"A new solo album from current Deep Purple and former Rainbow man, Don
Airey, this sees him largely eschewing the neo-classical approach of
many keyboard players in favour of a more song based album.
 Granted, there are a few instrumental numbers, but he's put together a
core band that features former Persian Risk vocalist Carl Sentance,
along with drummer Darrin Mooney who has played with Gary Moore
amongst others, guitarist Rob Harris and jazz bass whizz Laurence
Cottle . Add in a few special guests - Joe Bonamassa, Whitesnake ex
Bernie Marsen and guitar playing brother Keith Airey, and there's no
doubt that it's a top notch band at play.
However, one thing Don Airey is not renowned for is his songwriting.
Scan down the hundreds of albums that he's played on, and you won't
find many writing credits. And, to be brutal, you can tell why. You
see the songs are serviceable, as they find a groove into between
prog, power metal and soundtrack. It flirts with the world of Mr
Blackmores' Rainbow in places and on numbers like the instrumental
''Estancia', things actually go all early seventies Deep Purple. Which
is very enjoyable, no question about it.
It's actually the instrumentals that come out best on the record, and
I'd have been happy to hear more of them, but I'm sure that's a hard
sell to a record company. Hence the vocal tracks. Of the vocal
numbers, it's the hard rocking 'People In Your Head' and the Bernie
Marsden enhanced 'Running From The Shadows' that come out best. Worst
by far is the sole cover of 'Fire', the Jimi Hendrix tune that was
rubbish the first time around..
Now don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this album, but once it was
finished, I was hard pressed to remember any of the songs. It might be
a grower, and it's certainly in the repeat play pile, but it struggled
to grab me where it counts."
review: Stuart A Hamilton (aka Mr H)
Links to stuff Mr H writes are at http://www.stuarthamilton.co.uk
Mr H also talks on the radio and broadcasts the blues, every Thursday at 8pm GMT
The Mr H Rock Profiles every weekend on Get Ready To Rock Radio!
All at http://www.getreadytorockradio.com
Don Airey "All Out" can be ordered from the dpas online store |
