Search - Luther Grosvenor :: Under Open Skies

From the Guy About to Become Ariel Bender

Alan Rockman | Upland, California | 05/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Granted, this album derives more from The Band than either Spooky Tooth or Mott, and that there's no real moments of guitar flash that would be witnessed later in Mott and also in Widowmaker. Still, its a pleasant, rustic, Countrified Grosvenor here. Also the album proved he could hold his own in the vocals department. Outstanding cuts are "Here Comes The Queen" - which was later spotlighted in Mott the Hoople concerts, and "When I Met You".



It was largely on the strength of this album, which ironically featured Bender's soon-to-be-predecessor and good friend Mick Ralphs on rhythm guitar on the opening track, that Grosvenor landed a brief job in Stealers Wheel, recording the original (and best by far) version of "Everything is Going to Turn Out Fine". It was but a short leap from "Stuck in the Middle with Rafferty and Egan" to "All the Way from Bradford with Ian, Buffin, and Overend." And much acclaimed recognition by his peers - including Jeff Beck.



But for a quieter, less maniac Grosvenor vis a vis Bender, this is one fine album."