Album review: BRIAN TARQUIN – Band Of Brothers/Orlando In Heaven

BRIAN TARQUIN - Band Of Brothers

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 25.08.17]

Brian Tarquin is a fixer, talented guitarist, producer and general good egg. A bit like label-mate Billy Sherwood he coordinates a number of artists for various projects usually with a guitar theme. In the latest two examples he’s also raising funds for good causes.

The “cause” permeates Band Of Brothers which lyrically picks up various war-related issues allied to the bombast of guest guitarists. So we get Whitesnake slinger Joel Hoekstra (on ‘Eastern Front’), Nightranger’s Jeff Watson on ‘War Is Strictly Business’ and Tarquin himself on ‘Clutches Of Vietnam’. On ‘Sands Of Time’ Jeff Scott Soto adds his vocal. The overall vibe is hard rock. ***1/2

On Orlando In Heaven – some proceeds going to Catholic charities who provide support to families affected by the Orlando shooting in June 2016 – the theme is jazz fusion with contributions from the late Larry Coryell (‘Pulse 49′, ‘Metropolis’), Mike Stern (‘Kinda Sorta’) and Chris Poland (‘Hustle & Hassle’). Throughout there is some great sax work from Don Black. ****

One further feature of these albums is the analogue mix-down, and both projects will appeal to lovers of well produced, predominately instrumental, guitar-led rock or fusion.

Review by David Randall

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)