ROGER CHAPMAN ‘Riff Burglars’ (Mystic MYSCD165)(2003)
Two CD set from sessions recorded back in the early 1980’s. The artists
appear under assumed names such as Reverend Stovepipe and Ramblin’ Roy
Rubble! In reality these musicians include Steve Simpson (FRANKIE MILLER),
Boz Burrell (BAD COMPANY), Micky Moody (WHITESNAKE) and Zoot Money, with
Roger Chapman taking lead vocals.
Disc one has plenty of covers including a laid back version of Cream’s
‘Strange Brew’ and Chuck Berry’s ‘Downbound Train’. ‘Stovepipe’ is a bit of
fun featuring a great sax line from Nick Pentelow. The second disc has more
covers, with a run through the classic ‘Harlem Shuffle’ and a blues rock
version of ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’, complete with a classic vocal
from Chapman. ‘Mama told Me Not To Come’ is great fun listening to, with its
crystal clear percussion.
Chapman completists will lap this up, although the casual fan may find it
hard going at times. But you can tell the musicians had fun with this
recording, a fact that comes across loud and clear on the tracks.
Informative liner notes round off the set nicely.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
