(3 / 5)
Expanded reissue of the 1977 album “Play Me Out” by ‘The Voice Of Rock’ Glenn Hughes. The album is now augmented with a second disc of bonus tracks. These include ‘Smile’, ‘Getting Near To You’ and ‘Fools Condition’ from 1978, originally recorded for the follow up to “Play Me Out”, and ‘Take Me With You’ and ‘She Knows’, recorded by Glenn in 1994.
Glenn Hughes first came to prominence in Trapeze, a band featuring future Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley, and future Judas Priest drummer, Dave Holland. With third album, “You Are The Music, We’re Just The Band” (1972), Trapeze appeared to be on the brink of a major Stateside breakthrough, where they’d been building a large and loyal following.
However, in 1973 Glenn was offered the golden opportunity to play bass and sing with Deep Purple, joined by David Coverdale for “Burn”, “Stormbringer” and “Come Taste The Band”. Deep Purple eventually split in 1976, with its members following various solo and side projects. The first fruits of Glenn’s post Purple career appeared with “Play Me Out”, issued in July 1977. In many respects, this album is the logical progression from the soul, funk and R&B influences Glenn brought to the three LPs he recorded with Purple.
Although Trapeze enjoyed a short-lived reunion in 1976, his bandmates did lend their support to the recording of “Play Me Out”. Joined by Pat Travers on guitar and future Thin Lizzy drummer Mark Nauseef, the original album ends with the single ‘I Found A Woman’.
Also featured on the second disc here, is the disco-era mini-album “Four On The Floor”, originally released by Casablanca (home to both KISS and Donna Summer) in 1979. The closer, “Glimmer Twins Medley”, pays homage to Mick and Keith and their songwriting partnership, with four songs covered: “Let’s Spend The Night Together”, a track which was banned by the BBC when the Stones released it in 1967 as a double A-side single with “Ruby Tuesday”, on Decca in the UK and London in the US, as it apparently promoted promiscuous behaviour and offended morals! Glenn also covers “Lady Jane”, “Paint It Black” and “Under My Thumb”. All timeless songs and beautifully approached by Mr Hughes here.
The expanded booklet features liner notes by rock writer Malcolm Dome based on new interviews with Glenn. He’s still out there today, belting out his rock songs as a solo artist in the US and around the world, and in very fine voice. Glenn is also front man for the supergroup Black Country Communion with Joe Bonamassa on guitar, and that outfit have an imminent new record, after Joe and Glenn sorted out their differences and made peace.
By Sally Fox
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’ (3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
(4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
