Blades, Jack - Jack Blades


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Sanctuary Records
Catalog Number: 84686
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

The name Jack Blades receives instant recognition as a bass player/vocalist for his work with Night Ranger, Damn Yankees, and various projects he has contributed to over the years. After decades of his top-flight offerings to rock music, the time has arrived for Blades to step into the limelight as a solo artist. Jack Blades puts the spotlight on his own talents and a few household names as well. Damn Yankees pal Tommy Shaw (Styx) adds his distinctive voice and guitar while another legend with a storied past contributes, Neal Schon (Santana, Journey), and the old chemistry of Night Ranger enters the mix with guitar man Brad Gillis adding a few of his own licks. Having such wonderful talent perform on your first solo album lends that much more credibility to your cause, not that Blades needs any more credibility, that is a given. His choice of musical partners is impeccable. They add their special touch to an all around fine production.

When a cover tune is impressive, you know you are listening to an album with plenty of gas to go the entire ride, and "Nature's Way" is excellent. When in many instances a cover tune is thrown in for fun and filler, this is a legitimate contender for a single, as are many other tracks, such as the opener "Shine On" with Tommy Shaw, it is a real rocker with a melodic sense that you would expect from performers such as Blades and Shaw. At times, I heard Zeppelinesque power chords take shape and it seemed Jack's bass could have been more out front in the mix. Although getting the sound he was looking for probably could not be accomplished using that kind of approach or recording method. With someone like Jack Bruce for instance, who plays an entirely different style and genre of music, that is entirely possible. Regardless of that thought, this is a great rock album with many songs that have a propensity to stay with you? leaving you wanting for more. Inevitably, you find yourself giving the CD another spin, even if you were expecting to hear Jack's bass as the main instrument. This great rock album will push Blades to another level and give people reason to look back on his career more closely.

You do get what you would expect from this album, great rock music one track after another. I am certain that this album will be received well by critics and fans alike, which will put Jack Blades "On Top Of The World."


Tracklisting:
Shine On / Sea Of Emotions / We Are The Ones / Sometimes You Gotta Have Faith / Nature's Way / Who You Want To Be / Someday / Alone Tonight / On Top Of The World / Breaking It Down / To Touch The Sky

Musicians:
Jack Blades ? acoustic guitar, vocals, bass
Brad Gillis ? guitar
Neal Schon ? guitar, synth guitar
Tommy Shaw ? guitar, vocals
Jeff Watson ? guitar
Michael Cartellone ? drums
Warren DeMartini - acoustic guitar, guitar
Damon Johnson - vocals
Michael Lardie - guitar, keyboards
Kelly Keagy - drums, vocals

Discography:
Rubicon - Rubicon (1978)
Rubicon - American Dreams (1980)
Night Ranger - Dawn Patrol (1982)
Night Ranger - Midnight Madness (1983)
Night Ranger - 7 Wishes (1985)
Night Ranger - Big Life (1987)
Night Ranger - Man In Motion (1988)
Night Ranger - Night Ranger's Greatest Hits (1989)
Night Ranger - Live In Japan (1990)
Damn Yankees - Damn Yankees (1990)
Damn Yankees - Don't Tread (1992)
Night Ranger - Feeding Off The Mojo (1995)
Night Ranger - Neverland (1997)
Night Ranger - Seven (1998)
Night Ranger - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Night Ranger (2000)
Jack Blades (2004)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: April 4th 2004
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.jackblades.net
Hits: 2088
Language: english

  

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