a l b u m r e v i e w s


TONY MONTANA
TOMBSTONE SHUFFLE
ZAIN RECORDS ZACB-1029
Produced by: Tony Montana
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Guns N Roses
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 83%

  1. San Antonio
  2. Tombstone Shuffle
  3. Premonition / Rock-It Man
  4. Thunderbird
  5. Little Queen
  6. Prayer
  7. Skin And Bones
  8. Cowboy Song
  9. On My Heels
  10. One By One
  11. Shuffle '97
Tony Montana is the former bass player for much loved blues rockers Great White. This is his debut solo album, recorded for Japan and hopefully soon to be made available through a wider release.
I hope this happens, because this is a great rock n roll record. There is a whole bunch of influences that shine through on Tombstone Shuffle, but the main thing that grabbed me was the aggressive attitude the songs have. This really rocks!
Tony's voice has an attitude of it's own, as does the music, but to best describe him I would say he is a little Axel Rose meets Robert Plant and Jack Russell.
The songs are varied. There are references to Guns N Roses (San Antonio) , a little blues rock courtesy of Great White, a little Sebastian Bach (Tombstone Shuffle), a little Robert Plant/Led Zeppelin (Premonition/Rock It Man) and even the Bulletboys on Thunderbird. 4 tracks, 4 styles, but all flowing together
well. The opening two tracks really have a swagger to them. Heavy blues tinged sleaze rock that should go down a treat. Then there is a little Zeppelin, a little blues, an excellent cover of Thin Lizzy's Cowboy Song and a couple of Great White inspired acoustic ballads with Prayer and One By One.
BOTTOM LINE: I like this album a lot. It appeals to the side of me that digs bands like Great White, Bulletboys, Guns N Roses and Skid Row. If that sounds like part of your CD collection, then I recommend you sample some Tony Montana soundbytes.
With a great production this album highlights the best of Tony's songwriting and playing skills. He's also a pretty fine singer.
PRODUCTION: 85% SONGS: 80% VIBE: 80%ATTITUDE: 85%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Fans of LA area blues / sleaze rock and some Great White & Guns N Roses fans.

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