John Norum - Play Yard Blues

Europe seem to be undergoing a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Their most recent album, 2009's critically acclaimed "Last Look at Eden" was a belter. This was in no small part down to the magnificent guitar work of John Norum. He is without a doubt one of the most underrated guitarists around.  "Play Yard Blues" is his long awaited seventh solo album and features 10 new studio tracks, including covers of : "It's Only Money" by Thin Lizzy, "Ditch Queen" by Frank Marino and Mountain's "Travellin' in the Dark".  This is very much a John Norum project as he plays guitar (obviously), performs lead vocal, he mixed and produced the album. His Europe bandmate, Mic Michaeli appears on keyboards on a few tracks. Tomas Torberg (Bass), Peer Stappe (percussion) and Thomas Bronman (Drums) make up the rest of the band.

This is the kind of blues album I like. It's not the "woke up this morning.... my dog was dead" kind of stuff, instead think more like early Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy or Pat Travers. Indeed Norum's vocals were a surprise to me, sounding like Phil Lynott on the Lizzy cover, and definite Coverdale intonations throughout. Then of course there is his trademark and distinctive guitar style, not flash for the sake of it just perfectly balanced and skillful.

"Play Yard Blues" is released in the UK on July 5th by Mascot records.

NR.