REVIEW: Paul Rodgers, Now (Velvel Records)
- Linda Scott
After 30 years of performing and recording, Paul Rodgers still has that ultradistinctive voice and near-perfect delivery that has made him a star in his native Britain, the US, and around the world. How to describe a voice that is seemingly untouched by time and the trials of the rock and roll life? Words fail, but do yourself a favor and pick up Now, Paul Rodgers first solo recording in 12 years.
Rodgers is best known for his work as frontman for Free, Bad Company, and The Firm. His songwriter skills resulted in smash singles such as "Feel Like Makin' Love", "All Right Now", "Shooting Star", and on and on. The three bands all show Rodgers' love of the blues-rock band and his success in this genre. In 1973, Free broke up with 8 albums to its credit, but the single "All Right Now" has become a classic rock song that is heard on TV or radio somewhere in the world every 45 seconds. Rodgers set up Bad Company which recorded six multiplatinum albums in 9 years. A noteworthy single was Grammy award winner "Feel Like Makin' Love". Rodgers moved on to satisfy a creative craving he couldn't satisfy in either band. The Firm paired Rodgers and Jimmy Page for two albums.
In his search for creative control, Rodgers moved on to a series of solo albums with pickup bands. In 1993, he began recording with various artists for one-off bands. Recently he did Muddy Water Blues with Jeff Beck, Slash, Richie Sambora and others. Then came a track on Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix with Slash and the Band of Gypsies, and he appeared at Woodstock '94 with Jason Bonham, Slash and Neal Schon.
Rodgers has evolved from lead vocalist/frontman of the typical rock band to a solo artist whose name is in itself a drawing card. During this period of 30 years, Rodgers has sold 125 million albums world wide. There seems no doubt he can do quite a bit on his own with the backing of hand picked musicians. Not surprisingly, Now was written entirely by Rodgers. The songs are the blues rock he is famous for done in that distinctive voice that gets classic rock fans up and moving. "Soul of Love" is the first track and is such a representative Rodgers' song that you could throw away the cd liner and know it was him. This track has wisely been chosen as the first single. There are ballads, rockers with guitar solos, a mixture of what Rodgers likes to write and perform. The final track is "Holding Back the Storm", a fast-paced, upbeat song that is just an excellent ending for Now.
If you are lucky enough to get the first pressing of Now, you get a free second Paul Rodgers cd called Live. These tracks were recorded live at the Rockpalast Open Air Festival, Loreley, Germany on July 8, 1995. The 13 tracks span his career with selections from Free, Bad Company, and recent solo projects.
Each of the Free catalog selections ("Little Bit of Love", "Be My Friend", "All Right Now", "The Hunter", etc.) are revisions of these old favorites. The Loreley tapes also include new versions of Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" and "Feel Like Makin' Love". Rodgers selected blues songs to highlight his solo work ("Muddy Water Blues", "Rolling Stone", etc.). Live encompasses three decades of Rodgers' career. Now shows where he is today, a place where other rock vocalists wish they could be after that timespan.
If you want to hear some classic blues rock, this is one for your collection; singer / songwriters that can still rock the crowd after 30 years are worth listening to - you never want to miss that wonderful voice!
