Don Airey - Pushed To The Edge

The legendary Don Airey returns with another solo album after scoring yet another multi-national chart-topping album with Deep Purple on last year's spectacular =1. This time the band features Carl Sentance (vocals) Mitchell Emms (vocals) Simon McBride (guitars) Dave Marks (bass) Jon Finnigan (drums). Label: earMUSIC

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The whole thing takes off immediately with Tell Me, as opposed to Deep Purple's latest opener (Show Me) being the first reminder of something associated with the aforementioned (=1). It hits you right in the face with killer keyboards from Airey, and smoking hot guitar from Simon McBride (also of Deep Purple), the guy he brought into their latest line-up. Talk about a great opener, but then each track holds the same water, as well, with no low points to speak of. And the next track comes flying in with more of a straightforward hard rocking delivery with incendiary lyrics and astonishing vocal melodies on They Keep Running. It just cannot be denied with the amazing vocals, keyboards and sizzling guitar work, as if Carl Sentance has finally arrived with one of the best vocal jobs he's ever done on record, complete with gang vocal parts on what is only the second song, so far. The percussion of Moon Rising, brings the next onslaught of dynamics to the show, and there's no going back from that point forward, with a remarkable piece of melodic rock, with keyboard flurries around the drums of Jon Finnigan, and the addition of some Purple style noodling between Airey and McBride. But it's only so reminiscent of the Purple antics, you just can't dismiss it because of who they are, as they continue to mold together after over 10 years of the two actually working together. 

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Photo by Helena Hölzl for earMUSIC

The drums stay cooking as Rock The Melody steps in to mesmerize the senses with some more seriously killer vocals, as it reminds of sounds of the past, such as Rainbow, with the Moog taking it in an even smoother direction on this seriously good romp of a track with Simon McBride cleverly hanging in there, and Carl Sentance once again throwing in another Judas Priest reminder (down on your knees and repent if you please). The mood changes somewhat on Flame In The Water, with some softer piano touches from Airey's fingers, which actually somehow sounds like water itself, with an intermediate ballad being the result with a lovely piano solo to boot, and yet another slice of perfection coming from Carl Sentance. Man alive, this album is simply a great recording, of which I'm positive the label (earMUSIC) is nothing short of proud to release. And Don Airey is by no means an indie artist per-say, but also not owned by record companies. Out Of Focus takes things in an even progggier direction as it fits its way into the concept of these 13 red hot tracks, with Airey doing Bethoven some justice and delivering another round of great keyboard work, and Simon McBride going off the rails a bit himself as the interplay between them takes over the entire arrangement on this one. 

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Next up, on Power Of Change, Carl Sentance brings on a fabulous chorus that definitely brings back that 80s melodic rock feel, with everyone turning in another grand performance in the studio, with some more great inspiring lyrics. It has that big classic rock sound we used to hear in those days, as it reminds of the time when it was the standard we thought would never end. And softer piano touches open Girl From Highland Park, backed by some intricately symphonic notes and some excellent Spanish style acoustic guitar from Simon McBride on this choice little balladeering instrumental with Don Aiery lighting the entire way. But then we get a great blend of the same on Godz Of War, with the same pace, only marked by some more brilliant vocals and lyrics, and another Purplesque passage from Airey and McBride, as things start to come to an end without forgetting to rock on this long player of a track with the usual twists and turns to go with it, clocking in at over 7 minutes. The mood changes once more on Edge Of Reality, with another over 5-minute track, featuring smoldering guitar and keys, on what has to be heard to be believed, as it takes the listener to another world before the even longer (over 6 minutes) of the final track, Finnigan's Awake, another ferocious instrumental, bringing this masterpiece to an end. It only goes to show how far this maestro has come after a long career spanning hundreds of album appearance under his belt, before stepping into the hard to fill shoes of Jon Lord in Deep Purple (also replaced in Whitesnake) making him Jon Lord's only predecessor from both classic bands. And don't miss Don Aiery introducing the band and himself, adding the only vocal part to the grand finale.