Have been trying to rephrase it a few times now, but truth is, Bernard is just not a very good songwriter and his albums are mostly of interest to people who want more music somewhat related to the Stones universe.

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Honestman

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Hairball

Bernard Fowler - Sympathy for the Devil

I luv' the comment of the guy on YT "...This is just talking. Sounds like Martin Luther King doing karaoke...><

Funny, and I had similar thoughts, but not of Martin Luther King Jr.
Reminded me of Bill Cosby (back when he was funny) doing standup comedy.
The way he delivered some of his lines - sort of a spoken word/sing-song exaggerated style for emphasis.
Listening to this version of Sympathy, I was waiting for the punchline but it never happened.

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retired_dog
I suspect that some are fans of somebody because and as long as they're in the Stones, no matter what they actually deliver but I could be wrong, of course.

What is delivered here? Well, if Sympathy For The Devil is an example for the rest of the album, obviously not much, I'm afraid. The arrangement is too close to the original and does not create a new, creative angle to a well-known track, and the vocal delivery can't hold a candle to Mick. Sorry, Bernard, but who needs this?

Seems to be the case with many fans, but for some like myself, it doesn't matter how well connected to a band someone is - if their music doesn't resonate then that's all their is to it.
(Chuck Leavell solo material is another example).

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hopkins
listened to sftd
just awful but confirms the reason why he's a back up singer who never got
a cameo. he's very good at what he's hired for. but we sometimes tend
to go too far is my feeling generally, as to stones associated
performers doing stones associated solo stuff...
...basically they are not, with rare exceptional grace notes...that interesting.
it's sort of a novelty. it's copycat noise.
if i don't look at jjf and listen to Bernard; like that clip where
keith is there...well, a whole lot of shit bar bands do a much more
credible jjf. sorta crappy imo.

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Lorenz
Have been trying to rephrase it a few times now, but truth is, Bernard is just not a very good songwriter and his albums are mostly of interest to people who want more music somewhat related to the Stones universe.

Agreed with you both hopkins and Lorenz.

That said, maybe the rest of the album will be better? I will keep an open mind and withhold judgment until I hear it per roller99's comment lol.
But based on everything I've ever heard of Bernard solo up to this point in time (studio, live) I'm not holding my breath, and anticipate I won't all of the sudden be converted.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

Wow, that's pretty bad indeed...

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IORR Links : Essential Studio Outtakes CDs : Audio - History of Rarest Outtakes : Audio

I'll wait to hear more tracks before judging it substandard. Right now a Last Poets rendition of SFTD is interesting, but I'm hoping that's not the only trick he's tried. Mostly curious about the UNDERCOVER material.

I like it ! Excellent work Bernard !

Curious to hear Time Waits for No One. He should have collaborated with Mick Taylor on that one.

but thinking of their various backline players over the latter day live epoch(s)
...it's Lisa's big warmth, rockin' moves and super voice that added
a lot of personality and charm imo. and not just the early slim sexpot days imo.
at least she really goes another way with her covers, similarly never a writer; a different kind of showbiz job.

Sympathy playing on local radio
no drive ….… needs a high dose of t..t.t..tension …



ROCKMAN

Bernard was great on Ronnie's Slide On Live.

i love how Bernard sounds with Ronnie..

thats some very emotive stuff,

especially "Breathe On Me"

It truly is different, this album. I quite like it!

That is so weird: I was just thinking about re-interpretations of UC songs. But Bernard..this would have been the time to do something besides have to sing all those damn Stones songs.

From a few months ago, but new to me and that's all that matters...

Bernard Fowler Turns the Rolling Stones ‘Inside Out’

[www.americanbluesscene.com]

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latebloomer
From a few months ago, but new to me and that's all that matters...

Bernard Fowler Turns the Rolling Stones ‘Inside Out’

[www.americanbluesscene.com]

Record came out yesterday. It’s worth a listen

[www.loveyouliverollingstones.com]

I think he did a great job, the background music is stellar.

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roller99
I think he did a great job, the background music is stellar.

And his voice is just "great"?

