Kelly Keeling - Giving Sight To The Eye
Mascot Records

file under hardrock / aor

Richard V.: Singer and multi instrumentalist Kerry Keeling has an impressive resume: Baton Rouge, Blue Murder, John Norum Band, Carmine Appice Guitar Zeus, Michael Schenker Group, King Kobra and Dokken. His long experience pays off in a major way on his solo debut “Giving Sight To The Eye”. In terms of composition this album is a breath of fresh air compared with 98% of the releases in the hardrock genre. There’s plenty of variation both between songs and during the songs and the balance between hard rocking and mellow parts is almost perfect. Kelly Keeling is inspired by bands from the seventies and just like those bands lets a whole range of emotions shine through, some moments he sounds melancholic, on others euphoric. In terms of instruments there’s plenty of diversity too: a mellotron, hammond organs, piano, flute and even a trombone. Every song is worth mentioning. “Broken” reminds us of Deep Purple in their heyday, “Ground Zero” has the opera grandeur of Queen’s best music, “Parasite” sounds just as relaxed as Free and “Peace With The World” can easily compete with the best pieces David Bowie ever wrote. Kerry Keeling is a multi instrumentalist, but fortunately is wise enough not to play everything himself and got himself a hand from artists such as Roger Daltrey, Carmine Appice, John Norum, Don Dokken and Tony Franklin. “Giving Sight To The Eye” is pure class and without doubt one of the surprises of the year. With this album Kelly Keeling and Mascot records are sitting on gold.

Rating: 94/100 (details)

http://www.kellykeeling.com