Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEWS

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What is your favorite track on Secondhand Smoke?

In My Ways - George Lynch
7
10%
Dragonfly - Karl Cochran
5
7%
Stay With Me - John Norum
12
17%
It's Begun To Rain - Audley Freed
7
10%
He's Calling - Jennifer Batten
10
14%
Poppy - Rick Ray
4
6%
Babylon Revisited - Jeff Cloud
4
6%
Try For Freedom - Ronnie Montrose
10
14%
The Answer - Randy Hansen
8
11%
The World Anthem - James Byrd
5
7%
 
Total votes: 72
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Wild Willy
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by Wild Willy »

All reviews are welcomed. No need to defend yours. We all can't like everything.

This thread isn't really for questioning others' opinion. I know it is hard to do sometimes.

I appreciate ALL comments even when I disagree. Some have asked my opinion on this CD and I cannot give a fair unbiased response because I am so close to it. What I can make more clear is the fact that none of the artists were told to do anything a certain way and none of them heard anyone elses track before recording theirs.

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blahmcduh
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Re: re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" RE

Post by blahmcduh »

JoeR wrote:I stand by what I wrote previously. The arrangements were nice. The singing was nice. I thank Willy for his efforts to produce this CD. The guitar playing was excellent. But I think that the artists could have taken a little more chances on the guitar sounds themselves and not latch onto a kindof proven formula type of sound. All in all I think the CD is very good but personally its not something I'd listen to on a regular basis. Just my 2 centavos.
I agree pretty much with what you said. There's some really fine work on this CD and some great guitar playing but, when it comes to Frank's songs, I'll stick mostly to the original. I don't see myself carrying this CD around in the car and listening to it over and over ... like I do Frank's CDs. 8)
I don't mean to be such a preud JJ but your avtar one of these days is going to give me an epileptic seizure.
:lol: :lol: I have to disagree on this one. I love JJ's avatar and I hope he doesn't change it. :headbanger :headbanger
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Re: re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" RE

Post by blahmcduh »

Ze Finnish Line wrote:...
I got Rush R30 dvd/cd box! Woo-hoo !
That DVD/CD was on my Chistmas list but Santa didn't bring it. :(

Let us know how it is 'cause I might buy it with a gift certificate that I got ... if I hear a good review! :D

EDIT: Just so I don't get too far off topic here :roll: , "Secondhand Smoke" was also on my Christmas list but, just to be safe in case Santa's computer was not working, I ordered it myself and received it before Christmas. 8)

Also, had the Mahogany Rush UK Tour t-shirt on my list and Santa did bring that!!! :headbanger
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by swan-song »

i got second hand smoke for christmas and it's pretty good overall. my favorite track is dragon fly real funky...it's cool. who is karl cockran and is his other stuff any good? by the way i also got r30 and it's killer.
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by JaminJim »

Not really a fan of Tribute cd’s myself.
Most sound so cheesy
As I read these other reviews, waiting for mine to get to me.
Anxious is how I became day by day.

In theory they are thought to be a way for these people to get exposure.
So I guess that is why they do them? Sad that it usually just shows how limited they really are.
Also I never listen to someone and compare it to they’re last release.
That way I can be honest and judgmental.
So I went into this tidbit listening as original songs forgetting that they are a Marino tune.
Listened to this in the house, car & headphones.

George Lynch starts this cd off the right way. IN YOUR FACE!! Just the way a real Mahogany Rush cd should start out.
George does a very killer job on In My Ways.

Karl Cochran comes on with a clear version of Dragonfly.
Couldn’t help but crank it up.

John Norum takes on Stay With Me. He has guts a plenty that’s for sure. This could have come out dry & bland.
Thanks John for putting in the love & effort to bring out the power.

Audley Freeds version of It’s Begun To Rain? At first I thought it was The Refreshments?
This is the only song on the cd that I had to go listen to Frank’s version on IV to see what it was.
Being that VI has never really been my favorite Mahogany Rush lp/cd.
So as I sat there listening to IV it really brought out a lot that I have been missing out on all these years.
So Audley got me hooked on IV in a brand new way, thanks dude!

