Bernie MARSDEN – ‘And About Time Too’ / ‘Look At Me Now’ (Cherry Red)

Best known as a founder member of Whitesnake, and with Micky Moody one of the two guitarists during the band’s classic era, Marsden has had a long career. From UFO and Cozy Powell’s Hammer to Walter Trout, Babe Ruth, PAL and the Moody Marsden Band.

He has recorded several solo albums and these are his first two, both featuring a host of guests.

1979’s ‘And About Time Too’ is largely a much gentler affair compared to Whitesnake, opening with the soft funk rock of ‘You’re The One’. ‘Song For Fran’ is more emotional, and ‘Love Made A Fool Out Me’ and ‘Here We Go Again’ pick up the pace. Still The Same is definitely in soft rock territory. Stand out track ‘Sad Clowns’ is solid, a good melody with decent guitar solo too. From rockers to moody instrumentals there are some good tracks here. Drums are shared by Ian Paice, Simon Phillips and Cozy Powell, bass by Neil Murray and Jack Bruce, and keyboards between Jon Lord and Don Airey. Now that’s an impressive CV; Marsden’s often blistering guitar stands out, but his vocals are not so strong.

1981’s ‘Look At Me Now’ is a heavier affair and certainly more consistent and confident, there are several tracks here that could have made decent Whitesnake tracks. With Murray and Lord on most tracks, Paice and Phillips sharing drums (Cozy does feature on Shakey Ground), there are some real corkers here. The opening title track is a real rocker, and ‘Who’s Foolin’ Who’ mixes Whitesnake with Stone The Crows. You can sense Cozy Powell’s boost on Shakey Ground too.

Both albums are very well presented, with sleevenotes from Bernien himself, and a bonus b-side on each.

Well worth searching out and an essential part of the collection. Overall score 9/10

Joe Geesin’