PRIOR CONVICTIONS Alcatrazz (Brave Worlds Records) *** ½
Alcatrazz is an American hard rock band with a history dating back to 1983. Prior Convictions presents re-recordings of 9 of their classics plus a pair of new tracks. While I question the wisdom of a band re-recording their stuff I did miss the band completely their first time around, and besides- this move sets them up perfectly for their next studio record.
Alcatrazz has a fascinating story; started in ’83 by ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, early on they included Yngwie Malmsteen then Steve Vai on guitar… how’s that for a pedigree? The band has been through many lineup changes over the years and, thanks to internal disagreements there are currently 2 versions of the band; the one led by Bonnet, and this one. The lineup responsible for Prior Convictions includes Jimmy Waldo on keys, Gary Shea on bass, Joe Stump on guitars, Mark Benquechea on drums, and Giles Lavery at the mic.
PC is hearty 80’s-style metal as one might expect, and as a group that has included Malmsteen and Vai on guitar, Stump’s playing is quite acrobatic over propulsive rock beats- as I’m sure it must’ve been on the original versions of these songs. As a singer Lavery sounds like a cross between Bruce Dickinson and Geoff Tate, whereas I might have preferred the raspy husk of Graham Bonnet’s pipes. Having said that it should be noted that Giles acquits himself rather well. And holy 80’s Batman, those keyboard parts give this thing a distinct 80’s feel. As guitarist Joe Stump observes, “Something old is something new and these new versions of some of the old Alcatrazz classics are killer and 100% metal.” That’s on the money, more or less.
I like solid, punishing riffs as much as anyone, and while this quicksilver guitar playing is appealing to many, the ‘weedly-weedly’ stuff leaves me cold but hey, that’s a taste thing. Solid record, pinpoint musicianship, fine production; Prior Convictions is allowing some classic tunes to live again, and that’s a good thing.
HOT TRACKS: God Bless Video, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Transylvanian Requiem
BREAKWATER Paul Filipowicz (Big Jake Records) *****
For a taste of genuine Chicago blues, Paul Filipowicz is your man. After 54 years in the blues trenches of the windy city, he reaches again for the brass ring with Breakwater. This a dang tasty slice of blues that will stay with you long after the last note fades.
Backing Paul on Breakwater is a virtual who’s who of Chicago musicians who play with the authority that only comes with being steeped in this kind of blues, of having it flow through your veins. Filipowicz sings and plays guitar alongside drummer Steve Daughtry, harp player Martin Lang, bassist E.G. McDaniel keyboard player Jimmy Voegeli and sax player Eric Beraud, with strategic and sweet backing vocals from Maggie “Blues Chic” Aliotta, with production by Paul along with Steve Hamilton. The songs overall are sensuous and groovy, and its Filipowicz’s guitar that steals the spotlight, a combination of Ronnie Earl and BB King; expressive, emotional and at times heart-wrenching. Isn’t that what the blues is about?
I like what Blues Blast has to say about Breakwater; “The groove is sweet, the guitar and harp are excellent, and Paul’s vocals are strikingly sweet. If you don’t like authentic, dirty, greasy Chicago blues delivered by a master of the style, then by all means avoid this one. But if you are a blues lover with a pulse, you will enjoy this one.” When everything lines up, the angels smile from above and you catch the devil tapping his hoof, then you’re dealing with life-altering blues. Whatever had to line up to make a record like this even possible has obviously happened; this disc could’ve just as easily been called “lightning in a bottle”. Holy crap- this is the real deal.
https://www.facebook.com/paul.filipowicz.7
HOT TRACKS: That’s The Truth, Breakwater, This Time I’m Gone For Good
AND NOW Grant Lyle (Seismic Blues Music) *****
It’s been a great year for blues guitarists and here’s another one; Toronto’s Grant Lyle. And Now, his 8th disc, is a confident record filled with silky, smokin’ licks and robust, bluesy vocals. Raw and punchy yet smooth, fluid guitar lines make this album a real treat.
