Search - Glenn Hughes :: Music for the Divine

Music For The Divine

David Harrison | Florida, USA | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Free at last, free at last :) YES, this is Glenn Hughes at his very core and an album I've been waiting on from him for a very long time - it has everything! Soul, funk, rock and so much more - all delivered with the highest quality vocals and musicianship we've all come to enjoy.



With nods to his musical heroes, as well as his own humble beginnings, right through to the modern day "sure fire" hits - Music For The Divine - has every element that should make this epic stand out from the crowd.



You quickly get a sense of what is to come with the opener, The Valiant Denial, with JJ Marsh and Chad Smith's epic opening chords and hard rockin' drums, it sets us up for what must surely be the opening live number - a masterpiece if ever there was one. The chorus gets your blood pumping and what with the rousing string arrangement, it's final sonic-laden moments bring us down and you're left wondering what just hit you!!



We're then thrown head over heels into Steppin' On, with the first of the hard funk moments which are scattered throughout the album and the welcomed introduction to the "green goblin". You won't be able to get the chorus out of your head and with the tip of the hat to Zeppelin and Purple MK.III; it won't go by, without leaving a smile on your face. This is of course, a "must play live" song. No questions asked, ok!



Next up, Monkey Man, kicks straight in with a funk laden riff that get's those dancin' shoes dusted off and ready for some action!! With the chorus in full swing, you'll be jumpin' around before you know it. Awesome performances by all involved with JJ and Chad getting a well deserved airing, while Glenn commands the helm to perfection, right through to the final moments.



We're given a breather with This House, even with it's Beatles-esque qualities, you still walk away in sheer breathlessness with the vocal delivery. At the halfway mark, the string section kicks in and Glenn and JJ deliver stellar guitar performances throughout.



Ok, time to get off you seat! You Got Soul gives us a nod & wink to Trapeze with a harder funk rock edge, which I'm digging more and more on every listen! This song has it all, hard rock, funk, wailing guitars, passionate hard rockin' vocals - 10 out of 10 - it would be a crime not to play this one live ;)



Next up, Frail, brings us down to earth and with it's soaring and melancholic mood, it brings to the forefront Glenn's vocal and lyrical abilities. The string section really sets the mood, both celebratory and mournful at the same time. Perfection!



To get us back in the groove, Black Light kicks your butt back in gear! Again, an absolute "must play live" song - the green goblin is in full effect again here and with a fantastic vocal bridge to boot - this should really be considered as a "single" release - it's got everything. Glenn pulls out all the stops and JJ and Chad shine through with big Cheshire cat grins, at least I did! Again....perfection :)



Things slow slightly with Nights In White Satin which is up next, but not for long, what with Glenn's thundering vocals keeping you on your toes - this isn't just copied from the Stealth soundtrack or the Australian Soul Mover release - but in fact, a remixed version - you can definitely hear the difference, with the vocals sounding like they were brought forward which definitely improves it overall. John Frusciante is still stellar on this rendition. And yes, it fits in very well with the new songs, which I must admit, pleasantly surprised me.



No, not a Stevie Wonder cover! Too High is next and that's where you want to be on this one - up and rockin' out! From introductory drum chops and thundering bass line, this one kicks you in the face - fantastic guitar and drums from JJ and Chad, with another sonically delivered chorus from Glenn - his bass playing is just perfection! There's going to be lots of sweat flowing from both the stage and crowds when this one gets going - trust me! Another 10 out of 10 from me! This is the funk rocker that I've been waiting on from Glenn for a long, long time - again, a "must play live" song :)



A change of pace, takes us into a trippy late 60's/early 70's number with This Is How I Feel, which would fit right at home on an early Trapeze album - this is Glenn Hughes at his finest, again it has every element, old and new, with some surprises thrown in. Imagine Hendrix with a sultry splash of early Free and Floyd! John Frusciante is an absolute star on this song - another "must play live" addition.



To close out the album, The Divine, exemplifies Glenn Hughes - a straightforward acoustic & strings based number, with lyrics and a vocal delivery that is everything Glenn - as he pours his heart out, it's like he's standing right next to you as he sings just for YOU! Marvelous.



In summary, this is a very different album from his past releases, but at the same time, it's not! You can definitely feel the personal and honest nature of the songs and as listener you will easily appreciate each one on it's own, but soon afterwards when you stand back, you'll see it's a very cohesive release. Maybe it'll take you a couple of listens to fully appreciate it, but I think in the end, you'll agree me.



Special mention goes to Chad Smith, JJ Marsh, John Frusciante and Mark Kilian. Chad is an animal on the drums, JJ and John make a great team and both give us award winning performances. Mark gives us the string arrangements and oh how he nailed it, creating the perfect atmosphere.

"

Unbelievable

ridetherainbow | Texas | 12/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Reading on Glenn's website before this came out that it was a "career defining album" didn't seem very practical to me. Not because I think Glenn has lost any ounce of his talent, but because his career has been so incredibly jam packed with amazing music. Well at first listen, I liked this album a lot. His last release, Soul Mover, I found to be the best of his solo career, and easily the most accessible to mainstream audiences. Well again I decided to listen to Music For The Divine, and I was completely floored. It is easily one of the best releases of Glenn's career. This album doesn't only show Glenn's perfection of the hard rock genre, but it also shows his soft, soulful songs, which he has showed before but never has it shone through like this. Vocally, Glenn has never been better. You Got Soul is a perfect example of this, but the best vocally is the Moody Blues cover, Nights In White Satin. Absolutely unbelievable performance of this song. So much emotion, and the vocals are incredible. Although Glenn has been surrounded by some of the greatest rock musicians of all time (Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Deep Purple, Joe Lynn Turner), I think this is exactly where Glenn Hughes should be. JJ Marsh is a perfect guitarist for Glenn's style, and Chad Smith is a very solid drummer on this album. I call this album completely perfect. It's more well rounded than just about any Glenn Hughes release ever. Just buy it, that's all I can say."