Vivian Campbell

Vivian Campbell -Two Sides Of If - 2005 - Diesel Motor

After his tenure in several of heavy metal's most legendary groups (most notably Whitesnake and Def Leppard), Vivian Campbell steps out into the spotlight for his first solo endeavor, and the results are nothing less than impressive. Taking his first vocal bows behind the microphone is a big step for someone who usually lets his fingers do the talking, but Campbell's vocal delivery is surprisingly inoffensive, especially in comparison to some axe slingers who think they have vocal cords. On this 12-song session of gritty, no-frills blues-rock, Campbell pays homage to blues gods like Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson alongside latter-day geniuses like Rory Gallagher. Fans of Campbell's shredding may be taken aback by the switch, but those with open minds and ears will be treated to a pleasant surprise. © Rob Theakston, allmusic.com

It's great to hear what an artist like Vivian Campbell is capable of, away from commercial AOR bands like Whitesnake, or Def Leppard. "Two Sides Of If" is a revelation. Vivian Campbell deviates from the norm, and covers many classic blues rock tunes. He covers Rory Gallagher's "Calling Card", and also Junior Wells' classic "Messin' with the Kid" which was a great favourite of Rory Gallagher. Vivian is known to be a lifelong Rory fan. Three Willie Dixon songs are covered, and two songs by the great Robert Johnson. The great Danny Kirwan's "Like It This Way" is covered brilliantly. Billy Gibbons appears on the songs "Like It This Way" and Billy's own composition, "Willin' For Satisfaction". A great album from Vivian CampbelI. Not a dud track, and worth checking out for any devotees of the early seventies Irish band, Skid Row, early Fleetwood Mac., or Rory Gallagher. The album is HR by A.O.O.F.C

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Messin' with the Kid - Wells
2 I'm Ready - Dixon
3 Calling Card - Gallagher
4 Come on in My Kitchen - Johnson
5 The Hunter - Cropper, Dunn, Jackson, Jones, Wells
6 Like It This Way - Kirwan
7 I Ain't Superstitious - Dixon
8 Spoonful - Dixon
9 Reconsider Baby - Fulson
10 Good or Bad Times - Pryor
11 32/20 Blues - Johnson
12 Willin' for Satisfaction - Gibbons

MUSICIANS

Vivian Campbell (vocals, guitar)
Bruce Cornett (rhythm guitar)
Billy F. Gibbons (guitar on "I Like It This Way", & "Willin' For Satisfaction")
Mark Browne (bass instrument)
Tor Hyams (piano, Hammond b-3 organ)
Terry Bozzio (drums)
Michael Fell (harmonica)
Joan Osborne (vocals on "Spoonful")

SHORT BIO

Talented heavy metal guitarist Vivian Campbell burst onto the Irish rock scene along with Raymond Haller, Trevor Flaming, and David Bates in a Belfast-based outfit called Sweet Savage. The opportunity to join Ronnie James Dio's band came soon after. Nevertheless, he left Dio in March 1986 after the Sacred Heart U.S. tour, assembling a new project called Trinity along with drummer Pat Waller and bassist David Watson. In 1987, Vivian Campbell stepped into David Coverdale's Whitesnake, introducing Shadow King in 1990 with a live performance at London's Astoria theater. A self-titled album was released in 1991. A year later his guitar skills were requested by Def Leppard to replace Steve Clark, who died from an overdose of alcohol and drugs. © Drago Bonacich, allmusic.com

BIO (Wikipedia)

Vivian Patrick Campbell (born 25 August 1962 in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish rock guitarist and a member of Def Leppard. Prior to joining the band in April 1992, he had been a member of the Irish rock band Sweet Savage, and other bands, including Dio, Trinity, Whitesnake, Riverdogs, and Shadow King. Campbell began playing guitar at the age of 12 and it was rumoured that he lasted in school until the age of 16 when he was expelled from Rathmore Grammar School. However, the records show that he left of his own accord and was never expelled. He then went on to dedicate to his musical career joining several bands during the time. He has played for Sweet Savage, Dio, Trinity, Whitesnake, Riverdogs, and Shadow King. He also played on Lou Gramm's (from Foreigner) second solo album Long Hard Look. In 1987, Campbell joined the British heavy metal band Whitesnake. Ex-Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang (Spellbound and Crazy Nights albums only) axe-slinger John Sykes played the lead parts on the multi-platinum selling album simply titled Whitesnake, but he was fired by lead singer David Coverdale after the recording of the album, and Campbell replaced him for the subsequent world tour. Campbell was part of the new, glammed-up Whitesnake Coverdale had put together to conquer MTV and American audiences, also including Adrian Vandenberg, formerly of Teaser and Vandenberg, Tommy Aldridge of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Oak Arkansas fame, and Rudy Sarzo, having already become hugely successful playing with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. Campbell was fired after the 1987-1988 World Tour, because of "negative attitude". In 1992, Campbell joined the rock band Def Leppard, after the release of their Adrenalize album. He replaced Steve Clark, who died on 8 January 1991. According to fellow guitarist Phil Collen, Campbell was able to lock right into the position very naturally by simply being himself. Campbell made his debut with the band by playing a show in a Dublin club to approximately 600 people. A week later, 20 April 1992, the band took the stage at the Freddie Mercury Concert for Life, with their new guitarist. They performed, "Animal," "Let's Get Rocked," and the Queen classic, "Now I'm Here", with Brian May. He has spent the last 16 years with the band.