Best Of The Jeff Healey Band, The - Jeff Healey Band (The)

Advantages: Jeff Healey (RIP) and Jon Lord
Disadvantages: Steve Morse, et al. See above.

...like a great concept and should have been great fun for him to make. Unfortunately the fun element doesn't seem to have come across in the recordings. Its essentially a joyless listen. The mixes are poor with too much of Ian's vocal often and an uncohesive sound from the rest of the band. I wonder if this is because it seems that the album was recorded in many different takes in many different studios? Now, this is not to say that there are not some great performances here. Jeff Healey on 'When a Blind Man Cries' is just incomperable. A truely sublime performance from a guitar great (blind, no less) and a real classy gentleman who will be sorely missed in the T dot - R I P, Jeff. Also any of the tracks with Jon Lords keyboards on are lifted from their surroundings by his truely accomplished Hammond skills. With the list of Guitarists... Read review

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Advantages: Modern, energetic blues played with passion
Disadvantages: none

...The british blues band "The Hoax", sound authentically Texas Blues at times, ironic given the bands name. Discovered by Mike Vernon, who also produced this album, as well as working with Clapton and John Mayall, described the band as "The most exciting blues band I have seen for twenty years". Judging by the output on this recording, it's not hard to see, or hear even, why. Hailing from Devizes, Wiltshire, the band in their early twenties, take tired old blues cliches and formulas, rework them and inject an edgier, more modern sound. Inspired by the rockier end of the spectrum of blues, favoured by the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Red Devils, Robin Trower and Jeff Healey, the band play with such energy, enthusiam and youthful vigour, but it never descends into a free for all. These boys are all masters of their instruments... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Britpop magnificence with unique laddish moments
Disadvantages: They went for soft pop rubbish after this

.... It is a marvellous celebration of troubled relationships and getting very drunk! Starting with a loud and fast pace, it ends with the line; "Had too much to drink, don't ask me now, head in the sink", with Healey repeating "Too much" again, with rising drama and volume, until guitars are distorted and colliding, and Healey is screaming his lungs out to the finish. Also, we get a taste of Healey's brilliant and funny vocal mannerisms, adding some "Uuh"'s (bizarrely yelled like he is burping) here and there. 7. 'Tied to the '90's' This is a wry and ironic tribute to that turbulent and special decade, the nineties. A brilliant structure and hilariously camp vocals from Healey make this a wonder, another knowing nod to popular culture that not enough bands display these days, or at all. More lads; "HEY!" backing vocals, and a whimsical melody add to it... Read review

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