Kevin Chalfant - Running With The Wind
Running With The Wind She's Waiting Save Me Tonight Anywhere The Wind Blows Love Changes Everything Wild Thang Hurricane If This Is Love Learning To Fly Producers: Chas Standford & Kevin Chalfant Year: 1997 Label: Clique Records Total Playing Time: 39:20 m:s
One of the first, in fact probably the first, albums that I reviewed for Mood Swings was The Storm's Eye Of The Storm. Most definitely, one of the best albums of 1996. When I heard that lead singer, Kevin Chalfant, was releasing a solo album, I've got to admit I wasn't that excited. I expected an album stuffed full of ballads, with perhaps a nod towards Michael Bolton territory.
When I finally got to hear this, I was pleasantly surprised. Although this description doesn't apply to all the songs, my one line description of the album would some something like - "Bad Company take on board a Hammond organ player and belt out some Bryan Adams songs, with, of course, the guy from The Storm on lead vocals." This album is all about uncomplicated blues/soul based rock that's simply about enjoying the music.
Running With The Wind has a hint of the ZZ Tops about it. It sets the scene for the rest of the album nicely. Little Caesar's Chain Of Fools as a possible comparison.
She's Waiting eases the pace nicely & the Hammond organ first comes into play. A blues based ballad.
Save Me Tonight would certainly give BA a run for this money in the good time rock 'n' roll party rock stakes.
Anywhere The Wind Blows is again good time party rock.
Love Changes Everything is the first full on ballad and gives Kevin's voice a chance to take centre stage without all the other instruments screaming for your attention. If I tell you that it oozes the same class that The Storm do, then you'll know it's top notch.
Wild Thang is perhaps the song that spawned the Bad Co meets BA comparison. The heaviest offering.
The combination of acoustic guitar and swirling Hammond works a treat on the mid-paced Hurricane. My favourite song on the album. The chorus could well be buzzing around your head for days.
If there is one song that comes close to sounding like The Storm then it is If This Is Love. This semi-ballad is yet another winner. This time a saxophone get solo duties.
Learning To Fly chugs along nicely with a ZZ Top meets Bad Co groove. It's a good enough end to the album to have you hitting the repeat button on your remote to hear the whole album again.
My one criticism of the album is that, at only 40 mins long, its one or two songs short of what I expect these days.
OK Kevin, now you've had some fun, how about getting back into the studio with your mates in The Storm and giving us album number 3.
Rating: 8
