Search - Richie Kotzen :: Return of the Mother Head's Family Reunion

Master Piece. All Time Classic

Angel R. Navas | Spain | 09/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This guy must be the most underrated talent in rock history. He has recorded several records (19 I think) as a solo artist, not to say that he has written also some hits for Poison or Mr. Big... He is known as an excellent guitar player, but after all of these years he is also an incredible singer (by far my favourite one) and composer.

His solo records, excepting some experimental ones, demostrates what I'm saying, but this one is a master piece. Richie uses to play all instruments in his solo records, but in "the Return of..." he's backed with a real a band, and what a band!

As usual Richie delivers his best in this "Return", but the tunes here, the overall groove of the cd, incredible guitar playing, and at last but not least, the incredible soulfoul coloured singing, make this an all time classic.

My favourites ones here. Go faster, Fooled Again (With an incredible 5 min guitar solo that I can't stop listen), Chase It, You're Crazy, Dust, Faith...

Don't miss the oportunity of buying this, you won't be dissapointed.. and support Richie... at least until he obtains the recognition that an artist like him deserves."

Go Faster? Maybe slow it down a bit!

Paul | Duluth, MN | 10/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The U.S. version of this CD is called "Go faster". I do like the import's title better! First off, this guy is an amazing talent. I have been reading about him for over 15 years but never really sought him out. I never got sucked into the "shred" guitar club (Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, etc.) although I do know he is in their league as a player.

His real talent lies in his voice. This guy is as good of a singer as David Coverdale, Ray Gillan, Jonny Lang and Chris Cornell. He also has some serious R&B vibe in his singing. The grooves in this collection of songs is very thick, soulful and funky at times. "Go faster", "Faith" and "bad things" are standout cuts.

This is where his command of shred guitar clashes, in my opinion. If he could somehow distance himself from the shred crowd and express the same soul, tone and restraint in his guitar playing as he has with his voice, he'd be unstoppable. Don't get me wrong, the occasional guitar flurries and flourishes are impressive on a technical level and their is room for that (Joe Bonamassa or Neil Schon come to mind), but this guy could get away with having two entirely seperate audiences. I'd love to hear what producer Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Bonamassa) might've done with this session. If Kotzen could align himself with bands like The Black Crowes and Gov't Mule and their audiences, He'd have much wider appeal. I look forward to hearing what he'll do next."