Few guitar players are as distinctive as John Norum. While primarily known as the driving guitar in Europe (sans the “Pop” years), this is Norum’s seventh solo release and hand’s down his best solo work to date. I’d even call this on par with Europe’s best. The Play Yard Blues album features three cover songs (Thin Lizzy’s It’s Only Money, Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush’ Ditch Queen and Mountain’s Travellin’ in the Dark) and seven originals, all steeped in powerful, bluesy Hard Rock tradition. The kind of tradition you can feel as it shakes your soul.
The highlights here are hard to count as pretty much every song brings 110% of Norum to the table. “Let It Shine” is an admittedly phenomenal way to kick off the album though. It sort of eases you into what’s to come but certainly doesn’t alienate the Europe lover that is new to Norum’s solo work. The album kicks into overdrive though with the downright spectacular “When Darkness Falls.” Everything about this song, from the gritty blues to the killer melody, is absolutely perfect and when the chorus rolls around you just want to roll your windows down and shout it at the guys driving past you on the open road. It’s mate, “Over and Done” has a heavier roll to it but has much the same effect. The free-for-all approach of the title track is another jaw-dropping moment, leaving absolutely no doubt that Europe was unfairly lumped in with hair bands. John Norum is the real deal, kiddies.
Normally, an album by the guitar player in one of my favorite bands wouldn’t get much of a listen out of me. Too often, the guitar player’s solo album is about showing off instead of writing great songs. That is DEFINITELY NOT the case here. John Norum smokes on this album and the songs are well-crafted and easy to get into even if you are not a guitar aficionado. Play Yard Blues is unquestionably an Album of the Year contender in my book.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
