NIACIN LIVE: BLOOD, SWEAT & BEERS

A few years ago I got a promo from NIACIN and was stunned by the wonderful Hammond B3 organ sound from John Novello. His play reminds me of Greg Rolie (SANTANA) and Vincent Crane (ATOMIC ROOSTER): lots of organ floods and short soli. The title of the CD was "Time Crunch" and most of the songs delivered a very dynamic rhythm-section and exciting organplay. But I was most delighted about the two covers "Red" from KING CRIMSON and "Blue Wind" from Jeff Beck's excellent solo album "Wired". The live DVD "Blood, Sweat & Beers" (recorded in Japan in 1997, running time 57 minutes) mostly contains songs from the eponymous debut-CD, all sound as a pleasant mix of blues, jazz, funk and rock with good interplay, some nice work from bass player Billy Sheehan and powerful support from drummer Dennis Chambers. But again my conclusion was that two covers were the best part, this time "Birdland" from Weather Report and "You Keep Me Hanging On" (great rendition) from VANILLA FUDGE were the most mature compositions. In my opinion NIACIN is a great band to witness during a concert but they have to work on their own compositions that sound more as a jam, this in order to keep my attention when listening to one of their studio albums.