BraveWords review of Turning To Crime
Now that the record is released, the reviews are coming from all sides. Here’s the take from BraveWords.
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Now that the record is released, the reviews are coming from all sides. Here’s the take from BraveWords.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
So, this rather possessive review with lots of superlatives is finally valued by 6.5 out of 10. This could misleading readers! Sometimes the journalists just amazed me.
November 27th, 2021 at 07:05I enjoyed the Turning to Crime album. I generally preferred the somewhat more-obscure tracks. It’s hard to get the original classics out of my brain. I only review a few of them here.
First of all, the production is very good, especially considering it was recorded remotely. Secondly, the album design is excellent. The clear-vinyl L.P. is “groovy”, in more ways than one. And the lines on the sticker and inside jacket. Very slick. I didn’t want to hear the original versions first, because I wanted to give this album a fresh listen. Yes, some of the songs I’ve heard over the years, but not too recently. I think this album is best listened to on its own merits.
Rockin’ Pneumonia – Very good beat, love the piano playing, and I think Steve’s guitar twist about 2/3rds of the way in is sweet. It’s good hearing playing up-tempo good-feeling music while the world is down with the pandemic and all the things attendant with that. Ian’s voice sounds excellent, like it is well-rested.
Jenny Take a Ride! – I met Mitch Ryder up on stage in 1994 when he and his band played at BridgeFest in Allegan, MI. I actually recorded that jam on a cassette back then. I’m a big fan of any Detroit music (being from Michigan). I love the original version. It sounds like DP tried to put a new touch on it, and did excellent in my view. Don Airey and Ian Paice have a great rhythm going, along with Roger. The vocals are very good on it. Once again, Don shows his prowess on the piano. Maybe the best track on the album – and I like the touch with Del Shannon (another Michigander) tossed in. Kind of like old-time rockabilly. Honestly, one of my favorite Purple songs ever; did Mitch proud. I’d love to hear his feedback!
Watching the River Flow. I think Gillan is a bit of an up-tempo rhythm/zydeco dude at heart, and then enhances this track – and Airey’s piano is great. The extra instrumentation and backing vocals are superb. Paice & Glover haven’t lost anything over the years on the rhythm. I give this tune high marks.
Let the Good Times Roll. Sounds like a tune one might have heard in the late 1950s at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit or onstage at a music production at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Definitely a jazz piece. This track is so entirely off the wall and unexpected, I’ll give it an A+ for creativity. Vocals have a lot of energy and, once again, an upbeat track – which I like.
The Battle of New Orleans. Purple does a great job on this track. Ian’s vocals are great, especially the backing/support vocals. The two Ians shine brightest of this little gem. I heard one reviewer say it breaks the rhythm of the album because it’s a bit of an outlier among the tracks. But I enjoyed it.
Lucifer: This sounds more like a Purple song than a Bob Seger System tune. Bob’s version is a classic. And being from Michigan, I am a fan of Bob’s. Purple starts off a little methodic, but then Don Airey does a very solid solo, and it gets better from there until the end. Purple recovered from a bit of an average opening to an outstanding ending.
November 29th, 2021 at 07:59