Silver Rails: Deluxe

© Marc Wickert [...]What an incredibly passionate album! Jack Bruce shoots straight from the heart here, like a double-barrel railgun, employing a less-is-more approach, with all 10 tracks being moody, tasteful offerings. Jack's solid Warwick-bass foundation on all tracks (except Industrial Child which has Jack on vocal and piano, and Tony Remy on acoustic guitar), provides an electric spinal cord throughout the set.Once renowned primarily as the godfather and liberator of bass guitars, Jack Bruce's impeccable piano playing is superb throughout the album and complements his bass wonderfully. Jack also adds an ambient Mellotron on Reach For The Night, Keep It Down and No Surrender!Then there's Jack Bruce's voice - a timber-rich treasure of opera, blues, jazz and soul, all elegantly blended together and providing one of music's greatest and most unique vocals, ever.For Silver Rails, Jack brings in a variety of hired guns to weave their own musical dynamics and magic. Somehow, they all contribute to a constant, cohesive mix throughout the album, all working to achieve one brilliant goal.Silver Rails is a very European work: presented in black and white, exploring perfectly the dark and light moods like a Leonardo di Vinci masterpiece. In a nutshell, Jack Bruce has nailed his latest solo production like a size 11 thunderbolt. He would have left the studio with this treasure under his arm, bearing Smiles And Grins from ear to ear. For my money, his best work yet.THE TRACKSCandlelight: Composed by Jack Bruce and wife Margrit Seyffer, who also acts as executive producer and co-ordinator on Silver Rails. Phil Manzanera (801, Roxy Music...) is the first of the hired guitar-guns on the set, horns accompany here nicely without dominating, John Medeski's Hammond organ flows with Jack's bass underlay.Reach For The Night: The album title Silver Rails comes from this Jack Bruce/Pete Brown composition. Jack's eerie narration alone could challenge Humphrey Bogart for his lead role in Casablanca. More haunting Hammond from John Medeski blends effortlessly into Derek Nash's tenor solo.Fields Of Forever: (Bruce/Brown), Jack strong bass punching out, piano escorts listener through track like a trusted friend, horn-solo block, Frank Tontoh drums.Hidden Cities: (Bruce/Hanrahan), Jack cascading vocals direct from the underworld with even a mention of Hitchcock's Rearview Mirror in lyrics. Uli Jon Roth's guitar soaring on horizon, Cindy Blackman Santana (Lenny Kravitz etc.) jazz/rock beat.Don't Look Now: (Bruce/Brown), Jack weaving vocals, John Medeski Skylab Hammond, Malcolm Bruce and Tony Remy guns, Jack's familiar piano that's constant throughout album.Rusty Lady: (Bruce/Brown), Jack punching bass, Malcolm Bruce pecking guitar, Robin Trower solo, Pete Brown signature lyrics, Frank Tontoh always present beat.Industrial Child: (Bruce/Brown), Jack's brilliant vocal and piano and Tony Remy's acoustic guitar could fit comfortably on Monkjack, or in a Russian opera.Drone: (Bruce), Jack buzzing bass and multi vocals, Milos Pai intriguing drums. Wait for Black Sabbath's version (joking). Sounds like it could have been treated by Brian Eno in Berlin - very European and excitingly adventurous.Keep It Down: (Bruce/Brown), Jack savory vocals and tip-toeing bass, Bernie Marsden soaring guitar, John Medeski Hammond, track original version on Out Of The Storm.No Surrender!: (Bruce/Brown), Jack hammering-bass, Mellotron, vocals, Cindy Blackman Santana tight drums, Bernie Marsden mad-hornet guitar, track original version on A Question Of Time. A fitting sealer for this stunning album.

