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6 Degrees Entertainment

Title - 'The Balls Album'
Artist - Pat Travers & Carmine Appice

The brilliantly-named The Balls Album is a totally supercharged, full throttle piece of real deal rock and roll majesty by two of the hottest driving forces in classic rock; vocalist/guitarist Pat Travers and drummer Carmine Appice! But, for all those not in the rock God knowledge state of mind, Patrick Henry "Pat" Travers is a Canadian rock guitarist, keyboardist and singer who began his recording career with Polydor Records in the mid-1970s. Pat Thrall, Nicko McBrain, Mick Dyche, Tommy Aldridge, Peter "Mars" Cowling, Barry Dunaway, Jerry Riggs, Gunter Nezhoda, Michael Shrieve, and the man he duets here with today, Carmine Appice are some of the noted musicians who have been members of the Pat Travers Band through the years. Indeed, Kirk Hammett of Metallica has cited him as one of his favorite guitar players.

Carmine Appice is an American drummer and percussionist most commonly associated with the rock genre of music. He has received classical music training, and was influenced early-on by the work of jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Appice is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice, Rod Stewart, King Kobra, Blue Murder (which also featured John Sykes of Thin Lizzy fame, and Tony Franklin of The Firm), and, of course, his aforementioned stint as a member of the Pat Travers Band down the years. Appice was also inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2014.

United once again, this dynamic duo pull off some of the bluesiest ball busters of all-time, kicking the album off with the mid-tempo 'Taken', before launching into some good old school rock 'n' roll with Better From A Distance.' Some delightful mandolin work comes to the fore on the delicious 'Escape The Fire,' before both the balls out (no pun intended) 'Rock Me' and 'I Don't Care' are brought forth.

The best track on the album, for my money, is the rock storytelling of 'Remind Me To Forget You,' which is followed by the surprisingly good ballad, 'Hey You.' The mid-tempo 'I Can't Let You Go' is backed by the stomp rock of 'Never Saw It Coming,' which in turn is followed by the Hammond organ steel backbone of 'Stand Up.'

The hardest track on the album 'Keep On Rockin' is next and showcases both these dedicated musicians at their finest, before the album comes to a close with the deep throat, Kid Rockeaque 'Gotta Have Ya' and the two bonus tracks, 'Tonite' and 'Never Gonna Give You Up.' No, the latter song has nothing to do with Rick Astley's massive hit of the 80's, but quite why it's classified as a bonus track is beyond me - as it fits this whole album like a glove.

www.CleoptaraRecords.com

www.PatTravers.com

www.CarmineAppice.net





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