LOOK DEEPLY INTO THE MIRROR (AS MICHAEL QUATRO JAM BAND)

When I was growing up - Suzi Quatro was part of my background musicology - and as things panned out to be, I still think highly of her Can The Can album - very memorable. AND she plays the Bass (love the cover of her Rock Hard album, with her bright red B.C. Rich bass). Leather Tuscadero as she appeared on the Happy Days sitcom. Little did I know, rocker Suzi had a brother well-versed in classical piano tuition and beyond. Pretty much, we have, yet another under-the-radar keyboard talent, fully engrossed in the 'Emersonian' tradition, that of double-keyboard flair ; Hammond and Moog, Piano and so-on. This 2nd album of his contains a mixture of Hard-Glam music, and a selection of more Progressive inclinated material. There is no denying the proggy chops of this amazingly underrated keyboardist, much like the talents of Manfred Mann and Rod Argent - they are impressive players, yet don't get name-dropped often. Mike Q did love the Mellotron. He loved the Hammond. This release offers the listener a set of songs which were both satisfying to the mainstream-rock crowd, yet also complex enough for discerning Prog listeners who want a little bit more from the music. His 'Jam Band' consists of Kirk Arthur Trachsel (drums), Patti Quatro (guitars) and guest guitarist Ted Nugent on one track. Whilst not every track is a tour-de-force regarding a Prog extravanganza, most feature his cleverly applied Classical chops including a dose of commercially inclined Hard-Rock (or Glam rock, if you will - the cover-art looks rather 'Glammy'). Not going in for a track-by-track breakdown, this one is a rather short album, and it gives the listener a good deal of aural pleasure, a melting pot between early-70's stylings and pomp ideals. Personally, this is a good album, a conversation piece at your next party - impress your friends "Hey, check-out Suzi Q's brother...." I admire his use of loads of Mellotron especially, Hammond, Theramin and Moog, Harpsichord and pianos.....standout tracks being Prelude In A.flat Crazy and parts of Gypsy Caravan, but he often infuses the more direct sounding tunes with a touch of complexity. Michael Quatro, Ladies and Gentlemen, Look Deeply Into The Mirror, an unusual crossover Prog/Glam album many can appreciate.