Ever since my interview with Phil Mogg in August 2002 I have been looking forward to this album. Even though the reason for the interview was the latest
UFO album Phil was very excited to mention this album several times.
Besides Phil Mogg $ign of 4 consists of guitarist Jeff Kollman, who also played on the Mogg/Way album "Chocolate Box" plus the rhythm section Shane Gaalaas and Jimmy Curtain. All compositions by Mogg, Kollman and Gaalaas except
Clap Hands, which is a Tom Waits cover. The $ign of 4 interpretation of
Clap Hands is excellent performed in a slow Heavy Blues version.
Compared to the latest
UFO album this album sounds more like a band effort. It sounds like the 3 songwriters have written this together as a unit unlike the songwriting process in
UFO.
"Dancing with St. Peter" is packed with great songs and fantastic performances. Phil Mogg's vocals are a bit darker on this record and it suits the bluesy songs perfectly. Jeff Kollman is the shining star on the record. He has an exceptional feel and groove to his guitar playing. His selection of notes is uplifting the already strong songs to become really great.
From the first second of the album the opener
Overload is defining the thick $sign of 4 sound. The song is driven by a heavy groovy rhythm layered with Kollman's unique playing and Phil Mogg's dark vocals.
Album highlight includes
Driven, which builds up for climax in the chorus. The song features one of the best solos from Kollman, which is characterized by his thick guitar sound. The guitar sounds like Brian May playing a Gibson Les Paul through Stevie Ray Vaughan's slightly distorted amplifier - still with Jeff Kollman's own characteristic groove.
The title track is a ballad starting with some percussion, then adding a groovy guitar and again resulting in a great chorus. The same formula is used on the mid-tempo song
Afterglow.
Afterglow is the most melodic on the disc along with the album closer
Seems to Me with Phil Mogg's vocals sounding really strong.
What makes this album special is the obvious chemistry between Phil Mogg and Jeff Kollman. They supplement each other perfectly on all tracks. This is exemplified on
Bad on Bad, where Kollman is accompanying Mogg's vocals by playing the melody line throughout the verse.
Overall a strong collection of blues Hard Rock songs. All tracks maintain a high standard making "Dancing with St. Peter" a very pleasant dance. Since the release of this album
Michael Schenker has quit
UFO, so hopefully Phil Mogg will concentrate on another $ign of 4 album, because this is first class blues Rock.
Written by
Michael Thursday, February 13, 2003
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 8/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
Your rating:
Rate this album now
This article has been shown 4901 times. Go to the
complete list.
Post a comment
You must be logged in to add comments...
Login or Join RevelationZ
·
Join RevelationZ
·
Forgot password
Comments and member reviews
| Comment by nathan maher (Anonymous) - Monday, February 03, 2003 |
Just received my copy of Sign of Four from Gemany to Michigan!!!.. Sign of Four provides us with a solid foundation of musicianship not found today (can you say corporate rock?)... This is a must for all serious listeners.. Rock on Phil!!!
|
| Comment by Greg Yin (Anonymous) - Saturday, February 15, 2003 |
Just received my copy of this album in Australia.Absolutely brilliant.Always been a fan of Phil Mogg but the melding of Mogg and Kollman is outstanding.look forward to more releases by this band.
|
| Comment by Padge (Anonymous) - Saturday, February 15, 2003 |
One of the best albums I've heard in a long time. Buy it.
www.signof4fans.com
|
| Comment by gareth chesters (Anonymous) - Monday, March 24, 2003 |
awesome
|
| Comment by Chris Rettenbacher (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 29, 2003 |
Superfantastic
|
| Comment by muzz (Anonymous) - Sunday, May 18, 2003 |
Dancing with st peter is a fine cd
not one track on it that you would skip...the band gel and live they were the dogs balls, I really want to see this cd get the credit it should get.
|
| Comment by Jožo (Anonymous) - Monday, June 23, 2003 |
One of the best bluesy rocky albums !
|
