MOONSTONE PROJECT, TIME TO TAKE A STAND CD REVIEW ON ROCK N ROLL UNIVERSE

The Moonstone Project is the brainchild of Italian guitarist Matt Filippini, who has assembled an impressive array of legendary performers for this release, resulting in a solid 9 track collection of tasty bluesy hard rock in the time honored Purple/Free/Whitesnake tradition that's sure to please fans of classic sounds immensely. Featuring performances from Glenn Hughes, Ian Paice, Carmine Appice, Graham Bonnet, Steve Walsh, Eric Bloom, Tony Franklin, Paul Shortino, Kelly Keeling and James Christian, this is one such effort that lives up to the hype and then some. Usually so called star studded affairs don't live up to expectations but this one's a true winner from start to finish. It wouldn't really matter how many famous performers were on a project if there weren't strong songs to hang the performances on, thankfully that's what you get here. Instantly memorable, filled with great playing, not least from Filippini, whose succinct, none too flashy but rocking guitar work shows him to be a musician able to not only hang with, but keep up with these renowned musicians with ease.

Although there's nothing innovative or groundbreaking here, with this style of music that's a plus, as most of the performers conform to the sound which brought them to acclaim in the first place. For instance, Graham Bonnet's contribution to "Not Dead Yet" would fit in well in MSG, Glenn Hughes and Ian Paice's funky hard rock turn on "Rose In Hell" (for the first time since Mark IV Purple!) wouldn't sound out of place on 'Come Taste The Band' etc. There are a couple of surprises though to be found, notably Steve Walsh's down and dirty vocals on the grinding rocker "City Of Lights" showcase a heavier side than his usual fare with Kansas allows him to. Relative unknown Italian vocalist Enrico Madidini comes out of nowhere to hold his own with the legendary vocalists on a wonderful cover of the Free classic "Fire & Water", showing him to be a talent to keep an eye on in the future. The musical accompaniment, with players of this magnitude, is dependably solid, always playing exactly what the songs need. No ego fest here in the slightest! The bottom line here is this is a more than worthy addition to your collection if you're a fan of classic hard rock, and of the artists showcased here.With results this good, I'm anxious to hear a second installment in the not too distant future. 4/5 http://www.moonstone.it/ http://www.majesticrock.com/