Glenn Hughes
Building The Machine

In March of this year, I had the fortune to attend the Italian stop of the Hughes-Turner Project, and since then my life hasn't been the same... seeing a 52-year-old man going wild like a 25-year-old and with a chilling voice is not a common experience... (only those who were there can understand!)

Thanks to the good reputation Hughes (The Voice of Rock) has built over the years, two years ago I decided to buy the album in question: "Building The Machine". Whether it's because it's the first Glenn Hughes album I've bought or because it's truly beautiful, I am particularly fond of it and I always listen to it gladly. Starting with the cover. In my opinion, it's one of Hughes' most beautiful.

But now let's talk about the songs included in the album: the first track has been (and still is) one of the most played at his concerts because it is a true hit from his repertoire: a contemporary rock-blues rhythm, the guitar riff introducing the song is very engaging: it includes "only" 4 notes but... what notes! The guitarist JJ Marsh doesn't hold back and showcases all his traits as a technical guitarist with a great distorted sound typical of Fender and Marshall amplification.
The second track has a faster and harder "drive", while the third track relaxes the listener's ear a bit with its more bluesy sound and less distorted guitar rhythms.
Then comes one of my favorites "I Just Want to Celebrate" (it's a cover of Rare Earth): it has a blues-rock rhythm with verses supported by "stadium" choirs plus crazy shouts from "The Voice".
Don't Let It Slip Away (track 5) shows that with a four-string bass miracles can be performed: Glenn plays it excellently, resulting in a song with a "funky" feel.
Then it moves on to the slow "Feels Like Home" which begins with an acoustic guitar arpeggio and voice, then varies halfway through by introducing drums, bass, and electric guitar... very nice.
The 7th is a cover from the "old wolves" Deep Purple from the album "Stormbringer" rearranged for the occasion: "Highball Shooter" in my opinion, here is even more beautiful than the original (especially for Glenn's voice!!).
"When You Fall" is the next track, and to be honest, it's one of those I like less, but it's a matter of taste, while the 9th is introduced by an electric guitar arpeggio, followed by soft and modulated vocals and a piano accompaniment, then it increases in intensity.
Track 10 follows the line of the previous one, nicely set, slow, and with Glenn's powerful vocal jabs.
Finally, the last one (unfortunately) "Big Sky" that somewhat summarizes the second part of the album: more tranquil than the first, but not less appreciable as we find ourselves absorbed listening to this Englishman with a voice that modulates at will: sweet and engaging but also powerful and penetrating... a chameleon!
Although his vocal abilities are astonishing, he doesn't pale even as a bassist, I would say the same about his band which is prepared and capable of expressing the best of Glenn Hughes' songs (both in studio and live).

Rating: 5, for the songs, even though they are not all at the same level (I would rate some 6 and others 3), for the magnificent sound (if it were possible, 6) and for "The Voice of Rock" as it's useless to say it but giving him a 5 is like fooling ourselves...
Surely my review does not completely honor "The Voice" and this wonderful album, for which I apologize to him and to all his fans if this review may seem reductive or too concise, but after all, it's not the case to write a novel (otherwise how many of you would make it to the last line?) Bye!