H R H - R E V I E W S

Heaven & Earth
Making of Heaven & Earth Black Star Record

Comments: English born guitarist, Stuart Smith, has quietly made a name for himself within the inner circles of the music industry. Since coming to the U.S. in '83, Smith has pursued a career as a musician and has worked with rock's elite musicians and vocalists. His friendship with Ritchie Blackmore has fueled his passion to better himself as a musician and Blackmore's personal discipline has inspired Smith to perserver.

After years of hammering out an existence in the world of rock Smith's first true solo album was released in '98. Titled Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth the album featured high profiled artists including Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Howard Leese (Heart/Paul Rodgers), Kelly Hansen (Foreigner), Jay Schellen (Hurricane/Asia) and Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart/Jeff Beck/Vanilla Fudge).

As a tribute to that defining moment in the career of Smith his label, Black Star Records, has released the DVD Making of Heaven & Earth. The DVD features interviews with the musicians who were integral in the creative process that evolved into Stuart first solo record. Smith takes the viewer track by track through the CD and gives details into the creation and recording of the music additionally covering the bonus tracks that were included on Frontiers recent re-release of the CD.

The DVD is jam-packed with over four hours of material including previously unreleased live and studio footage. Viewers get the inside scoop to Smith's guitar rig from amps and effects to his preferred guitars. The interviews with Smith as well as the other collaborators to Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth album provide an in depth overview to the complete recording process as well as show the lighter side of the band as stories are revealed that show the humor and playfulness of the artists.

The DVD follows in the footsteps of VH1's Behind the Music but strives to take the viewer farther by providing insight into heart and soul of Stuart Smith. The addition of live footage will be appreciated by Heaven & Earth fans worldwide. Smith and his band mates; drummer Ritchie Onori, keyboardist Stu Simone and recent addition vocalist Keith St. John (Burning Rain.), continue to record and perform today. Smith's formation of Black Star Records sees the artist taking an interest in his career beyond the musician. The Making of Heaven & Earth DVD proves to be a fine addition to the Heaven & Earth catalog. Fans will embrace the DVD and yearn for new music and tour.

Material
1. Introduction
2. How it all Began -
The Aliens of Extraordianary Ability
3. Getting the Deal
4. How Everybody Me
5. The Songs
6. Bonus Material

The Songs
1. Don't Keep Me Waiting
2. Heaven & Earth
3. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
4. When a Blind Man Cries
5. Life on the Line
6. Dreams of Desire
7. Still Got The Blues
8. Do You Ever Think of Me?
9. It's Got To Be Love
10. Shadow of the Tyburn Tree
11. Road to Melnibone
12. When the Blues Catch Up With You
13. Howlin at the Moon
15. Memories
16. Trouble in Paradise
17. Lose My Number
18. The Eyes of Man

Live Footage
1. Heaven & Earth
2. See That My Grave is Kept Clean
3. Dreams of Desire
4. When a Blind Man Cries
5. Gavotte in E Major
6. Do You Ever Think About Me
7. It's Gotta Be Love
8. Shadow of the Tyburn Tree
9. When the Blues Catch Up with You
10. The Eyes of Man
11. When the Stars Collide

Stories & Shenanigans
1. The Jeff Beck Table Story
2. It's All About Richie
3. Scott Warren and the Aliens
4. Bloopers
5. Blackmore & Smith up to no good
6. Pat Hates The Irish
7. Messing With Pat
8. Joe Lynn & Stuart Writing Alma D' Alma
9. Joe Lynn Gets Busted
10. Teddy Plays The Blues
11. The Screaming Cocktail Hour
12. Stuart Sucks

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.6/10