Two of rock and rolls most prominent and underrated singers present a rollicking retrospective of their days in Rainbow and Deep Purple with an abundance of energy and pure magical memories of yesteryear. With out a doubt the combined efforts of Hughes and Turner present an album that is effortlessly superior to anything that they have done individually. Thus the news of a potential sequel comes with equally great anticipation.
While Glenn Hughes has flirted with solo efforts that touch on his Deep Purple roots, only "Burning Japan Live" has come close to such a personification. Meanwhile, Joe Lynn Turner's most recent solo album "Slam" showed signs of things to come but it only acts as a teaser when compared with this album. Simply put, the Hughes Turner Project oozes the colors of Rainbow and Purple almost to the point that it is a tribute album. The only difference is that the cd is new material that parallels the wealthy and healthy heritage of arguably two of rock and rolls greatest bands.
From the opening chords of Devil's Road layered with Vince Di Cola's Hammond organ and Shane Gaalaas' crashing cymbals, to the closing track of On The Ledge which brings to mind Purple's "You Keep On Moving" there is simply no filler here. This is the album that I have longed for both Hughes and Turner to produce.
For those of you that love the funk of Hughes and the blues of Turner step away as this is as close to pure rock and roll as it comes as declared by the anthem like You Can't Stop Rock N'Roll. With a simplistic guitar riff offset by a gnarly bass groove of Hughes, along with some great interchanging vocals, the impressive chanting chorus is almost overshadowed. Add the guest guitar work of former Mr. Big's Paul Gilbert and this track sizzles in its simplicity.
The album continues at warp speed with a riff and drum pattern reminiscent of Rainbow's "Lost In Hollywood" courtesy of Missed Your Name. Otherwise, the similarities stop there as the funky harmonies of Hughes and Turner via the chorus presents a nice twist. Add a very cool guitar bridge from JJ Marsh bouncing off Di Cola's keyboard work and low and behold you have a solo fight used to wonderful effect in the past by Purple and Giuffria.
So we finally get to Mystery Of The Heart that slows the pace down bringing comparisons to Rainbow's "Street Of Dreams". And by this time the break is needed while Turner takes full control of vocal duties. As does Hughes on the slow builder Heaven's Missing An Angel with a little harmony assistance from John Sykes. Throw in Sykes signature guitar work and this song is a little cracker despite its slow start. This particular track clocks in at over 7 minutes and I can only begin to imagine the results of a full Hughes/Sykes project that was once considered and is now on the backburner. Fade Away continues the pattern of the Hughes/Sykes collaboration starting slowly and building effectively into a moody and mystical track that eventually, for the lack of a better phrase, fades away.
To say that the Deep Purple/Rainbow comparisons continue would be an understatement. Check out the parallels of the funky yet heavy and sultry Better Man with Purple's "Sail Away" from the album "Burn". Otherwise, Ride The Storm lives out its title at warp speed allowing Turner's guitarist Akira Kajiyama to rip the fret-board of his guitar. Run Run Run pretty much follows suit while the album concludes with the previously mentioned On The Ledge.
Some reviewers are mentioning this album as being a lead candidate for the best album of 2002. I certainly would concur with this vote of confidence. However, I would also venture to say that this cd could be discussed as one of rock's most feverish albums come the end of the decade. And I make that outlandish statement on the very clear evidence heard here.