Album number three (i.e., III) from the Winery Dogs (vocalist and guitarist Richie Kotzen, drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan) is built around the monster trio’s ability to play blistering fast simultaneous riffs, mine a soulful groove, and deliver catchy choruses. From a quick read of Kotzen’s lyrics (he wrote them all for III), we’re taken through the ups and downs of romantic relationships, with a bulk of the album’s 10 songs circulating around that theme.
Opening with signature big riffs, “Xanadu” showcases Kotzen’s guitar prowess, while “Pharaoh” puts the spotlight on Billy Sheehan’s unique roiling bass playing allows for lots of space in the verses, not something these three allow so often. The slow strut of “Lorelei” has the band really slowing down to make a point. It features Kotzen’s best vocal, complete with a fiery falsetto.
A big rocker, “Red Wine” finds the band employing great harmony vocals, as they do throughout. In a trench of riffs with drummer Mike Portnoy deeply embedded in the pocket, the trio evoke a solid, good rockin’ punch to end III. Kotzen, Portnoy, and Sheehan might be ‘old’ dogs when it comes to their reputation for chops; on III, they transcend their collective musicianship with a hefty batch of songs to flesh out each player’s strength, reinforcing a hot-brewing chemistry that continues to alchemize with each record.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
