The great Bernie Marsden may have untimely left this world back in 2023, but his legacy lives on and keeps on growing. The guitarist’s last album was “Working Man” that hit the shelves shortly before his passing, yet three Marsden records that preceded it were collection of perennials which presented his homage to blues giants. Bearing the “Inspirations” legend and sharing the artwork, 2021’s “Kings” gathered pieces by Albert, B.B. and Freddie of the titular surname; “Chess” from the same year collected numbers released on the titular label; and 2022’s “Trios” comprised classics by three-strong power combos. Still, Bernie’s death doesn’t mean the series is over – it will be wrapped up on May 9th, when “Icons” will get issued.
Approved by the late artist’s widow Fran, his soulmate from early youth, this platter is more varies in terms of sources as it includes cuts by such Marsden heroes as Rory Gallagher and FLEETWOOD MAC, whose evergreens take up half of the tracks on offer, with Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix’s tunes also making it into the record’s tracklist. And then there are Bernie’s originals “Kestrel” and “Barford Blues” which the guitarist first offered, half-anonymously, in 2018 on the “Tales Of Tone And Volume” collection most of his followers aren’t aware of. A truly touching final touch.
Icons
1. Shake Your Money Maker
2. Bell Bottom Blues
3. Purple Haze
4. Born Under A Bad Sign
5. Wheels Within Wheels
6. Kestrel
7. Calling Card
8. Oh Well
9. Jessica
10. Like It This Way
11. Man Of The World
12. Barford Blues
