Customer Reviews

My Kung Fu Is Good

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Rarely can an artist craft such diverse pieces, yet Rich has seemlessly been able to do that. From Stuck Mojo to Sick Speed to Fozzy, and now to The Duke, Rich has created solid, intelligent, and fluid work.

I am thoroughly impressed with his ability to expand his reach in the music arena and not get stuck in one genre. Although rooted in guitar rock, The Duke expands into different melodies, harmonies, and SteveVai-like, eccentric guitar riffs. "I Give to You" should get air play, and I am puzzled as to why it hasn't to date. Hopefully we will start hearing it fill the airwaves soon.

Rich Ward's Kung Fu is good-- but The DUKE is EXCELLENT!

The Duke (aka Rich Ward) is known for his work in the rap/rock outfit Stuck Mojo and more recently as lead guitarist and main songwriter for Fozzy, fronted by WWE's Chris Jericho. He gained the moniker "The Duke" when a magazine article wrote "if Zakk Wylde [guitarist of Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society] is the King of modern rock guitar, then certainly Rich Ward is the Duke". So, people familiar with Ward's previous work know that he's got a great, heavy, crunchy sound and rips on solos. And if those people are looking for that in this album (or if others are staying away from this album for those reasons) then you will surprised to know there isn't much of that here.

This is a songwriter's album through and through. Sure, there are portions of some songs that contain the very distinguishable Ward guitar sound. But the album is surprisingly more filled with another instrument - the piano (provided by Eric Frampton) - including one song where Rich's vocals are accompanied only by the keys. This is why I call this album a cross-genre album. Fans of Ward's previous work will no doubt find things to like on this album, specifically its heavier moments. But with the pop-like sensibilities of some tracks, and inclusion of 70s-sounding soul with some talented R&B singers (most notably Allison Irby), this touches a lot of bases.

One thing every song seems to be is incredibly personal. You can feel it in the music, but it is mostly due to the lyrical content. The lyrics on this album are introspective and relatable, and certainly rival those of some of the best songwriters of our time. So much music in both genres that "My Kung-Fu is Good" straddles (hard rock and pop) is filled with throwaway lyrics, but every song on this album seems to have some sort of meaning and/or message (whether it be of personal experiences or Ward's love and appreciation for the art he is able to create).

"You reap what you sow," sings The Duke on one of this album's tracks; well, Rich Ward is sowing some marvelous music, put together in the best album of 2005 thus far, and hopefully he can reap the benefits and make a name for himself the world over. Spitfire has enough faith in him to use "My Kung-Fu is Good" as one of the major releases in their brand relaunch. Now it's just time for the music world to catch onto this great artist (and the musicians he surrounds himself with) along with those of us who already have!

As previously stated in other reviews, Rich Ward was the main engine in Stuck Mojo (pigwalk & rising are both incredible) and also Fozzy (all that remains is 5 stars also). when i first heard these raw tracks, it was definitely a raised eyebrow, but now I see, Rich is trying to expand, grow, playing for the song which he's done very successfully. After reading the linear notes, as well as his online messages (dukerocks.com) I have a deeper understanding of why this album sounds the way it does. Show you the Way is one of the best songs i've heard this year. Awesome job Rich! A golden nugget of a CD! Hopefully this will deliver a new level of fame for Mr. Ward....

BUY IT.....richs newest band and also walking with kings....cant go wrong with the duke...and he is a bud of mine

This CD is awesome. Yes I said Awesome. There is no other word to describe it. Rich Ward founded Stuck Mojo and Fozzy. Rich Ward also had a band called Sick Speed that he later changed to CAFU for some reason and then here comes this album with reworked material from his Sick Speed days. Which some have also made it to Fozzy. I once wrote Rich telling him what an inspiration is music is to me. I never expected an answer back but I got one the next day. This man cares about his fan base too. You want good solid rock with some great hooks and melody. Get this CD Junior!!!

The Duke has such a great album. I thank the seller of this album. It was shipped very quickly.

The songs on this album are by no means radio hits, but if you like The Duke, then you'll enjoy is exparimentation with genra and sound. If Fozzy and Mojo are your style, then you might like his lighter side.