Our globe hosts a myriad of guitarists, all exhibiting their own unique talent and letting it unfold either in the privacy of their bedrooms or unleashing a torrent of notes within the parameters of a band for an audience to witness. Why should anyone sit up and pay attention to yet another six string super king? If you're a fan of Joe Bonamassa and possibly Stevie Ray Vaughan, then this fellow may be worthy of a listen. Buck along with his band known as The Big Horns which comprise Tony Montana, Jimmy Mack and Michael Thompson along with Larry Lee, Dylan Doherty and Miss Virginia West showcase some interesting material with their own touch of organic expression. The album which you'll come to love is called "Postcards From Capricorn" and contains seven tracks.

 

There is a DVD as a bonus incentive which provides extra value as Chris Buck & The Big Horns take you through some instrumental versions of tracks like the Rolling Stones classic "Miss You" or the Jimi Hendrix penned "Machine Gun" merged with "Cochise" originally by Audioslave.

 

The man who introduced me to this album was none other than Alan Niven, and he explained, "Heather found Chris while surfing the web when he was but 16 ... she has a great ear - and although I was skeptical at first, when I looked and listened I immediately heard the eloquence and articulation that she had heard." Niven was the former manager of Guns N'Roses and other bands like Great White, plus his company back in the day were responsible for manufacturing and distributing the classic Mötley Crüe album "Too Fast For Love" when it was initially released via Leathür Records. In other words, if anyone should have an insight and knowledge of something a little special, it would be someone with many years of experience.

 

"Postcards From Capricorn" was recorded under the unique set of circumstances of a band meeting each other for the very first time, with Buck being flown over to the U.S. to meet his band, and to go straight into the recording process. "...We played the situation like it was 1969 all over again (think of Jeff Beck's 'Truth' for example)" Niven enlightened regarding this collaboration of minds. So the debut album was assembled and what a debut it is. Potential in bucketloads with feeling, great musicianship and some interesting choices to cover which provide the stage for their chemistry.

 

When you initially think of The Who, the track "Eminence Front" from the 1982 album "It's Hard" doesn't immediately spring to mind. You get a cool version of that track clocking in at just over seven minutes here, plus there are renditions of Thin Lizzy's "Still In Love With You", Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" and a real corker originally by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers from the album "Into The Great Wide Open" called "Out In The Cold". On this latter song, the Rock and the Roll really surface. A positive way to end an album.

 

The Jerry Lynn Williams penned "Running On Faith" and the instrumental "Off The Wall" originally by Little Walter Jacobs get a good dusting off, especially on the latter where there are some tasteful keys performed in complimentary style to Buck's playing. Also worthy of note, is the opening song called "Blue Blood" written by both Niven and John Brewster, formerly of Aussie rockers The Angels. It carries a mean riff and sets out the dress code nicely for what is to follow.

 

Whether you like your blues-based Rock to dabble with emotive softness, or like it cranked up with a sharply dressed pace, "Postcards From Capricorn" is a pleasure. I'm not going to focus on whether Buck is the next big thing, or if he's better than anyone else. All I wanted to do was sit down and listen to some decent bluesy Rock and thankfully I got it. For now, this seven song collection and the five extra tracks available on the bonus DVD have satisfied the appetite and makes it easy to award this a worthy nine out of eleven.