Album review: BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS – Brothers In Arms

BHP Music/Guitar Trax Records [Release date 03.02.23]

Yes I wasn’t too kind to guitarist Mike Campese when reviewing his album ‘Reset’. But you only have to listen to Brian Tarquin’s latest offering to understand how a guitar based album should be done.

True, Tarquin has enlisted several “heroes” but essentially he’s the man who has played most of the instruments, written the songs, and engineered.

So we get Satriani on opener ‘Speed Of Sound’ and a rather tasty ‘Kiss My Axe’ with Vinnie Moore letting rip over a nice riffy rhythm. The groove is repeated on ‘Black Widow’ with Travis Stever (Coheed & Cambria) and ‘Saigon Sally’ with Tangerine Dream’s Gerald Gradwohl.

‘Bumblefoot’ Thal shows his metal on ‘Luxor’ whilst latter-day Dokken plank spanker Alex De Russo embellishes the more majestic ‘Devil’s Tombstone’.

Tarquin has come to our attention previously often putting together themed compilations. He’s an accomplished writer for TV and film (this is reflected on the orchestrated ‘Hounds Of Hell’) and described as a jazz guitarist. His last release, in 2019, was ‘Smooth Jazz Café’.

I am sure he could have just released this album in his own right without the allure of name artists. But, having done so, it does add a bit of spice and you can play “spot the soloist.” Although the liner detail does help.

What this album has in droves is good taste, knowing when to hold back, and knowing when to let rip. Perhaps a few more slow burn tunes would have sealed the deal, but – all told – the way a guitar based rock album should sound. ***1/2

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)