I first ran into Firkins two or three years ago when I heard a radio station play a very cool version of the "Sanford and Son" theme that featured some killer wah and a nasty rhythm section. Yes, that very funky Quincy Jones theme done as crunchy rock and roll. It was great, so I searched out the player and the CD. It was excellent, and so is this one.
This disc was released a couple of years back in Europe, and has now made its way to the U.S. and guitar enthusiasts everywhere should be happy!
The nine cuts are mostly covers, done with new arrangement s and a flair for the dramatic. For instance, who would ever think of Ellington's "Caravan" done as a chugging rocker with a killer slide solo? "Little Wing" (which should soon rank with "Stairway to Heaven" as a song nobody should be allow to play in guitar shops) gets a nice rework as a reggae tune with some scaring, nasty soloing; Firkins' tone is a delight throughout. Check out the version of Hendrix' Manic Depression." The guitar sound is as good as it gets.
There are a few tunes here with vocals from Sonny Reece. They're done nicely and you know them; Derringer's "Still Alive and Well," Skynyrd's, "I Know A Little" and "I Need you." Both are done nicely with the first getting a helping of both metal and country awing (yes, both) added, and the second getting a nice dose of soul.
This one's a guitar player's dream; a perfect mix of old-school playing with post-Eddie styling.
I first ran into Firkins two or three years ago when I heard a radio station play a very cool version of the "Sanford and Son" theme that featured some killer wah and a nasty rhythm section. Yes, that very funky Quincy Jones theme done as crunchy rock and roll. It was great, so I searched out the player and the CD. It was excellent, and so is this one.