Friday, October 14, 2016

CD REVIEW: THE BOOK by Graham Bonnet Band




THE BOOK by Graham Bonnet Band
(Frontier Records)

If time was on his side Graham Bonnet would have been more well known than having to be one of the many singers to have sung at the mic for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow where his vocals shined on "Since You Been Gone" and "All Night Long". As well as stints and shinning as well, with Alcatrazz and Impelliteri. On his latest offering, the two disc set, 'The Book', Graham Bonnet has, in my opinion, put forth his best work to date. Sounding better than ever.  The band that is backing Graham up here are a group of talented musicians, Conrado Pesinato on guitars, Jimmy Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England) on keyboards Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, Mark Zonder (Fates Warning /Slavior) on drums and Angelo Vafeiadis on keyboards. The songs on 'The Book' remind me a lot of Graham's work on Alcatrazz's 'Distributing The Peace' and if you like that album, as I do, I can guarantee you'll find pleasure in this effort. It sure seems as Graham put a lot energy into the song writing.  As is evident on tracks like, "Into The Night", "Welcome To My Home", "Rider", the powerful, "Dead Man Walking", the Rainbow-ish vibe of the title track and the energetic mover "California Air".  Graham Bonnet really shines on this recording. As does the band that are dialed in as far as chemistry. I have to mention guitarist, Conrado Pesinato, this guy shreds it up in spectacular fashion on this recording and he doesn't miss a beat! I am blown away by his abilities! As a bonus, for his fans, Graham has included a second disc featuring a 16 tracks of re-recorded classic tracks from Graham's career. That features, "All Night Long", "Lost In Hollywood", "Since You Been Gone", "Assault Attack", "Desert Song", "Island In The Sun" and "God Blessed Video". What can I say? Inspiring would be the way to explain him. Some people when they have a career as long as him start to show their slowing down and the product is not their best, but with Graham Bonnet is like the Ever Ready bunny. He just keeps going and going and is top notch. If you are a fan of Graham's previous solo work as well as with, Rainbow, MSG and Alcatrazz, it's a no brainer, 'The Book', is a must own.
 - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

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