RANDY HANSEN – Funtown (2016)
RANDY HANSEN is most notably known for his guitar virtuoso sound and interpretation of Jimi Hendrix, but the veteran axeman has musically a lot to say by his own. “Funtown” is Randy Hansen’s new album including 15 tracks of killer retro-fied, old-school heavy guitar rock mojo that will trip your good musical brain into the outskirts of infinity.
It’s true to say that Randy Hansen is one of the greatest rock guitarists of our time.
Hansen was a guitarist in the ’70s famous for his Jimi Hendrix tribute act. The man could flat out play some Jimi.. and even looks like him!
Sure, his name and work, like that of Robin Trower and Frank Marino, has inevitably been associated with fellow Seattle native Jimi, but Hansen is not a mere clone having recorded one of the most innovative hard rock albums of the early ’80s featuring his own material, a record that pretty much set standards for electric guitar playing.
Randy Hansen’s talent attracted the attention of music producer David Rubinson and film director Francis Ford Coppola who asked Randy to provide musical interludes for the movie ‘Apocalypse Now’. Most are featured in the original soundtrack of the movie.
Over the years Hansen continued a Hendrix tribute band, but also releasing his own stuff like in this new “Funtown”. It’s one of the first albums by Randy featuring original compositions in many years, which is an audiovisual field trip of the mind where he takes us to an amusement park. The park rides and exhibits are the songs.
And all are incredibly deep, guitar rockin’ riff-tastic tunes.
While listening “Funtown” you have a permanent Hendrix feel all over, but Randy Hansen go further and explores various musical territories.
There’s progressive moments (always revolving around traditional hard rock), melodic arrangements, some jammin’ craziness, calmer classic rock shuffle, and Hansen’s vocals providing a palatable retro vibe.
One interesting note about the album; all the instruments were played and recorded by Randy. The entire recording all but one song where Randy’s son plays drums.
The recording was also mixed by Randy with a classic sound, and he also designed the artwork with some great drawings done by himself.
If you dig some explosive guitar playing in the classic mould (there’s even some early Van Halen here) you’ll love “Funtown”.
They do not make album like this anymore, but Randy Hansen is an uncompromised musician far from trends and faithful to the classic rock heart, and has created a record plenty of groove and rockin’ spirit that seems lost in the current music scene.
Very Recommended.
01: Funtown
02: Save America
03: Odd Ball
04: Mind Controller
05: Paramount
06: Izaiah
07: Two Wonderful Dragonflies
08: Leave The Last Door Open
09: Underwater Lazarium
10: Lookout My Love
11: Keep On Keepin On
12: Fight ’em By Myself
13: The Pain
14: X-15
15: Personal Disneyland
Randy Hansen (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums)
Desmond Hansen (drums on ‘The Pain’)
PRE-ORDER:
www.amazon.com/Funtown-Randy-Hansen/dp/B013L20QWA
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