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Victorious | 6:13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No Money, No Love | 3:58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I Don't Know What Love Is | 5:49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Man & Machine | 4:05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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House of Blues | 6:10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Back in Anger | 4:53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Waiting for the End of The World | 4:55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sexual Insanity | 5:34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rock & Roll Does | 3:50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A Day Like Today | 4:18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good Times | 3:45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Live as One | 4:27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2013
-----
There is no denying the Richie Blackmore influence when listening to the latest offering by Stuart Smith and his band of mates known as Heaven & Earth. If this was in fact Deep Purple or Rainbow, this release would be nestled perfectly between DP's Slaves & Masters and Rainbows' Stranger In Us All. That's not a bad place to be! As talented a guitarist as Stuart Smith is, and don't kid yourself this guy is a monster with a Stratocaster, the shinning star here is vocalist Joe Retta. He has a very unique voice, but as comparisons are necessary when doing reviews, one would not be out of place to suggest Paul Rogers with a hint of Doogie White. Joe comes straight from the band Sweet (or at least Steve Priest's version of Sweet) for whom he has fronted since 2008. In fact this CD has as much to do with Sweet as anything else since Stuart Smith and drummer Richie Onori are also alumni of Steve Priests' Sweet. Rounding out the band is multi-talented bassist Chuck Wright (Giuffria, Quiet Riot, House Of Lords) and keyboards extraordinaire Arlan Schierbaum (Joe Bonamassa, Richie Kotzen).
1st Impressions.
-----
Judging a book by it's cover is never a good idea, but in this case ... the cover is spectacular. It's the perfect marriage for this release. While I am not a fan of digipak packaging (I'm a jewel case kind of guy) I have to say the overall presentation here is just perfect. The record label spared no expense. The booklet has all the lyrics, beautiful photography throughout and is printed on a low luster high grade stock. Very classy. I imagine the vinyl release of this is a sight to behold.
The Music
-----
Opening notes swell from the speakers as mid-tempo rocker "Victorious" sets the pace for what's ahead. The song clocks in at a bit over 6 minutes but feels like 3 minutes as the twists and turns gets you excited for what's to come. A perfect way to open the album. Second song "No Money No Love" is everything you love (and miss) about the arena bands of the 70's like DP, Rainbow & Uriah Heep ... classy vocals, impeccable guitar being pushed by the sound of a Hammond Organ over a tight rhythm section. By now most people who follow this style of music has probably seen the high-stakes big-production video for this song, but make no mistake, the song stands on it's own. If the opening track was a home run (and it was) than this is a grand slam (and it is). Track Three slows down the tempo a bit and delivers a chilling song of a love lost. Again, the vocals is outstanding. The lead guitar break at the 4 minute mark is soulful with an accompanying string section that lifts Joe's performance to stratospheric heights. Personal favorites change each time I listen, but "Waiting For The End Of The World" is more than likely going to be my go-to track for this release. I find myself hitting the repeat button on this song already. I'm not going to ruin the surprise, but "A Day Like Today" is something special. It comes from left field (again with the baseball analogies and I'm a hockey fan) and it blows you away. Joe Retta's voice, and flute playing (!!!) is the centerpiece. The closing track, "Live As One", has a church hymn style chorus that just melts your heart.
Epilogue
-----
This CD is a pleasure to listen to. Perfectly produced and mixed. Not harsh and brutal sounding as the majority of releases are these days. I'm not sure where the money or budget came from for this release, but as I mentioned about the packaging, it SOUNDS like no expense was spared. Song after song, listen after listen, the CD gets better and better. Not a single throw away in the bunch. Stuart Smith & Joe Retta has, after just 12 tracks, become my new favorite duo. Superior performance by both.
Rating : 100/100.
Verified Purchase
Spared No Expense.
By Andy The Android on April 23, 2013
MonologueBy Andy The Android on April 23, 2013
-----
There is no denying the Richie Blackmore influence when listening to the latest offering by Stuart Smith and his band of mates known as Heaven & Earth. If this was in fact Deep Purple or Rainbow, this release would be nestled perfectly between DP's Slaves & Masters and Rainbows' Stranger In Us All. That's not a bad place to be! As talented a guitarist as Stuart Smith is, and don't kid yourself this guy is a monster with a Stratocaster, the shinning star here is vocalist Joe Retta. He has a very unique voice, but as comparisons are necessary when doing reviews, one would not be out of place to suggest Paul Rogers with a hint of Doogie White. Joe comes straight from the band Sweet (or at least Steve Priest's version of Sweet) for whom he has fronted since 2008. In fact this CD has as much to do with Sweet as anything else since Stuart Smith and drummer Richie Onori are also alumni of Steve Priests' Sweet. Rounding out the band is multi-talented bassist Chuck Wright (Giuffria, Quiet Riot, House Of Lords) and keyboards extraordinaire Arlan Schierbaum (Joe Bonamassa, Richie Kotzen).
1st Impressions.
-----
Judging a book by it's cover is never a good idea, but in this case ... the cover is spectacular. It's the perfect marriage for this release. While I am not a fan of digipak packaging (I'm a jewel case kind of guy) I have to say the overall presentation here is just perfect. The record label spared no expense. The booklet has all the lyrics, beautiful photography throughout and is printed on a low luster high grade stock. Very classy. I imagine the vinyl release of this is a sight to behold.
The Music
-----
Opening notes swell from the speakers as mid-tempo rocker "Victorious" sets the pace for what's ahead. The song clocks in at a bit over 6 minutes but feels like 3 minutes as the twists and turns gets you excited for what's to come. A perfect way to open the album. Second song "No Money No Love" is everything you love (and miss) about the arena bands of the 70's like DP, Rainbow & Uriah Heep ... classy vocals, impeccable guitar being pushed by the sound of a Hammond Organ over a tight rhythm section. By now most people who follow this style of music has probably seen the high-stakes big-production video for this song, but make no mistake, the song stands on it's own. If the opening track was a home run (and it was) than this is a grand slam (and it is). Track Three slows down the tempo a bit and delivers a chilling song of a love lost. Again, the vocals is outstanding. The lead guitar break at the 4 minute mark is soulful with an accompanying string section that lifts Joe's performance to stratospheric heights. Personal favorites change each time I listen, but "Waiting For The End Of The World" is more than likely going to be my go-to track for this release. I find myself hitting the repeat button on this song already. I'm not going to ruin the surprise, but "A Day Like Today" is something special. It comes from left field (again with the baseball analogies and I'm a hockey fan) and it blows you away. Joe Retta's voice, and flute playing (!!!) is the centerpiece. The closing track, "Live As One", has a church hymn style chorus that just melts your heart.
Epilogue
-----
This CD is a pleasure to listen to. Perfectly produced and mixed. Not harsh and brutal sounding as the majority of releases are these days. I'm not sure where the money or budget came from for this release, but as I mentioned about the packaging, it SOUNDS like no expense was spared. Song after song, listen after listen, the CD gets better and better. Not a single throw away in the bunch. Stuart Smith & Joe Retta has, after just 12 tracks, become my new favorite duo. Superior performance by both.
Rating : 100/100.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
S. A. Reed
Astounding,Heavenly Rock Reincarnated.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2013Verified Purchase
S. Downer
I Dig This
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2013Verified Purchase
shedman5
Back to the good old days
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2013Verified Purchase
styxxx
DIG IT
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2014Verified Purchase
lenny
Incredulous old school rock of the highest order!!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2013Verified Purchase
