Graham Bonnet Band - Meanwhile, Back In The Garage (Frontiers)

 by Matman

I have always held Graham Bonnet is very high regards as a vocalist and an entertainer.  At the same time I have always been amazed at the talented people he has had the opportunity to work with; Richie Blackmore, Cozy Powell, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai,  Chris Impelliterri.... it goes on and on and on!  I always loved the fact that he seems to just take everything in stride and has no desire to be a rock star... he just makes music, does his thing and takes whatever comes his way.  What comes now is the Graham Bonnet Band's latest release, MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE GARAGE, from Frontiers Music!  

Building on the strength of THE BOOK (2016), The Graham Bonnet Band have returned with yet another incredible album full of heavy riffs, solid rhythms, flavorful keyboards and of course, THE VOICE!  The album features 14 killer tracks (13 new and 1 live cover) that for me bring me right back to Rainbow's DOWN TO EARTH and the first Alcatrazz album, NO PAROLE FROM ROCK 'N' ROLL  

From the Deep Purple inspired title track, the bluesy Living In Suspicion, the heavy riffing of Sea Of Tree and Long Island Tea or the funny and quite lyrically 'interesting' The Hotel... this album is fun for the whole family!  The more I listen to it, the more I love it and discover something new every time.

Although Graham Bonnet is the name on the marquis, it is his incredible band that gives his voice a place to go and the heights to soar to.  Bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone and drummer Mark Benquechea are a solid rhythm section that work well together, not just on the record but on stage as well.  Keyboardist Jimmy Waldo worked with Bonnet in Alcatrazz and brings to the mix a lot of experience and sounds and adds depth to the music.  The new guy, Kurt James is the secret ingredient here... playing with shredder speed at times, controlled and melodic when called upon and down right dirty when the mood calls.  Together, this is one amazing band!!!! 

​Overall, the album contains some great playing with a fun attitude and a lot of heart.  I'm so thankful that Graham Bonnet is still making the music I love with players who get the best out of him and each other as well. 

MATMAN RATING - 4 out of 5 garage doors   

***** and as an added bonus..... a special edition of MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE GARAGE will contain a special DVD concert of the Graham Bonnet Band live at Daryl's House... a show I was at!!!  Just look for the knucklehead with the Penguins jersey!!!!

MEANWHIE, BACK IN THE GARAGE will  be release on Frontiers Music July 13th. 

01. Meanwhile, Back In The Garage 
02. The Hotel 
03. Livin' In Suspicion 
04. Incest Outcest U.S.A. 
05. Long Island Tea 
06. The House 
07. Sea Of Trees 
08. Man On The Corner 
09. We Don't Need Another Hero 
10. America...Where Have You Gone? 
11. Heading Toward The Light 
12. Past Lives 
13. The Crying Chair 
14. Starcarr Lane (Live From Daryl's House 2018)

DVD (Live From Daryl's House 2018)
01. Night Of The Shooting Star (Intro) 
02. Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live 
03. All Night Long 
04. Night Games 
05. California Air 
06. God Blessed Video 
07. Stand In Line 
08. Island In The Sun 
09. Desert Song 
10. Starcarr Lane 
11. Jet To Jet 
12. S.O.S. 
13. Into The Night 
14. Samurai 
15. Skyfire 
16. Since You Been Gone 
17. Assault Attack 
18. Eyes Of The World 
19. Hiroshima Mon Amour 
20. Lost In Hollywood