Simon RushworthVoodoo Hill – Waterfall (Frontiers Records)
Genre: Melodic Rock
Glenn Hughes might be enjoying a heavy blues rock renaissance alongside Doug Aldrich in 2015 – check out the review of his Newcastle Tyne Theatre show this week – but Waterfall represents his best work since Black Country Communion’s dazzling debut.
A technical triumph and an emotional treat, it sees the former Deep Purple favourite reprise a previously fruitful partnership with Italian guitarist Dario Mollo and it’s third time lucky for the classy duo.
The Zeppelin-esque Underneath And Down Below is riveting stuff and its juxtaposition alongside the dreamy title track is inspired: Hughes delivers a vocal tour de force on the latter as he evokes memories of 2005’s super solo offering Soul Mover.
Every twist and turn of this memorable musical journey throws up some fresh new vision and it’s interesting to note that Mollo completely re-wrote Last Door to complement his band mate’s vocal melodies – the result is absolutely breathtaking.
Even those who lauded Hughes’ work with BCC and California Breed can’t have believed the 64-year-old had a record like this left in him. If he is focusing fully on live music for the foreseeable future then Waterfall is a wonderful way to sign off from the studio.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 10/10 Hill’s Alive With The Sound Of Music