SMITH/KOTZEN – Smith/Kotzen (2021 BMG)
Had this album come out 30 years ago, it might have been called Smith/Curran. According to our good pal Andy Curran from Coney Hatch, Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith has been looking for a project like this for quite some time. The right partner arrived with soulful singer/songwriter/shredder Richie Kotzen. As heard on the nine-track debut, everything clicked. It was Smith’s wife Nathalie that introduced the two. Friendship turned to jamming, and jamming turned to writing and recording. We owe Nathalie a huge debt of rocking’ gratitude.
Fans of Kotzen, either via his solo work or the Winery Dogs, won’t be shocked by what they hear. It is the Maiden fans who are in for an adjustment. Not that Smith/Kotzen is wimpy — it isn’t at all — but it is vastly different from the traditional metal that Maiden peddle in. This is a soul/blues/rock fusion from the heart.
None of the nine songs should earn a “skip” in your player. Each one boasts a wicked blend of guitars and voices. Who would have thought that two players and singers, so different in style, would mix so naturally? You can usually pick out who is playing what, but it all works as one monolithic gestalt. The whole thing is brilliant. You can choose your own peaks, because everyone will have their own favourites.
“Running” should be an uptempo high point in anyone’s scorebook. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the power ballad “Scars” (if you want to call it that). Over six minutes with heartfelt playing and harmonizing over a slow riff — pigeonhole it any way you like. The guitar tones on this album are rich and sometimes trippy. Fans of both guitarists are in for a tour-de-force of feel.
Another high water mark is “Glory Road” which may be a slower blues, but boasts a melodic power chorus that you can imagine Iron Maiden pulling off successfully. That gives way to a wicked series of solo trade-offs that blow the mind and punch the gut all at once. But if you really like Maiden, there is no way you will not recognize the one and only Nicko McBrain on the Purple-y “Solar Fire”. (The drums on the rest of the album are performed by Kotzen and Tal Bergman, which Richie and Adrian share bass duties.) Picture the Coverdale/Hughes/Blackmore vibe. An album highlight, “Solar Fire” is as hot as the stellar eruptions it’s named for.
Pick a song — “I Wanna Stay”, “Some People”, “Taking My Chances”, or “‘Til Tomorrow” — all are excellent choices. Smith/Kotzen has nine remarkable tracks to choose from. They’ve all been road tested, and given fair play at home and on the porch. Though they vary in tempo and direction, all nine promise excellent, memorable melodies and powerful playing. This is an album for the summer of 2021 — an album we need.
4.5/5 stars
Nice review; you’re making me want to get this album! Props to Smith and Kotzen for making an incredible record so late in their career.
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Thanks Lana! This album has depth and may take a few listened to get into properly.
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Thanks for the heads up Mike!
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Time to get Smith and Kotzen on the show. Then Harrison will be one step closer to Blaze.
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Maybe we should cut to the chase and ask Blaze? Maybe? I wonder if he would agree.
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Worth a shot!
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I asked Harrison to approach him. We all know Harrison is shy but it SHOULD be Harrison that asks.
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Kopp’s already said he would be too shy to do so to me.
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Damn that Kopp! Doesn’t he want Balls of Steel?
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Get Deke to do it. He has a high batting average.
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Great review, Mike – got me intrigued enough about this one to go give it a listen.
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Let me know what you think!
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I never gave this a fair shake when it came out. I need to give it another spin or two or three! Great review Mike!!
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Well Kevin didn’t care for the vocals so maybe I will end up alone on this.
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Maybe so
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I’m digging the hooks. Not so much the vocals.
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I didn’t like Kotzen’s singing the first time I heard him on the Bill & Ted soundtrack. Adrian I have always liked.
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I have played this when it came back but so much has come out. But I liked what I heard and I know for a fact Tbone spun it as well and he liked it as well. Always liked Kotzens voice especially on that debut album of his from what 94?
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I think his debut was 89. Fever Dream was 1990. That’s the one where he started singing.
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oh wow I think it was that Mother whatever album that came out after he got the boot from Poison is the one I’m thinking of
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Yeah Mother Hedd was 1994. Good call. I have the Japanese of that one.
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Hot damn, cool!
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Kotzen does nothing for me, unfortunately. I still gave this a chance but I don’t know, nothing grabbed me.
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Ah well they tried at least!
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