When you think of the great ROCK nations of the world, Italy is a long way down the list. There is Lacuna Coil of course. How many other Italian bands spring to mind? The Italian music scene is about as edgy and daring as that of Switzerland. What they do seem to get off on is that 1970s thing, albeit invariably the tamer stuff - your Deep Purples and Rainbows - and what IS the fascination Italians have with the tragic arch-hatmeister Ritchie Blackmore? Bizarrely even Blackmore’s Night is taken seriously out there. This poses some interesting questions. By the law of averages there MUST be a decent Metal songwriter/guitarist in Italy. What would happen if said fretwarrior was possessed of infinite wealth and zero common sense?
Enter stage right Matt Filippini and Moonstone Project. Filippini has dug deep into his pockets to produce an album studded with stars. While this suggests that he has the survival instincts and business acumen of, say, Gordon Brown, the roll of honour is impressive. The voice of Moonstone Project is none other than ex-House of Lords singer James Christian, who provides Filippini with that soulful 1970s-1980s voice beloved of the likes of Toni Iommi in his mid-1980s arguably less successful spell.
Unfortunately the extent of Filippini’s foolery is such that he could never limit himself to the bloke from a fiddling band like House of Lords. To Christian’s undoubted chagrin, the Filippini-generated hype around Moonstone Project’s latest offering ‘Rebel On The Run’ is that IT HAS GLENN HUGHES ON IT! Hughes is mentioned in every article connected with the band. There are as many photographs of him on the inlay cover as Christian. This is despite the fact that Hughes only features on one song ‘Closer Than You Think’, and (gasp!) it ISN’T the best one! ‘Rebel On The Run’ also boasts appearances from Clive Bunker. ‘Not THE Clive Bunker?’ I hear you cry. Apparently so and apparently he drummed in Jethro Tull. The more familiar Ian Paice pops up on final track ‘Halfway To Heaven’. Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep contributes that vital Hammond solo on ‘Madman’ and, intriguingly, makes ‘evil noises’ on ‘Sinner Sinner’. However it is ironic considering the number of ROCK alumni on offer on this album that the real hero is Nik Mazzucconi on bass. Mazzucconi’s playing is nothing short of phenomenal. Despite this his photo doesn’t make the album sleeve. There are two pictures of the keyboard player. Such is the bassists’ eternally unhappy lot.
With all this class on offer you would think ‘Rebel On The Run’ would be good. Thankfully for Filippini you would be right. This is an album of solid and imaginative Rock, up there with Leafhound in terms of authenticity and genuine old time entertainment. Filippini has carefully studied and replicated that 70s sound. His wah-wah drenched riffage rolls and pumps with a funky ‘Stormbringer’-era Deep Purple feel. Blackmore would definitely hate it, but with Filippini at the helm Moonstone Project feel ready to launch right into the 1980s.
In terms of the songs, there are many standout moments. ‘Moonster Booster’ has an awesome catchy chorus, showing off Christian’s Blues-Metal wailing. ‘Cosmic Blues’ has a great ‘70s atmospheric introduction. ‘From Another Time’ features some engaging interplay between Filippini and his long-term sparring partner Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboard. ‘Rebel On The Run’ deceives with the threat of some lame hippy acoustic noises before correctly kicking into a heavy duty Leafhound-style Hard Blues Rock stomp. ‘Hey Mama’ is an excellent Black Crowes Rock n’Roll shuffle. The standout track is ‘Madman’, which bolstered by Ken Hensley’s Hammond could just about be Deep Purple in their prime.
Filippini has every reason to be proud of Moonstone Project’s latest effort. ‘Rebel On The Run’ features strong performances from all involved, as well as some snappy song writing by the man himself. It has rightly been snapped up by Blistering Records and should prove a hit with classic ROCK fans. For all that it’s hard not to feel sorry for Filippini. On the band’s Myspace he naively enthuses about his ‘…very famous and incredibly talented friends…’. One can but hope he is right. Cancelled attempts to perform live with Glenn Hughes suggest otherwise, and that his friends may only be as great as the extent of his wealth. Great record. Best of luck. PLEASE don’t have mortgaged your house to pay for this…..
http://www.moonstone.it
