PLAY YARD BLUES - review added 7th July 2010
Album Review: Play Yard Blues (2010)
For fans of: Blues Rock... and Europe musicians not sounding like Europe
John Norum is best known as the guitarist with Scandinavian rock band Europe, although he has released several solo albums over the years. Most were released during his hiatus from Europe between the late 1980's and early 2000s. His last was "Optimus" back in 2005. "Play Yard Blues" is his 7th solo release.
Joining John (who plays guitars and sings lead vocals) is Tomas Torberg on bass, Thomas Broman on drums, Peer Stappe on percussion, and John's Europe colleague Mic Michaeli on keyboards. Leif Sundin cuts in with vocals on 'Got My Eyes on You' and 'Born Again'.
The album consists of seven original tunes written or co-written by John, and three covers - 'It's Only Money' by Thin Lizzy, 'Ditch Queen' by Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush, and 'Travelin' in the Dark', originally by Mountain. The sound, as the title may suggest, is very blues orientated but with a nice rock twang thrown in for good measure. To my ears it's like a cross between old Whitesnake, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. John Norum is a superb guitarist so it's easy to compare him to the greats. His voice is more endearing than it has any right to be too.
Favourite moments include the sublimely cool 'Red Light Green High', the hard hitting 'Got My Eyes On You', the bass-licious 'When Darkness Falls', the smooth cover of 'Travelin' in the Dark', and the speedy 'Born Again'. The remaining tracks are all perfectly decent. To be honest nothing on "Play Yard Blues" is anything less than classy and well judged.
This is a fine album by one of the best musicians out there. He has a good voice, although it wouldn't go amiss if guest vocalist Leif Sundin gets to sing all the tracks next time. John Norum's real craft is obviously with the guitar, and on that front he doesn't even vaguely let the side down. If you like rocking blues, you should check this out. It's rather good!
Check out... Leif Sundin's vocals...and John's guitar playing of course!
Track List:
01. Let it Shine
02. Red Light Green High
03. It's Only Money
04. Got My Eyes On You
05. When Darkness Falls
06. Over and Done
07. Ditch Queen
08. Travelin' in the Dark
09. Born Again
10. Play Yard Blues
Label: Mascot Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace
