There have been so many loving tributes to Bernie Marsden since he passed away peacefully in 2023 at the age of 72. Bernie was always keen to show the music that inspired him, whether through his stage set or on his albums. In addition to 2023’s Working Man, his latest album of original songs, Bernie had also released three solo albums since 2021 in 'Kings', 'Chess' and 'Trios' as part of his Inspirations series, in which he paid tribute to the artists that helped shape his taste in music and guitar style.
The basic studio sessions that form the tracks on ICONS were recorded across different sessions in the last few years. Those multi-tracks have been freshly mixed by Bernie’s ‘go to’ studio guy for the last 20 years, the talented Jamie Masters at Echo Studios in Buckingham, England.
A rocked up version of the Elmore James classic, ‘Shake Your Money Maker’ opens the album and Marsden is in fine form as he sings and plays slide guitar like there’s no tomorrow. Albert King’s ‘Born Under a Bad Sign’ is re-worked as a brooding blues rocker, shining a new light onto the classic song. Firing on all cylinders, Marsden raises the roof with a blistering version of the Jimi Hendrix classic, ‘Purple Haze’.
Showing his soulful side, Marsden plays a beautiful version of ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ from the debut Derek and The Donimos album, ‘Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs’. While there’s a melancholy feel to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Man of The World’, and Rory Gallagher’s ‘Wheels Within Wheels’.
‘Icons’ is an album that shows Bernie Marsden at his humble best. While he was a member of Whitesnake, arguably of one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, he co-wrote instantly recognisable rock classics and toured the world performing to thousands of people each night.
Yet, he never forgot his roots, the songs and people who inspired him.