Smokie - Solid Ground (1981)
Smokie - Solid Ground (1981)
Vinyl Rip | 32-bit/384 kHz | WavPack(2xImage + Cue) > 2.98 Gb | Artwork(jpg) > 48 Mb
or 24-bit/192 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 1.31 Gb
or 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 409 Mb
RAK 1A 064-64502 | Netherlands | Rock, Pop-Rock
Vinyl Rip | 32-bit/384 kHz | WavPack(2xImage + Cue) > 2.98 Gb | Artwork(jpg) > 48 Mb
or 24-bit/192 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 1.31 Gb
or 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 409 Mb
RAK 1A 064-64502 | Netherlands | Rock, Pop-Rock
"Solid Ground" is Smokie's second album without their producers and hit songwriters Chinn & Chapman. Some say it is a return to their rock and blues roots… but unfortunately this is not really true. OK, there are two blues songs on the album (the Terry Uttley sung "I'm In Love With You" and "Everything A Man Could Need") but they're both just relying on clichés - weak lyrics and musically worthless.
"Jet Lagged" is a great start, though. Very tough Rock'n'Roll song written by Norman/Spencer - unfortunately it didn't chart when released as a single. The other heavy rock song is the less succesful but still kinda good "My Woman Don't Like Rock'n'Roll". "Rock'n'Roll Woman" (you can even tell by the similar titles that creativety wasn't exactly flowing this time around) has some cool parts but the weak parts are overlong and destroy the song.
The other two highlights are "Take Good Care Of My Baby" and "Songs". The former being one of their last hit singles and fine update of this oldie. "Songs" is a folky number with lead vocals by Terry Uttley and features a nice melody… it's nothing too special but on this album it still stands out.
The Alan Silson sung "Your Love Is So Good For Me" is an OK Hendrix clone disguised as a power ballad and "Melody Goes On" is a weak folk song. Last song not mentioned is the ugly and incredibly boring funk tune "Long Time Coming" with probably the worst Chris Norman vocal he has recorded.
After all trying to work without Chinn and Chapman was a commercial desaster and artistically it wasn't too succesful either. It's no wonder this album flopped.
The bonus tracks on the new reissue are welcome additions but also no real highlights… still better a lot of the album itself. If they had replaced the five worst songs of the album with the five bonus tracks "Solid Ground" would have been a far better record. As it is, I probably won't feel a desire to listen to it again.by DistantLight, rateyourmusic.com
Smokie - Solid Ground (1981):
Tracklist:
A1 Jet Lagged 2:59
A2 I'm In Love With You 3:27
A3 Everything A Man Could Need 5:14
A4 My Woman Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll 2:19
A5 Take Good Care Of My Baby 3:23
B1 Rock 'N' Roll Woman 4:14
B2 Your Love Is So Good For Me 4:06
B3 Long Time Coming 4:17
B4 Melody Goes On/Songs 4:15
Original ripper: Dymokust
Original format: 32/384
Vinyl Condition: Mint
Direct Drive Turntable: Technics SL-1200 MK5G
Cartridge: Lyra
Amplifier: KIVsound
ADC: RME ADI-2 Pro FS
Processing: Vacuum record cleaner, iZotope RX9 (Реставрация артефактов)
Downsampled to 24/192 & 24/44.1
Smokie - Solid Ground (1981)
Smokie - Solid Ground (1981)
