Search - Carl Verheyen :: Atlas Overload

More off-the-cuff recording process

John DeWald | Denver, CO USA | 11/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Carl Verheyen took his backing band for this effort into the studio and recorded this album over 15 days' time. According to Carl, the mandate from the record company was to capture the energy of Carl's live shows on tape. To this end, Carl and the band recorded quickly with a minimum of overdubs.I thought the results were quite good. The album has a nice overall relaxed vibe yet still having an immediacy in the delivery that is compelling. The songs seem quite intimate for the most part. Highlights for me include "Revival Downs" with it's hooky rhythm parts and the catchy "Confident Lie". Carl's guitar playing is definitely top-notch and while some folks don't care for his singing, I think he's quite servicable on vocals. True, Carl doesn't sound like Malford Milligan or Jeffrey Gaines, but if you enjoy Eric Johnson's thinner, reed-like tenor, you'll most likely warm to Carl's vocals, too.Overall, I really liked the vibe on this record and found it a change in direction from Carl's previous disc, "Slingshot". If you enjoy Carl's playing, you'll want to own all of his discs. I highly recommend "Garage Sale" and "No Borders", too, which can be harder to find. Check out Carl's website for more info."

Carl, please don't sing.

John DeWald | 09/07/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Look, Carl Verheyen is an exceptional blues/rock/fusion guitarist. His playing on this album is terrific (as usual) and his band is right on the money, too. But if you're reading this you're probably a guitar player and have little use for vocals even when the singer is great. Maybe its just me but when Carl Verheyen sings about "revolution" or "funky" its like Pat Boone singing heavy metal or Sammy Davis' recording of Shaft. He's just got one of those squeeky-clean Golden Throats. What is it that gives fine players the urge to sing? If you're not familiar with this outstanding player, check out No Borders which is all instrumental and kills."