Wright, Chuck: Sheltering Sky

Chuck Wright has made his living In the hard rock band Quiet Riot since 1982. He has been in and out of the band numerous times in the last forty years and his latest stint ended in 2021 when he was replaced by the band’s original bass player Rudy Sarzo. According to Wright his leaving the band was probably a blessing in disguise, allowing him time to finish his debut solo album Sheltering Sky. The album was released in May, 2022 and features a wonderful cast of guest musicians throughout the disc’s eleven tracks. The album is bookended by the instrumental “The Weight Of Silence� and “The Weight Of Silence (Reprise)�, both featuring Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion). It’s a moody piece with darker tones and superb guitar work. The buzz saw guitar sounds have a Floyd-like vibe and Allen Hinds’ lead guitar is incredibly emotive and ear catching. Searing leads delve into delicate acoustic chords, and the guitar melodies will easily etch into your brain. Bjork’s “Army Of Me� is dark and atmospheric, the guitar and keys providing unsettling undertones along with excellent lead vocals from Whitney Tai. The balladic “The Other Side� features more wonderful guitar work from no less than six guitarists and the lead vocals from August Young are melodic and soulful. The anti-war tune “Throwin’ Stones� is a heavy slice of soulful funk rock with a ripping guitar solo and moody keyboards while the catchy and artful “Giving Up The Ghost� features another lovely lead vocal from Tai. “Time Waits For No One� is a very moody and darker toned ballad, with the background instrumentation adding an element of trippiness. The bluesy hard rocker “It Never Fails� features robust lead vocals from Jeff Scott Soto and is another fine track. For a little proggy Celtic flavoured rock, the edgy “Darkness, Darkness� should do quite nicely.

Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky really came out of the blue, an ambitious and diverse rock album that is a real grower. Easily recommended.

Track Listing:
1. The Weight Of Silence (4:14)
2. Army Of Me (4:40)
3. The Other Side (3:54)
4. Throwin’ Stones (3:25)
5. Giving Up The Ghost (3:34)
6. Time Waits For No One (3:01)
7. It Never Fails (4:00)
8. Darkness Darkness (3:37)
9. Cradle Of The Sun (Lorelei) (3:18)
10. Farewell Horizon (4:14)
11. The Weight Of Silence (Reprise) (4:14)

Added: December 29th 2022
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band on Facebook
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Language: english

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