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
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