Share the post "Album review : RUSS BALLARD – Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired (2CDs)"
Frontiers Music [Release date : 25.04.25]
Disc One: Songs From The Warehouse
Russ Ballard’s been round the block a good few times, most famously writing mega-hits for other artists en route, like Kiss, Santana, Rainbow and America. Well in his seventies now, on “Warehouse”, an album of new songs, it’s clear that the fire still burns. He sounds re-energised and indeed re-inspired.
Bass and drums generate a steady flow of ideas and punctuations underneath the skyscraping intensities of ‘Couragous’ and ‘Resurrection’, epic songs about romance and romantic turmoil.
Ballard’s voice quickly gains traction on the upper slopes of the vocal melodies, slip sliding toward the edge but never going over. Daringly brilliant. Graham Bonnet will have this in his basket before you can say Amazon.
As you would expect from this multi talented man, all the instruments and songwriting elements are smartly woven together in the construction of a more than interesting Rock album, with a rigorous sense of detail and depth.
Lyrically, the songs’ subjects range from the intimate to the global. This is Ballard sifting through his experiences in life, finding purpose, finding meaning and recognising the fate to which he is destined.
‘Journey Man’ : “the world keeps turning, and I keep learning. Just like you, I’m a journey man, coming closer to home”.
His arrangement on the confessional, ‘Charlatan’ – acoustic guitar and church organ – nails the lyrics’ melancholy undertow. A painted picture. A still life of broken hopes and dreams.
Elsewhere, the essence of the soulful ‘Soul Music’ is captured by Ballard’s keening vocal, as he goes for the slow burn on an incandescent slice of gospel-soul.
Similarly with ‘Breathes’, his interesting rhythms and lyrics are laced together behind this pained, heavily vocalised, slightly off centre rock song.
He kicks up a gear on ‘The Wild’, a no punches pulled reveal of the big city’s seedy underbelly; and ‘Last Man Standing’, a barely diluted hard rock song, another for Bonnet to add to his wish list.
As a showcase for an already established artist, this living, breathing collection of songs is an object lesson in how to do it, and do it right.
*****
Disc Two: The Hits Rewired
Ballard’s version of 13 of his songs, successfully covered by other artists down through the years.
They are all here, ‘New York Groove’, most notably a hit for the less notable Kiss man, Ace Frehley. Showing us all you can still write hit songs with a Bo Diddley beat.
‘God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You’ is here…’ covered by Petra and Kiss, originally written for his band, Argent.This is a truly majestic version, mainlining on class.
Ballard’s versions of Rainbow’s highest charting UK singles ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ and ‘I Surrender’ are also here. You might think no one can deliver like Bonnet, these versions might surprise you.
And several songs not generally referred to as “rock songs”. ‘You Win Again’ – a no.1 UK single in 1977 (produced by Mickie Most) for Hot Chocolate. ‘No More The Fool’ – a no.5 UK hit for Elkie Brooks. ‘Free Me’ – A UK Top 40 hit for Roger Daltrey from his 1980 movie, “McVicar”.
No question, this is an illuminating double disc set. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 6 May (16:00 BST and Thursday 9 May 21:00)
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 11 May 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 13 May 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 19 May 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Juliet (Eonian Records)
THE PERPS The Culture (Golden Robot Records)
HALFLIFE Nothing New (indie)
EMMMA Wednesday’s Child (indie)
PLASTIC HEART Hear My Call (indie)
COMING UP ROSES Tired (INH Records)
Featured Albums w/c 19 May 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Recent (last 30 days)
Share the post "Album review : RUSS BALLARD – Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired (2CDs)"