Review: Crossroad Overdrive – Crossroad Overdrive

Jib Machine Records (November 29^th, 2024)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

An unusual one. A covers project which sees Martin Jesper Andersen (Blindstone, Meridian, Blindside Blues Band) team up with his oldest son Magnus Jespen Andersen Hilstrøm.

Covers. Usually reserved for b sides or bonus tracks. But a whole album of them?

There’s a smattering of classics from the likes of Zeppelin, Sabbath, Mountain and Purple, along with deeper cuts by Blue Öyster Cult, Hendrix and Stephen Stills.

I’ve started to write this review on three separate occasions.

What can’t be criticised is the sonic quality of the production. It’s clear and crisp and well mixed.

The performances are fine too, these guys are no slouches.

But what it boils down to is this.

You either know all the tracks and think that the originals are untouchable. Or you don’t know any of the tracks and therefore can approach it with untainted ears. Or you know some of them and it’s a mix of both of the above.

Me? I think it’s a brave move to try this project which I applaud, but, a whole album of covers, however well interpreted, is probably a step too far.

Tracklist:

1. Black Dog (Led Zeppelin)
2. Cities On Flame With Rock n’ Roll – Veteran Of The Psychic Wars (Blue Öyster Cult)
3. Whipping Post (The Allman Brothers Band)
4. In My Ways (Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush)
5. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
6. Not Fragile (Bachman – Turner Overdrive)
7. In From The Storm (Jimi Hendrix)
8. Mississippi Queen (Mountain)
9. Stormbringer (Deep Purple)
10. Love The One You’re With (Stephen Stills)