Review | Crossroad Overdrive – Crossroad Overdrive

JIB Machine Records

Crossroad Overdrive is a remarkable project set up by guitarist/singer/producer Martin Jepsen Andersen who you should know from the bands Blindstone and Meridian (plus a bunch of solo-albums) and his son Magnus Jepsen Andersen Hilstrom (guitar and active in the formation Krigt). Father and son recorded the Mountain-track ,,Mississippi Queen’’ some years ago and slowly but surely looked at some other classic rock songs from old heroes and artists that influenced especially father Martin. He must have during the years also inspired his son throughout his musical adventures. And just admit it, how cool is it to be able to share these influences with your son, being able to pay tribute to your heroes?

THE CHOSEN SONGS

If you, like me, have been following the career of Martin and are familiar with the blues rock he produces with Blindstone and the material he has released on solo-albums such as ,,Six String Renegade’’ and ,,Victory In Motion’’ plus the fact that his own parents played music it is not strange that Martin encouraged his son to pick up the guitar as well. And if Magnus has been listening to his dad’s material, he knows like no-one else that great musicians such as Frank Marino and Jimi Hendrix have been a big example for his old man. So, it comes as no surprise that under the chosen songs material of Frank Marino (,,In My Ways’’) and Jimi Hendrix (,,In From The Storm’’) pops up on ‘Crossroad Overdrive’. But you will also find stuff from Led Zeppelin (,,Black Dog’’), ,,Black Sabbath (,,Sabbath Blood Sabbath’’) and ,,Whipping Post’’ (Allman Brothers Band).

MY FAVOURITES

Looking at the song list it strikes me that almost every song on this album is one of my favourites as well. I mean, how can you wrong with ,,Not Fragile’’ (Bachman-Turner Overdrive), the already mentioned ,,Mississippi Queen’’ (Mountain), ,,Stormbringer’’ (Deep Purple) and ,,Cities On Flames With Rock N’ Roll – Veteran Of The Psychic Wars’’ from the mighty Blue Oyster Cult? You just cannot go wrong with those types of classics. The only one that is a bit of a strange choice is the Stephen Stills track ,,Love The One You’re With’’, certainly a hit for mister Stills in the day but completely different in comparison with the other tunes.

EXECUTION AND GUESTS

The Andersen boys invited two experienced musicians as guests to help them out. On drums we find Peter Hermansson, a seasoned veteran (220 Volt, John Norum) and Skintrade vocalist Matti Alfonzetti who performs lead vocals on the Purple-classic ,,Stormbringer’’. As for the rest Martin and Magnus did the bulk of the work with Martin also performing bass duties and in charge of lead vocals and production. Both Hermansson and Alfonzetti perform beautifully and are in perfect harmony with the Andersen’s.

GUITARS GALORE

People who like their guitar acrobatics will be very happy with this album indeed. There are tonnes of guitars present and especially Frank Marino’s ,,In My Ways’’ is full of acrobatics on the six strings. Add to that that Martin as vocalist does a very decent job on the songs. Mind you, he is no Robert Plant but he get it across.

CROSSROAD OVERDRIVE – THE CONCLUSION

I am not per se a fan of cover albums as most of the times the original version is never or seldom matched or some people are completely misplaced (like Axl Rose on the latest Michael Schenker ‘My Years In UFO’-album) but I am a fan of this album. Why? The songs choice is great, the execution respectful and the guitar work is at times just out of this world. Add to that an adequate production and you are confronted with a classic rock cover-album that has variation in styles (from southern rock, to hard rock to slightly pop rock) and is covered in integrity. Pretty soon in the new year there will be a live-album by Blindside Blues Band, featuring Mike Onesko and Martin Andersen. They did a tour through Poland some time ago and made live-recordings. Until that album hits the shops Crossroad Overdrive will do nicely!

Release date: 29 November 2024