Metalliville Review of the ‘First Stone’ Album from Andalusia Rose

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Andalusia Rose – First Stone

(S/R – 2016)

A trio from San Francisco, California made up of Wendy Lee Gadzuk (The 440’s), Jeff Vengeance (Flesh Eaters) and Paul Jarvis (Skinlab) who rock up the most amazing retro, earthy rock and then some.

Standouts on this seven tracker include ‘First Stone’ that puts me in mind of 70’s Heart, Jefferson Airplane and Vinegar Joe; the Southern Rock of ‘Coming Home’ and the incredible slide work in ‘Destroyer’ reminding me of Ronnie Wood in his Faces days. And that voice of Wendy is just off the chain at times!

You get the impression that it was cut live since it’s overall very warm, earthy, authentic and organic – wow! Just wow!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Andalusia Rose, Self Titled, San Fransisco, USA, Wendy Lee Gadzuk, Paul Jarvis, Jeff Vengeance, Skinlab, The 440’s, Flesh Eaters

Troy has a great image all hair, hat and beads, he swirls, twirls and sprays out notes quicker than a graffiti artist can spray paint a wall! Each song was played with fluid dexterity accompanied by his vibrant vocals. As one song ended Troy would check his setlist before loading a different weapon to launch another virtuoso attack.

He was ably backed by Keira, who is a busy girl, playing in three bands of her own. She to swirls and twirls as her bass along with the drums of Nicky Waters provide the rhythmic platform for Troy to embellish. ‘Get Away’ and ‘Van Helsing, come next as the whole of ‘Invocation’ gets played.

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Troy is not a particularly communicative frontman, he introduces the songs then plays with wizardry prowess as his fingers blend and bend into the strings of his chosen guitar. He definitely becomes one with his instrument.

As more songs are played, we get a black one, (he returns to this frequently) a red one a blue one, a cream one and a white one, each song is fused together by the sheer versatility and quality of his playing. Troy is an enigmatic figure as beguiling as a wild west hero, from the hand of director Serge Leone and his spaghetti westerns.

‘The Fever’ gets the crowd hot and sweaty, by now Troy has demonstrated his slide guitar credentials which leave us standing in open mouthed wonderment. His previous album ‘Wings Of Salvation is also exploited (again reviewed by yours truly) ‘Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Come On’ get well received airings. Troy digs a bit deeper into his past with ‘Waiting For Your Love’ from his ‘The Fire Cosmic’ release from 2021.

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Redfern is a must see, a man who is red hot at the moment, he is burning, his guitars smoulder with heat, you will not see many more hi octane performers.

Like all good things they rapidly reach their conclusion, tonight at the Junction the final song is ‘Sanctify’ which sees our hero pouring his heart and soul into an extended version of the song, which is both captivating and mesmerising. Then as the lost vestiges of a note fades away the lights come on! Troy Redfern has like magic disappeared and then suddenly reappears at his merchandise desk.

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It was a climatic showstopping end, though veiled in slight disappointment as there was no encore. That didn’t stop my wife joining the queue to purchase a handmade bracelet. If only Troy had mentioned he needed someone on the desk, she would have worked her magic and sold stuff throughout the show.

By Paul Mace

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