GARY PICKFORD-HOPKINS ‘GPH’ (Angel Air SJPCD138 2003)
Gary Pickford-Hopkins was a member of 70’s band Wild Turkey, as well as
appearing on two of Rick Wakeman’s mid-70’s solo albums. What you get here
is decent slab of tuneful 70’s styled blues based rock. ‘Outlaw Blues’
provides a lively start, with some tasty guitar and organ work. Slow blues
on ‘Across The Muddy River’, again with great guitar solos. A cover of
Graham Bond’s ‘Long Time Coming’ is done with style, a very laid back and
mellow vibe. Bonnie Tyler duets on ‘Loving You Means Leaving You’, complete
with a gospel style end section. Some good moments of AOR here as well
including ‘Why’ and ‘U.B. Love’, the latter a good radio friendly tune.
A very rounded collection of songs, all of which are well produced and
played. You get blues rock, AOR and more, good chilling out music.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
