Review: Paul Rodgers – Midnight Rose
Sun Records (September 22nd 2023)
Reviewer: Mark Jackson
I’ve been lucky enough to meet the great Mr Rodgers back in the 1990’s..My band Medicine Hat were recording in Nomis Studios in London. One day we turned up for work and we heard a beautiful sound coming from a nearby corridor, It was the man himself rehearsing some vocals in the natural reverb..it was just wonderful.
A day later I arrived in our console room, and who was in there? Paul Rodgers (who knew our producer), I shook his hand and mumbled incoherently, I was awestruck!. He is one of my favourite singers of all time! He was gracious, kind and stayed for half an hour chatting about music, a true Rockstar.
Sooo, I get the opportunity to review Mr Rodgers’ new album ‘Midnight Rose‘, I’m happy with that ha ha.
First track ‘Coming Home‘ is in fine old school Bad Company style, with a lovely chord sequence in the chorus. It’s perfectly autumnal, and a shout out to the guitarists in this band, Roy Roper and Keith Scott (from Bryan Adams band), who compliment the songs brilliantly, and immediately you know that golden voice is still there in spades!.
As the track ‘Midnight Rose‘ opens up with a delicate mandolin style intro, Mr Rodgers voice glides like golden, red and yellow leaves falling in a soft breeze…such a sweet arrangement on this track, there’s a weathered edge to his vocal now, but it only makes the songs sound more profound and emotional.
Next up is ‘Living It Up‘ with a big bronco bustin’ Hendrix style riff, great name checks for Paul’s influences, a heartfelt vocal, you can feel the strength of his conviction added to the hot n’ sweaty vibe, this is a Paul Rodgers‘ history class!.
Then we have the light Spanish style intro to ‘Dance In The Sun‘ with a calypso sun kissed backbeat, very Floridabama!..but strangely the lead vocal sounds too low in the mix on this track..weird!
Now onto my fave track here ‘Take Love‘. This has a great driving Bad Company 70’s driving feel with a classic Rodgers hard rockin’ vocal belting it out, accompanied by great musicianship from guitars, keys, drums, bass and backing vocals!.
‘Highway Robber‘ has a Celtic feel, rolling Irish green fields and hills, a much more subdued Bob Dylanesue vocal, a kinda hybrid between the ‘Billy the Kid’ soundtrack and ‘Whisky In The Jar’! Great instrumentation, never overpowering the song, subtle and sublime.
‘Melting‘ is Mississippi old school blues, the guitar kicks off and you’ve got a one way ticket to the crossroads! Ghostly shades of Blues legends drifting in the late afternoon sun.
The whole album takes me back to Bad Company’s glorious era, a string of excellent albums and so many great songs. So great to hear this Classic sound once more. Summer nights, cold brewski’s, dirt roads, cassette tapes and blazing bonfires. Thankyou Paul Rodgers, getting to relive some great memories here! Also a shout out to Mr Bob Rock, this record’s producer, as always, crystal clear and great frequency range, you can take that to the bank!