By Anita Stewart, Managing Editor
Album Review: “The Fire Cosmic”
Release Date: August 6, 2021
July 11, 2021
Hailed as Britain’s “King of Slide Guitar,” and after the most amazing feat of creating and producing a total of five full length, studio albums in 2020 alone–Troy Redfern is releasing his super hot, long awaited 10 track album “The Fire Cosmic.” This album was recorded in Rockfield Studios in North Wales in the same legendary recording studio where the band Queen recorded their earliest albums. Troy was involved in the production down to the minute details, such as creating the cover art for the recording. His antique, almost 100 year old resonator has become a very significant trademark of his musical style.
“It was important for the album to sound massive,” says Troy. “It was a much bigger sound than anything that I’ve released before. As soon as we heard the first takes in the control, we were blown away. We knew that we captured something special. It sounded fantastic.”
Troy continues, “The album really is a step up. It’s the best album I’ve made. Hiring Rockfield, getting the best players, the best producer – it was a risk, but it paid off tenfold. I’ve made an album I really couldn’t be happier with.”
“With all the hard work that went into getting this album to sound as great as possible, there was only one option when it came to mastering. I decided to hire Frank Arkwright (Biffy Clyro, Oasis, Iggy Pop, Paul Weller, System of a Down). Frank is the senior mastering engineer at Abbey Road. The mastering at Abbey Road added that final sheen. Frank did an absolutely amazing job in bringing out every nuance of the recording.”
Rock at Night says: “This album was created with a “wall of sound” for each song. Combine that with the stellar arrangements and exceptional musicianship to herald this recording as Troy’s best so far. The songs are a perfect mix of Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Americana type Blues and Classic Rock and Roll. Troy Redfern has become a master storyteller with his music.
“Scorpio,” the opening song is the classic rock and roll driving song that one must listen to at max volume. In fact, listening to this song while driving would probably get me a speeding ticket! It was released as a teaser track on video a few months ago; you can check it out HERE.
“Waiting for Your Love” was previously reviewed by Rock at Night HERE. From the review: “After listening to the entire track, I have only one word–HOT! This song makes me think of a walk through the cypress trees, dodging clouds of “no see-ums” and being on the look-out for gators! This cut is a real swampy, Southern style boogie; a rocky blues tune designed to show-off Troy’s skill on the slide guitar.”
“One Way Ticket” was more classic rock and roll, almost a 70’s sound with sing-along hooks and cool slide work throughout.
“Love and War” a funkier, blues guitar sound on this one with a powerful chorus and “love gone wrong” lyrics.
“On Fire” is less blues and more of a heavy metal song with lyrics about bad love and “setting my world on fire.” Very catchy lead guitar hooks!
Lay That Love Down” is another classic blues rock song about love and lust set to growling guitar and great backing arrangements with the bass and drums.
“Ghosts” was previously reviewed by Rock at Night HERE. From the review: “The video treats us to a pastoral scene with Troy on slide guitar and a fade-in and out of a woman riding a horse; epic-like and the scenes tell a story of unrequited love. There is some beautiful guitar work on this one, not as hard rock as the last single. It opens with some swampy blues riffs on Troy’s resonator. This song is more ballad-like with the painful spiritual lyrics. A dramatic guitar solo punctuates the end of the song as it comes to the “big finish” chorus along with lots of beautiful background vocals. Yes, you will want to sing along!”
“Sanctify” is driving, relentless rock and roll with a fast tempo, played hard and crazy sick! Loved this one! Another one that could force me to make bad driving decisions.
The most emotive songs on the recording were “Stone” and “Saving Grace;” both were a slower tempo and softer arrangements, more like bluesy ballads/folk songs with some expressive and impressive acoustic guitar work.
“Saving Grace” opened with a plaintive, almost poignant melodic line played on the resonator and repeated throughout the song. Stunning vocals throughout and the key change added drama to the story being told.
On “Stone” there were some beautifully arranged backing vocals. This song picked up tempo and electric guitar was interlaced with the acoustic guitars and reached a crescendo during the last chorus with the vocals. The song faded out with the main melodic line softly played on piano. A real stand-out!”
MUSICIANS
TROY REDFERN – VOCALS, GUITARS
RON ‘BUMBLEFOOT’ THAL – GUITARS (TRACK 5)
DARBY TODD – DRUMS
DAVE MARKS – BASS, PIANO, KEYS, PERCUSSION
RECORDED & MIXED AT ROCKFIELD STUDIOS BY PAUL ‘WIN’ WINSTANLEY
ASSISTANT ENGINEER – JOE JONES
MASTERED BY FRANK ARKWRIGHT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS
TRACK LISTING
1. SCORPIO (4:50)
2. WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE (3:34)
3. ONE WAY TICKET (3:50)
4. LOVE & WAR (4:37)
5. ON FIRE (4:09)
6. LAY THAT LOVE DOWN (3:23)
7. GHOSTS (4:02)
8. SAVING GRACE (4:07)
9. SANCTIFY (3:46)
10. STONE (5:50)
This fall Troy is heading out on two upcoming tours as a special guest of both Wille and the Bandits and Robert Jon and the Wreck. See the tour information HERE. “The Fire Cosmic” will be available on August 6th, 2021 in digital format, CD and vinyl. You can pre-order this album now right HERE.
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