The Salentino CutsThe Salentino Cuts (2017)Released September 29, 2017
1. Heart Full Of Soul (The Yardbirds)
2. Break On Through (To The Other Side) (The Doors)
3. River Of Deceit (Mad Season)
4. The Pusher (Steppenwolf)
5. Paper In Fire (John Mellencamp)
6. Rock Candy (Montrose)
7. Mississippi Queen (Mountain)
8. Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
9. Honey-Bee (Tom Petty)
10. Too Rolling Stoned (Robin Trower)
11. Just Got Paid (ZZ Top)
12. It's My Life (The Animals)Phil Mogg-Vocals
Vinnie Moore-Guitar
Rob De Luca-Bass
Andy Parker-Drums
Paul Raymond-Keyboards/Guitar
What was stated as the final UFO album unfortunately is a Covers Album. Conflicted does not really begin to describe how I felt about that. I'm all over anything UFO, so I bought it on release. One thing the Vinnie Era has taught me is that these albums need to breath and age. The Salentino Cuts is no different.
Vinnie talks about doing the covers album in this interview. Interesting comments..
https://youtu.be/npV8Ywv40Hk?t=931As usual with most cover albums, it comes down to the songs. I don't care to hear UFO on this run through Break On Through. I mean, there's not a more adventurous Doors track? Same with Mississippi Queen. I know Mountain has way more interesting songs. I'd much rather hear something like Silver Paper.
There are a few nice surprises though. They do a nice run through or Heartful Of Soul. Mad Season's River Of Deceit is a really interesting choice. While it's an iconic moment for Layne Staley, Phil singing this as a nearly 70 y/o man gives this a different but just as convincing spin.
Thankfully they did not cover Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride or Born To Be Wild, and opted for The Pusher instead. This is a great song that could've easily fit right in on The Visitor or Seven Deadly.
John Mellencamp's Paper In Fire is another interesting choice. They rip through this and it's easily my favorite song on the album. Other highlights include Too Rolling Stoned and Just Got Paid.