Touch (Mike Harrison Hamburg Blues Band album) explained

Touch
Type:studio
Artist:Mike Harrison and the Hamburg Blues Band
Cover:Mike Harrison Hamburg Blues Band Cover.jpg
Released:2001
Genre:Rock, pop
Label:Ruf Records

Touch is an album released on Ruf Records in 2001 by Mike Harrison and the Hamburg Blues Band.

History

Billed as "Mike Harrison meets the Hamburg Blues Band", the album followed an invitation to Mike Harrison in 1999 to regularly appear with the Hamburg Blues Band.[1] The album is notable for featuring new songs by lyricist Pete Brown,[2] with music by members of the Hamburg Blues Band, and lead vocals by Harrison.

The album received mixed reviews. As one reviewer commented, "Mike's voice is more reminiscent of Ray Charles now that he's older and is perfect for blues rock... This is one of those CDs you listen to for the first time and feel like you've been listening to it your entire life and not just because of the Spooky Tooth song at the end."[3] In contrast, another reviewer commented that "the band members are decent musicians, but their playing and the album's production is just too sterile, too perfect, lacking that certain 'oomph' or 'edge' that turns the ordinary into something special. Sadly, my critique goes for Mike's vocals as well, he sounds like he's 'going through the motions' and never transcends the material, not even on their closing cover of Spooky Tooth's 'Waiting For The Wind.'[4]

Track listing

All lyrics by Pete Brown, music by Conti, Lange, Wallbaum and Becker, unless otherwise noted.

  1. "Hold Back"
  2. "Movin' On"
  3. "Try Me Again"
  4. "Make Me Smile"
  5. "Security"
  6. "There's a Road"
  7. "King of Hearts" (Lyrics: Lange and R. Nicholas. Music: Conti, Lange, Wallbaum and Becker)
  8. "Perfect Day" (Lyrics: D. Storey. Music: D. Petersen)
  9. "Hittin' The Spot"
  10. "True Lies"
  11. "Waiting For The Wind" (Bonus Track; Wright, Grosvenor, Harrison)

References

  1. David Ling, Archive: Lost in Time and Space; Teamrock.com, May 23, 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
  2. Who had initially achieved international recognition primarily as a co-writer of songs with Jack Bruce, including such hits by Cream as "Sunshine of Your Love" (music by Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton) and "White Room" (music by Jack Bruce).
  3. The Hawk, Hidden Treasure, August 18, 2012. Amazon.com; consumer review.
  4. John H. McCarthy, Talented Musicians, A Great Vocalist, But a Disappointing Release, April 6, 2016. Amazon.com; consumer review. The reviewer also referenced Harrison's first solo album, released in 1971, which he described as "a stunner".