Wizz Acoustic – Rock Lives On EP

album by:
Wizz Acoustic
Version:
CD
Price:
£4.14

Reviewed by:
Rating:
4
On 18 April 2014
Last modified:7 November 2020

Summary:

A lovely mellow acoustic album which you would listen to when you want to chill out and relax.

Wizz Wizzard, frontman of the band of the same name has had an interesting career starting out as a radio DJ at the tender age of 12. Wizz was one of Flanders best known Pirate DJs in the early 80’s. He then went on to front bands Sunrise (garage rock), Final Touch (a symphonic rock band), Lipstick Traces and Sixpack (rock covers) and he also tried his hand at playing bass in a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band before starting the band Wizz Wizzard.

The acoustic EP came about when Mark Appleton of Rocksector records asked Wizz to play an acoustic set at SOS Festival. Since then Wizz has performed many acoustic shows each year with more planned for the future. All the vocals are performed by Wizz with Chris Appleton, vocalist and guitarist from Absolva also playing guitars. The songs are all written by Wizz and are reworked Wizz Wizzard songs. The EP was  recorded in Aalter, Belgium in January 2014 and released via Rocksector Records on 3rd May 2014.

On first listen to the EP I thought of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Jethro Tull and I sensed an almost medieval feel to the songs with the guitars sounding  harp like in places. The Wolf reminded me a bit of The Kinks say Lola. The video to the title track Rock Lives On can be seen on YouTube, link below. The guitars on this were really mellow and I thought that this is what a gentle waterfall might sound like, translated into a song.

Trouble Time had a flamenco start which is popular with bands such as Volbeat and The Gypsy Pistoleros. On the Edge of Desire reminded me of Hotel California by The Eagles and Desire by Gene Loves Jezebel although that could have been just because of the word ‘desire’ again a nice gentle song. The highlight track for me has to be the title track Rock Lives On. This isn’t an album that you would put on and expect to be blown away by and dance manically round your handbag. It is however, a beautiful, mellow album which you would listen to when you want to chill out and relax. NOTE: Wizz suffered a major heart attack earlier this week and is currently in hospital, but luckily in a stable condition. We at Planetmosh wish Wizz a speedy recovery. Get well soon Wizz!

Track List: –

1. No Way Out
2. The Wolf
3. Rock Lives On
4. Trouble Time
5. On The Edge Of Desire
6. Insanity

Performed by:

Wizz Wizzard – Vocals and Guitars
Chris Appleton – Guitars

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Bart Wynns Album artwork by Geert Fieuw.

Links:

Planetmosh interview with Wizz Wizzard: http://planetmosh.com/wizz-wizzard-interview-april-2014/

Wizz Acoustic on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LouellaDeville/Wizz-acoustic/169197316591036

Wizz Wizzard on Facebook: https:///www.facebook.com/Wizz-Wizzard-official/174713756039735

Website: http://www.wizzard-rock.be/

Rocksector Records Website: WWW.ROCKSECTOR.COM

No Way Out on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEg4n5bClIw

A lovely mellow acoustic album which you would listen to when you want to chill out and relax.

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!