Mick Ralph’s legacy to rock blues music is revealed on this 4CD compilation of top-quality songwriting and virtuoso guitar which should attract interest from discerning Bad Company and Mott The Hoople fans as well as lovers of great blues music.

Release Date: 24th November 2023

Label: Cherry Red Records

Format:  4 CD   

Mick Ralphs is one of the brilliant but unsung guitarists, masters of their craft but never gained the notoriety of a Clapton, Beck or Page and yet like Martin Barre was very much their equal. As an early member of Mott The Hoople and Bad Company his contribution to classic music is often put in the shadow of higher frontmen like Paul Rodgers and Ian Hunter. Nevertheless, his legacy in Rock music is worthy of this splendid collection of four CDs which Cherry Red Records have assembled to confirm his status.

When  Bad Company took a sabbatical in the early 80’s Mick took the opportunity to record ‘solo’. His songwriting prowess was already established with gems like Ready For Love, Can’t Get Enough, Good Lovin’ Gone Bad from Bad Company’s debut album ,he deserved the chance to display his talents.  This album of raunchy rockers, melodic blues ballads a glorious instrumental track Take This a touch of country Last Chance Saloon and an interesting arrangement of Hey Baby  has some numbers like All it Takes and Rock Fever , which would not have been out of place on a Bad Company album.  In addition to the original album material there are demo versions and working mixes  of  final album tracks.

When guitarists from infamous bands who usually take a back seat are unleashed who can blame them for showing of their musical chops with instrumental works. Mick ralphs 2001 solo album , It’s All Good is a collection of short instrumentals , sometimes bluesy, sometimes rocky and sometimes jazzy but not always guitar based, Jessica and Large having jazzy keyboards  mainly  featured. Most tracks  seem improvisational but all show a highly competent composer  much underrated.  The track Atmosphere  orchestral and groggy  makes his links with David Gilmour understandable. In fact the whole album makes one wonder why he wasn’t afforded a bigger profile away from Bad Company and  gives a feeling that we’ve all missed out somewhere along the line.

Whether record companies thought one Eric Clapton was enough or not we’ll never know  but this third CD  ‘That’s Life Can’t Get Enough’  is good enough to rival any of ‘God’s’ solo work. Although released early 2000’s  it is quite late 60’s / early 70’s British blues boom in flavour but full of fabulous songs and of course plentiful blues licks.  The early demo of  Can’t Get Enough of Your Love will be of interest to most  with more swing to it than the famous BC  hit but it certainly doesn’t overshadow the other songs.

CD 4 is the 2013, release of  The Mick Ralphs Blues Band Should Know Better–Live At TheMusician, Mick is joined by Stuart Maxwell on vocals and harmonica, Jim Maving on guitar, Dicky Baldwin on bass and Adam Perry on drums. As Paul Rodgers proved, a powerful vocaladds something to Mick Ralph’s music, although of the seven tracks three are covers – Born Under A Bad Sign, Shame, Shame, Shame and Evil. Nevertheless this tight bad gives a stunning performance.

Mick Ralphs Blues Band Online: Facebook

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