This unfortunately final chapter of Bruce's creative career finds him returning to his "Classic" era (late Cream, early solo LPs, even a little Mountain/West, Bruce & Laing riffing). Unlike some of his later works, there are no fillers (at least with the new songs) or ones that need to be skipped when listening. The production is first rate - very well mixed and polished without sounding slick or overly drenched in effects. It's a shame Leslie West wasn't available to play, because a few songs feature heavy guitar Riffs (remember those??) and could have easily been on a Mountain or WB&L LP - check out "Rusty Lady" and "Drone." Unlike some of Jack's atonal Jazz offerings, this album remains in a strong Rock/Pop/Blues vein and nothing really meanders aimlessly. There are some classic Bruce hallmarks - his penchant for unusual chord progressions (that somehow make sense after a few listens) - see "Hidden Cities" and the obligatory solo piano ballad "Industrial Child." All move along successfully though, aided by the stellar production and his still capable voice. Unlike some reviewers, I find his voice to be in good form, especially considering his age and health conditions. Maybe he had lost some of his high register, but was still able to actually sing the melodies with expression and with that trademark Bruce vibrato. The only "unnecessary" tracks are the last 2 remakes ("Keep It Down" and "No Surrender"), which are strong by themselves, but not really needed if you have the original versions. Standout originals include: "Fields Of Forever," "Rusty Lady," Candlelight," "Don't Look Now," and "Hidden Cities." Anyone who is a fan of classic Bruce, should not be disappointed with "Silver Rails." Bruce is an icon of 60s/70s Classic Rock, one of the most creative and versatile composers and musicians of his field. It is a sad day that he has left us, but this album stands as a fitting Coda to his impressive canon. Farewell, Sir Bruce! You will be missed!

OK so i got caught up in ome impulse buying and purchased this along with John Mayall's A Special Life & Ginger Baker's Why CD's. at this stage of the game i wouldn't expect these artists to retain their creative juice or live performance capabilities but after seeing Mayall a couple of years ago i thought anything was possible. the reviews seemed positive also but these performers always have cult followers so you never know; i'm one of those followers and know that music is very personal.So what a huge surprise when i listened to these cd's. i got way more pleasure out of these cd's then anything i can remember. It's as if they all got the same dose of spiritual energy and all released material that's up there with some of their best stuff and within months of each other. the recording quality of ALL THREE cd's is incredibly good (yes i'm an audiophile of sorts). not only is the sound quality top level, the mix always seems to be artfully done with just the right soundscape. the song writing also has great character again pointing to some deep spiritual drive for each of these composers.Jack Bruce has always been one of my favorite songwriters and bassists since my first intro to Cream in 68/69. i read his biography recently and recommend it to anyone that wants to understand the underpinnings of what translated into some intense contemporary music during the 60's. some of these songs/styles feel like they've been very carefully selected whether they be Bruce's signature style or something that might be culled from Elvis Costello. Very heartfelt material which make me think that Jack did this one from a very deep personal place.so do yourself a favor and buy all three cd's at once and barrage yourself with some ot the best contemporary music you'll ever find.

A lasting reminder of Jack Bruce's legacy as a musician, just recorded before his death. According to web site this limited pressing on vinyl so buy when you can get it. I was lucky to her Jack playing live on a couple of occasions in 1980's in the Plough Inn in Perth and Queen's Hall in Edinburgh both small venues , especially the Plough Inn, great atmosphere at both gigs.

This is a great album with no bad tracks. I love it. In fact I think it's his best work. The DVD is a short documentary about the making of the album and features interviews with members of Jack's family who collaborated in the recordings.

An excellent example of the best - the cream! - sad loss, we can now have no further albums/CDs to continue work of this quality. He's been the tops since I saw the Cream in their infancy all those years back!

This offering from the ex Bass player of Cream is I think going to end up a classic. It's my car companion and has been since I received it. I watched a TV program about Jack Bruce and I must say I was taken by the vocals and bass lines. unfortunately I only really came to the mans gift after his death. If like cream its for you give it a go you wont be disappointed.

The last album and a worthy one to bow out with. This is full of really strong music and it is a family affair.Jack may be gone but his music will certainly live on.