Foghat
Under the Influence
Foghat Records
2016
With bands like Foghat, who now after the death of several members and many decades into their career, with only drummer Roger Earl (of Savoy Brown fame) on their seventeenth or so album, the I guess the bet, lies on trying to sound as close as you did back in the day and by all means that bet is won, by careful selection when replacing the personnel. The band had to replace some returning original members who did perform for a good portion of the 90s with either other old members (Craig MacGregor) filling in when Rod Price died, or in the case of Peverett death which preceded it, with Charlie Huhn (Victory, Nudgent, ARP etc). Those lineups have released 3 studio albums and a couple of live one – up to date, trying to be as faithful as they can to the band’s legacy and sound.
Apart from the current lineup, founding drummer Roger Earl, singer/guitarist Charlie Huhn, lead guitarist Bryan Bassett and bassist Craig MacGregor, some friends from the band’s past make a contribution. Kim Simmonds, the guitarist of Savoy Brown, which Earl and two other men left to form Foghat, makes an appearance. Also, Nick Jameson, who played bass on “Slow Ride”, sat it on a new version of their biggest hit, which celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Their down n dirty blues rock is a little edgier since the two American musicians taking over, but the band was always kinda like a crossover between blues, pop/rock and hard rock and they pretty much continue to be just that, with just a few more whiskEy soaked influences…
There are so many good songs here, ie the powerful opening duo of “Under the Influence” and “Knock It Off”, the funky and funny “She’s Got a Ring in His Nose”, a nice take on the classic that “Heard It Through the Grapevine” is… the hot an bothered, “Hot Mama” or the bluesy and stomping “Heart Gone Cold” that’s such a great piece and last but not least “All Because of You” lets off a bit of steam, just before a nice and somewhat grittier version of the bands seminal and biggest hit “Slow Ride”, which is delivered with aplomb.
Great stuff all around and an album you’re bound to enjoy if you like the band. Honest to god, true hard bluesy rock that will heal your soul! Bless ya!
Apart from the current lineup, founding drummer Roger Earl, singer/guitarist Charlie Huhn, lead guitarist Bryan Bassett and bassist Craig MacGregor, some friends from the band’s past make a contribution. Kim Simmonds, the guitarist of Savoy Brown, which Earl and two other men left to form Foghat, makes an appearance. Also, Nick Jameson, who played bass on “Slow Ride”, sat it on a new version of their biggest hit, which celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Their down n dirty blues rock is a little edgier since the two American musicians taking over, but the band was always kinda like a crossover between blues, pop/rock and hard rock and they pretty much continue to be just that, with just a few more whiskEy soaked influences…
There are so many good songs here, ie the powerful opening duo of “Under the Influence” and “Knock It Off”, the funky and funny “She’s Got a Ring in His Nose”, a nice take on the classic that “Heard It Through the Grapevine” is… the hot an bothered, “Hot Mama” or the bluesy and stomping “Heart Gone Cold” that’s such a great piece and last but not least “All Because of You” lets off a bit of steam, just before a nice and somewhat grittier version of the bands seminal and biggest hit “Slow Ride”, which is delivered with aplomb.
Great stuff all around and an album you’re bound to enjoy if you like the band. Honest to god, true hard bluesy rock that will heal your soul! Bless ya!