Chris Buck & The Big Horns - Postcards from Capricorn (2013)
Chris Buck & The Big Horns - Postcards from Capricorn (2013)
1. Blue Blood 2. Oh Well 3. Who's In Front / Eminence Front 4. Running On Faith 5. Off The Wall 6. Still In Love With You 7. Out In The Cold Line up: Chris Buck - guitar Tony Montana - vocals Jimmy Mack - bass Michael Thompson - drums
Deluxe CD/DVD edition. 2013 album from the Welsh Rock guitarist. Chris Buck was discovered by Guns 'n' Roses' former manager and has been endorsed by Slash. The album features musical assistance from Jimmy Mack (Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder and Ritchie Havens), Mike Thompson (Bueno), and Tony Montana (Great White). Larry Lee laid down some very choice keyboard parts. The Big Horns were wrangled together. ---Editorial Reviews, amazon.com
A tasteful and mature first album from Welsh guitarist Chris Buck, the latest in an impressive and talented line of highly-rated British blues/rock guitarists stretching back to the 60's. The interpretations of some great rock tracks display wonderfully soulful phrasing - you can see why Slash rates him so highly. 'Blue Blood' is a strong opening track, while 'Eminence Front' and 'Still in Love With You' are highlights, along with a superb reworking of Peter Green's 'Oh Well'. Tony Montana's vocals are right on the money (especially on 'Still In Love') and the tracks are powerfully driven by Jimmy Mack's bass and Michael Thompson on drums. 'Off the Wall' (not the Michael Jackson track) is wonderfully evocative of the innocence and spontaneity of the 1960's; you can easily imagine Stevie Winwood playing Larry Lee's keys part.
On the accompanying DVD, the Stones 'Miss You' and Bonnie Raitt's 'Can't Make You Love Me' are tastefully thoughtful reworkings, while 'Machine Gun/Cochise' crackles with energy. A tight and talented band - the next album should be very interesting, especially if a larger proportion of original material can be incorporated - and Chris Buck is well worth a listen; this guy is a serious player with an innate sense of feel and phrasing very reminiscent of mid-period Clapton. Finally, a special mention for the packaging: it's good to see that actual care and a certain design sensibility have been shown in reproducing the look and feel of an old vinyl double album. Nice touch! ---DerekisEric, amazon.com
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