Album review: RICHIE KOTZEN – The Essential Richie Kotzen

Richie Kotzen - The Essential Richie Kotzen

earMUSIC 2-CD/DVD [Release date 08.09.14]

A re-appraisal of Richie Kotzen’s work is probably long overdue, and this 2-CD/DVD set – assembled by the man himself – goes some way to provide a suitable portal for the curious.

Signed to Mike Shrapnel’s legendary Shrapnel label in 1989, Kotzen joined Poison and subsequently Mr Big but has since had a prolific solo career.

‘The Essential’ brings together originals and re-recordings of key tracks, along with a couple of demos plus two new songs; so in that sense it is wide-ranging in its scope. Kotzen neatly sums up his music as a “hybrid of classic rock and old school soul.” as evidenced on tracks like ‘Bad Situation’ and ‘Lie To Me’.

Among the highlights on CD1 is ‘Fooled Again’, an eight minute tour de force and emphasising Kotzen’s great fluidity on guitar along with ever-present commercial sensitivity. Of the new tracks, ‘War Paint’ is excellent too and showcases Kotzen’s soulful vocal and fusion guitar stylings.

The second CD is nearly all acoustic and includes re-recordings of several songs spanning 1998-2013 and two demos from his recent and highly-rated Winery Dogs project with Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan.

I assume that the re-recordings may have been prompted by a lack of access to the originals but, whatever, they do give the listener a chance to hear the songs in a new light, whilst the omission of anything from his two albums with Mr.Big is maybe surprising (not even ‘Shine’ one of two songs he co-wrote with Richie Zito).

This is, though, essentially a guitarist’s guitarist album. In truth, this collection misses out his first solo decade but maybe it will tee up a second volume based on this earlier period or at least spark a renewed interest in Kotzen’s work in general. ‘The Essential’ shines a welcome spotlight on an underrated and sometimes overlooked guitar hero. ****

Richie Kotzen plays Islington Academy, London, 16 September

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 20 October 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 22 October 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 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)