{"id":28073,"date":"2013-03-11T17:29:39","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T22:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=28073"},"modified":"2014-02-08T08:34:11","modified_gmt":"2014-02-08T13:34:11","slug":"heaven-earth-dig-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/heaven-earth-dig-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Heaven & Earth | Dig<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"HeavenIt\u2019s been a minute since the last Heaven & Earth release. The band has been piloted by Stuart Smith since the \u201890s. And since 1998, Heaven & Earth has released two full-length albums; Stuart Smith’s Heaven & Earth<\/em> 1998 and Windows to the World<\/em> 2001, one EP A Taste of Heaven<\/em> 2006 and the DVD Making of Heaven & Earth<\/em> 2007. Smith then joined Steve Priest\u2019s Sweet in 2009 and headed out on the road and appeared on Sweet\u2019s Live! In America<\/em> that same year. Sticking it out with Sweet until it became apparent the band was not going to record and release new music, Smith tendered his resignation in 2012. With his focus back on Heaven & Earth, Smith set out to recruit band members and write music.<\/p>\n

His new writing partner turns out to be former Sweet vocalist Joe Retta, who, like Smith, was dissatisfied with no foreseen opportunity to release new music with Sweet. The rest of the band is rounded out by bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot), Smith\u2019s longtime friend and music partner drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum. With all the pieces to the puzzle now glued together, the band began writing and recording new music and now unveils to the world the new Heaven & Earth album titled Dig<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Dig<\/em> musically fits into the classic rock genre, while maintaining a modern edge due to today\u2019s production standards. Over the years, Smith has built friendships with rock\u2019s most notable and respected musicians. So, it is no surprise that special guests on Dig<\/em> include Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), David Paich (Toto) and Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi). The digipack release of Dig<\/em> features a 12-track CD and a DVD that is the EPK for the album\u2019s release.<\/p>\n

Fans of Stuart Smith\u2019s Heaven & Earth won\u2019t be disappointed with the new album. Smith\u2019s tasteful chops and creative rhythms find their rightful place alongside Retta\u2019s vocals. Retta has an interesting voice. He sounds a little like Paul Rodgers (Bad Company, Queen), and yet you can hear a little bit of Kansas\u2019 Steve Walsh. No, he is not a clone, but his voice definitely will appeal to classic rock fans. Dig<\/em> truly is a \u201cband\u201d album. The mix, with guitars audible, focuses on presenting all instruments on an equal level and provides the framework for Retta to lay down his vocals. <\/p>\n

By now, we all know the part that rock legend Ritchie Blackmore played in Smith\u2019s life, from friend to mentor. Heaven & Earth lives upon the back of keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum, whose heavy organ melodies instantly will recall Jon Lord of Deep Purple. While this is not a copycat Deep Purple band, the keys also lend themselves to the classic sounds of \u201870s rock. The music on Dig<\/em> is bold, deliberate and powerful. Plenty of choice cuts make up the CD. From melodic rockers like \u201cNo Money, No Love,\u201d the opener \u201cVictorious,\u201d to power ballad\u2019s \u201cI Don\u2019t Know What Love Is\u201d and \u201cA Day Like Today,\u201d plenty of quality rock \u2018n\u2019 roll songs are waiting to be discovered.<\/p>\n

Smith fans will be glad to have new original music in their hands. The latest incarnation of Heaven & Earth goes beyond expectations. Dig<\/em> is a strong addition to Heaven & Earth\u2019s catalog of music. And for those who haven\u2019t heard the band\u2019s previous albums, they really must. A Taste of Heaven<\/em> featured Paul Shortino on vocals; Windows to the World<\/em> featured Kelly Keeling on vocals, and the debut featured Glenn Hughes, Kelly Hansen and Joe Lynn Turner on vocals. <\/p>\n

Genre: Classic Rock, Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nStuart Smith (g)
\nJoe Retta (v)
\nChuck Wright (b)
\nRichie Onori (d)
\nArlan Schierbaum (k)<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1. Victorious
\n2. No Money, No Love
\n3. I Don\u2019t Know What Love Is
\n4. Man & Machine
\n5. House of Blues
\n6. Back in Anger
\n7. Waiting for the End of The World
\n8. Sexual Insanity
\n9. Rock & Roll Does
\n10. A Day Like Today
\n11. Good Times
\n12. Live as One<\/p>\n

Label: Quarto Valley Records<\/p>\n

Web: heavenandearthband.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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