Chris Norman - There And Back (2013)

01. I'm Gone
02. Gypsy Queen
03. Nobody's Fool
04. Wish You Well
05. My Jenny
06. Whisky And Water
07. Love's Such A Strange Thing
08. Lovers And Friends
09. Hard Road
10. Hound Dog Blues
11. Did The Monkeys Take Over The Zoo
12. Hot Love
13. Northern Star

Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Geoff Carline
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Vocals – Chris Norman
Arranged By [String] – Rob Taggart
Backing Vocals – Ina Morgan
Bass, Backing Vocals – Axel Kowollik
Drums, Percussion – Dorino Goldbrunner
Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Accordion, Backing Vocals – Martina Walbeck 

Chris Norman is best known as the vocalist in 70’s soft rockers Smokie, of ‘Living Next Door To Alice’ fame. This is his first UK solo album in over five years and the lead single, ‘Gypsy Queen’ is released to mark his 45 years in the music business.

Good choice of single as it has a decent beat to it and sure to please the Radio 2 audience. The flamenco/Spanish flavour extends itself into the ballad ‘Wish You Well’, a song that highlights the strength and emotion Chris Norman puts into his music.

The rockier moments work well, from the opener ‘I’m Gone’ through to ‘My Jenny’, where Chris Norman’s vocal takes on a rougher edge and reminded me of Nazareth and Rod Stewart.

‘Whisky & Water’ taps a Status Quo boogie riff and is great fun. Another change of tempo and musical style comes with the gospel flavoured ‘Hard Road To Cross’, a song that also features a female duet.

Sure to find a place in his fans’ CD collections and given the right airplay here in the UK could help him get back onto people’s musical radars again. If you think Chris Norman is all about Smokie, think again, this album will surprise you. --- Jason Ritchie, getreadytorock.me.uk

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