Customer Reviews

When You See the Sun

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

 

 

With this 4th release, "Bonzo the 2nd" has achieved and surpassed the musicianship and originality of his father's "band" (what was their name?..). This under-appreciated (and under-marketed) gem picks up where Zep was forced to leave off and takes us to a new sparkling evolution of the genre. Looking forward to the next metamorphosis of the "Bonham" sound--just as Zep evolved with each new release. But...where has Jason gone? I hope record company marketing blunders and uninformed reviewers have not soured him away from sharing his muse with us again. This disc holds court with any and all my "Classic Rock" mainstays.

AWW, what a fabulous cd. This sounds like it could pass as the greatest "undiscovered" Led Zeppelin album ever. Not to say it's unoriginal, the album comes blasting like a cool, fresh breath of air in a world dominated by wannabe rockers. Greta, monsterous riffs, courtesy of newcomer Tony Catania, are all over, powerful vocalist Charles West, also new, wailes away(sounding a bit like Robert Plant, but not trying to be), and ex-Bonham bassist John Smithson returns to help out drummer Jason Bonham fuel the music with charisma and energy. Every song has that Zeppelin-esque feel to it, and it should. Jason Bonham does a no-brainer showing who his major influence is. Anyone who wants probably the best hard-rockin' album of 1997, and want to hear what great music is all about pick this one up. It is far more superior than the last Page/Plant garbage, and John Bonham helps his son out by coming out of the grave to play drums on two tracks, that's right, John Bonham is on this. "Can't Go On", and, "Out on the Prey", are those tracks. Enjoy!

This is a great album that will certainly take you back to the days of Zeppelin, but has its very own 90's hard rock style. This is a very under-rated album deserving of more record sales and critical aclaim. Tony Cantana's guitar playing is uncanny and rocks the house. Jason Boham will make his daddy proud with this effort. Lead singer, Charles West sings with a passion and love for the music that is all but missing in today's world of rock. "Ordinary Black and White" is poppy, but great to listen to and very meaningful. "Ki the World Goodbye" is a real treat for any zep fan. The entire album is consistent and rocks hard, but never lacks maturity and effort. These guys are great arm wrestlers too! DO NOT CHALLENGE THEM BACK STAGE! YOU WILL LOSE!

By C.S.

Legendary British group Led Zeppelin's 2003 acension to the top of the charts some 25 years after the group's breakup with "How The West Was Won" bolsters the old phrase "aint nothing like the real thing" Imitators from both U.S. coasts tried to master their bombastic rock / blues style. Heart did it in the 70's and in the late 1980's Kingdom Come pinched heavily from the Zeppelin sound.Though the latter was a respectable effort compared to other acts, the watered down attempts have made fans yearn to listen to more of the true creators. The Zep reunion's,have been a cross between brilliance and borderline disaster.The,Live Aid show in 1985, the Page - Plant collaborations- minus bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, (a move that strained the band relationship),and the oft criticized Jimmy Page / David Coverdale collaboration where Coverdale's Plant like delivery was viewed to be an un- original rip off caused many to dub the Whitesnake lead singer David "Cover Version" . <BR
>
Sandwiched betweeen those events was Zeppelin's performance at the 40th Atlantic Records Anniversary in 1988. The drummer playing with the Jones, Plant and Page was none other than Jason Bonham,son of John Bonham,the band's legendary drummer who died of an alcohol overdose prior to Zeppelin's 1980 comeback tour from the "In Through The Out Door" album.
On the heels of his impressive performance w/ Zeppelin and mild rumors of a comeback, the younger Bonham formed the band and named it "Bonham". After releasing "The Disregeard of Timekeeping" and "Mad Hatter", the group was re-named "The Jason Bonham Band". In 1997 they released "When You See The Sun, a record that is immersed in Zeppelinesque vibe, tone, and tenor and stands out as the best attempt to re- capture the Zep feel,coupled with a touch of Soundgarden.
That being said, it sounds like a recipe for copy- cat chaos. But the strength of the hooks here make it a better listen than some would imagine. The key ingredient is Bonham's infusion of bombastic drumming incorporating well -timed finesse,smooth hi- hat work,and nasty, funky tempo chages reminiscent of his father's pulsating rhythms.
Charles West, a hold over from the original Bonham band,takes over the vocal duties from departed Plant sounding pipester Daniel McMaster.
His Chris Cornell tonation sounding voice (of Soundgarden fame) creates an instant obstacle whether you like Sondgarden or not.BR> But the heart of the matter on "When You See The Sun" is if you cannot get John Bonham, then what is the next best scenario? Listening to the NEXT BEST THING; his son Jason flailing away like his father.
He comes through mightily on the strong chorus of " Drown In Me" and uses some smart sampling of his father's drum fill on "Out On The Prey", featuring bluesy guitar,,mired in Stone Temple Pilot Like vibe with a heavier kick (drum).
"Kiss The World Goodbye",an ironic song slogan given the climate people are living in, seems like a copycat Lenny Kravitz meets T-Rex riff. Yet Bonham brings a freshness to it with his powerhouse beat.
Portions of this record are certainly predictable and easy to peg like" the Zeppelin IIIish sounding "Ordinary Black and White" and the 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (Zeppelin I) feel of " Rain " .The pace picks up,albeit in Zep Like fashion, with the explosive "Cant Go On", where Bonham again adds straight-forward punch with heavy bass drum patterns and potent snare drum pops. If unconvinced at this point, the instrumental "The Unknown" and the etheral and ambient "Shagkabob",a number that contains infectious rhythm,earthy sounding synth, and crunchy Les Paul edge put the final hammer on "When You See The Sun".

Though not amazingly ground- breaking by any means,being the son of a legend like John Bonham makes it strangely difficult for a family member in the same business to assess fairly.Certanly waiting for industry types to exhibit patience is hard to come by.
The romance attatched to Zeppelin and others blues- rock pioneers have straddles theline between legend and myth. Any attempt for an artist to venture into blues rock path wil be beseiged by a a barrage of criticism - the first being that they are a hand mew down version of "the real deal".
Being related to anyone in a prolific band like Led Zeppelin as far as industry insiders are concerned, is a liabilty.
Politics aside, a mistake was made on Bonham's part to have a copy- cat singer do the vocals that added fuel to the fire of this album re-treading past themes. Though it knocks off a number of points from "When You See The Sun", those that missed the Zep thing the first time should find this record to be a steal and the album has enough booming moments to recieve (by the narrowest of margins) a three- star rating.

C.S.
6-6-03
EDITED
6-26-03

I had listened to this years ago, and I always enjoyed it. I've looked several places and couldn't find this cd, but I'm glad i found it here. Great condition and fast delivery.