On On Line

Frontman Andrew Freeman, bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne), and former Dio comrades-in-arms Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) and Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath) release their third album as Last In Line, Jericho. What was started by original Dio members Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice as a tribute to their own legacy quickly developed its own momentum. Teaming up with esteemed bassist Phil Soussan and one of the best rock voices of the era, Andrew Freeman, Last In Line was born. It would be easy to call Last In Line a supergroup when all its members have and had careers in the most influential bands of the genre from Dio, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osbourne, to Billy Idol and Def Leppard.

HEART LINE is the new AOR/Melodic Rock project by French guitarist and producer Yvan Guillevic (YGAS, PYG, United Guitars). Surrounded by a fantastic team, the group consists of vocalist Emmanuel Creis (Shadyon, Equinox), keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud (Devoid, Shadyon), drummer Walter Français (Shadyon) and bassist Dominique Braud (YGAS, EBH). Formed in 2020, HEART LINE has strongly been inspired by legendary 80’s bands, from Whitesnake, to Foreigner, Journey, Winger, Bad English, Giant, and many more. Powerful and melodic, the quintet takes us back to the beating heart of the 80’s, with heroic guitar solos and soaring vocal lines, supported by a stunning rhythm section and virtuoso keyboard licks. The brilliant artwork was designed by Stan W. Decker. HEART LINE are currently working on setting up a tour for 2022.

This Lee Ritenour twin pack consists of two albums that were originally recorded by JVC for the Japanese market and saw release in the U.S., almost as an afterthought. The proof of this is that Rio and On the Line were licensed for American issue first by Elektra before getting their subsequent GRP packages. By the time GRP put them on the market, these packages were separated by a decade in terms of recording time. Rio is an all acoustic recording which has aged quite nicely over the decades, while On the Line, with three different bands and a handful of direct-to-some-kind-of-digital processes, sounds flat, dated, and in places simply tired. Hardcore Rit fans won't care, but novices should be wary.

This is a keeper from the word "go." Recorded live in 1995 (but not released until 1998) at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, Robben Ford is joined by long-time Blue Line trio members Roscoe Beck on bass and Tom Brechtlein on drums, as well as Bill Boublitz on a baby grand piano. Although nearly all of the songs can be found on other Ford albums (most are from Handful of Blues), one of the things that makes this jazzy recording so special is that Ford is playing only an acoustic guitar. The Ray Charles gem "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (which you WON'T find elsewhere) is simply beautiful, and on Paul Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup," it's just Ford and his guitar. The brilliance of his playing and the reason behind why so many guitar players put him at the top of their list can be found in Ford's performance on this release, alternating between lead and rhythm. The Authorized Bootleg also has great (albeit laid-back) versions of "When I Leave Here" and "Tired of Talkin'." Highly, highly recommended.

A well-rounded exploration of every shade of blues Ford does so well: Chicago-style ("When I Leave Here"), jump blues ("The Miller's Son"), jazz-blues balladry ("Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"), and Texas shuffle ("Tired of Talkin'"). Ford's buttery lines and burnished tone (and his boyish voice) are captured in all their glory by producer Danny Kortchmar. Solidly anchored by bassist Roscoe Beck and drummer Tom Brechtlein, Ford solos liberally, taking the fast funk of "Think Twice" over the top with a burning series of rapid-fire runs and well-tooled turnarounds. Slowing down for a languid version of Willie Dixon's "I Just Want to Make Love to You," Ford plays it raw and soulful, recalling B.B. King. He then turns up the pace on "Strong Will to Live," closing out the album with a signature solo full of fire and drama.