Chris Isaak // Beyond the Sun
"Mr Isaak’s balls sadly are not on fire as he plays some truly unwicked games with some of the greatest classics ever recorded in the history of popular music." - Chris Isaak misses the mark for Outline's Steve Plunkett...
Chris Isaak – Beyond The Sun (Vanguard Records / Rhino)
‘Beyond The Sun’ is an album of rock ‘n roll covers that have been recorded in tribute to some of Chris Isaak’s personal musical heroes, this latest offering was recorded at the classic Sun recording studios that are based in Memphis Tennessee. It is the legendary home of many of the early rock ‘n’ roll classics and this entire album is a collection of some of his very favourite songs from that era.
Some of the greatest ever recording artists, such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash all recorded many classics here over the early years of their careers in the mid 1950’s.
‘My Baby Left Me’, Great Balls Of Fire’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, ‘It’s Now Or Never’ and many more, in fact nineteen tracks in all are all given a reworking here, causing many a cringing scrunched up face from yours truly as I trawl through this tawdry effort.
Wales’s finest fake plastic rock and roller Shaky (Shakin’ Stevens) could not have done a much worse job?
If you enjoyed the earlier Chris Isaak’s material such as ‘Blue Hotel’, then this is maybe for you, but if you are looking for more of the ‘Wicked Game’ variety, for then I fear that you will be well and truly disappointed?
It is an album for the diehard Isaak fan base only and or for those that still hanker for anything to do with this particular period of music.
Mr Isaak’s balls sadly are not on fire as he plays some truly unwicked games with some of the greatest classics ever recorded in the history of popular music.
He may be doin’ the best he can, but sometimes your best just aint good enough, it really is quite awful. The self indulgence and destruction of some great songs in the process is quite simply too much to bear.
4/10 Steve Plunkett
