Customer Reviews

Bi-Polar Blues

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm sure many people would not think to pick up a CD buy Poison's second lead guitar player, who only played on their lowest selling album. And, oh yeah, its a blues album. But despite all this, you should definately buy this album, whether you are a blues fan or a Poison fan. Kotzen's cover of the classic "The Thrill is Gone" is (heresy) more powerful than even the great B.B. King's redition.

I find this cd to be thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Richie's voice suits each song perfectly, as does his understated guitar playing. That's not to say he's not proficient because he certainly lays down some fantastic solos and licks, they're just all put in the right places. While this is not a straight-out blues cd, there's enough swagger and sweat to suffice. "Gone Tomorrow Blues", "Broken Man Blues" and "From Four Till Late" definetly keep the faith. "No Kind of Hero" is a great heart-felt song, and the covers of "Tobacco Road" and "The Thrill is Gone" are great too. I also love his version of "They're Red Hot". Robert Johnson would be proud! All in all, this is an excellent offering by a singer/guitarist who has definetly found a great blues/rock niche. I hope that he continues in this vain!

I've found a guitarist that I am happy with !! I am an ex prof guitarist that enjoys SRV, Hendrix, steve Vai, Satch, Benson, Golub in fact most of the favourites (and some not so famous) in most Genres.. I have a long association with blues, Hard rock and Jazz have been looking for a technical Guitarist with Ultimate (soulful)Feel for years. Kotzen is 97.5% there !! His guitar skill is excellent, his feel is special but I feel he has stepped away from his potential in his more commercial albums... However his voice is incredible and can make a song all on its own.. you have to hear "tobacco road" on this album to see where Kotzen wipes the floor with an old favourite of mine (Dave lee Roth).

In my opinion this album is Kotzens real development in blues which he accomplishes with ease.. It is an excellent album but I am still left wanting.. You get the feeling he has dipped his toe rather than plunged in !!

HOWEVER As a result of this (and something to say) I have bought 5 of his titles but this is the greatest... To any rock guitarist that indulges in blues BUY IT.. to any Musician interested in twisting original scores BUY IT and to anyone interested in that Vocalist that tingles your spine BUY IT.. The man is gifted as a musician and as a singer... Now I want Bi polar 2

This is probably one of Richie's best albums. I always wanted to hear Richie playing the blues and here it is.The vocals are amzaing as always, the guitar playing is beautiful and the compositions are out of this world.Songs like "no kinda hero","The thrill is gone" cover and "A step away" just show how good this guy is. A must for any Richie Kotzen fan and a very good album for any blues lover.

Most guitarists have failed where Richie has succeeded (attempting the blues), he has a feel for blues that even some blue only players lack. There's plenty of tech heads that fullfill my needs so I don't miss all the leads, I'm so glad Richie uses his talent in this way. His vocal debut was a shock and surprise, this is another one (only in a good way this time). You'll be shocked that this is Richie again making his best vocal album that focuses on some serious blues for old and new fans.

One of the best blues albums ever produced! This CD is the work of a true bluesman, with a lot of soul and emotion. It's hard to find another guitar player who shifted so radically his style as Richie did. In case you don't know, Richie was the 80's shredder prototype: hyper-speed-guitar-boring-licks, a lot of technique, but no feel whatsoever. The peak of his uncoolness was perhaps his work in the Poison, one of those cheesy hair bands from the 80's weird musical scene. This is definitely in Richie's past, and in this album he mingles great technique, true blues inspiration, and an awesome punchy guitar tone. His version of Tobbaco Road is just breathtaking. Guitar lovers around the world, this album is a must have. Yeah, the blues is allright!!