Moonstone Project - Rebel On The Run (2009)

A throwback! A blast from the past – in the best possible sense! Toe-tapping, air-drumming, ‘70s style blues-rock is back courtesy of Moonstone Project. Moonstone Project is a “traditional” or “classic” rock supergroup based in Italy. The heart and soul of the band is guitar master Matt Filippini (Blue Oyster Cult, Glenn Hughes, etc.), and he’s pulled together a diverse group of musicians from around to world to kick classic blues-based rock back into the spotlight. The brand new 2009 album featuring GLENN HUGHES, CLIVE BUNKER, JAMES CHRISTIAN, IAN PAICE, KEN HENSLEY and more!!! A true Classic Rock masterpiece!

Moonstone Project mainman, Matt Filippini, released his first album, "Time To Take A Stand", back in 2006, highlighting his love of seventies classic rock, particularly the likes of Uriah Heep and Deep Purple. It emerged again in 2008 under a different title and with new artwork, as "Hidden In Time", along with three bonus tracks featuring Deep Purplers Ian Paice and Glenn Hughes. It was a good album, no doubt about it, albeit one that seemed a bit higgledy-piggledy, living up to its 'project' status.

Now, the second album proper has arrived, and there are some big steps forward, for "Rebel On The Run" is an excellent album. There's a few reasons for the progression, and the big one is the fabulous performance from House Of Lords vocalist James Christian. He sings lead on nearly all the tracks (unlike the first album which featured no less than ten different singers), and as a long time fan of his work, I can safely say that this is some of his best. He's even brought the missus along to sing backing vocals, so fans of Robin Beck can take pleasure here as well.

Most of the songs are better, and Filippini has brought in some fine musicians to augment the basic band of co-writer / keyboards player Alessandro Del Vecchio, Nik Mazzucconi on bass and drummer Francesco Jovino , so you'll get to hear the likes of Ian Paice of Deep Purple and Clive Bunker from Jethro Tull on drums, as well as an appearance from Uriah Heep / Blackfoot man Ken Hensley. Most of the material is self-penned, although there is room for a cover of the James Gang tune 'From Another Time' (a Tommy Bolin song from their 'Bang' album) and 'Closer Than You Think', written and sung by former Deep Purple man, Glenn Hughes. Oddly, the latter is the weakest number on the album, with originals like 'Shooting Star' and 'Cosmic Blues' streets ahead, with a lot of the material mining a groove similar to Trapeze.

It's an excellent offering, one that fans of funky, seventies hard rock should definitely check out. They're also going to be playing live shows this year, although sadly without James Christian in tow. However, they have signed up Glenn Hughes for some summer shows, with the autumn dates featuring featuring former Rainbow / Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist, Doogie White. ~ review: Stuart A Hamilton





Track Listing

01. Sinner Sinner (04:33)
02. Moonster Booster (05:53)
03. Cosmic Blues (06:12)
04. From Another Time (04:00)
05. Rebel On The Run (07:32)
06. Closer Than You Think (04:34)
07. Hey Mama (05:24)
08. Shooting Star (04:30)
09. Madman (04:19)
10. Halfway To Heaven (05:11)

Produced by Matt Filippini & Alessandro Del Vecchio

The Band

• Matt Filippini: Guitar, Keyboards
• Alessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards, Backing Vocals

• Glenn Hughes, James Christian, Robin Beck, Ken Hensley: Vocals, Backing Vocals
• Roberto Tiranti: Backing Vocals
• Massimo Numa: Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
• Nik Mazzucconi: Bass
• Hillary Thomas: Viola, Violin, Cello
• Ian Paice, Clive Bunker, Francesco Jovino, Alex Mori: Drums, Percussion



Many thanks to the original uploader: bengamin