BRIAN HOWE – Emotions (2011)
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Brian Howe, best known as the replacement for Paul Rodgers in super-group Bad Company, will release a farewell EP entitled “Emotions”, then he will no longer record again.
As lead singer for Bad Co. , Howe made a substantial contribution to two of their multi-platinum albums, Dangerous Age and Holy Water. Holy Water was released in 1990 and Howe left the band not long after, to pursuit a solo career.
But Brian is so much more than the label ‘former singer for Bad Company’ ever suggests.
Owner of one of the most soulful rock voices to come out of the UK, he can hold his head high against the likes of Paul Rodgers, Danny Bowes and Glenn Hughes.
With this five track EP he has decided to give fans a personal, intimate goodbye, with no record companies involved.
“Emotions”, then, is the perfect title for his final release, with the songs very much on the mellow side, each dripping with, well, emotion.
“I’m Here” and “Runaway Train” are uptempo melodic rockers, but you’d have to have a heart of stone not to listen to the closing track “Christmas” and not feel something.
Any of the songs here would have been welcome on Howe’s excellent last full album “Circus Bar”, which was one of the best of the year 2010.
Vocally, Howe is as perfect as ever, balancing power with subtle nuance, lifting each song that little bit higher than another vocalist might have done.
It’s a sad notice when you read that one of the most talented vocalists around decides to lay his recording career to rest, but that’s the case with Brian Howe.
On “Emotions” he imbues every song with a passion and emotion that gets deep into your being.
As usual, there’s high quality songwriting and tasteful arrangements, where Howe’s unique voice shines via an organic and warm production.
“Emotions” is a more than enjoyable swansong of a true Voice Of Rock.
01 – I’m There
02 – Stringless Kite
03 – Drinking
04 – Runaway Train
05 – Christmas
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063EEX5A
