Red, White And Zero

White Skies is a UK based AOR band formed by former Samson/First Strike vocalist Mick White, former Ya Ya guitarist Ray Callcut and former Double Cross/Dante Fox keyboard player Pete Lakin. Just prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020, Mick and Ray (who were old friends from the eighties) had discussed the idea of writing a pure AOR album very much in the style of the giants of the genre like Journey, Foreigner and Toto.

UK five CD set. White Lion originally formed in 1983 when Danish singer Mike Tramp moved to New York City and teamed up with guitarist Vito Bratta. Tramp and Bratta would make a strong and consistent writing team throughout White Lion's brief career. Releasing their debut Fight To Survive (CD One) independently in 1985, the band's fortunes really took off once they were snapped up by Atlantic Records to release second record Pride (CD Two) in June 1987.

Most people discover this recording when a friend runs breathlessly into their living space shouting something like "You've got to hear this! This guy is unbelievable!" One listen confirms. Groom was apparently a protege of Duane Allman, and he does sport the same devil-may-care attitude in his slide guitar playing, but he was his own man. Evidently one of the long line of bluesman (albiet white and ordinary looking) to succumb to drink and drugs and plain bad luck, Groom sang with conviction and played like a man possessed. This recording features pristine sonic quality, and the live in the room sound of a gathering of friends playing mostly for themselves. The song choices may look cliche at first glance, but Groom makes all of them his own. Mick Taylor plays (somewhat uncharistically) tasteful support, and Groom supports Taylor well on his solos.

Most people discover this recording when a friend runs breathlessly into their living space shouting something like "You've got to hear this! This guy is unbelievable!" One listen confirms. Groom was apparently a protege of Duane Allman, and he does sport the same devil-may-care attitude in his slide guitar playing, but he was his own man. Evidently one of the long line of bluesman (albiet white and ordinary looking) to succumb to drink and drugs and plain bad luck, Groom sang with conviction and played like a man possessed. This recording features pristine sonic quality, and the live in the room sound of a gathering of friends playing mostly for themselves. The song choices may look cliche at first glance, but Groom makes all of them his own. Mick Taylor plays (somewhat uncharistically) tasteful support, and Groom supports Taylor well on his solos.