Taking the melodic qualities of "Time waits for no one" is a strange artistic decision; it is like adding 2 arms on the Venus of Milo.

Rockandroll,
Mops

Apologies if this has already been posted but I came across a very nice interview with Bernard on Please Kill Me in which he is talking about the new record and how he got together with Mick and the Stones.

[pleasekillme.com]

[www.rollingstone.com]

ROCKMAN

I say, “Audition? I did his first solo album. What is this audition shit? @#$%& that. I’m not going in there.” Carmine Rojas, bless his heart, grabbed me by the arm and took me in the corner. He said, “You go in there and you kill them.” I went into the bathroom, listened to the four songs, walked into his room and the band, and all the big dogs were there — Doug Wimbish, Joe Satriani, Jimmy Rip, Simon Phillips — and I guess they’d been auditioning all these singers. They looked at me and curled their lips up and were like, “Are you ready?” Like, “Oh, no. here’s another chump.” I took offense to “Are you ready?” and said to myself, “I’m going to show them.” I started singing those three songs and I was spitting fire. At the end, I took the cassette, gave it to them and walked out of the room. I heard somebody say, “Oh, shit. I guess he’s got the gig.”

He should have done Milk Cow Blues...

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roller99
I think he did a great job, the background music is stellar.

Well, he should know all about 'background'.
BF is probably the nicest guy on the planet, humble, talented - but ultimately just not a frontman or leader.

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Sipuncula
Bernard was great on Ronnie's Slide On Live.

"No Anchovies, Please"

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Rocky Dijon
I'll wait to hear more tracks before judging it substandard. Right now a Last Poets rendition of SFTD is interesting, but I'm hoping that's not the only trick he's tried. Mostly curious about the UNDERCOVER material.

I am afraid it is the only trick indeed, I got bored approximately in the middle of the fourth track or so.
Luv the man but this I dont like

well on first bite i'd say no way jose
he has a wonderful voice and facility; i've heard things by him I like a lot.
but, ya know...i'll not put him down cause he's working and all that; and
he's added presence with Lisa that was just really fun and effective here
and there with the Main act. He's talented but kinda deal, as far as vision;
perhaps indelicate, hopefully not unfair; i mean he's working and got a rep
and a career earned off it and i don't begrudge him, nor would I snipe but
i'm not going to listen unless someone here really feels particularly inspired by a track.

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roller99
Rock Cellar Magazine interview with Bernard Fowler

Very well done interview, roller99! Thanks for posting!

"Dancing With Mr. D" is my favorite track from this album, so thank you for asking him about that one.

It was also nice to read this:

"Have there been any particular moments with the Stones that stand out for you?

I’ll give you two of those moments. 1.5 million people on the beach in Brazil, and when we played to 900,000 people in Cuba."

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Cristiano Radtke

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roller99
Rock Cellar Magazine interview with Bernard Fowler

Very well done interview, roller99! Thanks for posting!

"Dancing With Mr. D" is my favorite track from this album, so thank you for asking him about that one.

It was also nice to read this:

"Have there been any particular moments with the Stones that stand out for you?

I’ll give you two of those moments. 1.5 million people on the beach in Brazil, and when we played to 900,000 people in Cuba."

Thanks as always Cristiano! I always try to take you along with me on these things. I don't remember if I told you, but he did give a big shout out to you and the Argentinian fans in particular. He says he "loves his South American fans".

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roller99

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Cristiano Radtke

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roller99
Rock Cellar Magazine interview with Bernard Fowler

Very well done interview, roller99! Thanks for posting!

"Dancing With Mr. D" is my favorite track from this album, so thank you for asking him about that one.

It was also nice to read this:

"Have there been any particular moments with the Stones that stand out for you?

I’ll give you two of those moments. 1.5 million people on the beach in Brazil, and when we played to 900,000 people in Cuba."

Thanks as always Cristiano! I always try to take you along with me on these things. I don't remember if I told you, but he did give a big shout out to you and the Argentinian fans in particular. He says he "loves his South American fans".

Amazing to hear that, roller99! Thank you! Everybody down here loves Bernard, for sure!