[% title = 'Quatermass II' %]

<H2>New CD by Quatermass II</H2>

<OL>
<LI> Prayer for the dying (Bart Foley)
<LI> Good day to die (Gary Davis/Bart Foley)
<LI> Wild wedding (John Gustafson)
<LI> Suicide blond (Gary Davis/Bart Foley)
<LI> River (Bernie Torme)
<LI> Long road (Bart Foley)
<LI> Woman in love (Bart Foley)
<LI> Hit and run (Bart Foley)
<LI> Daylight robbery (John Gustafson)
<LI> Coming home (Bart Foley)
<LI> Circus (Gary Davis/Bart Foley/Nick Simper/Mick Underwood)
</OL>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="10">
<TR><TD>Nick Simper</TD><TD>bass guitar/vocals</TD></TR>
<TR><TD>Bart Foley</TD><TD>lead vocals</TD></TR>
<TR><TD>Gary Davis</TD><TD>lead guitar/vocals</TD></TR>
<TR><TD>Mick Underwood</TD><TD>drums/percussion</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P>
In a year when we're going to be blessed with albums by Deep Purple,
Richie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Steve Morse, maybe Jon Lord and almost
certainly Glenn Hughes as the premier league players and then a score
of reissues and on top a bunch of albums from spinoffs of the
spinoffs, do we really need another album by a couple of
Purple-related musicians?
</P>

<P>
Well,  "yes".
</P>

<P>
Mick Underwood and Nick Simper got together at the RPM records
Christmas party in 1995 and started recording some tracks with Bernie
Torme and an old friend vocalist, Pete Taylor. Two demos later despite
some good songs, the project hadn't really gelled. Torme, for whatever
reason didn't want to participate any more so Gary Davis was brought
in. Finally Pete Taylor went to record with Torme and was replaced by
Bart Foley, another stalwart of the West London rock scene.
</P>

<P>
Finally the project has come together.
</P>

<P>
The album, aptly titled "Long Road" features eight rock-solid
compositions with Underwood and Simper's fat rocking rhythm section
backing Davis' excellent guitar work. Foley's slightly gravely vocals
top it perfectly.
</P>

<H3>
So?
</H3>

<P>
Here's the tragedy - there's nothing in this album to offend. There's
nothing to challenge the listener. It's all beautifully executed and
produced; the slow numbers like "River" and "Woman in Love" descend
with aplomb, guitar and vocals soaring above moody bass and drums; the
pacier numbers zip along above a thumping rhythm section. But where
are the songs that make you go "What the F*** was that?", or simply
"Huh?". 
</P>

<H3>
And?
</H3>

<P>
If I start offering suggestions, I feel like it's a damn cheek. But if
these guys want to take this project somewhere, and for the most
excellent Gary Davis' sake I hope so, then they need to rediscover an
edge, a theatre-rousing energy that moves a band from competence into
vibrancy and inspiration. So, clubs soon then some festivals this
summer please.
</P>

<P>
If that's all right by you.
</P>

<P><I>
<A HREF="mailto:daveh@thehighwaystar.com">Dave Hodgkinson</A>
</I></P>

<HR NOSHADE SIZE="1">

<P>
When I played the album for the first time - at max volume - I jumped up
shouting out "What the bl..dy h.ll" is this? Well this was the song 'River'
a wonderful piece of music. And if that was not enough there are some more
gems on the album like the rocking Coming home,  Daylight robbery with the
sing-a-long chorus and there's very good guitar playing in every
song. Everybody who loves guitar dominated albums with good rocking songs
must go and get this one.<BR>
<I>Hans van der Meiden.<BR>
The Netherlands</I>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><I>
Hans van der Meiden is starting a Dutch DP 'zine Real Soon Now. - Ed.
</I></FONT></P>