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CD Review

Raised On Rusks (Volume 1 ) Recorded & Produced By Mike Frankland

Castlegate Studio

Why do I have to find these bands all by myself? Where are the reviews, letters telling us of such exquisite talent?

It has taken the band themselves to send me a copy of their cd. I don’t expect Raised On Rusks (ROR) will anticipate this being reviewed as it was sent in reference to a gig at the Tap & Spile, but it’s so good I just can’t help myself. Bands such as this should be more exposed! I haven’t stopped playing it yet. O.K. it’s all covers, not normally something I go overboard on, but this is very, very good.

ROR tell me that they only play 24 gigs a year and they select the venue, can you believe it, the cheek……The brief biog that was faxed with a letter had me wondering if they were just a touch eccentric and egotistic, or just plain daft. Intrigue was high and the hi-fi was off, not for long. Insert tape-

mmmmmm….striking guitar, high rocking element and scorching vocals.

“Working For A Living” penned by Huey Lewis & The News is a gripping rock tune, executed with penetrating skill. Maybe they weren’t so eccentric as I first assumed! “I Guess I Showed Her” encompasses the eloquent caressing tones of Robert Cray. The arrangements are very impressive, there is a very clinical aspect to their playing, justifying their claim as having been semi-pro or pro in their careers. Alun (yes with a “u”) Edwards phonetic tones have that commodious composed manner and are to boot , excellently discharged.

John Whittingham (lead guitar/acoustic guitar/vocals/ percussion):

Merrick Hamilton (lead acoustic guitar/guitar/vocals/ percussion):

Mick Sandbrook (bass guitar/vocals/percussion) and,

Dennis Johnson (drums/various percussion) all assist in creating an impressive demo.

With more percussion than a Premier Workshop their live show should be quite interesting, incorporating congas and cabasas in the first part of their set. Anyway back to the main course. Next up is “Things We Said” the nicey, nicey tune from the Beatles. Paul Carracks “Cup Of Coffee” is centred around the acoustic guitar again. This strolls along at a controlled pace with an ease that is hard to portray in words.

Again the emphasis and meat of the tune is in the chorus and enjoys a buoyant and pleasing guise..

Well! I have heard many songs covered and rearranged, some good, some not so good and some downright bloody awful. ROR have taken a classic by The Beatles—”Help”- pulled it apart and delicately reassembled it. This is exquisite.Slowed down a touch, added a touch of keyboard and introduced a more modern approach in the vain of maybe “Crowded House” . It feels heavier with the guitar solo and the more apparent drums, but with the very embracing chorus and verse breaks and the new arrangement it works incredibly well.

You realise that these guys do know what they’re doing when they say that they play music.

Raised On Rusks, on the strength of this demo, have the class, expertise and definite ability to bring any house down. You might say I am impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Reproduced with kind permission of “Keep It Live”)

R.O.R.

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