing ignites the very soul. Next up the jazz-rock fusion of the superb ’33 West Street’, again with Leese really bringing out the best in the six string as does Paul Reed Smith with his warm ease of playing. It's back to the vocal tracks with what is without a doubt the best track on the album ’The South Summit’, with the mighty Duke Fame on vocals. This is bluesy rock at its very best as both men really blend well together on this tribute to Robin Trower. ‘Rada’s Theme’ is another great instrumental, before Jimi Jamison takes over the mike for the melodic bliss of ‘The Vine’, then it's all change again on the mike front again as Keith St John brings his dulcet tones to ‘In These Eyes’. A really great timeless ballad and another of my favourites, especially when Leese unleashes that soaring solo mid way through. ‘Vermillion Border’ is another classy instrumental that just melts away any worries or woes as you're transported in a magical guitar world of gentle melodies and tones. Then it's back to the jazz laden blues of ‘I’ve Been Leavin’ You’ with Andrew Black lending a touch of class to this one. The album closes with a
real gem of an instrumental ‘Somewhere’, taken from West Side Story.
A great way to end what is a great album to while away those hot humid
summer nights. |
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Tracklisting:
1. Alive Again |
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