Post by dangerzone on Jun 21, 2006 17:10:56 GMT -5
Alcatrazz 'Disturbing The Peace'
1985
Graham Bonnet- vocals
Steve Vai- guitar
Gary Shea- bass
Jan Uvena- drums
Jimmy Waldo- keyboards
You'd have to search far and wide to find a classier frontman and all round legend than Graham Bonnet. From Rainbow to MSG then Alcatrazz, Bonnest established himself as a definitive hard rock icon, far removed from his status as a sixties pop crooner. Ritchie Blackmore mus have seen what others didn't when he hired Bonnet to replace Dio for 1979's 'Down To Earth'. I'd rather have seen Bonnest remain as vocalist anyday over Joe Lynn Turner. The trademark suit, the shades and short cropped hair, Bonnet was cool personified. Alcatrazz was Bonnet's creation after his bust up with Micahel Schenker at the Reading Festival in 1982 that led to his departure. Some say Alcatrazz was notable only for launching the careers of Yngwie Malmsteen and Vai to the top, but Bonnet was the real attraction of the band. His presence alone would cause most normal men to faint from the pressure of being so inferior.
This was the bands second studio album, following 1983's 'No Parole From Rock And Roll' and a live album. Vai replaced Malmsteen who was seeking stardom on his own terms. Waldo and Shea had been part of pomp rockers New England, so the lineup was well established. I'm having trouble remembering when I first heard this, I believe it was 1998. Does it matter? No. I'm just concerned by my growing senility. I'm 53 after all. Alcatrazz's sound was a mixture of metal, hard rock and AOR with a massive keyboard sound. They sound best on furious rockers like 'Wire And Wood' and 'Stripper', where Bonnet rivals Gillan and Coverdale for technique and bravado. Listening to Bonnet growling 'take no crap with the wire and wood', you get the feeling he was in a few rumbles back in his childhood in industrial Skegness. Vai's familar style is littered through the album, giving it the atmosphere he would add to David Lee Roth's 'Eat Em' And Smile' a year later. Only Bonnet exceeds Roth. Melodic rockers like 'Will You Be Home Tonight' and 'Painted Lover' exude brilliance, the keyboard lines handled with mastery by Waldo. 'Skyfire' is a surging piece of metal and you have to appreciate the blatant victorious hook of 'Sons And Lovers'. Vai's work was never as melodic as it was during 'God Blessed Video', I'm convinced. He had already peaked in my eyes.
Vai took his leave soon after and was replaced by Danny Johnson of Axis, for one more album, 1986's 'Dangerous Games' which was equally as inspired. This was a band that should have gone further. Melodically faultless, with all the talent in the world at their disposal, what they left was ample proof of the individual excellence of all members. Looking back at Bonnet in particular he should be mentioned in the same breath as a Daltrey or Byford. Well perhaps not Daltrey, but on the next level. He is on of those unique indivduals who one can identify easily as a hero, a star. There's no shame in being thirty years old and having a poster of Bonnet on your wall. It's better than Robert Plant.
Rating; A
1985
Graham Bonnet- vocals
Steve Vai- guitar
Gary Shea- bass
Jan Uvena- drums
Jimmy Waldo- keyboards
You'd have to search far and wide to find a classier frontman and all round legend than Graham Bonnet. From Rainbow to MSG then Alcatrazz, Bonnest established himself as a definitive hard rock icon, far removed from his status as a sixties pop crooner. Ritchie Blackmore mus have seen what others didn't when he hired Bonnet to replace Dio for 1979's 'Down To Earth'. I'd rather have seen Bonnest remain as vocalist anyday over Joe Lynn Turner. The trademark suit, the shades and short cropped hair, Bonnet was cool personified. Alcatrazz was Bonnet's creation after his bust up with Micahel Schenker at the Reading Festival in 1982 that led to his departure. Some say Alcatrazz was notable only for launching the careers of Yngwie Malmsteen and Vai to the top, but Bonnet was the real attraction of the band. His presence alone would cause most normal men to faint from the pressure of being so inferior.
This was the bands second studio album, following 1983's 'No Parole From Rock And Roll' and a live album. Vai replaced Malmsteen who was seeking stardom on his own terms. Waldo and Shea had been part of pomp rockers New England, so the lineup was well established. I'm having trouble remembering when I first heard this, I believe it was 1998. Does it matter? No. I'm just concerned by my growing senility. I'm 53 after all. Alcatrazz's sound was a mixture of metal, hard rock and AOR with a massive keyboard sound. They sound best on furious rockers like 'Wire And Wood' and 'Stripper', where Bonnet rivals Gillan and Coverdale for technique and bravado. Listening to Bonnet growling 'take no crap with the wire and wood', you get the feeling he was in a few rumbles back in his childhood in industrial Skegness. Vai's familar style is littered through the album, giving it the atmosphere he would add to David Lee Roth's 'Eat Em' And Smile' a year later. Only Bonnet exceeds Roth. Melodic rockers like 'Will You Be Home Tonight' and 'Painted Lover' exude brilliance, the keyboard lines handled with mastery by Waldo. 'Skyfire' is a surging piece of metal and you have to appreciate the blatant victorious hook of 'Sons And Lovers'. Vai's work was never as melodic as it was during 'God Blessed Video', I'm convinced. He had already peaked in my eyes.
Vai took his leave soon after and was replaced by Danny Johnson of Axis, for one more album, 1986's 'Dangerous Games' which was equally as inspired. This was a band that should have gone further. Melodically faultless, with all the talent in the world at their disposal, what they left was ample proof of the individual excellence of all members. Looking back at Bonnet in particular he should be mentioned in the same breath as a Daltrey or Byford. Well perhaps not Daltrey, but on the next level. He is on of those unique indivduals who one can identify easily as a hero, a star. There's no shame in being thirty years old and having a poster of Bonnet on your wall. It's better than Robert Plant.
Rating; A