Album review: SMITH KOTZEN (Adrian Smith, Richie Kotzen)

SMITH KOTZEN (Adrian Smith, Richie Kotzen)

BMG [Release date 26.03.21]

What have rock stars been doing in Lockdown?  Streaming, recycling back catalogue, a bit of gardening, maybe even new material.  And some have joined forces with others.  Strength in numbers, or something.

Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big, Winery Dogs) have pitted their combined guitaring and songwriting skills to fashion nine tracks of pure unadulterated hard rock heaven.

Smith has only ever produced one “solo” album (i.e. under his own name) – ASAP in 1989 – whilst Kotzen has been highly productive since his stint with Mr Big and continuing a solo career that started in 1989.

The two musicians originally met up by chance in Los Angeles in the 1990s and kept in touch, both having equal respect for their respective musical activities.  It is only more recently they’ve managed to hook up again with something more musical in mind although strictly speaking this liaison took place before Lockdown happened in early 2020.

There is absolutely no filler in this enterprise which is characterised by the musicians’ good taste, knowing just when to drop in that ear candy solo and when to leave it out.

It’s the songs that shine through, and whilst occasionally this sounds more like a Kotzen album with a special guest that has mainly to do with the song stylings and Kotzen’s distinctive vocal phrasing.

Standouts? Well, it’s all good but the three opening tracks have all been early singles which tells you the quality and immediacy here.

‘Glory Road’ (and to a lesser extent ‘Some People’) reminds of Bad Company but overall there’s a definite homage feel to those bands that both musicians grew up with, including Mk III Deep Purple (the twin vocal thing) and Whitesnake (at their bluesy best).

‘Til Tomorrow’ is more a showcase for Smith but promises more than it delivers.  There’s something amiss with the production, not least the drumming, and the mix which makes it sound more like a demo.  The rhythm guitars are muddy and lost. Half a star docked for that.  It’s potentially a great song.  Perhaps Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley is losing his touch?

‘Scars’ is a six minute meltdown of smouldering blues rock and a great showcase for this dynamic duo.  There’s a touch of Glenn Hughes in Smith/Kotzen’s vocals.  Ageing rockers are not always best placed or disposed to sing of love and longing but it’s on display here and repeated on the southern-rock tinged ‘I Wanna Stay’.

Well, it is spring when a young man’s fancy etc.  A wizened old reviewer’s thoughts, on the other hand, tend to turn to albums of the year.  Three months in and this is a sure contender.  Let’s hope this partnership is more than just a Lockdown bromance.  ****1/2

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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next 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 25 February 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 27 February 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 4 March 2024

COLLATERAL Glass Sky (Big Shot Records)
THE ZUTONS Pauline (ICEPOP)
THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 4 March 2024

09:00-12:00 LEE AARON Tattoo Me (Metalville)
12:00-13:00 THE END MACHINE The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply