It Takes a Lot of Balls

Travers & Appice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Steamhammer / SPV
• ASIN: B0002ZXCZS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,245 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Whenever rock icons like guitarist/vocalist Pat Travers and drummer Carmine Appice work together, enlisting the support of the ingenious all-round bassist, T.M. Stevens, into the bargain, the result is bound to be a technically accomplished masterpiece oozing sheer energy and power. The current album by Travers & Appice, It Takes A Lot Of Balls, certainly lives up to its promising title: real men playing rock music for people with guts. Powerful blues rock with gritty guitar riffs, driving drum sounds and intricate bass grooves mark the album’s 13 tracks – be it the compelling opener ‘Better From A Distance’, the ripping ‘I Don’t Care’, the typical Southern rock of ‘Can’t Escape The Fire’, or the tender sounds of ‘Hey You’. Pat Travers proves to be not only an expert when it comes to dynamic power chords and fast solos, he also sprinkles in fantastic slide parts and demonstrates with ‘Stand Up’ that he knows his funk rock. "The recordings were cut in one go, the! album was written almost exclusively at the studio," Carmine Appice enthuses. "We’d planned one or two tracks, but the material seemed to almost write itself. I expect that our audience will love the CD. I’ve been a fan of Pat’s for a long time. This collaboration was definitely worth waiting for all those years."

It Takes A Lot Of Balls highlights the trademarks of these three exceptional musicians, and the result is a timeless, ambitiously recorded, powerful blues rock album that highlights not only the technical competence of each individual musician but also their exquisite songwriting. As Carmine Appice describes It Takes A Lot Of Balls: "These are some of the best songs that I’ve ever written and recorded."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pat keeps putting them out and I keep buying them, NO MORE!, November 5, 2004

By 

Hellion Zephreid (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Takes a Lot of Balls (Audio CD)

When I heard about this release about a month ago, I jumped at the chance and pre-ordered this right away. After listening to this, I am just going to have to accept the fact that Pat Travers is not capable of making more than an average record at best anymore. This CD is much better than the Blues Bureau releases he put out in the 90's though. There is some really good playing from all involved but after listening to this, not one track really jumps out and shines. It just plays track 1 through 13 and stops, leaving the listener saying not bad but nothing great. If you like the PT Power Trio or his other "cover" CDs, then you would probably enjoy this. I am tired of expecting PT to rise to the occassion and put out something of power like "Heat in the Street" or "Putting it Straight" again. Not a bad background disc for the garage or for stopping the silence on a long drive. His guitar playing still dazzles at times but the songs just bore me. At least he is writing original material again. You know what would be a great idea? For Pat to re-record some of his classics from the 70's this year and see how they would evolve in this new millenium with current recording technology. That would definitely be more interesting than this.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PT Rocks, November 6, 2004

By 

bajax "bajax" (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Takes a Lot of Balls (Audio CD)

This is the best CD Pat Travers has played on in a long time. The song writing is very good for a CD that was written in a short amount of time. The recording quality of this CD is excellent. Pat's playing shines throughout the CD. Carmine's drumming is strong and refreshing. The bass playing of T.M. is outstanding. Pat sings on quite a few songs and his voice sounds as strong as ever. Pat's fat, biting lead and heavy rhythm guitar work will please most PT fans. His blues are good but in my opinion, it sounds best when PT Rocks!

If you are a true PT fan, this CD is worth checking out!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars!!!, November 7, 2004

By 

Marcelo Martins M. Costa "The Lawmaker" (Goiania, GO Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Takes a Lot of Balls (Audio CD)

This is one the best blues rock / hard rock albums released in then last 3 years. Pat Travers guitar really smokes and his voice is getting better as he gets older. Carmine Appice is a monster drummer, showing his power and virtuosity all over this recording. T.M. Stevens on bass (that I must confess, didn't know before listening this) has worked with Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, James Brown and Steve Vai on his worldwide acclaimed Sex & Religion.

If you enjoy Linkin Park, Nightwish, Limp Bizkit and similar bands, this is definitely not for you. However, if you love real and true Rock & Roll, go for it! You won't be disappointed.