Glenn Hughes impressed me immediately for his incredible vocal abilities and his distinctive tone, which he imposes on all the projects he participates in and every note he sings. I first followed him in Deep Purple and then followed almost all of his work – which is not a few – with other bands, solo, projects, etc. And there was a period from 1999 to 2008 when he released solo albums in batches.
On the occasion of the return of this legendary figure as part of the 50th birthday tour for the monumental “Burn”, I won’t dwell on that magnificent Purple epic, but will pick out a few favorite songs that I will most likely never hear live in this lifetime at least, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I love them. Now, if Mr. Hughes wants to surprise me with of anyone of them… I won’t say no!
“Why Don’t You Stay”, (“From Now On”, 1994)
A track from the album which finds him sober after a long period of darkness and addiction that several times nearly cost him his life, and from which he doesn’t remember much. Several people offered him a helping hand, but he wasn’t able to accept it, but despite these problems, his voice didn’t seem to be affected much. “From Now On” was the beginning of his counter attack with the singer/bassist wanting to “clean up” leaving the nightmare moments behind. On the album he collaborates with members of Europe (John Leven, Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli) and it must be one of the few albums he has released where he doesn’t play bass. The song is a ballad, where he shows off his power with his vocals going up and down scales, changing volume and being full of emotion.
“Dance With The Devil” (“Phenomena”, 1985)
The first work from the group of Tom Galley, brother of Mel, with whom Hughes worked with in Trapeze, is simply outstanding. With a dreamy lineup that included Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, Ted McKenna, Don Airey, etc. Glenn handled vocals throughout the album and “Dance With The Devil” was the only single released with Ric Sanders’ demonic violin playing the melody. Unfortunately, Hughes has stated that there is no way he will ever play live any of the… 17 if I’m not mistaken songs he has performed in total as a member of the Phenomena project for personal reasons.
“Don’t Drag The River” (“DEP Sessions 1996”, 2006)
The album is named after the studio in Digbeth, Birmingham where it was recorded. It was widely released as a bootleg under the title “Eighth Star”, following the Iommi/Hughes collaboration on “Seventh Star”, which was normally the guitarist’s solo album, but the usual record company shenanigans christened it Black Sabbath. Finally, it was officially released in 2004, except that the drums, written by Dave Holland, formerly of Judas Priest and Trapeze, were re-recorded after the former was convicted of attempted rape and indecent assault on an underage boy.
“Heaven’s Missing An Angel” (“HTP”, 2002)
From the first album where he collaborated with Joe Lynn Turner, this song features only Hughes’ voice, with John Sykes on guitar. In fact, on the occasion of the release of this album we saw both of them in our country exactly 20 years ago in Athens and Thessaloniki. Unfortunately, this song was not heard at the concerts. Hope always dies last.
“Too Far Gone” (“The Way It Is”, 1999)
Glenn has always been a fan of funk. In fact, this was an accusation that always accompanied him for Blackmore’s departure from Deep Purple, the “different” (but fantastic if you ask me) “Come Taste The Band” and the band’s fateful breakup. On this album Hughes unleashes his funky influences and gives us a groove-laden, yet dark album that sounds quite personal.
Yiannis Dolas
