We all know who CHRIS CAFFERY is, or at least where he got his notoriety. If you don’t, you’re not very knowledgeable about SAVATAGE or TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. He has also added his guitar licks to bands as DOCTOR BUTCHER (Jon Oliva project), METALIUM and SPIRITS OF FIRE. He has recorded some 2 EP’s and 6 albums under his own name and it is that era that he is celebrating by releasing a double compilation album “20 Years Of The Music Man”. From his 2004 EP “The Mold” until his latest effort, the 2018 album “The Jester’s Court” he has been trying to let people know he can stand on his own two feet. I for one will own it and say that I have not got any of his solo endeavours in my record collection.

The reason for that is quite simple; I feel that his personal songs weren’t up to scratch in comparison to what he did with other bands and collaborations. I love my pure Heavy Metal and I applaud anyone who gives it a go, especially if they do it with gusto. There is no denying that CHRIS CAFFERY is a very gifted guitar player, and quite a good song writer, but alas his arranging skills leave a lot to be desired. He does get it right sometimes, like on the very SAVATAGE sounding songs “Fright Knights” and “What Child Is This”, which are easily the most impressive songs on this compilation. For the rest it is a bit disappointing, because more often than not the songs just come out not being interesting enough.

What doesn’t help in this case is that he also isn’t exactly such a great singer. If he takes it clean and low he does alright, but when he tries to get heavier, he sounds like a grizzly bear that has a very nasty cold. I’m sorry, but that kills even the best songs. I now remember why I didn’t bother buying the albums when they were released; they didn’t do it for me. And now, with a compilation of 21 songs, it all is a bit too much. Maybe if he would have stuck to a single album I could have given him the benefit of the doubt, but alas in this case I can’t. I simply am Not able to sit through all the songs on “20 Years Of The Music Man” in one go. CHRIS CAFFERY should stick to being in a band, with people around him that help him to make his ideas and songs that much better. That is where his power lies.