Randy Coven - Witch Way (CD)

All Music Guide

Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan seemed to get the most magazine coverage for their supreme bass playing acrobatics during the late ‘80s, but another gentleman was right up there in the tapping/slapping department of rock bass Mr. Randy Coven. Like both aforementioned players, Coven was a pal of Steve Vai, and first graced the pages of such publications as ‘Guitar for the Practicing Musician' around the same time. While he turned many a head with such releases as Funk Me Tender and Sammy Says Ouch, little was heard from Coven throughout the ‘90s. Now, twelve years after his last release, comes Coven's third solo effort, 2002's ‘Witch Way.' Joined by a pair of renowned rock guitarists Mountain's Leslie West and gun for hire Al Pitrelli (the latter of which penned a couple of songs here) ‘Witch Way' expectedly focuses on Coven's four string skills, but turns out to be a musical potpourri. Included is a Spyro Gyraesque easy listening jazz number, "Island Dream," a song that sounds straight o...ff of Frank Zappa's early ‘80s albums, "Love Kitchen," as well as a moody instrumental reading of the Doors' "Ryders on the Storm." - Greg Prato, All Music Guide Read more Less