Stray - Live: In Yer Face

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Mystic Records
Catalog Number: MYS CD 160
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:51:00

Starting out as The Stray way back in 1966, guitarist Del Bromham still is the driving force behind the legendary band Stray. Worldwide success never came their way yet Bromham remained loyal to his band through many personnel changes. Although most of the band's repertoire is based on heavy guitars, the music sometimes gets close to that of Wishbone Ash as in "After The Storm" with often a royal pinch of Jimi Hendrix added as well. During "Cross Country" Del even sounds a little like Robin Trower, adding a bit of blues rock as well. Then again a song like "Time Machine" could be the ideal material for The Cult. "Earth" is Bromham's piece de résistance as he demonstrates all of his skills fueled into one huge ball of energy. Sometimes, though, the vocals are not the strongest part, which is proven during "I Believe It" and "Years," amongst others. The album closes with one of Stray's highlights, that being the title track for their 1971 Suicide album on Transatlantic. This is truly a deadringer for Hendrix fans as it shows Del Bromham and his guitar become as one.

Sadly there's no sight of "All In Your Mind" (once covered by Iron Maiden and released as the flip for their "Holy Smoke" single) or "Jericho" or "Lucky Man" on this album, but it remains a huge feast of honest heavy vintage rock. It also illustrates how well the three band members fuse together, creating almost an alternative Jimi Hendrix Experience! From the ten tracks on this album half of them come from the latest studio offering 10 which is rumoured to be the best studio album Stray has ever recorded. Stray once opened for Kiss and Rush on their first UK tours, and none other than Charlie Kray, of the famous Kray twins, became their manager for a very short while. Nevertheless the band didn't really hit it big, yet remained a much loved band at many festivals. This live album proves exactly why. Play loud!

Tracklisting:
Medley: Come On Over ? Take It Easy ? Natures Way ? Only What You Make It ? Houdini / After The Storm / Cross Country / Time Machine / Earth / I Believe It / Home / The Rock / Years? / Suicide

Musicians:
Del Bromham - guitars, vocals
John Bootle ? bass
Paul Watson ? drums

Discography:
Stray (1970)
Suicide (1971)
Saturday Morning Pictures (1971)
Mudanzas (1973)
Move It (1974)
Stray Tracks (1975)
Stand Up And Be Counted (1975)
Houdini (1975)
Hearts Of Fire (1976)
Live At The Marquee (1984)
Alive And Giggin' (1997)
All In Your Mind (1997)
New Dawn (1997)
The Definitive Collection (1998)
Dangerous Games (2001)
10 (2001)
In Yer Face (2002)
Time Machine - Anthology 1970-1977 (2003)
Valhalla (2009)

Genre: Rock

Origin UK

Added: February 23rd 2003
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.stray-the-band.co.uk
Hits: 1834
Language: english