FRANCIS ROSSI
ONE STEP AT A TIME

The title of Status Quo frontman Rossi’s second solo album, after over four decades fronting the boogie masters, could be taken as a warning of sorts – the ten tracks here aren’t a long way removed from his day job.

Nothing here would be out of place on any of Quo’s mellower late eighties or early nineties albums, and there’s even a cover of Quo classic ‘Caroline’, which all adds up to – why a solo album after so long, if it’s not going to be much different from his more famous band’s work?

There are differences, of course. There’s a teensy more country influence here, a little honky tonk barroom piano on ‘Caroline’, and a lot less crunch overall to the guitars. In fact at times rather than 80’s Quo, it all sounds a bit Dave Edmunds or one of those interminable mid 80’s English charity get togethers.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this album, but not a huge amount to engage or excite either – it’s like Easy Listening for classic rock fans.

Shane Rockpit