CDReview: Slash

Slash

S/T

(Dik Haid)

Okay. First, let me explain…

From leaving my ex in France and skipping over to England to visit Elle was not a Sexcapade, just a visit to a friend and enjoy some fish ‘n’ chips (along with a pint) before heading back stateside. There is no guilty conscience, just getting it out there; I am not here to reenact Romeo and Juliet in this lovely Land of Shakespeare.  However, I am convinced that if the Shakespearean character Juliet did exist in present day, she would be in the form of Elle, but with a wild streak!

Elle was excited to receive my call that I was in London, and dearly wished I would meet her at her gallery. I loaded my baggage into a cab and enjoyed the scenic city route to Elle’s downtown art gallery. London is a very beautiful city; too bad I was only going to be in town for only a few hours. However, I did mentally note that I would return for a good vacation.

Upon arrival at the gallery, I paid the fare due, and then wandered into the artsy world of Elle’s business, which also included a posh clothing boutique. In a matter of moments, I was greeted with her huge smile and loving arms.  We sat with some tea and I told her of my recent travels and various jobs, and how I was returning to the states to my awaiting job position I had left a year ago. She explained that she recently expanded her business and business was well! Elle gave me a quick tour, then, with both of us being hungry, walked down the street to a pub for a couple of pints and some fish n chips.

I had a midnight flight out of England and still a couple of hours to spend with Elle and staying in the smoke filled overcrowded pub weren’t the best thing. So, we left the pub, bought a couple bottles of red wine, and drove her SUV to the River Thames. She said it was nice to be by the water and we enjoy ourselves with our own party!

Then suddenly, it hits me: by the water!! Why did all of our adventures center around water? I first met Elle at a beach back in Texas. After a day of knowing her, we had flown to Hawaii for a few days. And now here we were in her homeland drinking wine along the River Thames!

Was Elle a mermaid? Could it…be possible? Highly unlikely and I really did not care. She was a sweet free spirit that enjoyed having fun. Plus, it is hard to question a woman who has your nickname tattooed around her bellybutton.

We got out of the vehicle, taking the wine with us, sat and looked at the historic river. Elle took a gulp of wine straight from the bottle and let her hair down.  She shook it free and smiled. “Are you still writing music reviews, Love?” Yes, I answered, though it had been quite some time. “I have one for you to review then…”

She jumped up and ran back to the SUV and cranked up a very apropos CD for an Elle Party…

I am more a Velvet Revolver fan than I am a Guns ‘n’ Roses fan and that is not a knock to G’n’R at all. It is just a preference. Regardless, Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, has been a major guitar icon in the music industry for over the past twenty years! And it is about time for his first solo CD, not to be confused with any of his side projects like Slash’s Snake pit. And this release is in the same style that Carlos Santana made popular several years ago. In other words, there is no singing on Slash’s part. And that’s a good thing! Remember Joe Satriani’s Flying in a Blue Dream? Instead, Slash sticks to rockin’ his fret board. But does have a slew of vocalists like Ozzy Osbourne, Wolfmother’s Andrew Stackdale, and Fergie (Yes! That Fergie!) just to name a few.

As afore mentioned, Slash has a diverse stock of talented singers to go along with his diverse guitar work, including great solos, all throughout the album. In addition to the various singers and the songwriting, the production is top notch as well; the perfect combination! His signature guitar sound, with its fluent rhythms and sparkling licks, is ever present but in different styles to match the songs performed with each vocal collaborator and keeps the sound fresh.

The biggest surprise is Fergie! Wow, what a stunner! She reigns on Beautiful Dangerous. Filled with groovy hooks and rockin’ rhythm, her vocals are razor sharp and quite an eye opener on how great she can rock out. In some ways, she is the closest thing to an Axl Roses comparison this release. Definitely the main highlight. The non vocal track Watch This is an instrumental rock jam consisting of Slash, VR and GNR bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Dave Grohl, who wished not to sing but play drums for this album. The song sounds like a jam that happens quite frequently amongst friends, but is the first time recorded for release. Three friends just hanging out and trading chops; sounds like a nice way to end the day! Of the entire track, the most diversive, delicate, and delightful is Saint is a Sinner Too, featuring the underrated Rocco DeLuca. This is quite the departure from the other material on the album as it is mellow, beautiful and laid back all into one. It allows Slash to pick the strings acoustically and gracefully, showing another side of the musician. His picking is pleasant to accompany Rocco’s high and heavenly vocals. Maybe these two show do a whole album together…sounds like a winner to me.