Soldiers & Sailors

If you are thinking of purchasing this CD do so it will be money well spent and you will own a CD I rate as one of the best I have ever bought.

It is almost impossible to choose 'standout' tracks on the album. All are superbly crafted with smart and emotive lyrics. The musicianship is outstanding and it is all delivered with a passion and love of performing that is simply palpable. In particular the power of Danny Vaughn's voice is just breathtaking.

If I had to choose favourite tracks, I would have to go for: 'Bad Water', 'Is that all there is?', 'Shadowland', 'Soldiers and Sailors on Riverside' and 'The Voice' (I told you it was impossible to limit your choice!)

Thank you Vaughn. This is a true masterpiece which will stand the test of time - a classic!

Opening track 'Bad Water' begins with a gentle, almost eerie intro before kicking in and never letting up. This is going to make a great live track. 'Is That All There Is?' is the first single and probably the most commercial track on the record. It's tracks like that make me angry that the radio stations in this country no longer supports rock music at all. If this track was given a fair hearing it could have been huge! 'Healing Hands' has a gospel influence and while not as instant as the previous tracks, it is a definite grower. 'Handful Of Rain' is the albums first ballad. Acoustic driven and full of emotion Danny sings his heart out like only a few singer know how. Next up is 'Stone Monkey', a funky Chilli Peppers type number, during which the rhythm section of Scott and Clayton really let it go.

We're now half way through the record and so far the album is full of classics. It's usually at this point on a record as good as this that you have to accept that the rest of the record will be a bit of a disappointment.......WRONG!

The second half starts off with 'Shadowland', a track that was originally written for the follow up to Tyketto's 'Strength In Numbers' album, and rocks like most bands seemed to have forgotten how. This is followed by the albums title track and 'Paradise Ain't Home' - both tracks being more laid back and acoustic, but still with hooks and melodies that etch their way into your head. 'Gandy Dancer' rocks things up again before things come to a close with the excellent 'The Voice' - Another track filled with emotion and thought provoking lyrics.

With the amazing vocal chords and songwriting talents of Danny Vaughn the band couldn't really go wrong, but 'Soldiers...' really does outdo my expectations. It's one of the few albums that, as soon as it is over, you will want to play it again, and again, and again.....a classic!