Deep
Purple - Bananas
Ian Gillan: Vocals
Roger Glover: Bass Guitar
Ian Paice: Drums
Steve Morse: Guitars
Don Airey: Keyboards
Bananas is Deep Purple's new album. It features the mighty Steve Morse on guitar.
House of Pain opens the dances with a catchy riff played with artificial harmonics while descendin' along the lenght of the string, to get a cool flanger-like effect. Similar to the one hear in Van Halen's 'Unchained'. Steve Morse kicks some seriuos ass with his trademark ascendin' alternate pickin' stuff right after Don Airey solo.
Sun Goes Down has a haunting mood, with a coll keyboard riff which serves as the intro, then Morse grooves everythin' up. Steve sounds much more into the group than in his other albums with the 'new' Deep Purple. He plays catchy lines one after the other. Great solo. But hey, has Steve Morse ever played a bad one ?!? =)
Haunted is a ballad, and opens with a cool classical soundin' riff which prooves that Morse studied classical guitar a lot.The production and the sounds of the cd are just great, and this makes the songs even more enjoyable. Another great solo. Even if Morse has a FORMIDABLE technique, he never overplays. That's why he is truly one of the best guitarists ever.
Razzle Dazzle is pure rock. I don't love Gillan's voice that much when he sings high-pitched notes, and that's the only thing I don't fully love in 'Bananas'.
Silver Tongue is another great rock tune, with a drivin' riff and a great chorus.I love the melody so much.Typical Morse interlude which is pure dynomite.
Walk On is a 7 minutes long slowrock with lots of attitude. Another great song. This is clearly Deep Purple's best album in a LONG time. Very inspired. Lovely bluesy lines provided by Steve.
Picture Of Innocence has a funny. sunny intro becoming a muted riff. Again a typical Morse riff as the pre-chorus. The guy has a so distinctive style. Catchy chorus again. Beautiful solo.
The groove goes on with I Got Your Number, again providin' full enjoyment of the music. Extra cool renaissance riff right before another drivin' solo.
Never a Word is another ballad, again enlightin' Morse's love for classical music. Relaxin' and soul-liftin'.
Bananas is the title track and has a cool rock 'n roll, Summertime blues riff in the verse. Harmonica fills too. Watch out for the ultra fast alternate pickin' in the break. The solo will again break all of your fingers if you try to play it. Morse plays for our pleasure his trademark cromatic runs all over the place.
Doing It Tonight is one of my fave of the album. Great interplay. The solo? Well, image what I'd have to say again. =P Aerosmith-like ('Walk this way') vocal interlude.
Contact Lost closes the album with a short instrumental where Morse can shine thru with his tasty guitar playin'.Classical composition again.
A must have album in my opinion. Plenty of great songs (all of them,
really), great musicians, great sounds.
Morse is of course the most interestin' element to us here at guitaristheaven,
as he serves us top-notch musicianship + guitarplayin'.
Rating: 10
(reviewed by Max)