Bonfire-Pearls

album by:
Bonfire
Version:
cd
Price:
£13.29

Reviewed by:
Rating:
4
On 3 May 2016
Last modified:3 May 2016

Summary:

This is a brave approach by Bonfire, they could have just released a greatest hits CD, instead they give the fans a curveball with the Reece greatest hits CD, and a very different 2nd CD.

Bonfire have been knocking around the hard rock scene for 30 years now and to celebrate their three decades of rock, they have released a double CD entitled ‘Pearls.’
You may think that this is just a collection of their greatest hits, with some rarities, alternate versions and other stuff on the 2CD, however you would be wrong. Very wrong.
Disc 1 is a collection of the bands greatest hits, however they have all been reworked and re-recorded with vocalist David Reece who sang on last year’s ‘Glorious’ release, which certainly lived up to its name.
I must admit, listening to David Reece singing the classic Bonfire songs does take a bit of getting used to, but after a couple of listens, it’s as if he has always been the singer, he really does do a sterling job.

Songs like “American Nights,” “Down To Atlanta,” and their cover of “Sweet Home Alabama” seem to give the band more freedom with David on vocals, fan favourites like “Strike Back” and the classic “Sweet Obsession” take on a new life. I’m not sure I like David’s version of “Sweet Obsession” over original singer Claus Lessmann, as it’s not only a new vocal, but a new arrangement as well. It is different, and it certainly demands a listen.

“Diamonds In The Rough” excels on this reworking, more guitar brings a smile to your face, however it’s the drumming that stands out on this track.

 

The 2nd CD on ‘Pearls’ is up another level altogether, more of the classics are re-recorded with Reece on vocals, but this time they are performed with orchestration by the Italian Symphony-Ensemble.
Best of a great bunch of tracks are “You Make Me Feel” and “Give It A Try”, these are sublime, and can easily stand up to, if not even beat their original counterparts.
“I Need You” is an amazing piece of music, brought to life in this acoustic version, simply stunning in its delivery.

https://youtu.be/z73P8yOkDt0

Tracklist:

CD 1: Rock Pearls

  1. Strike Back
  2. Under Blue Skies
  3. Diamond in the Rough
  4. Proud of my Country
  5. Sweet Home Alabama
  6. Don’t Go Changing Me
  7. Sweet Obsession
  8. American Nights
  9. Good Time Rock’n’Roll
  10. Heat in the Glow
  11. Can’t Stop Rocking
  12. Down to Atlanta
  13. Loaded Gun

CD 2: Classic Pearls:

  1. You Make me Feel
  2. Give it a Try
  3. Whos Foolin’ Who
  4. I Need You
  5. Goodnight Amanada
  6. Southern Winds
  7. If It wasn’t For You
  8. Why It’s Never Enough
  9. Lets’ Fly Away

 

BONFIRE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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This is a brave approach by Bonfire, they could have just released a greatest hits CD, instead they give the fans a curveball with the Reece greatest hits CD, and a very different 2nd CD.

About David Farrell

General Manager and 'THE' competition guy at planetmosh.com. Manager of The Goddanm Electric www.thegde.co.uk, Tour manager for Serpentine, and ex-general Dogsbody at Hammerfest.co.uk. Media partner to numerous bands. Also takes photos, writes reviews and likes classic rock, with a touch of thrash to get the blood flowing.