Customer Reviews

Child of the Novelty / Maxoom / Strange Universe

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first bought these albums on 8 Track back in the 70's. Now that I am grown up and have a CD player - gotta have this collection of music. None like it anywhere, Jimi would be (is) proud. I loved Hendrix and was amazed at how Frank Marino kept the feel, style, rawness and creativity of Hendrix alive in his own music. Every song stands out as a new creation. Frank Marino now has a new album out (first in eight long years) called, Eye of the Storm. It is available at MahoganyRush.com website only - for now. Check it out. Rock on Frank......

Of the 3 CD's included in this release, I actually only own "Strange Universe" on LP. Being a long time fan of Mahogany Rush, and owning several other LP's and tapes by them, this will be the first FM and Mahogany Rush I'll have on CD, so I can't wait to get my order in the mail!

Perhaps I may only be qualified to give you a review on only 1/3 of the pack..I can assure you, if you're a guitar player, guitar fan or both.. you'll love everything that Frank Marino has to offer. Frank Marino has been a big influence on me, both as a guitarist and song writer. In the late 70's and early 80's.. Mahogany Rush was one of those bands that played many "multi-artist" concerts. They always played last. No matter what band was top billed, no matter what time it was, FM and Mahogany Rush always played last. After all the lightwieght rockers,satisfied by all the glitter and glamour of the star bands,were leaving the arenas at 12:00 am, Frank Marino was there, jamming for all us hardcore music finatics! And cutting heads along the way..

This pack of the first three releases could be the best way to start your appreciation of one of the best bands in the world.

-=BH=-

Having seen and followed the band fairly closely from their early days, I can say that this material is excellent. The sounds created on "Child of the Novelty" were using basic equipment and Frank's guitar work. In the style of Hendrix, Frank Marino experiments with the capablities of the guitar and the results are very listenable. Whilst you have to pick through some of the tunes to get to the best stuff, it's worth the effort. Buddy, a tribute to Hendrix, Makin'my Wave and Land of 1000 Nights are all excellent tracks. Whilst not as powerful as the live stuff, it's much more moody and can be listened too much more frequently than the live material.

Just noticed the availability of this 3-album 2-CD set and, having been a fan of Mahogany Rush from their humble beginnings, I would first and foremost recommend this mainly for the acquisition of CHILD OF THE NOVELTY. This was the first MH album I ever heard and, along with MH IV (<--their masterpiece), knocked me out with Frank's unbelievable guitar-playing and unabashed cloning of Hendrix's style of singing and playing. It would have been cool, if Jimi would have lived, to know what he thought of this great, underrated band. Tracks like "Look Outside" and "Changing" sound like they could have come right off the ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? album. I kept hoping for a chance to see this band perform live in concert, but never got that chance. Hopefully, the boys remain together today, in some incarnation, and will tour the clubs or casinos as other 70's bands have done. I agree with the assessments of other reviewers: if you have heard great things about MH, this would be the good primer for you. I was not overly impressed with MAXOOM...but then, it was their first album and the guys were just getting their chops down. CHILD, on the other hand, kicks booty from start to finish. Not a bad song on the whole album. STRANGE UNIVERSE showed their inevitable growth, but overall didn't turn my crank as strongly as CHILD (with the exception of the sheer majesty of its title track).

If this 2-CD collection impresses you, then fasten your seat belt and latch on to a copy of MH IV, their 4th album and, IMO, their equivalent of a Sgt. Pepper album.

Well here it is for all to absorb.The first 3 recordings by the original Canadian master,Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.It has taken me a while to track down this double disc,but the wait has been worth it.No longer will I have to play my well worn LP copies of these three albums,now I get to wear out my CD player instead. From psychedelic to funk to blues to jazz to heavy rock,it's all here baby.Fully remastered from the original master tapes to sonically blow your mind. All I can say is go,no run,to your nearest music outlet & get this baby A.S.A.P.If they don't have it then get them to order it for you.You won't be disappointed. Thank You Frank!!!

If you haven't heard Mahogany Rush then treat yourself now.

I wore out the Strange Universe LP because it "Rocked", but now that its available on CD I'll definitely have to have it again without the scratches, hisses crackles and pops that crept into those well worn grooves.

These are the first 3 albums released by guitar virtuoso, Frank Marino. Frank was just 16 years young when he recorded Maxoom and followed that groundbreaking album the following year at age 17 with Child of the Novelty, an album that is pure excellence from start to finish. At a mere 18, Frank Marino released one of the best albums by any artist which is Strange Universe. Frank's guitar playing is incredible while at the same time being very melodic and soulful. Frank was compared to Jimi Hendrix all too often in his career. He was heavily influence by Jimi, no doubt, but he took it to another level altogether. His songwriting is one of his best attributes, but it is constantly overshadowed by his technical excellence on the guitar. Frank Marino is one of the best guitarists of all time and this 3 album compilation is a great starter kit for those who haven't experienced him and it lays the groundwork that showcases his potential that has been exceeded abundantly since those early days. I recommend that you turn on the blacklight, light some incense and break out those headphones for a magical trip back in time. THIS IS A MUST OWN!

Right up there with Jimi Hendrix "Band of Gypsies". If you like this kind of music, this one will "take you away"! If I were stuck on a desert island with only a few CDs available, this would be one of them.

Maxoom never impressed me BUT "Child of the Novelty" and "Strange Universe" impress me (and still do). Frank is a phenominal guitar player. I have also seen him in person in concert on only three occasions (drat!). If you love an absolutely searing screaming rock-and-roll, Jimi Hendrix-type, lead guitar then buy this now. However, Frank plays Jimi better than Jimi played Jimi. Purists will hate me for saying that. Of course, all of the tunes on these recordings are Frank's compositions. IMHO, his best albums are:
- "Child of the Novelty",
- "Strange Universe",
- "Mahogany Rush IV",
- "Mahogany Rush Live".
I have them all on vinyl and finding them on CD has been difficult.

If you haven't heard Mahogany Rush then treat yourself now.

I wore out the Strange Universe LP and it "Rocked", but now that its available on CD I'll definatly have to have it again without the scratches, hisses crackles and pops that crept into those well worn grooves.