The Beat Surrender

This is a live recording from the ex ‘Boehse Onkelz’ member Matt “Gonzo” Roehr who has been on the scene for twenty five years, toured all over the place and played with some big bands such as The Rolling Stones and Motorhead (can’t be bad).

This album has an old style rock sound, which quite grew on me after a few listens. I think this was down to the man’s enthusiasm more than anything else – he’s one of those guys who gees the crowd up, rather than hiding behind his guitar while he’s doing solos.

Unfortunately it has quite poor sound quality – the emphasis is on Roehr’s guitar with other instruments in the background. I reckon this is probably an album for an existing fan wanting to keep the collection up to date.

It’s a live recording, but it could be a pub gig, it’s only when you hear the faint crowd noises between songs that you make out it’s a bigger venue. I wasn’t too enamoured with his interpretation of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower”; although I suppose it makes a change from someone trying to copy Jimi Hendrix and failing badly. If you’re going to do a cover, either do it exactly the same, or make it your own, there is no middle ground, as far as I’m concerned.

I reckon it’s okay for a bit of background, but I wouldn’t queue up to see him from listening to this – he’s probably a legend in Germany (so were the Scorpions! – Kev), but that doesn’t mean you’re forced to love it, does it?

I have seen some real high quality stuff down my local that compares to this; I think he needs to release a new studio recorded album if he wants folk to appreciate his ‘musical talent’.

MATT ROEHR? CRAZY NAME, CRAZY GUY

Continue