And Now is the blues but man, is it ever soulful. The disc features 8 original songs plus a great version of The Spencer Davis group classic Gimme Some Lovin’. His guitar playing has a unique, identifiable sound like SRV meets Mark Knopfler and the songs themselves have a natural, organic flow that raises them above an already crowded field. As a singer Grant has the warmth and soul of a young Ray Charles and his band is locked in tight with practiced ease. The press write-up calls him “a powerhouse front man known for his electrifying presence and dynamic guitar playing”, and the relaxed confidence of this album certainly bears that out.
Each and every track on And Now is clear evidence of Lyle becoming a consummate writer and performer as he displays both respect for the blues along with a willingness to imbue it with his own thang. Along with Grant at the front there are 8 other musicians involved in this album; I won’t name them all here, but I will say I hope they play together for a very long time. This disc is one of the most ‘in the pocket’ sets I’ve heard all year.
HOT TRACKS: Asylum, Won’t Let You Go, One Desire although to be honest, they’re ALL hot tracks
WHAT JUST HAPPENED Lily Sazz (independent/ Bandcamp) ****
Sultry, piano driven jazz noir is an apt enough description of Lily Sazz’s debut as a solo artist and producer. What Just Happened is a collection of wonderful songs, aided by performances from some of Canada’s finest, and the results are fabulous.
After a traumatic 2023 (the presser offers no details), Lily chose to emerge from the sidelines as a keyboardist/ backup vocalist/ band leader to heal by focusing her energy on making this record, no doubt reflected in the title What Just Happened. The respect she commands in the Toronto music community is apparent when you consider that people like Suzie Vinnick, Colin Linden and Steve Marriner lent their talents to the album.
Legendary Canadian producer Tom Treumuth remarks that “What Just Happened is a very special record. It’s real music played by amazing players, and the songwriting is great. It doesn’t sound like anyone else (and) it’s great to have some humour in the music too.” Not knowing the circumstances of her previously mentioned traumatic 2023 we can only guess at the depth of personal pain she’s dealing with in songs like Goodnight, Sweetheart (the opening track) or the melancholy yet swingin’ Future Me, but her expressive piano playing and some great sax work are big clues.
What Just Happened is a disc that connects on musical and emotional levels. If you’ve been through some stuff- and let’s face it who hasn’t- these songs will connect with you on a number of different levels. There is a darkness to this record but don’t let it scare you off… beyond that initial resistance you may find some healing for yourself too. This is great company on a rainy night on Vancouver Island, better listen to it again before I turn in.
HOT TRACKS: Goodnight Sweetheart, Future Me, Better Stop
MIDDLE CLASS & INFAMOUS Jonathan Wyndham (independent) *****
Wyndham, a talented singer-songwriter/ producer from Nashville, has decided to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight on his own as a solo artist, and it’s about time. Middle Class & Infamous is a sweet, breezy, jazzy, relaxing journey that will just carry you away.
Jonathan, a Gibson-endorsed guitarist, forged his considerable reputation as musical director for artists like Colbie Caillat and Jessie James Decker. Middle Class & Infamous is not the rowdy rocker such a title might lead you to believe, although there are tracks like Second Hand Smoke and Hook Line & Sinker that do indeed rock out. ‘Mellow’ might be a dirty word to some, but that’s what the record feels like and in a noisy, frantic world seemingly on the edge of self-immolation this is a welcome respite. His guitar playing is supple and relaxed, and as a singer his soulful voice reaches up to an effortless falsetto on occasion.
Wyndham’s music has been used by ESPN, the NFL Network and the NBA, probably rockier stuff like Hook, Line & Sinker which proves the due can flat-out wail when the occasion calls for it. The presser calls his songs “the culmination of years spent chasing truth in music, crafted to resonate with both dedicated fans and fellow musicians alike” and he certainly strikes a chord in that department- pardon the pun. The musicianship evident on HL&S is immaculate from Jonathan as well as the cast of supporting musicians. It might remind you of how listening to a Steely Dan or Mark Knopfler record might feel- I know it did for me.
This is not a rock record although there are moments of that, I consider Hook more of a soulful R&B outing that anything with some skillful jazz undercurrents and attention to pop melodies. The lyrics on a song like Numb feel deep and personal, if not about himself then surely somebody he knows, and that’s the truth mentioned earlier… if not autobiographical then certainly emotional. This is a good record to get lost in.
HOT TRACKS: Numb, Betrayed, Second-Hand Smoke
