Jack Russell & Tracii Guns have a new album out now titled Medusa, and it rocks! Russell was the voice of GREAT WHITE, one of my favorite bands to come out of that LA hard rock ’80s scene, and Tracii Guns is from the legendary LA GUNS. Jack Russell released an album in 2017 titled He Saw It Comin’ (as Jack Russell’s Great White), and Guns (who is always busy) released an excellent collaboration with Michael Sweet (STRYPER) in 2021 Evil And Devine (as SUNBOMB). Both albums are highly recommended, with He Saw It Comin’ sounding more like classic 80s GREAT WHITE than anything the band had done in years (particularly without him). So it is no wonder that album is another solid set, heavy, melodic, with Jack Russell still sounding as great as he did 35+ years ago, and Tracii Guns being one of those amazing players that suits anything. Lots of great heavy riffs here on rockers like “In And Out Of Love” (the Hammond organ is a nice touch), “Give Me The Night”, “Coming Down”, and the single “Tell Me Why”. There’s also a good ballad in “Living A Lie”. Further cool heavy rock in the album’s title track and “Where I Belong”. Every song here is at least good (OK, I’m not crazy about the lead off single “Next In Line”, but…), enough changes to keep it all interesting, along with added piano and organ throughout this record (courtesy of Alessandro Del Vecchio. Awesome collaboration.
Order – https://orcd.co/russellguns
RUSSELL – GUNS marks the beginning of a fresh artistic partnership between two legendary figures of Los Angeles hard rock: Jack Russell and Tracii Guns, accompanied by Johnny Martin, Shane Fitzgibbon and Alessandro Del Vecchio.
The pair released their new studio album, ‘Medusa,’ on January 12th, 2024 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Commenting on the partnership, Tracii Guns said, “Jack is one of the greatest rock voices of our generation. It’s a total honor to play guitar on this record.”
For Jack Russell, this project represents a long-awaited return to recording and new music, coming seven years after the release of ‘He Saw It Comin” with Jack Russell’s Great White. Instead of dwelling on the past and attempting to recreate the storied origins of the multi-platinum hard rock entity, Jack is excited to be moving forward and collaborating with none other than Tracii Guns, an artist experiencing a creative resurgence of his own.
On ‘Medusa,’ Jack and Tracii have discovered a common thread in a collection of songs that draw from the bluesy power and heavy energy of their most celebrated material and roots, yet infused with a fresh, energetic drive and modern metallic production.
About the album, Jack had this to say, “It was so great making a record with Tracii! Initially, I had my reservations about making this record, but in the end it kicks ass. I’ll play with Tracii anytime!”
‘Medusa’ is an album that showcases inspired artistic integrity and commitment to rock’n’roll from two extraordinary rock stars of the 80s and 90s.
Track List:
1) Next In Line
2) Tell Me Why
3) Coming Down
4) Where I Belong
5) For You
6) Give Me the Night
7) Living A Lie
8) In And Out of Love
9) Medusa
10) Back Into Your Arms again
11) I Want You
Line Up:
Jack Russell – vocals
Tracii Guns – guitars
Johnny Martin – Bass
Shane Fitzgibbon – drums
Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards, backing vocals
In 1984, Jack Russell burst onto the scene as the frontman for Great White, a prominent presence in the Los Angeles music scene. The band’s self-titled debut, along with platinum-selling albums like 1987’s ‘Once Bitten…’ and 1989’s ‘…Twice Shy,” sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Their rock legacy continued into the 21st century, and in 2011, Russell went on to form Jack Russell’s Great White.
Tracii Guns is a legend in his own right. He founded LA Guns in 1983, which later merged with another group called Hollywood Rose, laying the foundation for one of the true giants of rock: Guns N’ Roses. After departing the band and reuniting with former Girl lead vocalist Phil Lewis to reform LA Guns, he signed with Vertigo Records and released 14 studio albums with the band. He also ventured into various side projects, including Contraband (with Michael Schenker and others), Sunbomb (with Michael Sweet of Stryper), and more recently, Blackbird Angels with Todd Kerns (of Slash & The Conspirators).
Ultimately, this new music from RUSSELL – GUNS is a gift to the millions of fans who have steadfastly supported both Tracii Guns and Jack Russell throughout the years. It’s everything they’ve been waiting for and more.
LINKS:
www.JackRussellsGreatWhite.com
https://www.facebook.com/JackRussellsGreatWhite
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