Similar issues are raised with "Hands On The Wheel", a good open road tune which sounds like Bob Seeger's Silver Bullet Band sideswiped Robin Trower on their way to Jimmy Page's for a quick fill up of good ol' Ledded Zep Premium, and "Rocket", a Bad Company-tinged ode to a muscle car, as if sung by supercharged Beach Boys on heavy metal.
One has to wonder if Wilson hasn't heard all of this criticism before, for as he sings in "Southern Cali Girl": "she's a lot like Marilyn Monroe, but she's got a style all her own". Change the gender and swap the movie star for a string bender and you have my wish for Wilson's future efforts.
You want the experience of hearing Brad Wilson to be like that of his "Slide On Over", which is like a cranked-up Robin Trower soaring. It's my favorite song on this CD and the one which comes closest to meeting my desires of Wilson's musicality. Don't forget to breathe!
His songs are strong, yet you want them to be "him", not him channeling other musicians. You want to hear more than the sincerest flattery in the form of excellent emulation. You want to hear what Wilson would do if, for instance, he was jamming with sidemen who pushed him in the manner most of his main guitar men deliberately sought, or if he had a producer that wouldn't let him take the easy way out. He might just break out with a sound all his own when stressed in such a manner.
Despite my criticisms, this really is a good CD, a solid performance. But it does leave one wishing it had a bit more to offer. I have three other Wilson CDs to review (deep apologies to Cali Bee Music for the delay) and I hope that my expectations are met by them, for I think that Brad Wilson could be a major commercial talent if he remembers to leave the star in plain view on the dressing room door to serve as an incentive to get through it.
We'll cue up the next disc and see how she spins!
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I've seen him live. he puts on a great show.