Harry James

Mon
28
Aug

SNAKECHARMER - Second Skin (Review)

information persons: 
content: 
80%
Produced By: 
Snakecharmer
Release Date: 
2017
Released: 
Worldwide
Musical Style: 
Classic Rock
Label: 
Frontiers
Artist: 
Score: 
80
Friday, May 12, 2017
Categories: 
Reviews
 
Well it’s a lot better than the one-paced and rather bland debut, that’s for certain. Tighter production, clearer mix and much better songs. And the band has moved away from the Whitesnake heritage, swinging into a more straight up classic rock vibe. Maybe because Neil Murray is the only snake left after Mickey Moody departed.
 
Chris Ousey as usual sings his heart out, belting out his best on tunes such as the rocking opening Sounds Like A Plan and the sweeter feel good That Kind Of Love and the fast moving Follow Me Under, which continues a more varied tempo than the debut.
 
The blues kick in with some hard edged riffing on Hell Of A Way To Live, continuing into the slow burning ballad Fade Away.
The acoustic driven pop/rock ballad Punching Above My Weight is a tail end highlight amongst a few songs that don’t carry their weight.
 
I’d still much prefer Chris Ousey fronting The Distance, or teaming again with Mike Slamer like he did for his debut solo album. Still, it’s always good to hear his voice.
 
Snakecharmer have lost a little of their ‘snake’ and gained a little more ‘charm’, but they are still a ways off a classic album. More work on hooks and choruses next time – everything else seems to be in place.

 

 
Tue
21
Mar

SHADOWMAN Expose 'Secrets And Lies' May 19

Artist: 
Friday, May 19, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Escape Music will release the brand new SHADOWMAN album on May 19.
 
 
Steve Overland (FM) -­ Lead Vocals
Steve Morris (Heartland) ­- Guitars & Keyboards
Chris Childs (Thunder) ­- Bass
Harry James (Thunder) -­ Drums
 
Special guest on keyboards: Didge Digital
 
Produced by: Steve Morris and Steve Overland
Mixed and Mastered by: Martin Kronlund
Executive Producer: Khalil Turk for Escape Music Ltd.
 
Track List: 1- Gravity 4:34 / 2-Automatic 4:19 / 3- Put It All On Love 4:45 / 4-Contagious 3:26 / 5-Broken Bones 3:53/ 6-Best Things In Life 4:09 / 7-Face The Night 4:23 / 8-No Smoke Without Fire 4:09 / 9-Good Times, Bad Times 2:58 / 10-Be True To yourself 4:21 / 11-Secrets And Lies 3:57 / 12-Stand Up And Be Counted 3:26
 
It has been almost 14 years since the debut album by Shadowman was released ('Land of the Living' ESM098). The album was warmly received by all who had a penchant for good old British melodic hard rock. As you would expect Shadowman had elements of both Heartland and FM deeply embedded in its grooves, yet it was highly original and was often touted as the best British melodic release of 2004.
 
Two years later in 2006 and the eagerly awaited follow up 'Different Angles' (ESM 127) became an important album for this quartet that also includes both Harry James and Chris Childs of Thunder. The unmistakable guitar trademark sound of Steve Morris and the vocals of Steve Overland will always shine through at a very early stage. Somehow they make their music sound effortless, and as we all very well know Steve Overland has a remarkable vocal range. His vocal range suits the classic melodic rock genre and he has a very bluesy side to his talent. His four solo releases on Escape Music are all fine examples of his work.
 
Shadowman are a band that is all about great rock music who will win you over with charm. Quality rock music is so hard to find these days and it is reassuring to know that it hasn't lost its way. 'Ghost in the Mirror' (ESM179), the band's third release in 2008 is an extension of the band's already established sound and the 2011 release 'Watching Over You' helped nurture the band's identity even further.
 
