DIZZY REED (Guns N’ Roses) – Rock ‘N Roll Ain’t Easy (2018)

Believe it or not, keyboardist DIZZY REED is the longest serving member of Guns N’ Roses (28 years) apart from Axl Rose, and like many of the band’s current & former members Dizzy is releasing his first solo album titled “Rock N’Roll Ain’t Easy“.

In the world of music, Guns N’ Roses need no introduction. The addition of keyboardist Dizzy Reed in 1990 marked a stylistic turning point in the band’s maturity, incorporating piano and the epic tones of the Hammond B-3 into their aggressive hard rock sound.
In 2012, Dizzy was inducted into the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N’ Roses. He has played with many artists, and toured, recorded and written with supergroup The Dead Daisies. He also sings lead vocals with his side project, Hookers And Blow.
So it was time for Dizzy Red solo debut.

“Rock N’Roll Ain’t Easy” has actually been in the making for the past 10 years and it was Del James (a long associate of Guns N’ Roses and one of Axl Rose’s best friends) who suggested to Dizzy to go forward with the record and get it out and this also led to James co producing the album.
Dizzy Reed takes his 28 years’ experience as keyboardist and backing vocalist for Guns N’ Roses, adds in his love of classic rock, and calls upon his friendships with the likes of fellow Guns N’ Roses member Richard Fortus, Thin Lizzy / The Dead Daisies’ Ricky Warwick, Mike Dupke & Mike Duda of W.A.S.P., Psychedelic Furs saxophonist Mars Williams, and many more.

Opening up with the terrific ‘This Don’t Look Like Vegas’ which was co-written by Ricky Warwick (current singer of Black Star Riders and also lends his guitar talents to the record) the song slowly builds up to a fusion of rock. Immediately you are reminded of influences, classic American rock which inevitably includes Guns N’ Roses. But you can hear the old Alice Cooper band here too, this is timeless rock.

‘Cheers 2 R Oblivion’ is probably the most pop sounding track on the record then again it turns heavy rock by its second verse and has a catchy chorus. Of course this is Dizzy’s gig and as well as vocals his playing skills on keys are also prominent especially on ‘Fragile Water’ which has a very Keith Richards vibe.
Dizzy vocals are trained in Rock n’ roll, and perhaps we always think of Dizzy at the back of the stage, on keyboards and backing vocals with Guns N’ Roses. In reality, Dizzy is one of the engines behind GN’R, and his debut album certainly brings him to the fore front.

There isn’t a bad moment or a feeling of filler song on the whole album though it is in its second half that “Rock N’ Roll Ain’t Easy” really moves a few gears up.
‘I Celebrate’ has a killer riff and chorus and just becomes infectious, aside from some sliding guitars, Reed’s voice in perfect harmony, we get some saxophone in there too.
‘Crestfallen’ could be the best song on the album starting off slowly as Reed screams out his anguish in this perfect hard rock ballad which includes an insane 30 second guitar solo. ‘Forgotten Cases’ has the best chorus on the album, the type of song that ends and you go immediately back too.

‘Reparations’ is probably the heaviest track, and again Dizzy has been able to orchestrate such a catchy chorus. On the title track Dizzy gets out the keys and unlocks this climax to a great record which may well take rock fans and even long standing Guns N’ Roses fans by surprise, this is a great album to kick off 2018.
As for the digital bonus song ‘Splendid Isolation’, it’s a tongue-in-cheek and cheery look at the idea of living as a hermit by choice or becoming too big a celebrity that you have to live in your own realm in order to find some solitude.
These songs will sound great live as well.

Dizzy Reed has released a classic slice of true classic rock music with “Rock ‘N Roll Ain’t Easy”. Even its artwork emulates a deteriorated LP cover. It is an album that you put on and transport you back to joyful times of the 70s, 80s and early 90s. It’s fun, honest, and feels ‘real’. Real rock n’ roll.
If this was simply an exercise by Reed to see what he could do as a solo artist, he’s nailed it.
Highly Recommended

01. This Don’t Look Like Vegas
02. Mother Theresa
03. Cheers 2 R Oblivion
04. Fragile Water
05. Dirty Bomb
06. Mystery In Exile
07. I Celebrate
08. Understanding
09. Crestfallen
10. Forgotten Cases
11. Reparations
12. Rock ‘N Roll Ain’t Easy
13. Splendid Isolation (Bonus Track)

Dizzy Reed – Keyboards, Vocals (Guns N’ Roses, The Dead Daisies)
Ricky Warwick – Guitars, Vocals (Black Star Riders)
Mike Dupke – Drums (ex- W.A.S.P.)
Mike Duda – Bass (W.A.S.P.)
Mayuko Okai – Guitars
Mars Williams – Sax (Psychedelic Furs)
Richard Fortus – guest Guitar Solo (Guns N’ Roses)
Nadja Reed, Chela Johnson and Del James – Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079NBWJLH
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