Bernie Marsden- "Icons"

Post death releases usually leave listeners unaffected.Bernie Marsden is not the case. His latest releases were tributes to his influences,/peers mostly blues guitar masters that represent their work with gusto, finesses and personal taste.Marsden on his own became a monument for the British blues and Hard rock scene and was responsible for the most acclaimed WHITESNAKE era, with his ballsy, meat and potatoes blues rock approach in songwriting. In this album a tribute to his musical influences he interprets songs widely known and without making ground breaking changes, he adds his personal stamp. I would suggest you to listen to "Calling card' to understand how a great song by Rory Gallagher can be altered, improved is a strong word and sound equally intriguing, challenging and catchy without leaving the blues era but also without been another blues standard rendition. Marsden, with his unique, "mellow" guitar sound , knew where to put the extra note or chords to give some extra depth to well known and loved classics. 

 

He dares to cover classics by guitar masters like Hendrix, Clapton, Gallagher, Green, Duane Allman and keep the project fresh and interesting. "Shake Your Money Maker", "Bell Bottom Blues", "Purple Haze" (not in the hippie edition you re used to listen to), "Born Under A Bad Sign",  "Wheels Within Wheel", "Calling Card" in a stormy rendition, "Oh Well","Jessica","Man Of The World" are among the tunes he covers and comes up with some interesting, never dull or stereotype approaches.

 For those of you who still are not familiar with his own work, check this album as a smooth and challenging introduction , to a person and musician deeply missed.

 

7,5