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The term ‘supergroup’ is something of a golden albatross. On one hand, it tells us here is a band of established, successful musicians whose combined talents will undoubtedly deliver the sonic equivalent of The Second Coming. On the other hand, it tends to arouse astronomical expectations which are almost never met. Wade through a few albums by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Firm, Traveling Wilburys and Power Station, for example, and you’ll get the picture.
Although ambivalent about the supergroup label since their inception last year, Black Country Communion feature a formidable line-up of familiar names with a century-plus of experience between them. Joining vocalist/bassist Glenn ‘Voice of Rock’ Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath) are former Dream Theater keyboard player Derek Sherinian, drummer Jason Bonham (son of late Led Zeppelin sticksman John) and guitarist Joe Bonamassa, currently one of the top bluesmen in business.
As pools of talent go, this one’s deep, and the old saying "If a bomb went off in that studio, etc" definitely applies. With direct links back to the mighty motherlode of Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, it’s no big surprise that BCC have delivered a dozen shots of timeless, classic rock. It’s ballsy, bluesy, even soulful at times, and with none of the bleached-out blandness that ego-clashes and endless compromises can bring. It’s no secret that things weren’t always super-smooth between them, but they got over it, got on with it, and the result is simply stellar.
Drawing on all that experience without sounding like you’re long enough in the tooth to have all that experience to draw on is a magical thing. Hughes in particular is on fire and in better voice than ever. Somehow – God alone knows how – wasted years of cocaine and Mars Bar binges (don’t ask) haven’t trashed any part of his anatomy required for singing. Blazing performances aside, the key here is the songs, which are wonderfully crafted. The title-track is an attention-grabbing opener, while current single One Last Soul is simply outstanding, but there’s really nothing here that shouldn’t be. These guys have defied the odds to deliver a collection that’s all gold and no albatross.
--Greg MoffittFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl|Amazon Verified Purchase
A friend of mine told me to look out for this one, given the pedigree of all concerned, I was happy to do so! My copy, vinyl not CD (which costs extra) arrived immediately on release. Well done Amazon, great service as usual. On examining the sleeve I thought some of the printing on the rear cover was a little blurrey, but hey it could be my eyes, so nothing to worry about there. I do have a pretty good system for vinyl replay (Roksan/Arcam) so dropping the stylus onto the run in greeted me with nothing but a highly commendable fresh vinyl swoosh and with one exception both of the records (it's a double) were the same. Virtually free from surface noise, clicks and pops just as they should be. The sound quality is as you would expect very good. I haven't heard the CD version so I can't compare the two but I'm more than satisfied. The music? Oh that. Well I love it and for me there isn't a bad track on the album. Yes at first I felt that Joe Bonamassa might be slightly out of his comfort zone with some of the heavier passages,as he is a bluesman at heart, but this feeling left me after a couple of plays. My friend thought the first track "Black Country" off-putting and that it almost ruined the rest of the album for him but personally I like it. I also love the re-working of Medusa (Title track from "Medusa" - Trapeze, 1970) which after 40 years still sounds as fresh as ever. I think Mel Galley would have approved. At times I get a "mid-70's Deep Purple feeling" about some of the passages and given that Glen Hughes was in the band at that time this isn't so surprising. What will you think about it? I dunno, give it a listen. If you like rock and blues you will almost certainly like some of it, perhaps all, but whatever you think I'm looking forward to the second album. Should be another killer.
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