Sunday, 14 October 2018

Roger Daltrey (1975) Hearts Right - LOST 70s GEMS

Daltrey's second solo album proved if nothing else he knew how to pick a creative cover, here he is depicted in a photo brushed shot as a Centaur raising his front hoofs up for a gallop it work with his curly blonder mane as he fits that of a bare chested of statue-esque Greek god. There is a strong disco vibe on Paul Korda's Hearts Right features a saxophone solo, some reggae organ work and a serene bed of sweet 'oohs' backed by twinkly vibes and a wah wah clavinet; and this is just the middle section before clapping back to the songs' main body. It is made up of a hard hitting Urban groove with punchy horns/piano, gospel choir backing, hard hitting drums, heavy guitars etc. Proud is the next memorable RnB flavoured cut with a wah wah guitar struck in measured beats, some soulful horns licks and Daltrey on screamingly good form on the chorus, the deadening beat breaks into a orgasmic chorus with backing vocals and horns reigned before returning to the syncopated beat which owes more to hard rock than funk. The Blackmore styled guitar solo whines with the hurt and reverb in equal doses in what is a very authentic soul number with excellent use of tasteful reverb, wah wah and magnificent horn work. It's followed up with World Over a funky mid 70s disco track with hand claps and preppy piano chord progression along the lines of Love Will Keep Us Together or Elton John but it starts with a ring of the maracas and the most deliciously funky blues guitar solo with it's light, Hendrix/Ernie Isleys filtered underwater wah wah swagger to it.

Near to Surrender continues the more melodicism of this album as opposed to the mournfulness of the prior album, this track is another Elton styled ballad with rag time chords and Hawaiian slide solo. Walking the Dog is a straight edged funk song with call and response vocals describing a dance move called Walking the Dog, it features a saxophone solo while the main rhytmm is cowbell and slide guitar led but Daltrey's vocals are unbearable in their odd 'tannoy 'filter. Milk Train is vastly improved with a lean blues solo and downtrodden dancehall vocal matching the plodding country rock beat. The closer I Was Born to Sing Your Song is formulaic but the dramatic strings sweep in with rugged low register drags that tug at your soul.


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