Vanilla Fudge - The Return (Great Reunion Album 2002)

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Do you recognize the album cover or know the name of the band? Well, if you do you are older than I am. I was a little boy when these people were making a name for themselves. Vanilla Fudge was a band known for doing covers of popular songs by injecting their psychedelic blues-rock into every groove on a record. That was then and this is now. Has that much changed? 

Not really, they still kick ass and sound great. They serve notice they are back with a vengeance very quickly on the rockin' opener "Ain't That Peculiar" and renew their classic rendition of "You Keep Me Hangin'On" in their own unique way. They even do an out of character rap in Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy," which by the way, rocks the house down. 

The only song on the CD that did not seem to fit was "I Want It That Way," it seemed as if they were trying to force their style of music on the song, and it did not work. Other than that, this is a great recording.

I can only hope I have the energy, soul, and emotion that this group has when I get into my fifties. We seem to be going through a rock 'n' roll renaissance lately with 60s and 70s bands reemerging and catching everyone by surprise with the great music that is being produced. They are that good, and much of what is recorded today is not worthy of your listening so it is a real treat to take this all in. 

There is not only the audience that they left behind in the 60s that will be thrilled to hear this, there will be excited new listeners wondering why they never heard of this group. I got a wakeup call with Vince Martell's solo album Endless High last year. I found out what a great guitarist and vocalist he was and wondered then if he would get the Fudge back together because he was having so much success. I am glad that he did. They have also stayed current with an attractive website with updates on all the group members. 

For all the hangers on and all of those that have been wondering what this band sounded like, here is your chance to hear them in present day. I encourage you to delve into their back catalog as well, it is excellent and well worth your time and hard-earned bucks. Review by Muzikman 

In 2001, three members of the VANILLA FUDGE got together and proved they can still rock & roll-- these guys sound terrific! THE RETURN features reworkings of eight of their classics-- all are excellent. "Season Of The Witch," for example, is vastly improved by the loss of Mark Stein's odd poetry break midway through ("Here we sit emerged in a liquid sea of love..." etc.), as well as a truncation of the intro. The new studio version of "Shotgun" is white-hot and most welcome.

Carmine Appice is still amazing-- the man hasn't lost a beat. Vocals on "Need Love" soar high, while the Fudge's jamming surpasses their original track. The four new songs on this set are quite good, too. This album's a joy-- if you're a Vanilla Fudge fan, you're gonna love it!

★ Vince Martell - guitar, vocals 
★ Bill Pascali - organ, vocals 
★ Tim Bogert - bass, vocals 
★ Carmine Appice - drums, vocals, producer

01. Ain't That Peculiar (6:10)
02. You Keep Me Hangin' On (6:45)
03. Tearin' Up My Heart (7:37) *
04. Shotgun (6:05)
05. People Get Ready (6:46)
06. Take Me For A Little While (4:15)
07. Good Good Livin' (4:42)
08. I Want It That Way (6:50) *
09. Need Love (4:49)
10. She's Not There (5:12)
11. Season Of The Witch (8:10)
12. Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (7:12) *

New recordings of previous songs and three new songs * (tracks #3,8,12)

1. Reunion 2002
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2. Reunion 2002
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3. Reunion 2002