Net Rhythms
The Bonham dynasty just keeps getting stronger.... John Bonham, irreplaceable drummer with Led Zeppelin, his son Jason, also a tub-thumper, and now Johns' sister Deborah releases another album. She's not trading on the name though, this woman can sing... Like a smoother version of Bonnie Tyler, her voice is at its' best on big bluesy songs like the self-penned "Go Now" and her reworking of "Need Your Love So Bad", the latter with some great lead guitar by Peter Bullick. These are tracks that just scream "See this woman live!"
She doesn't confine herself to the blues though. There are hints of country ("The Devil In New Orleans", "Open Up Your Heart"), folk ("Anything", "Ten Steps Back") and even ballads ("Without You").
The CD features guest appearances by Mick Fleetwood, Robbie McIntosh from Paul McCartney's band, Robbie Blunt and Dougie Boyle, both of whom have played with Robert Plant, and Jason Bonham sounding remarkably like his late father. Man, I'd like to see Deborah's contacts book....
The stunning track of the CD is the title track - "The Old Hyde". Written about the farm that brother John sank some of his royalties into, but also written for John, her father and her other brother Michael, it's a simple but powerfully effective memorial for "the three men I've loved and will always love the most". It's a beautiful song that benefits from some inspired penny whistle playing from Andy Findon.
This is an album I'll play again, and I suspect with greater pleasure each time. The copy I was sent for review came with a bonus disc containing "Battle Of Evermore", "Superstition" and "Songbird", all of which are pleasant enough - but your copy of "The Old Hyde" doesn't contain it, you're not missing a great deal.
If Deb and the band can rock like this on CD, they should be great live.
The US has just found out on her debut tour there... when's it going to be
our turn?
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