Artist: Bobby Hird
Album: All Over The Place
Label: Independent Artist
Website: https://www.bobbyhird.com/Home.html
Crack of Sky Site: https://www.crackthesky.com/
Genre: Soul Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, Pop, Jam Band, Singer/Songwriter
Sounds Like: Todd Rundgren, Peter Frampton, Van Morrison, Phil Vassar, Mark Wills, Joe Nichols, Kenny Loggins
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Commercial Value: 8/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: I Want More Time, Backseat Baby, All in the Pudding, Rock Bottom, Golden Boy,
Weakness: A Few Winded Songs
CD REVIEW:
Bobby Hird has been the lead guitarist for Crack The Sky for over 30 years. From his start as a singer/songwriter with Baltimore’s famed Climbadonkey, as well as his own solo projects, he continues to write, record, and perform some of the most memorable and heartfelt music. Bobby’s first CD “Heartbeat Away” and this year’s “All Over The Place” can be purchased via the above Crack the Sky” link. The recent Climbadonkey and Jambsandwich CDs are available there as well.
The CD takes flight with High Maintenance Woman” an upbeat, rocked-out guitar groove that serves up driving rock rhythm against slamming movement, impressive Rock fretwork and well placed vocals/harmonies from Hird. Track 2 “I Want More Time” takes it down a notch with its no holds barred feel and slamming guitar groove/solo that flows and ebbs its way through to emotional fruition. Hird really hits this one out of the park vocally and on solo guitar. Track 3 “For Love” keeps thing moving in the right direction with its steady flowing rhythm, hooky chorus, and impressive surging finale. The CD makes a great first impression dashing out 3 solid tracks in a row. I would classify this music as modern rock with a catchy side of R&B, Jam Band, Singer/Songwriter Classic Rock musical style. Despite this the music has an old school rock jagged edge. Along the way you will notice impressive instrumentation layered along the way with things like impressive solo guitar, Organ, slamming Horn Section, Keyboards, Piano, rocked out rhythm guitar, well placed harmonies all built upon a thick as a brick solid rhythm section to boot. The musicianship of everyone involved is clearly above the bar. Now turning our attention over to Hird, as for his vocal abilities, his voice works extremely well within the confines of this rock based catalogue. He’s got a good rugged look, and knows how to sit deep within the pocket and sing a song with raw power. His voice goes down smooth and fills the space peacefully and unobtrusively with an infectious jagged edge. He’s got good vibrato, impressive timbre, power and control all around. Hird is also a hell of a guitarist, impressive soloist within his own right. He plays his guitar with a lot of feel, finesse and groove ability. The songwriting is world class, harmonies and melodies are well placed and well crafted. All the Engineering aspects are in check (Recording, Mixing, Mastering) as the CD possesses solid low end punch and crystal clear high end clarity. The musicianship is world class and delivers everything you would expect from a Top-Tiered Rocking-Blues Pop Production. The music reminds me of a combination between classic Todd Rundgren, Peter Frampton, Kenny Loggins, Phil Vassar, Mark Wills, Van Morrison to Joe Nichols. All songs are well crafted and consistent across the board. From slaming “All In the Pudding” melodic “My Sweet George” to methodical “Golden Boy” to heartfelt “Richer by a Friend” to rocking “Rock Bottom” to grooving “Backseat Baby” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 11’ Undercover” to the perfect finale statement for a CD like this. There are even 2 bonus live tracks at the end of the CD.
It’s hard to find any serious weakness with this CD. In true Jam Band fashion all songs over 5 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line.
From start to finish “All Over The Place” by Bobby Hird is an impressive musical release period! The music is grooving, upbeat and entertaining. The songwriting – all consistent musical experiences, each one possessing a unique personality, flair and signature groove. The writing, playing and singing abilities of Mr. Hird and his red hot band are rock solid. There is no denying the experience and artistic presence from Hird. He is an impressive veteran talent and his overall persona is something many folks (especially classic rockers) should gravitate towards no doubt.
Cyrus Rhodes
Cyrus, I found it. Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comments. Your writing is beautiful. I was wondering though, in your last paragraph you mentioned Michael Tracy, I don’t know who he is – should I?
just got my copy yesterday and after 1 listen……love it! I think it will stay in the CD player for several days