Soundmaster, I picked up Soul Mover recently.....

[ElectricWiz]

.....and holy cripes it's awesome. I've been slowly picking through the Hughes catalogue, so just got around to this one. Incidentally, iTunes has a special edition that includes Nights In White Satin, and Soulfully Live, though I didn't need that - it was the same price as the "normal," version in any case.

I'd say it's easily as good as Fused, possibly better. Hard to pick, but then hey, I don't have to! The quality of this record is really stunning. The writing is top notch, the voice of course, and I like Glenn's spirituality, for what that's worth.

Last, JJ Marsh does the most tasteful little things with the guitar, he's really awesome. This album is just plain THE WHOLE PACKAGE, as they say. I'm sorry I didn't hear this earlier as it would easily have been in my top 3 from last year, but then again just hearing it now gives me that whole "new," experience you only get early on with a record.

Thanks again for highly recommending the Glenn stuff. He already occupies a place in my all time favorites list. Just amazing.

The release date is set for the new one, and it's in May some time, though you must have heard. All hail Glenn!

 

[sixxswine]

Great record! I haven't picked up the live disc or dvd yet, but it's on the never ending list!

 

[SoundMaster]

Awesome! I'm happy to hear that you're digging "Soul Mover". It is indeed a great record. It has so much variety that it's hard to get bored with! The last track, "Don't Let Me Bleed", is already a classic to my ears! Love the heavy riffing, the smooth vocals, the outpouring of emotion! It's such a glorius epic!! In fact, it would have fit quite well on "Fused".

Incidentally, I just checked iTunes and discovered "Nights In White Satin" (which I purchased immediately)!

There are so many great Hughes records to choose from. If you can, you should attempt to pick up one the following first:
Building the Machine - it's his closest in sound & style to Soul Mover, but with a hint more funk (but not in a cheesy way)

Songs in the Key Of Rock - this record reminds me of classic Deep Purple or classic Dio-era Rainbow (musically). Glenn attempted to 'recreate 70s hard rock' on this one....and it shows!

Addiction - probably his heaviest album (not with Iommi) and very modern in sound. It deals with his beating of his drug addicition (which was what almost killed his career in the late 70s and 80s).

Also kicking ass are "The Way It Is" (his most mainstream solo record) and "Return of Crystal Karma" (R.O.C.K.) which has some great tunes, but is just a bit less refreshing than his other records.

His earlier records, aside from being much harded to acquire, don't kick as much ass as his recent albums (but are all worth owning!). These are: "Blues" (1992), "From Now On" (1994), "Feel" (1995). Feel is barely hard rock....it's very funk-driven.
And, of course, his 1977 solo debut "Play Me Out" (picture Soul Mover, without the heavy riffs, but a lot of moving, funky bass)!

He also has 2 great records with Joe Lynn Turner (HTP & HTPII), both of wich feature JJ Marsh. The music is more straightforward hardrock/metal, with, of course, a hint of post-Dio Rainbow.

And, finally, I've just discovered another project of his named "Voodoo Hill", which is a collaboration with an Italian guitarist named Dario Mollo. I've only had the discs for less than two weeks, but my God do these slay. The second of the two, "Violent Seed of Mother Earth" IS the heaviest record Glenn's ever sung on (it makes "Fused" sound like Dokken!). Their first record, also great, it just not as heavy (self-titled).

 

[ElectricWiz]

Bitchin'. Yeah, you mentioned the Voodoo Hill stuff, and I'd noticed it in his discography. As to the other suggestions, I've saved a copy of this email as your descriptors and advice sound right in line. I'll keep you posted as I pick stuff up.

It's funny, but as I listen to him, little phrases here and there remind me of other singers.....I'll be chugging along on some track and think to myself,
hey, he sounds like Biff Byford there - or Chris Robinson, or tons of others. ALways just for a second.....but that's just how weirdly universal he is. Playing soulfully live for a friend of mine, he said to me, "This is a white guy?" Haha. You know, that stuff at the beginning of Medusa and whatnot. The guy is a chameleon, but it all melds together into an overall Glenn Hughes vibe that is VERY unique.

Anyway, I'd been wondering about the Hughes/Turner thing, and it's sitting on the shelf in a store close by me, so I'll probably get those next. Plus they have a copy of Songs in the key of Rock.

 

[TheWhisper]

Addiction - probably his heaviest album (not with Iommi) and very modern in sound. It deals with his beating of his drug addicition (which was what almost killed his career in the late 70s and 80s).

This one also contains one of my favorite GH songs - 'I Don't Want To Live That Way Again'. I still get chills listening to this song. Hughes is one of the most verstile singers in any genre of music...and he makes it seem so effortless.