King King – Standing
In The Shadows (Manhaton Records).
Glaswegian Blues rockers King King’s latest offering,
Standing In The Shadows completely dispels the myth of the ‘difficult second
album’. Opening with More Than I Can Take, a Southern States Blues rocker with
a strident guitar solo they draw their line in the sand. They follow up with the soulful Rock sounds of
Taken What’s Mine, a cross between Free and Joe Cocker. A Long History Of Love
is a lengthy ballad, emotion filled and with a powerful vocal. Alan Nimmo’s guitar
playing is excellent as ever, with some of his best playing on offer here. Frankie
Miller’s Jealousy has funky guitar with Bennett Holland ably backing up on
organ. This is on the Soul side too. The
Joe Cocker comparisons resurface on What Am I Supposed To Do, a Soulful soft
Rock where Nimmo climbs the peaks. One More Time Around has thumping drums,
driving guitars and organ. A groovy Blues rocker, Free influenced with slashing
guitar. Can’t Keep From trying has happy
sounds. Faster paced, it’s a bit out of place and may be too in the Pop mould
for some. Coming Home (Rest Your Eyes) is soft blue-eyed Rock in the Paul
Carrack mould with incisive guitar fills from Nimmo. Just to confirm the Free
influences they throw in their piano based grinding rocker, Heavy Load and they
round things off with the funky rocker, Let Love In. King King is a band that
has it all, a good singer, a great guitarist and excellent self-penned songs in
abundance.
David Blue.
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