Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 31, 2008 15:49:29 GMT -5
JACK BRUCE AND ROBIN TROWER – SEVEN MOONS (V-12 Records) Seven Moons marks the third recording collaboration between Jack Bruce and Robin Trower; following the 1981 album B.L.T. with drummer Bill Lordan and the 1982 Bruce and Trower album Truce. Over this album’s eleven tracks, we hear Bruce, Trower and drummer Gary Husband explore and blend blues, rock and psychedelic sound tapestries that frequently recall classic Cream, Trower’s solo catalog and even Procol Harum. As demonstrated on the earlier two collaborations, Bruce’s bass and Trower’s guitar are perfect matches for one another; both players weaving around each other and Husband’s strong and stripped-down drumming. That instrumental interaction is constant, but perhaps is most prominent on the Cream-like rockers “Lives of Clay” and “Perfect Place;” and the bluesy “Come to Me.” Trower recalls some of the guitar experimentation of his peak solo work, crafting several atmospheric and spacey riffs to set the mood on numbers like “Distant Places of the Heart” and “Just Another Day;” and providing plentiful solo fireworks along the way. Having overcome recent health issues, Bruce’s voice is in fine form, sounding, smooth, rangeful, expressive and emotional as he sings poetic, abstract and even spiritual words. He does offer brief social commentary on the slow blues exercise “A Bad Case of Celebrity,” about sudden pop star fame and fall from grace. Mostly recorded live in the studio, the mix gives all three instruments balanced equal voices, with Bruce’s vocals out front and crystal clear. Seven Moons delivers exactly what is expected when the names Jack Bruce and Robin Trower are mentioned in the same sentence; a stirring, bluesy and often atmospheric adventure that recalls the best features of these artists’ famous past works. Fans of vintage 60’s and 70’s era psychedelic blues rock and the classic power trio format should be very pleased with the latest these two rock elder statesmen have to offer.