GREG HAWKES, NIAGRA FALLS ELLIOT EASTON CD review

 https://www.allmusic.com/album/niagara-falls-mw0000869752

 

Niagara Falls Review

 

by Joe Viglione

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Greg Hawkes titled his solo album after the bit in the Three Stooges television program, "Niagra Falls, slowly I turn, step by step." A futuristic city on a computer grid in glowing white graces the cover, sort of like a scene from the film The Thirteenth Floor. This is a true solo album, most of the ambitious sounds being generated by Hawkes, with additional flutes on "Voyage Into Space" performed by Elaine Hawkes. His unique vision was one of the most important components of the Cars' success, and the mellow nuances of "The Missing Link" display those strengths apart from the full group. Where a Brian Eno approached his role in Roxy Music from the perspective of a "non-musician," Greg Hawkes is a very gifted and focused player, whether it be adding saxophone to Martin Mull recordings or finding his keyboard creativity desired by acts as diverse as Letters to Cleo, producer/keyboardist Andy Mendelson, bandmates Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr from the Cars on their solo projects, or Sir Paul McCartney. Niagara Falls exhibits just why he's in demand, over ten tracks recorded at Syncro Sound, the official home base of the Cars in the 1980s, starting with the ambience of the title track. Bouncy space age sounds decorate the techno "Jet Lag", with Hawkes' sporadic vocals and cool guitar adding a nice touch and separating this from the other compositions. He also provides some vocals on "Voyage Into Space," though this is primarily an instrumental record. It is as enjoyable as Roxy Music sax player Andy Mackay's In Search of Eddie Riff, both men utilizing their respective albums to entertain. "Let There Be Lights" is a ballad with eerie background sounds that would lend themselves well to a Star Trek episode. There's no "Love Is Blue" or "Frankenstein" instrumental "hit," nor does that seem to be the intent, although if "Let There Be Lights" got into a movie soundtrack, maybe it could pull a Hugo Montenegro for the Cars' keyboard player. Hawkes has recorded similar material with videographer Jeff Hudson of the band Jeff & Jane. Those songs have accompanying videos and would be welcome additions to an expanded version of Niagara Falls on CD.

 

Change No Change Review by Joe Viglione [-] https://www.allmusic.com/album/change-no-change-mw0000182729

Elliot Easton is a truly gifted and totally underrated guitarist. His talents were not utilized to the fullest in the Cars, nor should he be sprucing up covers of John Fogerty tunes in a clone band, Creedence Clearwater Revisited. With an opportunity to help his own cause, Change No Change disappoints on many levels. Easton is a terrible vocalist and listening to "I Want You" is downright painful for fans who saw and heard notes sparkle out of his axe prior to the Cars getting signed. This was Easton's opportunity to be recognized as a Phil Manzanera, Alvin Lee, or Craig Chaquico, but instead of using the "Tools of Your Labor," to quote the first song on his disc, and making a statement, he tries to be something he is not. Where Michael Bruce of Alice Cooper fell into the same trap, failing to entertain by coming up with something as genuine and innovative as the group that brought him fame, Easton at least presents elements of why his sound was such an important component of the Cars' success. Both "The Hard Way" and "Fight My Way to Love" have clever ideas and passages that cry out for someone to sing them and bring these songs to life. Why have Jules Shear merely provide backing vocals when you have the bassist from Ministry and the Cars' guitarist all in one talent pool? "Shayla," "Help Me," and "(She Made It) New for Me" are Nick Lowe/Ian Gomm-style pop songs with Easton doing his best imitation of Elvis Costello. Where Greg Hawkes put together a distinctive and classy solo outing with Niagra Falls, his former bandmate forces it on songs like "Wide Awake," sounding like Brian Wilson propped up in front of the mic when he should have been in a hospital. Rhino has released this with five additional tracks but, like Easton's guitar skills, this album needed a chance to shine. It's too bad Easton didn't bring in different singers and have some fun, for at least this record shows more creativity than playing "Proud Mary" in a cover band. It's better than the Spiders From Mars disc after they were ejected from the David Bowie experience, but for a man this talented, Change No Change is a big letdown.