Babe Ruth - Que Pasa (2007)

Que Pasa is the sixth full-length studio album by UK hard rock act Babe Ruth. The album was released in 2007. That´s 31 years after their last album release Kid's Stuff (1976). Drummer Ed Spevok is the only remaining member in the lineup from that album, but the four other members in the lineup on Que Pasa are not unknown to fans of the band. It´s the four original members from the debut album First Base (1972) who has returned. So in addition to Ed Spevok we have Jenny Haan on vocals, Alan Shacklock on guitars, Dave Punshon on keyboards and Dave Hewitt on bass. With a lineup like that I had high expectations to the music.

The album soon turns into quite the disappointment though. The music is professional enough but I think the songs on the album lack power and bite. Jenny Haan doesn´t quite sound like her own rock mama self anymore either and that´s a big minus in my book. She sounds a bit tired to be honest. The songs while being technically well composed lacks what made the early albums by the band so enjoyable: Attitude. There are 14 tracks on the album which is way too many with music like this, so that´s another problem IMO. My mind simply wanders because I´m not entertained all the way through. To call this a hard rock release is probably a bit misleading too as it leans more towards commercial pop/ rock music than actual hard rock. There´s even some atrocious rap vocals featured on the album. The few progressive elements on the old albums that justify Babe Ruth´s inclusion on PA are not present on Que Pasa.

All in all this is a big disappointment and a weak comeback album from Babe Ruth. As the production is of a good quality, the songwriting acceptable ( but uninspired) and the musicianship good too I´ll give Que Pasa a 2 star rating. My personal enjoyment with the album is very low though.

UMUR from progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. 4 Dear Life ( 6:45 )
2. Que Pasa ( 5:03 )
3. Sun Moon And Stars ( 5:50 )
4. Mother Tongue ( Part 1 ) ( 2:18 )
5. Apache ( 1:47 )
6. Mother Tongue ( Part 2 )
7. Doncha Wanna Dance ( 5:28 )
8. Break For The Border ( 5:33 )
9. Killer Smile ( 5:30 )
10. 4 Letter Word ( 5:32 )
11. The Blues ( 7:34 )
12. Mexican Millenium ( 3:04 )
13. Santa Anna ( 2:10 )
14. Mexican Millenium ( 0:36 )

Babe Ruth - First Base (Classic Rock 1972)

First Base was British hard rock group Babe Ruth's biggest success, both in terms of popular and critical acclaim. This LP defined an interesting junction between hard rock and progressive rock. The two driving forces behind this album were guitarist Alan Shackloc, who wrote most of the material, and vocalist Janita Haan, who came out as the perfect balance between Janis Joplin and Robert Plant. The album contained "The Mexican," the band's classic song which also includes a theme by western soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone ("Per Qualche Dollaro in Piu"). Other highlights include the powerful rock number "Wells Fargo," the sweet-and-sour "Black Dog" (with nice piano work by Dave Punshon), and a surprising rendition of Frank Zappa's "King Kong." The strings and oboe arrangements in "The Runaways" don't work as well, but at least they don't get pompous. With its long songs (six to eight minutes) and lush arrangements, First Base seduced both the hard rock and the progressive rock crowds. The album cover was painted by Roger Dean, who illustrated many Yes albums.

AMG Review by François Couture