Here on Revolution Radio Online, we have a particular maxim: Bernie Marsden is one of the best guitarists ever. He is also the most over-looked. This is despite him being in Babe Ruth, Whitesnake, his own band Alaska and more, including work with the likes of Joe Bonamassa. Of course, this might be that because he's a modest, well-liked, music focused musician, rather than a temperamental, ego-focused limelight hogging guitar player. He gets on with the job, works with other musicians as and when they need a great guitarist to slot into a project, and releases occasional solo albums when he feels inspired to do so.
And so it is with his new solo album, Kings.
Kings is Marsden's tribute to BB, Albert, and Freddie King, and features 10 covers and two King-inspired tracks, and is the first of a series of planned Inspirations albums from Marsden, inspired, apparently, by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons asking him: “Bernie, wouldn't it be great if we could all record the songs we grew up with as we learned to play the guitar?”
The album shows how masterfully laid back Marsden is in his guitar playing. The riffs and solos sound effortless, and never leave the structure of the song itself. There are no unnecessary pyrotechnics or distortion vibes detracting from the clean sound of a guitar that clearly resonates happiness when Bernie plays on its strings. This is not to say that the solos are lazy, far from it. The notes he coaxes out of his guitar will keep even the most ardent guitar freak happy. It's just that he understands that this is predominantly a rocked up blues album, rather than a blues-rock album. It's a subtle differentiation, but a crucial one. And yes, I know I titled this review "effortless blues rock", but that was simply a convenient phrasing for the heading. This isn't Gary Moore heavy guitar blues (nothing wrong with Gary's blues, I am simply making a distinction), it's more about the songs than the guitar player.
Will it suit everyone? No. Will it suit blues fans? Yes. Will it suit rock fans with an ear for great guitar work and loving respect for past masters? Absolutely.