Share the post "Album review: AMANDA LEHMANN – Innocence And Illusion"
www.amandalehmann.co.uk [Release date 20.08.21]
It must be nice to have such close supporters as Steve Hackett and, via his connections, Nick Magnus, Rob Townsend and Roger King. All heavyweights who will assure the sonic qualities of any enterprise. But it remains whether Amanda Lehmann (Hackett’s sister in law) can break out of their collective shadows.
Best known for providing sterling harmony guitar and vocal support to Hackett in his own band, his own fans will welcome the release and – sigh of relief – it can be enjoyed in its own right and without any pre-conceived shackles.
As you’d expect it’s a beautifully crafted and produced work. It gives Lehmann a real chance to shine. And. yes, at times it evokes Hackett with the rich orchestrations and vocal harmonies.
The opener ‘Who Are The Heroes’ is a good enough summation, with Lehmann’s vocals that get more appealing as time goes on and functional guitar that never grates. The album promise is continued with ‘Tinkerbell’ and its classical grandeur while ‘Only When It Rains’ changes the vibe completely with brother-in-law contributing acoustic guitar and harmonica to what is essentially a slice of swing.
Normal service is resumed with the darker ‘The Watcher’, an album highlight which has a well-worn blues riff at its core but is elevated by Amanda’s vocal performance.
‘Memory Lane’, ‘Forever Days’ (which has elements of both Hackett and Marillion), and ‘We Are One’ maintain the consistency. The latter even steals a little bit of Pink Floyd’s ‘High Hopes’.
Lehmann is not afraid to explore different moods on this debut solo album and, with or without her illustrious cohorts, I am sure she would have produced something of note. Solid songwriting, solid playing. Out of the shadows. ****
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: AMANDA LEHMANN – Innocence And Illusion"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
