My Kung Fu Is Good

The Duke | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spitfire
• ASIN: B0008191X8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,212 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Give To You

2. Immune

3. Used To Be

4. Summer

5. Suicide Machine

6. Running

7. Show You The Way

8. Breathe

9. Back To You

10. At This Moment

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Rich Ward has carved a name for himself as guitarist, songwriter and founding member of Stuck Mojo, a band that to date has released seven critically acclaimed albums, pioneered the fusion of reggae, rap and metal that would open the doors for what would become nu-metal and toured the world a dozen times.

As well as Stuck Mojo, Rich is also the guitarist and founding member of the band Fozzy, which features WWE superstar Chris Jericho. Originally labeled as the world's greatest metal covers band, the buzz surrounding them grew so rapidly that before they knew it a deal was in place, fan base was swelling rapidly and they were working on their next album. Four years and three albums later, Fozzy is still going strong.

Where Stuck Mojo and Fozzy are instantly recognizable by Ward's brutal riffage, The Duke takes a more melodic approach and focus on the song writing. Tracks like "Used To Be", "Running" and "Show You The Way" show the maturity of Ward as a songwriter. "My Kung-Fu Is Good" also sees Rich take up vocal duty to what will surely establish him as not only a guitar hero but also a brilliant singer and songwriter.

Product Description

Spitfire Records is pleased to announce the release of 'My Kung-Fu Is Good' , a captivating album of new school "blue eyed rock" by The Duke, featuring Stuck Mojo and Fozzy founding member Rich Ward. Pulling you in at the first listen, The Duke's hooks will hang in your head for days. His melodies at first possess a haunting familiarity, ultimately sinking into your subconscious and becoming classically memorable. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different (but very enjoyable) direction for Rich Ward, May 5, 2005

By 

MojoSpeed "UncleKG" (Charlotte, N.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Kung Fu Is Good (Audio CD)

If all you know of Rich Ward (aka "The Duke") is his work as one of the founders, and the main songwriter, for 90's rap-metal pioneers, Stuck Mojo, get ready to experience a whole other side to Ward's musical abilities.

Some hard core metal fans may be quick to put Ward down for the more melodic approach he takes on this CD, but for those of you who appreciate a wider variety of musical styles, this CD is a very solid, entertaining departure from the harder stuff.

Even in the heaviest of his Stuck Mojo compositions, Ward always infused the songs with catchy riffs and a melodic sense that put him head and shoulders above the great majority of his peers.

For fans of Ward's guitar playing, there's plenty of solid guitar work weaved throughout these songs to appease the hard rock fans, but Ward has broadened his musical horizons and made a CD that will appeal to a wider audience without compromising the musical integrity Mojo fans have come to expect. Whatever Ward does, he does it from his heart, and he does it all the way.

For those who argue that Ward has "sold out" by making a CD that's not as brutally heavy as some of the Mojo material, all I can say is that from interviews I've read, Ward's staying true to the music he grew up listening to, while also demonstrating that he's capable of far more than just bludgeoning the listener with his signature Les Paul sound.

Not that being bludgeoned is a bad thing, but a balance between the harder stuff and the more melodic stuff, to me, makes me appreciate the heavier stuff that much more. You know, hit a nice balance between the yin and the yang, the sour and the sweet, etc., etc.

For someone like myself, who grew up listening to Styx, Supertramp, Journey, David Lee Roth-era Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc., (but who has also seen bands like Stuck Mojo, Sevendust, Soundgarden, Metallica, Anthrax, Disturbed, Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave) this CD is a great example of paying tribute to the past by including some classic rock elements, but also making a CD that is relevant today.

In short, if you appreciate solid songwriting, great musicianship, interesting vocal melodies and hooks that'll reel you in like a Big Mouth Bass, buy this CD.....now.

If after giving it an honest listen, you disagree with my review, well then......you're just wrong.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2005's frontrunner for disc of the year!!!!, May 11, 2005

By 

Jodie C. Mattern (schuylkill haven, pa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Kung Fu Is Good (Audio CD)

Let's get the bad out of the way first.When i bought this disc it had a sticker on the front that stated this was the new album from the guitarist of Stuck Mojo and Fozzy. This is true, however that was all it stated. I feel some other description should have been given because fans of those outfits may not like this disc if they are expecting to hear the same type of music those bands do.
Now the good(or should i say incredible).I always thought Rich Ward was a talented musician as the guitarist for Stuck Mojo who i'm a big fan of,but i never could have imagined he had this in him.The songs on this album are so well written and as another reviewer wrote "heartfelt". Some of the songs on the cd almost bring tears to the eyes as the strength of the lyrics and the feeling in his voice make you feel the great joy or pain that he is feeling in each particular song.
1. I give to you-This is a good song about Rich's love for playing music and playing it for you his friends and fans. One of the more rocking numbers on the disc.
2.Immune-I LOVE THIS SONG!!! Great rock song with an actual Stuck Mojo sounding riff towards the end of the song. My favorite on the album.
3.Used to be-Good rocker that with tear at you heart. One of the better tunes on here. If you listen to this song once and don't sing the chorus over and over everywhere you go for days there maybe something wrong with you.
4.Summer-I feel this is the worst song on the disc but it's growing on me.It's a duet and the girl sings great but maybe just not my cup of tea.I'd like to hear the Duke sing this one on his own.
5.Suicide Machine-This is a good song that finishes real strong.
6.Running-Very similar to Used to be in all aspects. Great singalong chorus on this one.
7.Show you the way-"I started this to change the way,to kill the rage,to look at who i am". This song sums it up.After this song you know exactly why he put out this album.
8.Breathe-The Duke and a piano. Not a stand out track,but it's nice and my wife really likes it!!ha ha
9.Back to you-This track is awesome.Remind me strongly of Rick Spingfields 70's stuff(before Jessie's girl). The "na na na's are fun to sing along with on this song.
10.At this moment-Great song to finish the album.Somewhere between a rocker and a ballad it wraps up the disc really well.

In conclusion, this album is simply incredible, but fans of Stuck Mojo and Fozzy beware it is much different than you might expect. The only disc this year that has a shot at topping this one in my opinion would be the next HASTE disc if they get it out before years end.Until then The Duke is the king of 2005. OH and is "My Kung-Fu Is Good" the best name for an album ever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WAY UNDERRATED, May 11, 2007

By 

P. Bray "PT R US" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Kung Fu Is Good (Audio CD)

I seldom buy albums anymore. It's sad really, all the music these days sounding the same. Not the Duke. Man he not only rocks....but can turn around and give you a great ballad. I would reccommend All Rich Wards work. Rich...if you read this...KEEP IT UP! ohhh and START SELLING YOUR SICK SPEED STUFF! Or hell add it to your solo collection. Either way, I will buy it! WORTH THE MONEY~!!!!! BUY IT!