Keeling, Kelly - Giving Sight To The Eye

Year of Release: 2005
Label: Mascot Records
Catalog Number: M 7071 2
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:56:00

While listening to Erik Norlander's album Music Machine, there was one singer I thought really rocked. A glance in the booklet informed me that singer was Kelly Keeling. In 2003 and 2004, I have had the pleasure of getting to know this man during the European tours of Erik Norlander and Lana Lane and I can tell you, seeing Kelly Keeling live is quite an experience. He is a very nice man and has a great sense of humour. :)

During this tour, visitors already got a taste of his solo album, as he played the song "Perfect Day" as a part of the setlist. It took a long time, but now we can finally enjoy his first solo album, Giving Sight To The Eye.

A glance at his more than impressive discography shows that Keeling is a very versatile artist and this is also evident in his solo album. The style could be described as a chameleon as every song sounds different. It is an album that bursts with energy. Driving rock songs and many blues influences are found on the album. Given his past, it is no surprise to find many guest artists collaborating with Keeling on the album. Besides singing, Keeling also plays a great numbers of instruments, so that adds to him being the versatile artists that he is.

A true highlight is the song "Ground Zero," written by Kerry Livgren (ex-, Proto Kaw), who also plays grand piano on this song. With its 8 minutes, this is a prog highlight, with Keeling singing in a higher register.

I am not going to discuss each individual track, but trust me, this is a great album, very energetic and passionate, with great rock songs on it. Kelly Keeling as an amazing musician and songwriter, and this album is maybe the best document of this, although it might be very interesting to check out any other albums he performed on!

It is not a real prog album, although there are several prog influences present on the album, but don't let that hold you back. Keeling gives here a powerful calling card and will appeal to listeners of many different genres, so visit his website, listen to the samples and order the album and get carried away with the energy of this very excellent singer.

Tracklisting:
Rising Of The Snake (3:30) / Parasite (5:24) / Broken (4:05) / Perfect Day (5:08) / Ground Zero (8:33) / Nothing (5:41) / Believe (4:11) / Sunlight Needs The Day (4:27) / Hell Is On The Way (4:44) / Peace With The World (4:44) / Jesse (3:23)

Musicians:
Kelly Keeling - lead vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, organ, mellotron, piano, memory Moog, wooden krsna flute
Carmine Applice - drums (4, 5, 6, 7, 11), percussion (5), vocals (11)
Vinnie Appice - drums (9)
Drake Bell - first of duelling guitar solos (11)
Roger Daltrey - vocals (11)
Don Dokken - harmonies, co-lead vocals in chorus (7)
Wayne Findlay - rhythm guitar (9)
Tony Franklin - fretless bass (4, 6)
Shane Galaas - drums (8, 10)
Wayne Hammerly - Hammond C-3 organ (7)
Danny Johnson - 12-string acoustic (10)
Denny Laine - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric rhythm guitars (11)
Kerry Livgren - piano (5)
Richard Mann - percussion (11)
John Norum - lead guitar (6)
John Perrine - drums, percussion (1, 3, )
Pat Regan - mellotron (4)
Bernie Smith - trombone (8, 11)

Discography:
Baton Rouge - Shake Your Soul (1990)
Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid (1991)
Blue Murder - Nothing But Trouble (1993)
John Norum - Another Destination (1995)
Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus - Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus (JP version w/JP guitarists) (1995)
Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus - Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus (EU version w/EU-US-UK guitarists) (1995)
Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus - Guitar Zeus II: Channel Mind Radio (1997)
John Norum - Face It Live '97 (1997)
John Norum - World's Away (1997)
Michael Schenker Group - The Unforgiven (1998)
Michael Schenker Group - The Unforgiven World Tour Live (1999)
Heaven And Earth - Windows To The World (2001)
King Cobra - Hollywood Trash (2001)
DBA - Doin' Business As (2001)
Dokken - Long Way Home (2002)
Michael Schenker - Forever And More, The Best Of MS (2003)
Erik Norlander - Music Machine (2003)
Jack Ponti - Jack Ponti Presents, Volume 1 (2003)
Dokken - Hell To Pay (2004)
Erik Norlander - Stars Rain Down (2004)
George Lynch - Furious George (2004)
Giving Sight To The Eye (2005)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: May 16th 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.kellykeeling.com
Hits: 2200
Language: english