Provogue PRD71382
#2 “Provogue” is probably the best independent label in the world that carries vast production of blues rock related releases. Many of the biggest names in this genre has started their recording careers on this Ducth label based in small city of Berkel.”Where Blues Meets Rock” is name of the series of releases which serve as an excellent introduction to label’s recent music. Newcomers like Greg Koch, Michael Lee Firkins or Steve Fister among others rub shoulders with big names including Omar & The Howlers, Dave Hole, Carl Verheyen, Michael Katon and others in this fine samplers which is also evident in Volume 5 where we can enjoy album tracks and sometimes tracks of soon to be released material. It offers more than 60 minutes of high quality blues rock and at budget price it’s a real steal!
Album opens with guitar wizzard Paul Gilbert who will knock your socks of with his high octane “Girls Watching”. He is joined by his equally talented uncle?!) Jimmy Kid, who was actually Paul’s mentor in his early days! Together they rock like possesed and if your feet stand still, you’re probably dead! You can’t take a breath and Michael Katon will ambush you with a breakneck speed boogie “The Detriot River Dirty Blues” and if that is not enough, there’s Jay Hooks to put additional heat on the proceedings with “Last Stand” from his “Red Line” album. This Texan can really put a punch be it studio or live setting.
Worth mentioning is “Black Dog Blues”, a nice shuffle performed by an British all-star band The Barrelhouse Brothers (Jeff Ward, Noel Jones, Paul King, Noel Redding…). Omar & The Howlers deliver some slow blues “Life Without You” with fine lyrics and plenty of hot licks that will keep you smiling, while Carl Verheyen (ex-Supertramp) is doing The Beatles justice with his beautiful version of “Yes It Is”, this really is a magnificent version! Newcomers Greg Koch and Steve Fister present why there were chosen to have their stuff released on Provogue and you should check that too. Rob Tognoni and Dave Hole from Down Under (that’s Australia for you!) are equally good and deservedly take their spots in this fine company of artists. What can you say about Michael Lee Firkins or Craig Erickson? These guys really cook and put additional spice in this collection which should easily take its place in any blues rock fan’s collection provided he’s willing to hear established masters and new kids on the block. Well done again Yvo, Ed and the rest at Provogue.