Another six years on and we are presented with the band’s fifth studio release, and it’s certainly been worth the wait. “Gravity” is a marvellous opener which shows fresh ideas and superb musicianship, and this pretty much paves the way for the rest of the album. Along the way we have Steve Morris and his ever present guitar prowess, and Steve Overland just effortlessly gives us brilliant vocal performances throughout. The solid rhythm of Thunder men Chris Childs and Harry James are faultless, and with classic touches from original FM keyboards player Didge Digital we are in for a real treat.
 
Discography: Land of the Living (2004), Different Angles (2006), Ghost in the Mirror (2008), Watching Over you (2011), Nowhere Bound (2017)
 
 

 

 
Thu
09
Mar

SNAKECHARMER Deliver 'Second Skin' May 12

Artist: 
Friday, May 12, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of Snakecharmer’s sophomore album, “Second Skin” on May 12.
 
The British hard rock supergroup Snakecharmer was originally founded in 2011 by former Whitesnake/David Coverdale members Micky Moody and Neil Murray along with the perfect mix of high calibre musicians including Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash), Harry James (Thunder, Magnum), Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne), and Chris Ousey (Heartland).
 
The band’s debut self-titled album was released in 2013 and musically the record showed a finely crafted hard rock style mixed with blues and melodic overtones, akin to Micky and Neil's former band and Bad Company, with hints of early Foreigner as well.
 
Snakecharmer played live shows regularly in support of the album’s release and built a solid fanbase in the UK and Europe. In 2016, Moody left the band and was replaced by the Irish-born Simon McBride on lead guitar. Simon was hailed “among the best blues-rock players anywhere in the world” by Guitarist Magazine and has built up an impressive resume playing with outstanding rock, soul, and blues artists.
 
“Second Skin” is the hotly anticipated second effort from Snakecharmer and brings the listener straight back to the good old days of real rock n' roll played with heart and soul. Slightly harder edged compared to the debut, but with roots still firmly planted in the classic hard rock vibe with a hint of late '70s AOR, this new record sounds fresh and crisp.
 
Bassist Neil Murray says “It’s been a rather long journey, but finally I’m very pleased to announce that Snakecharmer are soon to release our new album, Second Skin. The band has now found its own unique musical identity and in particular Laurie Wisefield and Chris Ousey have contributed some very powerful and melodic songs, which still have the Snakecharmer blues-rock distinctive trademarks. The band works in a very democratic and collaborative way, which means that sometimes there is a lot of discussion before decisions are finally made, and it was great to have a more objective viewpoint from producer Gary Stevenson, who also fired the band up with his ideas, enthusiasm and sonic skills. We can’t wait to get out on tour and play some of the new songs, together with the best of our established classics, both Snakecharmer and Whitesnake, and showcase our new virtuoso guitarist, the brilliant Simon McBride.”
 
Strong, passionate, rocking, and blues-laden, “Second Skin” is quality British hard rock at its very best!
 
Tracklisting:
1. Sounds Like A Plan
2. That Kind Of Love
3. Are You Ready To Fly
4. Follow Me Under
5. I'll Take You As You Are
6. Hell Of A Way To Live
7. Fade Away
8. Dress It Up
9. Punching Above My Weight
10. Forgive & Forget
11. Where Do We Go From Here
 
SNAKECHARMER:
Chris Ousey - vocals
Laurie Wisefield - guitar
Simon McBride - guitar
Adam Wakeman - keyboards
Neil Murray - bass
Harry James - drums
 
UK TOUR DATES:
May 05 Cardiff, The Globe
May 07 Bingley, Bingley Arts Centre
May 10 Hull, Fruit
May 12 Sheffield, The Plug
May 13 Tavistock, The Wharf
May 14 London, O2 Academy Islington
May 18 Glasgow, 02 ABC2
May 19 Newcastle upon Tyne, 02 Academy
May 20 Alva, Scotland
May 24 Preston, Guildhall
May 25 Milton Keynes, The Stables
May 26 Frome, Cheese And Grain
May 27 Holmfirth, Picturedrome

 

 
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