PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
GMT ~ a phrase most people associate this with Greenwich Mean Time however all of us in the know realise that this comes from the names Guy, McCoy and Torme which together form the old school super rock group who’s songs are so good they can literally make time stand still (well sorta!).
When I say super rock group I mean just that! What these highly talented musicians have not accomplished in their respective carriers to date is not worth knowing.
For those not in the know this should bring you up to speed:
Bernie Torme:
One of the greatest Guitar Gods the world has ever known.
Best known for stepping in and saving the day for Ozzy Osbourne, when Randy Rhoads tragically died.
Lead axe-man for the Ian Gillan band;
Forming the nucleus of Desperado with Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider and ex Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, as well as fronting his own bands Electric Gypsies/ Torme (with Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns/ Girl fame).
John McCoy:
Larger than life bassist.
Who John hasn’t played with, written for, or produced over the years isn’t worth knowing.
Examples include Gillan, Mammoth, Samson, Joey Belladonna, U.K. Subs, Atomic Rooster, Sun Red Sun to name but a few.
Robin Guy:
Drumming machine extraordinaire.
Where shall we begin with examples of where Robin has hit the tubs for: Bruce Dickinson, Faith No More, Lars Frederiksen, Casey Chaos, The Business, Rachel Stamp, All About Eve, Martin Grech, SackTrick, Adam Ant, Tigertailz to name but a few.
With Live-Raw you have an album which is just that, it is designed to be a true live recording which unlike so many other so called live releases was actually recorded in the raw and is the next best thing you can get to seeing this great band live in concert.
Tracks 1 and 2 are merely the background noise you get just prior to a band starting up their set on stage and appear in my opinion to be kept in there just for the purpose of being a true live album.
Cannonball opens up the album properly, being a previously released single, taken from the Bitter and Twisted album it provides the opening shot of adrenalin to kick start this fine album off.
Bullet in the Brain and Wheel of Fortune continue the outright rock assault before Perfumed Garden slows the pace down a little lulling you into a false sense of security before the anthems You Cant Beat Rock ‘n’ Roll and Bitter and Twisted kick in.
The surprise inclusion of the Gillan hit No Easy Way and the Jimi Hendrix track Fire highlight just how versatile this band are.
All in all this is as good as you will get to experiencing GMT in your own home.
Faults with the album ? the omission of Rocky Road (on the way to Dublin), Punko Rocco and the fantastic cover they do of Smoke on the Water are the only things which really spring to mind.
The Highlight of this great live album is a close call between Can’t Beat Rock ‘n’ Roll and the cover of No Easy Way (which Bernie Torme and John McCoy wrote for the great Ian Gillan).
Rating: 8.5/10
Track listing:
1. Meantime (Intro)
2. Rawroar
3. Cannonball
4. Bullet In the Brain
5. Wheel of Fortune
6. Perfumed Garden
7. Can’t Beat Rock ‘n’ Roll
8. Bitter and Twisted
9. Longer Than Tomorrow
10. No Easy Way
11. Fire
GMT weblinks:
http://www.facebook.com/GMTrocks
Members:
Bernie Torme (Guitar/Lead Vocals), John McCoy (Bass, Vocals), Robin Guy (Drums, Vocals)
