Real to Reel

Tesla

Tesla Electric Company Recordings, 2007

http://www.teslatheband.com

REVIEW BY: Paul Hanson

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 06/05/2007

Today, June 5, 2007, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket and you want to spend it on an 80s hair band covering songs from the 70s, you have two choices. You can seek out Poison's Poison'd - with 5 of the 13 tracks being previously released by them over their career - or you can seek out Tesla's Real to Reel - with 0 out of 13 tracks being previously released over their career.

This is not to knock Poison's new release; however, this one kicks off with Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'." Tesla vocalist Jeff Keith nails the vocal line, drummer Troy Luccketta, one of hard rock's most solid sticksters in the business, nails the Ian Paice fills and guitarists Frank Hannon and Dave Rude nail the Ritchie Blackmore riff. And that's the first track. This is an excellent collection of 70s rock, the kind of collection you see advertised on TV and think, "Damn, I want that CD, but I'm not paying $39.99 for it."

You don't have to now - you can pick up this release.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The James' Gang's "Walk Away" continues the momentum leading into the Guess Who's "Hand Me Down World" before reaching the peak of a crescendo with Led Zeppelin's "Thank You." Other highlights are the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion" and UFO's "Rock Bottom."

So, this release proves Tesla can play 70s songs and play them well. It also proves that these songs have stood the test of time. The guitar riffs sound as catchy and interesting as they did when Eric Clapton ripped into "Bell Bottom Blues" as a member of Derek and the Dominos.

I have a special place in my heart for the Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman." For many years, I thought this song was called "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme." Keith nails Jagger's charismatic strut and swagger. Luccketta nails the cowbell in the opening and the backbeat throughout the song.

Even if you want to level complaints at this release, you're on pretty weak ground. Sure, they could have covered KISS, Rush, the Scorpions and Judas Priest. They could have picked a more well-known Beatles tune (I didn't know I knew it until I heard it). A final complaint might be that the band released In to the Now a little while ago, with all original songs, and seemed to be on the right path towards a strong Mechanical Resonance / The Great Radio Controversey / Psychotic Supper -like trilogy. Why now, of all times in their career, would they put out 70s cover songs?

Fans may have their theories - check the Internet - but only the band can answer that question.

So, you're left with my opinion, someone that didn't listen to the 70s during the 70s - I was born in December 1969. This is a great collection. I have only discovered the music of the 70s by listening to the local "oldies" station, though I can't say it's the best source for a musical education. As Bowling for Soup sang in "1985," "When did Motley Crue become classic rock?"

Tesla is selling Reel 2 at their concerts - not in retail stores - so if you are not lucky to have the band coming to your town, you're out of luck. Having seen the band in 1989 with Great White and Badlands, I can tell you they'd be worth checking out. This album definitely is.

Rating: B+

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© 2007 Paul Hanson and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Tesla Electric Company Recordings, and is used for informational purposes only.