Dizzy Reed will be forever known for his ongoing Twenty Eight (!) year stint as keyboard player for Axl’s ever changing Guns ‘N’ Roses. With the exception of General Rose he is the bands the longest serving member and that’s no mean feat. Dizzy’s other projects include US Rockers the Dead Daisies and his side project Hookers And Blow, who are regular live performers at the legendary Whiskey A Go Go on L.A’s infamous Sunset Strip. His debut album was written with L.A ex-pat Ricky Warwick (The Almighty, Black Star Riders) and Guns player/writer/tour manager Del James. Album opener and lead single ‘This Don’t Look Like Vegas’ resonates like a Harley wheel spinning up the strip with it’s distinct Use Your Illusion Piano sound adding a Roses in strip joint, down and dirty Rock ’N’ Roll feel. It may not look like Vegas but it sure sounds yesterdays Hollywood. Next out of the traps is the rousing and pained vocals of ’Mother Theresa’. The song lacks a little direction but it blindly punches on and although it never reaches the heights of the opener it remains standing after the bell. The same can be said for ‘Cheers 2 R Oblivion’, whereas the blindsiding emotive bang of ‘Fragile Water’ is a 90’s Rock classic. Stunningly effective piano, guitar solo’s along with some surprisingly pro vocals that I didn’t realise Dizzy had in his jack of all trades locker.
A quintessential Roxy/Rainbow chopping riff kicks ears open on the impressive ‘Dirty Bomb’ while ‘Mystery In Exile’ is a meat and two veg modern rocker. ‘I Celebrate’ starts with a guitar solo, its like you haven’t rewound the tape. The song tub thumps along a bumpy heel tapping road, it’s good but its not better. ‘Understanding’, ‘Forgotten Cases‘ and ‘Crestfallen’ all tingle and tease with step band familiarity as the album draws to its natural conclusion. Not before a punky raw power tinged ‘Reparations’ pushes on the chest for one more heart beat. Title track and close ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Ain’t Easy’ morphs into a slightly less overblown November Rain and there’s the beauty and beast of this interesting release. It’s hard not to make comparisons with Dizzy Reed and GNR, the sound, feel and arrangement are at times french kissing the illusions but it’s still a really good Rock ‘N’ Roll record that is nostalgic, new and powerful.
DIZZY REED