Artists | Issues | CD Reviews | Interviews | Concert Reviews | DVD/Video Reviews | Book Reviews | Who We Are | Staff | Home
 
Non-Prog CD Reviews

Geff Harrison

Collectors Premium

Review by Gary Hill

Geff Harrison is probably best known for his work in the bands King Ping Meh and Twenty Sixty Six And Then. This new double-disc set features two separate solo CDs (well, one with his band and the other with an orchestra) along with some bonus tracks. The music here is mainstream and quite effective. I think I like both discs equally, but they are quite different. The first set is closer to the kind of music you expect from Rod Stewart. In fact, Harrison's vocals often sound like Stewart. The second album has music that lands near progressive rock at times. However you slice it, though, this is a great one-two of music. I'd recommend it to Harrison's fans and to those who just like great classic styled rock music.


This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 1 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review
CD1 - Geff Harrison Band - Together
                  
Red Sky Tonight

A pretty balladic cut, this feels a lot like Rod Stewart. I like the melodies and the piano lends something special to it. When it drives out the more energized movement, it gains some oomph, but loses nothing in the process.

I Know A Bit About Love
There is a bit of a bluesy rocking sound to this. It's another strong cut with some great classic textures. The organ lends a lot to the arrangement. The killer guitar sound pairs well with the rocking vocal approach.
I Can See The Way
Essentially a piano and vocal based ballad, this gets some other layers of sound as reinforcement further down the road. It's another classy tune.
Lightning Strikes Twice Every Night
Here we get much more of a rocker. This is a lot of fun. It's also another that calls to mind Rod Stewart quite a bit, along with the Stones. The "woo woo" backing vocals make me think of The Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," but the rest of the song doesn't sound like that.
Goodbye Mona Lisa
I love the intricate guitar that opens this cut. It's too powerful and dramatic to really call a ballad, but it is slow moving and mellow. It has a real psychedelic vibe to it, made more prominent by the backing vocals. The arrangement gets lusher as it works forward. Then there is a total change. A cool rocking segment rises out of the previous movement.  I dig the expressive guitar solo on it.
Reach Out
Another that calls to mind Rod Stewart quite a bit, this is a classy balladic piece. It has a classy guitar solo in a more powered up segment later.
Rags To Riches
Energetic rocking sounds bring this into being. There is a short dropped back section later in the track. I love the instrumental movement that follows it. We get both a cool organ solo and a tasty guitar showcase.
Together
Another rocker, this makes me think of something Nazareth might have done in the 70s,
Bonustracks:

          

You Can't Sell Love

This cool pop rocker has a really captivating sound and some great hooks. It feels a bit dated, but that is in retrospect.

Hold On
A bit more of a bluesy rocker, this is slow moving and quite dramatic. I love the funky bass work later in the piece.
Tell Me Why
Bouncy and rather catchy, there is a great pop rock vibe to this. Again, Rod Stewart is a valid reference point.
Time Won't Wait For No One
Another that feels a bit dated, this has a solid pop rock vibe to it.
CD2 - Geff Harrison & The London Symphonic-Rock Orchestra
             
Love Fell Like Rain

A powerful and evocative balladic introduction serves as the backdrop for the first vocal section. The cut gets more power added as it moves forward, but then drops back down. This is really quite a prog rock styled piece. It works through a number of changes as it continues to evolve.

Days
Another proggy cut, this makes a good balance of mellower and more rocking stuff. In some ways it makes me think of Klaatu just a bit.
It's Not Easy For A Singer In A RockĀ“n Roll Band
This is a fun rocker. It's a classy tune that works really well.
Stranger In This Town
Folk rock with some progressive rock in the mix, this is more of a powered up ballad. It's another winner for sure.
I Wanna Say It With My Music

There is a soulful edge to this brought by the backing vocals. Beyond that, it's more of a mainstream rocker. To a small degree ELO wouldn't be a terrible reference point. The flute solo in the closing jam is so cool.

Transatlantic Telephone
A balladic cut, this is one that lands more in the vein of adult contemporary music. Rod Stewart is a valid reference point here. As it powers out later it makes me think of both Mott the Hoople and The Beatles.
Love Or Money
A bouncy rocker, there is a lot of Beatles sound built into this. It's a lot of fun.
Heaven
Another balladic cut, the orchestra really adds a lot to this. It's lush and quite powerful.
Bonustracks:
           
Eve of Destruction

This is an intriguing version of the Barry McGuire classic. I always say that if you are going to cover a song, you need to make it your own. I would rate Harrison as a success in that department. This has a cool rock vibe to a lot of it with an intriguing stripped down approach on the mellower, balladic parts. It's an intriguing vision of the number.

How Can You Sleep
I like this rocker. It has a great mainstream texture. This is energized and has some cool hooks. Somehow I'm reminded just a little of Pablo Cruise here.
 
More CD Reviews
Metal/Prog Metal
Non-Prog
Progressive Rock
 
Google

   Creative Commons License
   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

    © 2024 Music Street Journal                                                                           Site design and programming by Studio Fyra, Inc./Beetcafe.com