Jennifer Batten? Seen her in the M. Jackson videos, heard her on some Jeff Beck.
He’s Calling the power house killer tune from Eye Of The Storm.
I believe should have been done by someone like Zakk Wylde.
As I listened to this giving it my full support.
It just comes across as a wet noodle cartoon full of red, yellow and blue.
Did someone ask her to try and sound like Jeff Beck on purpose?
So following the advice of others I slipped on the headphones, and BLAMO!! What a kaleidoscope Jennifer has painted.
This tune is made for headphones. Like putting on 3-D glass’s, it’s that cool.

Rick Ray does certainly kicks major butt on Poppy. A studio version that really does challenge the live version for long term listening.
Rick Schulz sounds like he must be an accomplished talented musician and does great on the “Reeds.” I’m not a fan of imitation instruments.
If you wanted a sax, get a sax. Is it not supposed to sound like a sax? Then get something else.
It is kept short and sweet.
In the background the “Reeds” sound great, as a solo it caused the intensity to fall into the pit.

Jeff Cloud also like John Norum has guts to challenge Babylon Revisited.
Could have sucked. Not at all Jeff brings a new fresh approach to this that says he is a true fan and wanted to work hard at bringing out the power of a Marino tune.
Good job Jeff, I’ll be checking out some of your other stuff, is there any?

Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie Montrose takes Try For Freedom and turns it into a proper tune that could and should get air play.
Very well produced.

Randy Hanson were you trying to get a production sound somewhere between Maxoom & Child Of The Novelty on purpose?
What ever you did, it worked fantastic.
I’ve heard Randy’s first lp & his Hendrix tribute stuff.
So not much more then that since.

James Byrd the magnificent one. What a brilliant work he has done.
Turned The World Anthem more into a Universe Anthem.
We need to keep Jimmy humble so I’ll keep it short.

Over all I’d say this is a brilliant cd. One that does really rate as a great headphone listening pleasure.
The problem with headphones is that the windows and floor don’t shake & rattle. So you get the best of both worlds.
Good cranking for the neighborhood or sit with some cans on your head.
Second Hand Smoke is now in my cd changer and will stay for years.

Thank you to everybody who contributed to this product. You brought some pleasure and comfort to me for the winter of ’06 and beyond.
QUESTION? WILL ANY OF THESE PEOPLE BE INCLUDING THESE TUNES ON THEIR OWN CD'S? THAT WOULD BE A TRIBUTE, WOULD IT NOT?
Last edited by JaminJim on Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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blahmcduh
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Re: re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" RE

Post by blahmcduh »

JaminJim wrote:...
So I went into this tidbit listening as original songs forgetting that they are a Marino tune.
...
Exactly the way I approached it.

Good review! Don't necessarily agree with everything you said but most of it.

Anyway, thoughtful and interesting remarks. Thanks, JJ. :clap :clap
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by strat110 »

who is karl cockran and is his other stuff any good?
He is a session guy really more than anything else, see http://www.karlcochran.com/ the last thing he did that I own is the majority of guitar work on Joe Lynn Turner's new solo album 'Usual Suspects', Karl turns in some great Blackmore inspired performances on that album, check the link for more info.
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by Ze Finnish Line »

Does anyone know which is Frank's favorite :?:
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re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" REVIEW

Post by maddmarty »

HOW LATE DO YOU HAVE 2 B B 4 U R ABSENT?

Later than this, apparently....

IT'S HERE!!!!
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Re: re: Frank Marino Tribute "Secondhand Smoke" RE

Post by mandrakeroot »

maddmarty wrote:HOW LATE DO YOU HAVE 2 B B 4 U R ABSENT?

Later than this, apparently....

IT'S HERE!!!!
Fanfare, fanfare!!!!
A J
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