Customer Reviews

Slang Justice

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

 

 

Axe virtuoso Verheyen--who plays in a variety of rock and jazz styles--shows off his rock-oriented blues chops on this fine album. He also proves to be a good blues singer and songwriter. (Robben Ford fans will love the playing and perhaps, as I did, find Verheyen quite a bit more soulful as a singer.) Styles range from Muddy Waters to Cream to funky rock/blues. Then, at the end of the album, in a great change of pace, Verheyen delivers a sensational (almost Jackson Browne-like) acoustic folk tune called Silence is Golden--which he finishes with some uptempo country electric guitar playing that is truly beautiful. This album is a genuine pleaser. Highly recommended. (PS on stars--I use four stars for very good albums like this one; I save 5 for the proven classics--"Graceland" and the like.)

Verheyen is a true guitar virtuoso. His past experience includes performing with many jazz musicians such as Dave Grusin, Richard Elliott, Dan Siegel, Stanley Clarke and Max Roach. He has also played with the likes of Robben Ford and was the lead guitarist for Supertramp replacing guitarist Roger Hodgson in 1985.

Slang Justice is Verheyen's exploration into the Blues. On the CD, Verheyen mixes a variety of styles ranging from blazing electric blues to acoustic country blues and he handles each style with surprising mastery and with great tonality.

If there is any knock on Verheyen, it certainly cannot be his guitar playing. However, Verheyen's voice is not the smokey type which one traditionaly associates with a blues musician. Rather, it is more reminiscent of a Robben Ford or a Eric Johnson. As such, the CD may take a couple of listens to get use to the voice. Overall, however, a decent effort an is worth a listen.

Carl Verheyen is a major presence on the guitar, he began a lifelong study of the instrument at age 10.
May 1996 saw the release of Carl's third CD entitled Slang Justice, this blues oriented project prompted the best reviews ever. Guitar Magazine wrote "Slang Justice establishes Verheyen as one of the top modern virtuoso blues interpreters of our day." This record also marks the first time Carl's music is available worldwide. Also later in 1996, while working an average of eight to ten recording sessions a week, Carl still found the time to teach (CCR guitarist/vocalist) John Fogerty guitar lessons. In the fall of that year Rick Davies reunited Supertramp and Carl was asked to rejoin the legendary band. They recorded another classic `Tramp album entitled "Some Things Never Change," which went gold or platinum in many countries all over the world.
Talking about songs all of them are very very good,perhaps the two long songs the Funky-Blues "Spotty Herbert" and "Passing Through",are very good performed, but a little too much long, and I make honourable mention to the four ones and "Silence Is Golden - Part 2", tremendous, what an incredible guitar especially in "Two trains running", highly recommended for all music listeners, I give it 4,5 stars.

Well, let me be the first. I have no problem at all giving this 5 stars. I am listening to it right now for the second time. It is some of the tastiest guitar playing I've ever heard. The rest of the band is spectacular as well. Great hamond b3 playing, drums, and awesome bass. Very tight, and very tastey. I think this is my favorite of all his releases. Time will tell, because after downloading "Trading 8's" I just couldn't stop there... I pretty much downloaded all of his stuff today. I normally am a little more fiscally conservative than that, but this guy is absolutely amazing. He and Greg Koch are my 2 new favorite guitarists, and certainly 2 of the best on the planet. Generally players this technical have little soulful sound, but Carl Verheyen (and Greg Koch) most certainly do. I agree the his voice is similar to Robben Ford, but I don't mind that. Well worth the splurging.

If you think you have never heard this guy you are probably wrong... he is an amazing session guitarist. Plays all styles lightning fast and tasty - I've seen him wail Eric Johnson and Steve Morse stuff... amazing. Great Blues licks here... if you get a chance to see him, dont miss it!

Verheyen would do well on American Idol, his vocals are passable, nothing to complain about. His songwriting did not connect with me at all. You often here of players who are playing the blues but not sounding as if they feel it, and Verheyen, to me, is a classic example. He does play the guitar very well, don't get me wrong, but nothing spectacular. His vocals are merely along for the ride, and that's where we part ways. Not a bad release, by any means, just nothing to write home about.