ALBUM REVIEW: Dizzy Reed reaches new heights on Rock N Roll Ain't Easy

DIZZY Reed is best known as one of the members of Guns ‘n’ Roses ‘part two’, so to speak: joining the band after it’s seismic shift in 1990, he is actually the second-longest standing member, after Axl Rose.

In actuality, he is far more than that, having worked on several projects with a plethora of musicians, including recently rejoined GnR legends Duff McKagan and Slash, the Dead Daisies, and his own band, the pithily named Hookers and Blow.

Evidently, he is a man who likes to stay busy, as he will release his debut solo album Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Easy, on February 16th through Golden Robot Records.

The album pins its colours to the mast with its opening track, lead single ‘This Don’t Look Like Vegas’ and it becomes immediately apparent that Reed’s musical taste, broadly, is ‘Sunset Strip hard rock’ crossed with ‘good ol’ honky-tonk blues’ – a mighty combination, indeed. Toe-tappingly catchy with a driving hard rock beat and bluesy piano, it certainly blows the cobwebs away, as well as being an excellent gauge for what’s to come.

What follows is an uplifting and brilliant lesson in how the blues segued into rock ‘n’ roll all those years ago, and how they can still come together to make proper, classic rock. There’s a real Eighties vibe to some of the tracks, such as ‘Understanding’; urgently fierce album highlight ‘Crestfallen’; and the rollicking ‘Reparations’. There’s also shades of Nineties indie and grunge – take a listen to ‘Mystery in Exile’, ‘I Celebrate’ and the mature sounding, heartfelt ‘Fragile Water’.

There’s also, of course, the odd Guns ‘n’ Roses snippet, such as the sexy, bluesy ‘Dirty Bomb’ and the “beware of the evil woman”-themed ‘Understanding’.

Not that the whole album takes its inspiration from the past, though: ‘Cheers 2 R Oblivion’, with its pleasingly throaty vocals and rather Hothouse Flowers vibe has a great modern rock sound (and very modern, text-speak title…), and the title track, which closes the album, would comfortably fit on any rock album old or new.

While Reed certainly hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, he’s taken his influences and wealth of experience and created a well-crafted, highly entertaining hard rock album.

Perfect for bellowing along to in your car with the window rolled down, as well as being a fascinating peek into the mind of a musician who’s been on the frontline of American hard rock for decades.

If you’re a rocker of any age, Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Easy is definitely worth the purchase.

Review by Melanie Brehaut

EP REVIEW: Dead Daisies rockin' out with a set of good old fever pitch on Face I Love

CAST your mind back some time and you'll remember that the 'supergroup' that is Dead Daisies wowed audiences when they supported Black Star Riders in a Christmas show in Limelight1.

They proved that they were not just another band of geezers intent on lapping up the cash, but were a bunch of musos having a good time, and playing some killer rock tunes. [Review of that gig is here.]

After achieving critical acclaim and hooking up some stellar tour spots (they toured with Kiss and Def Leppard last month) the band have released their 'Face I Love' ep, a collection of four tracks.

And, they've even released an app to go along with the release...  More on that later.

Powered by the stunning vocalist, Jon Stevens (Noiseworks/INXS) and co-founder David Lowry, the combination of these two with bassist and showman Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake), Guns 'n' Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and key tinkler Dizzy Reed and recent drum addition of Brian Tichy (Ozzy/Billy Idol) this is a group that knows its chops.

Released yesterday (September 8th), this is a collection of three original tracks and a cover of the band's favourite Beatles song, 'Helter Skelter'.

Lead track, 'Face I Love' is a smooth riffing rock 'n' roller, languid yet powerful - just as hard rock should be played, with Reed's keys perfectly backing Fortus and Lowry's tones.

'Angel Eyes' is a track with a dirty drive and Stevens vocals roll out as if his vocal chords have been coated with the best bourbon. The pace is picked up for 'Your Karma', with a real honky tonk groove, as all the band step up to get it down.

The cover of 'Helter Skelter' is pure rock nectar, although has an echo of Gillan's version, albeit with super solo snatches from Fortus that may owe a little to Bernie Tormé.

Overall this four-track is an enjoyable placeholder for a band that can bridge the classic rock/Radio2 gap, yet can sit in playlists of hard rock and classic metal.

And - as mentioned earlier - there is a 'Face I Love' app enabling Facebook users to upload a picture of the "face they love" on to Dead Daisies skull and watch it bloom...old fogeys may no truck with this witchcraft, but we're sure plenty will have a dabble with the app...and groove out to all the tracks on Face I Love.

Review by Jonny

Face I Love is out now on Spitfire Music/PIAS

Dead Daisies - a supergroup for those needing an extra fix of classic rock

THE term supergroup is one which can carry a lot baggage - but with Dead Daisies an unlikely combination of ex-members of INXS, current members of Guns 'n' Roses and session men playing with the likes of The Rolling Stones there may be a magic formula at work.

And for those planning to check out Black Star Riders when they play in Belfast's Limelight1 on December 15th all present are in for a special treat when the Dead Daisies hit the stage.

Featuring an array of musical delights their current album has all the great tunes you'd expect from a group of artists who have had their souls firmly locked into the great AOR tunes of the 70s and 80s, but with their hearts and heads bringing the sound bang up to date.

Formed around front man John Stevens (ex-INXS) and David Lowry a rolling line-up of luminaries such as previous members Marco Medoza they have settled on a line-up that sees them surging into the higher echelons of music performance with their self-titled album.

Slash lends some soulful work on lead single, Lock and Load, but having such a guest on that great track should not detract from the rest of the album.

Self-confessed fans of Bad Company and Foreigner, their twist on the classic sound is nothing new; but when treading this road, the only way to make your songs stand out is to don a new pair of cowboy boots and walk with purpose and intent down that road.

From the deep soulful songs like Yesterday, and the excellent opening track, It's Gonna Take Time this is a release that oozes rock and blues. That's not to say they don't know how to rock out - Bible Row being the perfect example of a song that Van Halen or even Queen would have been delighted to have in their repertoire because of its musical pace and nice set of lyrics. The chorus is a killer hook that has you humming along to it from the first listen.

Yes, there is nothing earth-shattering when you hear another act playing 70s and 80s rock, but who cares when it is this good!

The momentary panic of seeing a track with the title Can't Fight This Feeling and expecting an REO Speedwagon cover sneaks off as you sit back and listen to this ode to love.

Dead Daisies pedigree is clear, with Stevens at the helm and David Lowry anchoring down while Richard Fortus (Guns 'n' Roses) flows free; the whole thing hangs around a rhythm section of Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones touring bassist) and Charley Drayton in drums (ex-Cold Chisel and The Cult).

Having Dizzy Reed (G 'n' R keyboardist) adds flourishes that are subtle but important to add to the rich sound.

With the prospect of Dead Daisies supporting Black Star Riders this release is an excellent introduction to the band; an excellent set of tunes; and a set of songs that can transport you away from the dreary autumn nights to the Californian sun.

Dead Daisies album will be release shortly and make sure you're down early to the Limelight1 on December 15th.