Bucket & Co ‎- Guitars, Beers & Tears (2010)

Dave 'Bucket' Colwell has been part of the elite rock music scene as a guitarist and songwriter for years. He started learning the six-string at the age of eight. Classical training on this instrument followed, after which he was inspired by greats such as
Steve Marriott, Paul Kossoff and Mick Ralphs, started his first bands.
He was able to celebrate his first successes in the London club scene with the groups Angel Street and 720 before he joined the band Samson and accompanied top acts like Black Sabbath, Gary Moore and UFO all over Europe.
After separating from Samson Colwell founded the group FM and at the same time signed a songwriting contract with Rondor / Universal, which led to the fact that the Briton wrote the songs for the Adrian Smith album "Silver & Gold" and also produced the long player.
In 1990 Colwell became a member of Bad Company, with whom he recorded three albums and worked as co-songwriter for two more. Before joining their reunion for the "Merchant Of Cool" tour, the guitarist gave an interlude on Humble Pie and produced their album "Back On Track".
Now Colwell presents the debut of his all-star band Bucket & Co., in which he was supported by numerous friends and companions. So were i.a. Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), Steve Conte (New York Dolls) and Spike (Quireboys) will be there. All songs on the album were written by Colwell and the American singer and songwriter Tommy Lee James, who is responsible for over fifty No.1 hits.
The result is a very well crafted melodic rock album, which has the strongest song at the start with the opener and title track "Guitars, Beers & Tears". Chris Ousey can be heard on the vocals of this track, which is strongly reminiscent of Whitesnake, and Pascal Magdinier's Hammond provides additional pressure.
But then it becomes much more mainstream. "Girl Of Dreams" is almost on a smokie level. There are no corners and edges. In general, you have to say that the ballads on this album are already drifting badly into the pop area. There is simply no distinctive recognition value. The songs pass the listener by without leaving any lasting impressions.
"Why You Call" goes towards Foreigner and is a very catchy rock song with a nice guitar solo in the middle. But even here everything sounds too smooth and well-behaved to me. But spontaneously I would certify that the title is absolutely suitable for radio.
"If You Need Me" hits the same line, this time with Steve Conte on the vocal microphone. Melodic rock that is good to listen to, but without any special features. Heard a thousand times and immediately forgotten.
"Survive" stands out from the rest of the CD with a slightly rougher basic riff, so it starts a little more raw and unbridled than all the other songs, but at the latest at the beginning of the vocal part a very pop-like feeling sets in again.
The acoustic piece "Why Can't It Be" is a bit more conspicuous again. The clear vocals of Seth Romano and of course the two solo interludes on the six-string spread very pleasant vibes and stand out positively from all other songs. This ballad comes across really well.
"Guitars, Beers & Tears" is an album full of popular rock rhythms. Pure light music to listen to. No more and no less!