Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM
BERNIE MARSDEN. A brief pause to reflect. Bernie’s recent passing is such a great loss not just to the music world but to the world in general and especially of course to his friends and family.
A tremendous, very talented, yet warm and humble man who always had time to stop and chat with fans, Bernie gave his best at all times onstage whether it be as part of a full band in front of an audience of thousands or just Bernie with an acoustic guitar in front of a small group at a function, he was always the entertainer, not just with his music but his wonderful tales conveyed to the audience with his beaming smile and cheeky sense of humour.
This track is the first release from the forthcoming WORKING MAN album which consists of 12 brand new all original tracks composed by Bernie himself.
Bernie worked on this music throughout lockdown, the recording sessions for the album finally completed in June this year with the artwork, sequence and audio masters for the album all approved by Bernie in early August.
He was justifiably proud of these new tracks – very keen and excited for fans to hear his first all original album since 2014’s Shine and so Conquest Records and Bernie’s wife Fran wanted to follow Bernie’s wishes and will release the full album as planned on 24th November.
BEING FAMOUS – Quite an appropriate subject matter as Bernie famous as he became didn’t like to elaborate and bask in his fame, very much a down to earth guy. This track pours scorn on the way in which today’s rock stars are held in such high esteem and decadence, not something Bernie was ever too comfortable with.
Bob Fridzema (King King, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Glenn Hughes, Sari Schorr) is just one of the stellar cast of musicians to perform on the album alongside the sole guitar of Bernie Marsden and it’s Bob that opens proceedings with a burst of sensational organ playing almost in a Jon Lord purplesque style. The track eases into a wonderful boogie style reminiscent of the glory days of Moody/Marsden Whitesnake, those beautiful tones of Bernie’s guitar to the fore bringing a smile to our faces as he always does.
‘Been on the road for so many years, I’ve had my time, I left a trail of tears, I’ve seen some faces, sure raised some hell, but take care my friend – I wish you well.’. Almost autobiographical Bernie delivers the message in his usual warm and welcoming vocal style. What a journey you’ve been on – ‘living your dream’. As Bernie says however ‘the luxury is obscene…good enough for the Queen!’.
A lyrical genius as well as a master tactician on the guitar. But Bernie never let the fame and fortune go to his head because ‘Being Famous ain’t all that it seems, getting rich and living your dreams… always remember DO NOT LOSE YOUR MIND’. Caroline Hawkins and Alex McIlquham-Jones feature on glorious backing vocals throughout a chorus that is catchy and memorable, ‘it’s rock ‘n’ roll time’ as the driving rhythm of the track enhanced by Bob’s boogie style keyboards encourage us to join in the fun, get up, dance, ‘have a party… And have a good time’.
Bernie the entertainer, how we will always remember him with a smile. It’s truly joyous to once again hear an original Marsden tale delivered in his unique humorous, cheeky and concise manner ensuring we all ‘have a good time’.
The album can be pre-ordered from the special Bernie Marsden shop, where there’s a chance to win one of 5 special lithographic prints hand signed by Bernie. Each order will also include an exclusive free Collectors’ Card. https://berniemarsden.tmstor.es/
Bernie Marsden – Working Man
Limited Edition Double CD
Disc One
1 Being Famous
2 Midtown
3 Longtime
4 Invisible
5 Son I’ve Never Known
6 Steelhouse Mountain
7 Working Man
8 Valentine’s Day
9 Savannah
10 Bad Reputation
11 You Know
12 The Pearl
Disc Two (Bonus Disc)
1 Look At Me Now
2 Midnight Believer
3 Who’s Fooling Who
4 Just Don’t Have The Time
5 Foolish Day
6 Here I Go Again
7 Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City
8 Til The Day I Die
9 Time Is Right For Love
10 Come On In My Kitchen
Limited Edition Double LP
Side A
1 Being Famous
2 Midtown
3 Longtime
4 Invisible
5 Son I’ve Never Known
6 Steelhouse Mountain
Side B
1 Working Man
2 Valentine’s Day
3 Savannah
4 Bad Reputation
5 You Know
6 The Pearl
Bonus LP
Side C
1 Look At Me Now
2 Midnight Believer
3 Who’s Fooling Who
4 Just Don’t Have The Time
5 Foolish Day
Side D
1 Here I Go Again
2 Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City
3 Til The Day I Die
4 Time Is Right For Love
5 Come On In My Kitchen
WORKING MAN shows that Bernie Marsden was writing and recording at the peak of his powers to the very last.
He was a remarkable man with a huge heart.
www.conquestmusic.co.uk
www.berniemarsden.com
Photo Credit: Adam Kennedy
