When the definitive history of rock is
written, one single accomplishment will
demand Ronnie Montrose’s inclusion as
a guitar great – his 1973 self titled
album ‘Montrose’.
On this album you are treated to Montrose’s
Gibson Les Paul guitar roaring like a
motorcycle or screaming with almost impossible
sustain.
Ronnie Montrose’s career first took off
in the early seventies as a guitarist
for Van Morrison. Following this he teamed
up with Edgar Winter before forming his
own band in 1973 with Sammy Hagar (vocals),
Bill Church (Bass), and Denny Carmassi
(Drums).
Although Montrose never gained ‘Mega Star’
status, they still managed to build up
a large following in Europe and the US
and from 73-75 they undertook numerous
tours supporting established hard rock
acts including Black Sabbath and Deep
Purple, which enhanced their reputation
as a high calibre rock and roll band.
The first album was originally issued
in 1973 and was re-released in 1979 to
coincide with the New Wave of British
Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), which was flourishing
at that time in the UK.
Produced by Ted Templeman and written
by the band it contains such songs as
‘Bad Motor Scooter’, ‘Rock the Nation’,
and ‘Space Station Number 5’, which can
all be described as Full-Tilt Riff-Rock
at its very best. If you are looking for
an album that will bet the dandruff out
of your hair and your neighbours banging
on the walls, this is the one for you.
‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ and ‘Rock Candy’
are further excellent examples of up tempo,
foot tapping, beer drinking rock ‘n’ roll
songs, which appear on the album and cry
out to be played at maximum volume on
your Hi-Fi system.
Surprisingly, Sammy Hagar did not do any
guitar work on this album, all of which
was left to Ronnie Montrose and was one
of the factors, which led to unrest between
the two of them and the band’s eventual
splitting up in 1975. Hagar left to pursue
a solo career, where he would at last
get the chance to display his own skills
on the guitar. Things between Hagar and
Montrose had become so strained just prior
to the split that, for the last dates
of their final tour, they refused to stand
anywhere near each other on the stage.
Following the split of Montrose and a
successful solo career Sammy Hagar went
on to gain even more fame and fortune
as singer/guitarist with Van Halen.
In an era of highly polished, digitally
mastered, nicely rounded at the edges
productions that we now live in, it’s
always a pleasure to listen to this album
and enjoy that Raw Rock sound of the early
70’s. It really doesn’t come any better
than this.
Rick the Rottweiler
(Mott is in the kennel for the next couple
of weeks)
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
