Artist: The Silence
Title: Shotgun Eyes
File: Rhythm & Blues
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This sizzling set of ‘50s R&B would sit well with early period Rolling Stones and Pretty Things were not it for the fact it was recorded in 1990 by the act that bore us Mott The Hoople.
Flashback to the mid ‘60s and Robert Fisher (bass), Paul Jeffery (guitar), Patrick Brooke (lead vocals, harp) and guitarist Pete ‘Overend’ Watts and drummer Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin (the latter duo to later join Mott The Hoople) were called The Silence, ironically-named young Hereford hopefuls playing US bases across Europe.
Fast forward to a post-Mott reunion gig prompting a trip to the iconic Rockfield Studios in Wales to get their act taped for fun and prosperity.
Mashing originals with covers of Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed amongst other luminaries, the outcome is an authentic recreation of period ‘beat’ that revives the spirit of the times and nails making the album they could not get to back in 1965.
‘Shotgun Eyes‘ may be a far cry from Mott The Hoople in genre but The Silence share their successor’s verve and energy with a raucous and knowing glee.
What They Said … (back in the day)
“Fifteen sizzling tracks of heart-racing proto-punk, machine-gun riffing and primal rock ‘n’ roll….”
Rock ’n Reel
“… biting blues through and through and a living history lesson for everyone.”
Goldmine
“… one of the finest R&B albums heard in recent years.”
Beat Goes On magazine
“… an energetic and authentic recreation of the ’64/5 beat group sound.”
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TRACKS
- Leaving Here (Holland, Dozier, Holland)
- Shame, Shame, Shame (Jimmy Reed)
- See You Tomorrow (Paul Jeffery)
- You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover (Willie Dixon)
- Gunshot (instrumental) (George Tomsco)
- Doctor Feelgood (Curtis Smith)
- I Think Of You (Peter Lee Stirling)
- Let It Rock (Chuck Berry)
- I’m Not Talkin’ (Hilda. Young)
- I’m Talking About You (Chuck Berry)
- The Fortune Teller (Naomi Neville)
- Don’t Start Me Talking (Sonny Boy Williamson)
- Farmer John (Don Harris, Dewey Terry)
- Route 66 (Bobby Troup)
- We’ll Silence You (Robert Fisher)