Steve Vincent - Recovered From My Past

Album review by; DeeDee

Did you ever witness ‘Paradise Alley’ back in the day? They were one of those bands who led an episode in history, when glam and sleaze rock ruled in the UK. We read Kerrang each week and stumbled down the Charing Cross Road, to pile into the Marquee and Astoria, watching the bands who brought that magazine’s articles and cartoons to life. These days Steve Vincent, the ‘Paradise Alley’ frontman has diversified, now he is a DJ, radio host, interviewer and most recently, on announcing ‘Recovered From My Past’ a Solo Artist. Having notable friends contributing on the ten tracks and Steve, not only playing a multitude of instruments, but also engineering what started as demo’s in his own home studio, this is an album with a personality you can’t manufacture. Thanks to Steve I have some insight on how each track came to be written, which I will share with you.

‘Yesterday’s Man’ was inspired by interactions with ex band members and the hidden world of what happens in bands, behind the scenes. It’s a knock back, that echoes the bar room shenanigans and often ‘thrown together’ music that Steve experienced in his early career. A song about love at first sight ‘All I Wanna Do’ has more of the ramshackle, that was inspired by bands such as ‘The Faces’ slap happy and full of messy lyrics, it’s simply divine. When Steve ventured to New York on his first US tour, there were gigs that required carrying the band’s gear and using public transport. ‘Last Train To Babylon’ is a re-make of an old ‘Paradise Alley’ number that tells the tale of those days. A rousing chorus and some intricate guitar makes this an uplifting song and I like how it appears so laid back and easy on the ear.

No holds barred for ‘Can’t Bring Me Down’ which reflects how abusive people in relationships, can control and affect your mind. Even when you overcome the personal struggles, they maintain they are the victim, I think many of us can relate to this. It’s another that has a majestic feel with rasping vocals, straining guitar strings and a simple rhythm. ‘Falling’ is a delicate tune and just a pleasant rendition, that harkens back to the sound of the "Dogs D’Amour" and the like, who were in fellow bands from Steve’s past. The next track "Life Ain’t No Bed Of Roses" is another that reminds us, that being human is full of ups and downs. A singalong with soothing notes and more of those gutter crawling vocals. Do you believe in fate? The idea behind ‘Fortune Wheel’ suggests our destiny lies in the hands of others. A song that was first penned in the 90’s by Steve and Miqu (Plastic Tears) and now finally complete, not only does it have a melodic flow, it’s a blissful rhapsody. ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart Again’, is about how some love relationships, are a long and often bumpy ride. It’s not always easy to make the break, even when you know it’s the right thing to do. More howls and hollering with a touch of ‘Mott The Hoople’ and classic glam rock chords

’Sleepwalking’ is a rather political statement. Sumptuous guitar is accompanied by more aggressive lyrics and it’s a case of getting a message across, about the current world leaders and how they operate. The song builds and gets more spirited as it travels and there’s another dose of strings that you encounter with a smile. The last and most tearful of songs ‘Lost Boys And Fallen Angels’ is a dedication to "Paradise Alley’s" original drummer, Richie Hale who passed away in 2012. It’s a stunning and appealing creation, soft and refined with the most compassionate vocals I’ve heard for a while. It’s as meaningful as a song can possibly be and if you’ve lost someone really close, you get it.

This is an album that can only be made from the heart. By someone who has been through both the torments and pleasures that life throws at you and has emerged, bruised and scarred, but survived to reach the other side. It takes courage to write an album like this, to open up in public and share all your personal emotions, so vividly. Steve Vincent has done all of this on ‘Recovered From My Past’ with grace and it will earn him all the respect he deserves.

5/5

ALBUM NOTES

Contributing Artists;

Steve Vincent - vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass, drum programming

Steve Conte, Ben Marsden, Andy Christie, Mattias Johannsen, Rhoades D’Ablo and Alex Holmes - guitarists

Danny McCormack - bass and backing vocals on five tracks

Miqu December - lead vocals with Steve Vincent on ‘Fortune Wheel’

Matt ‘JD’ Connor - hammond, piano and string sounds

Socials;

www.stevevincent.co.uk

www.facebook.com/stevevincentofficial

www.instagram.com/vincenzirocks