Customer Reviews

Recover (Dlx)

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

 

 

I just purchased the MP3 download of "Recover", and I'm really only half way thru it. I LOVE this album! The Zeppelin covers really shine, Russell's voice sounds eerily like a 25-year old Plant, but with more soul.

Surprises: the Journey and Badfinger covers kick a$$, the Van Halen and Skynyrd ones do not.

No surprises: Tangled up in Blue still sucks, no matter who sings it; but every song on this album is listenable, and at least interesting. It is cool to hear Jack stretch his range.

Faves: B's & other Women combines 2 Stones songs with a Foreigner tune to make a completely new and amazing piece of sonic art.

I never cease to be amazed by this wonderful group of artists. They are not prudes, but avoided the pitfalls of drug-induced breakups. They seem carefree in concert, but maintain a wonderful work ethic. They have overcome adversity, death, and trial by fire to emerge as one of the true American treasures of Rock.

Buy this album! It is so much more than just some covers by an over-the-hill band; I think these guys just found some fresh air.

If there was one band that has done the most covers, and continues to tell about it, it's Great White. Either doing remakes of Zepplin, Ian Hunter, or Jefferson Airplane, Great White has done them all. So, it only makes sense to release a collection of renditions, Great White style. With remakes from the Cult's "Love Removal Machine," and even Van Halen's "Unchained." This is a forminable release. True, Great White seems to leave nothing left sacred. But guess what? The songs rock!!! If there is any benifit in doing re-makes, it introduces songs to people who may have never heard the originals. Great White are general faithful to the originals, be it all in thier style. In the inner notes, it states that the songs were recorded in a two-track system. For a great live band like Great White, this is dualable. Great White kicks a** live. The only complaint I have is the additions of "Rock Me," and "Twice Shy." Maybe these were early demos, but I'm not sure. Also, the live Zepplin songs are from thier "Great Zepplin Tribute Album." Be it a small complaint, this collection will make a fine addition to your over all collection.

This is a disc you would pick more as a ''guilty pleasure'' than one of those in your top 10 you would take to the ''stranded on an island '' situation. I realize Great White has been as bad as George Thorogood when it comes to doing covers , but these aren't bad at all. At least you can say they inject a little creativity here by combining the Stone's ''Bitch'' with Foreigner's ''Women''into one song and mix electric and accoustic on it as well. ''Sin City'' is a a stand out cut also. I realize 5 stars is a stretch, but I think most people that like Great White and the bands they typically cover , will like this disc.

Great White has always had a knack for recording great cover songs, from the early days covering the Angels to their massive hit version of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten Twice Shy" to their Great Zeppelin: Tribute To Led Zeppelin live set covering Led Zeppelin classics. So it makes perfect sense that the band would devote a whole disc to paying tribute to their favorite songs.

Originally released in 2002, Recover features the following 12 cover songs:

1. Love Removal Machine (the Cult) - It makes sense that they'd pick something off of Electric, the Cult album closest to Great White's own sound.

2. Again and Again (Status Quo) - Sadly, I haven't heard the original version.

3. Ready for Love (Bad Company) - Great White's version is every bit as soulful as you'd expect.

4. B!tches & Other Women (Rolling Stones) - It sounds like the band was really having fun doing this one.

5. Tangled up in Blue (Bob Dylan) - Wow, Jack Russell does a pretty good Dylan.

6. Burning House of Love (X) - Great White is covering X??? Now that's diversity for you! They rock the song too.

7. Ain't No Way To Treat a Lady (Helen Reddy) - This is the album's low point, and Russell's performance is embarrassing.

8. Sin City (AC/DC) - This is a great rock song that totally picks up the mood of the disc.

9. No Matter What (Badfinger) - Sorry, but I hate Badfinger covers. When anyone other than Badfinger does this song, it just sounds sterilized and overly poppy.

10. Fire and Water (Free) - Another good choice for Great White's sound. Jack Russell was born to cover Paul Rodgers.

11. Down at the Doctor's (Dr. Feelgood) - I hadn't heard this one before, but it's a great barroom boogie kind of song.

12. Lady Love (Robin Trower) - Good closer, and a good fit for Great White.

Honestly, this collection is really only going to appeal to die-hard Great White fans, and they certainly don't need me telling them to pick up a Great White release! Get it, turn it up, and enjoy these old school songs with a Great White spin.

Edition Notes: In true Cleopatra/Deadline fashion, Recover was reissued in 2007 as a 2-disc set. The second disc has new/demo/something versions of three previous Great White hits, 6 songs from the Great Zeppelin album, and 4 additional covers (Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special," Aerosmith's "Same Old Song and Dance," Van Halen's "Unchained" and Journey's "Any Way You Want It." 3 of the 4 are Jack Russell solo performances from various Cleopatra/Deadline tribute albums, so this feels like a shameless cash grab to me.

Great White has done many cover songs throughout their career. They even made an album of Led Zepplin covers. This cd is a compilation of all their cover songs. It rocks. A fun cd.