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Pete Feenstra chatted to Rob Tognoni for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 10 September 2023.
Movin Music [Release date 04.09.23]
It’s been said of Rob Tognoni that you could drop into any part of his extensive back catalogue to catch a snapshot of what the man is all about.
And while it’s true that when you scratch beneath the surface you will find a seam of unrelenting energy, tight rhythm work, flinty riffs and barn busting solos full of vibrato, sustain and occasional frenzied note repeats, this only tells you half the story.
‘Product of a Southern Land - BBC Paul Jones Session’ is a 2007 BBC session rescued from the vaults by Rob’s drummer and agent Mike Hellier and is a more rounded appraisal of Tognoni’s oeuvre.
There’s some measured use of dynamics, a variety of blistering solos and meaningful narratives, ranging from the straight forward ‘Comin’ Home Tonight’ to the anthemic title track.
When you add his unfettered energy levels, spontaneity and occasional grasp of the surreal, then you might well conclude that he is too restless to stay in the same creative space for very long.
And it’s that head on meeting of musical intensity with story telling narratives and an ever present intensity that defines both the man and this perfect retrospective of his 12 year European career up to 2007.
The fact that it’s flanked by a ten year (plus) stint in Australia and another 16 year stretch since this recording took place, vouches for his relentless drive and a consistency. All of which leads nicely into this, his 26th release in all.
2 of the songs for the session ‘Drink Jack Boogie’ and ‘Product of A Southern Land’ come from the 2001 ‘Monkey Grinder’ album, while ‘Comin Home Tonight’ and ‘John Lee’ were on the 2002 ‘Retro Shakin’ debut release on his own Electric-Renegade label, which was more recently reissued as the 2014 ‘The Lost Album’.
All 4 tracks were also to be found on the 2005 French release ‘Shakin’ The Devil’s Hand’, but this represents the best of all worlds.
This BBC live in the studio session gives us a studio quality performance shot through with real frisson.
He’s in relaxed style on a rockaboogie called ‘Comin’ Home Tonight’, though relaxed in Tognoni terms means a song full of Johnny Winter style edgy tones and nimble fingered intensity with an animated vocal.
He adds some neat wah-wah over a crisp snare and pulsing bass at the 3.44 mark, before exploding with a juggernaut crescendo.
There’s the first of two belligerent count-ins on the tension building ‘Crossword Blues’, which is an object exercise in dynamics.
His staccato vocal recalls Rory Gallagher with its edgy upper register, which mirrors the below the surface anger of a broken relationship song, before the titular resolution.
‘Drink Jack Boogie’ is the first of 2 boogie work-outs and opens with a barreling opening guitar line over Gaz Rackhan’s thumping walking bass and Mike Hellier’s rock solid drumming, as he explores a variety of different attacks to make the most of the rock solid boogie.
Everything flows mellifluously into the sudden finish. This effectively leaves a void which he quickly fills with the talking wah-wah subtleties of ‘Mr John Lee (The Boogie Man)’.
It also illustrates his ability to deliver power without excessive volume, as he brings up a riff in the middle of a phrase to give the track a real kick on a straight forward boogie.
Again a perfunctory finish gives the following track extra purchase.
And what a track it is! ‘Product of a Southern Land’ justifiably merits its use as the EP title. The melodic intro is filled with chunky clipped notes, Paul Long’s organ backing and a restrained vocal which levers us into a biting opening verse:
“He had an inbred smile and a cold steel grip,
Never wanted to cry, never wanted to slip,
His eyes would undress any woman he met,
Like a hungry junky, needin’ one more hit.”
He fattens the intense slow building rocker with a layered sound, an animated vocal and edgy toned first solo, as he cleverly brings his two characters together in a lyrical and musical finale;
“He had an in-bred smile, had a cold steel grip,
Never wanted to cry, never wanted to slip,
She was a hard sell woman, she tried to look her best,
Like a hungry junkie needin’ just one more hit.”
The chiming second ascending solo is the moment that defines both the session and the man himself, as he finishes with an avalanche of emotion.
This live in the studio BBC session captures the vibrant snap, crackle and pop of the enduring Rob Tognoni, a unique European based Aussie blues-rock riff meister. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
September 2023
19 Barnoldswick Arts Centre
20 The Cluny, Newcastle
21 Krakatoa Aberdeen
22- 24 Orkney Blues Fest
26 The 100 Club London
27 The 1865 Club in Southampton
28 Temperance Bar, Leamington Spa
29 & 30 Callander (Stirling) Jazz & Blues Festival
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
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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.
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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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