BUCKET & Co. – Guitars, Beers & Tears (retail)
Following years of providing stellar fretwork for iconic groups such as Humble Pie, Bad Company (beginning in 1990 with their blockbuster, AOR comeback, ‘Holy Water’), as well in ASAP (Adrian Smith And Project), Dave “Bucket” Colwell has stepped out to showcase his talents as a world class writer / guitarist with a rock solid, debut solo disc titled “Guitars, Beers & Tears” under the BUCKET & Co. moniker.
And the ‘Co.’ isn’t gratuitous: there’s some terrific musicians playing all over the record.
Bucket has surrounded himself with good company over the years, and many of his friends are featured guests on his record.
We have ex Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith lending vocals and lead guitar to “Make Up Your Mind” and lead vocals on “Reach Out”. He sounds a lot like Sammy Hagar circa 1984 on the latter, an adorable melodic rockin’ tune.
Edwin McCain has a very classy voice similar to Night Ranger’s Kelly Keagy. On the melodic rocker “Why You Call” the man is great with an emotional performance, while on the bluesy “Survive” his style is more rough. Cool track by the way, with a hot guitar work.
Steve Conte from The New York Dolls sings “If You Need Me At All”, a simple but beautiful ‘on the road’ midtempo.
The Quireboys’ vocalist Spike was the right choice for ““Girl Of My Dreams”, a great rhythm semi-ballad with tons of feeling. He sings too on “I’d Lie To You” a rocker with a potent riff and Hammond organ.
One of my favorite singers from the genre, Robert Hart, shines on “Somebody To Love”, a lovely ballad with calm pace filled with acoustic instruments.
“Life” is performed by Danny Bowes from Thunder. His presence in the disc enhances this album to a higher level. This is a really well crafted song with a true classic rock feeling.
All songs on this CD are very strong, but my favorite is title track “Guitars, Beers & Tears”, because not only is a wonderful tune, it features one of the best melodic rock vocalists ever: Chris Ousey (Heartland, Virginia Wolf). Awesome rockin’ track!
Bucket has a long and storied career in the music business and has appeared with many artists including Bon Jovi, Slash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top to name a few, and you’ll hear bits and pieces of their influence and others throughout “Guitars, Beers, and Tears”.
There are lots of really fine tunes that blend classic rock with those sweet AOR melodies from ’80s rock. “Bucket” Colwell is a terrific songwriter as well, bringing fun back into the genre.
Requested by one of you.
Highly Recommended
01 Guitars, Beers & Tears
Vocals – Chris Ousey (Snakecharmer)
02 Girl of My Dreams
Vocals – Spike (The Quireboys)
Keyboards – Mark Read
03 Make Up Your Mind
Guitarist/Vocals – Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
04 Somebody To Love
Vocals – Robert Hart (Bad Company)
05 Why You Call
Vocals – Edwin McCain
Keyboards – Mark Read
06 If You Need Me
Guitarist/Vocals – Steve Conte (New York Dolls)
07 Reach Out
Vocals – Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
08 I’d Lie To You
Vocals – Spike (The Quireboys)
Backing Vocals – Bekka Bramlett
09 Survive
Vocals – Edwin McCain
Harmonica – Judd Lander
10 Life
Vocals – Danny Bowes (Thunder)
Keyboards – Mark Read
11 Why Can’t It Be
Vocals – Seth Romano
12 Mr. Nobody
Vocals – Dave Colwell
Backing Vocals – Lauren Harris
Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell : Guitars, Vocals
Jaz Lochrie : Bass, Backing Vocals
Gary ‘Harry’ James : Drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Guitars-Beers-Tears-Bucket-Co/dp/B003DC87XO
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