CACTUS – Tightrope (2021)
Classic 70s rockers CACTUS, featuring legendary drummer Carmine Appice, who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Vanilla Fudge and King Kobra, will release their new album, “Tightrope” via Cleopatra Records. New members are guitarist & vocalist Paul Warren, who previously worked with Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker, and bassist James Caputo.
“Tightrope” will also be a delight for many longtime CACTUS fans, with original line-up guitarist Jim McCarty and Canadian vocalist Phil Naro guest appearing on the recording.
“Tightrope” is all about classic rock, bluesy hard rock should be: groovy riffs, a vocalist plenty of swagger, and a tight rhythm section. And Cactus are damn tight.
Songs like ‘All Shook Up’, ‘Third Time Gone’, the title tack, or the train-rolling ‘Primitive Touch’ kick with that groovin’ attack, there’s space for jammin’ on ‘Headed For A Fall’, and you have slow burners in ‘Poison In Paradise’ and ‘Shake That Thing’ (pretty Led Zepp-esque)
Then a song like ‘Suite 1 & 2: Everlong, All The Madmen’ captures the Seventies atmospheres when a ballad was supposed to have some meat & potato.
Cactus still rocks, and rocks hard at places. Their bluesy infused mojo is intact, and the new guys – particularly vocalist Paul Warren – brings new blood to this long-lasting band. Additionally, Carmine Appice delivers a little lesson in drum skin-bashing and percussion.
Highly Recommended
01. Tightrope
02. Papa Was A Rolling Stone
03. All Shook Up
04. Poison In Paradise
05. Third Time Gone
06. Shake That Thing
07. Primitive Touch
08. Preaching Woman Man Blues
09. Elevation
10. Suite 1 & 2: Everlong, All The Madmen
11. Headed For A Fall
12. Wear It Out
Carmine Appice – drums, vocals
Paul Warren – vocals, guitar
James Caputo – bass
Jim McCarty – guitar
Phil Naro – vocals
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Tightrope-Cactus/dp/B08TZBTXK1
