Dig

Hard rock pairings such as Richie Blackmore & Jon Lord are few and far between. They exhibit prowess and passion. They played REAL rock & roll. I then discovered Stuart Smith through another Purple-ite, Glenn Hughes. A few years ago, Richie Kotzen introduced me to Arlan Schierbaum. When I saw that Stuart and Arlan were going to be together on this cd, I immediately thought of the chemistry between Blackmore & Lord. I followed the developments as it was recorded. Great musicians all around....this was going to be good. I pre-ordered this with overnight shipping (which cost more than the cd!) because I just had to hear it. I tend to dissect and then dissect again, each song as I listen.....so I WON'T do a song by song here but.....this is very well done.....from the compositions to the recording to the packaging....NO DISAPPOINTMENTS HERE! If you like real rock & roll....WITH solos....then THIS IS FOR YOU! Buy it!

The band Heaven & Earth might be considered a "throwback" in musical terms - because the new CD "Dig" brings actual songs that are catchy while being heavy, great singing without heavy "pitch" processing and the ability to distinguish actual instruments (guitars and keys and drums and bass that sound exactly like they are supposed to). So for this listener - a fan of both classic rock and progressive rock - this band has produced a disc of very grown-up music that is fresh in it's writing but pays audio homage to the great mixing and production skills of last century's rock acts (think Queensryche with a touch of Deep Purple rock organ). Well worth adding it to your collection.

Monologue-----There is no denying the Richie Blackmore influence when listening to the latest offering by Stuart Smith and his band of mates known as Heaven & Earth. If this was in fact Deep Purple or Rainbow, this release would be nestled perfectly between DP's Slaves & Masters and Rainbows' Stranger In Us All. That's not a bad place to be! As talented a guitarist as Stuart Smith is, and don't kid yourself this guy is a monster with a Stratocaster, the shinning star here is vocalist Joe Retta. He has a very unique voice, but as comparisons are necessary when doing reviews, one would not be out of place to suggest Paul Rogers with a hint of Doogie White. Joe comes straight from the band Sweet (or at least Steve Priest's version of Sweet) for whom he has fronted since 2008. In fact this CD has as much to do with Sweet as anything else since Stuart Smith and drummer Richie Onori are also alumni of Steve Priests' Sweet. Rounding out the band is multi-talented bassist Chuck Wright (Giuffria, Quiet Riot, House Of Lords) and keyboards extraordinaire Arlan Schierbaum (Joe Bonamassa, Richie Kotzen).1st Impressions.-----Judging a book by it's cover is never a good idea, but in this case ... the cover is spectacular. It's the perfect marriage for this release. While I am not a fan of digipak packaging (I'm a jewel case kind of guy) I have to say the overall presentation here is just perfect. The record label spared no expense. The booklet has all the lyrics, beautiful photography throughout and is printed on a low luster high grade stock. Very classy. I imagine the vinyl release of this is a sight to behold.The Music-----Opening notes swell from the speakers as mid-tempo rocker "Victorious" sets the pace for what's ahead. The song clocks in at a bit over 6 minutes but feels like 3 minutes as the twists and turns gets you excited for what's to come. A perfect way to open the album. Second song "No Money No Love" is everything you love (and miss) about the arena bands of the 70's like DP, Rainbow & Uriah Heep ... classy vocals, impeccable guitar being pushed by the sound of a Hammond Organ over a tight rhythm section. By now most people who follow this style of music has probably seen the high-stakes big-production video for this song, but make no mistake, the song stands on it's own. If the opening track was a home run (and it was) than this is a grand slam (and it is). Track Three slows down the tempo a bit and delivers a chilling song of a love lost. Again, the vocals is outstanding. The lead guitar break at the 4 minute mark is soulful with an accompanying string section that lifts Joe's performance to stratospheric heights. Personal favorites change each time I listen, but "Waiting For The End Of The World" is more than likely going to be my go-to track for this release. I find myself hitting the repeat button on this song already. I'm not going to ruin the surprise, but "A Day Like Today" is something special. It comes from left field (again with the baseball analogies and I'm a hockey fan) and it blows you away. Joe Retta's voice, and flute playing (!!!) is the centerpiece. The closing track, "Live As One", has a church hymn style chorus that just melts your heart.Epilogue-----This CD is a pleasure to listen to. Perfectly produced and mixed. Not harsh and brutal sounding as the majority of releases are these days. I'm not sure where the money or budget came from for this release, but as I mentioned about the packaging, it SOUNDS like no expense was spared. Song after song, listen after listen, the CD gets better and better. Not a single throw away in the bunch. Stuart Smith & Joe Retta has, after just 12 tracks, become my new favorite duo. Superior performance by both.Rating : 100/100.

Joe Retta on Vocals, Stuart Smith on Guitar, Chuck Wright on Bass... the song writing is so gutsy and rich and full sounding. alot of Ooomph in this record. Couldn't recommend it more. stop reading this, put it in the cart and checkout already ! :)

Yeah....this is a great cd.You can definetly hear Blackmore's influence in Stuarts guitar playing.As much as I love Ritchie's playing and hope he comes back to rock music,I think these guy's can pick up where Blackmore & company left off.

Can't really say anything that hasn't already been covered in the other reviews...this is just a fantastic album. Stuart Smith is as good as Ritchie Blackmore ever was - both in terms of playing and music writing.House of Blues, Back in Anger, Waiting for the End of the World - all spectacular. The rest of the songs are equally good.The entire album is very upbeat, and has a "feel good" vibe to it, even in the ballads. It's just a pleasure to listen to it. Makes you want to rock! Isn't that the goal of music to begin with?And I'm sorry but there is just no comparison with Deep Purple's new album Now What? Stuart's album sounds just so much more fresh, and at the same time true to what Deep Purple/Rainbow (okay...Ritchie Blackmore) were doing in the first place. Deep Purple have gotten back to playing jazz-type rock'n'roll and have to rely on their legendary name. Heaven & Earth, or Stuart Smith don't really have the legendary status or name of Deep Purple and its members, but they are just so much better!People buy Deep Purple records just out of nostalgia.People buy Heaven & Earth records because it's just damn good rock'n'roll!

This band really sounds familiar.. They remind me of Raimbow, during the Joe Lynn-Turner era.. Classic Deep Purple Keybords, good singing, overall a great album to share with friends who DIG classic Rock! Guitar solos are good. And it was well produced. I will buy the next album from this guys for sure!.

I've been buying a lot of rock albums recently finding new groups I was unfamiliar with before, including Dig by Heaven & Earth. I just finished listening to Dig and I was amazed how much I liked it. This is an album I'll have to listen to many more times all the way through. I would say that if you like the samples then you'll be glad you got this album - I am!

No more, no less than astounding.Dig is the complete package,the band,material,packaging,art work and the price all have to be congratulated.Dig is a fine example of classic rock re incarnated with every member producing rock to the highest standard.Stuart Smith already has all the right credentials but listen in wonderment at the superb vocals of Joe Retta.Joe Retta will prove to be the saviour as Arnel Pineda was for Journey.Joe Retta who??? many will ask....just take a listen to his vocals and he will be remembered for a long time.None of the band are spring chickens but all prove to be masters at their game.Reta,Smith,Wright,Onori and Schierbaum with a sprinkling of guest artists perform masterfully.Retta is up there with Dio and it seems ridiculous that his claim to fame is a cover band of Sweet material.It is difficult to pick a stand out track from the 12 tracks as all are excellent.Listen to the opener Victorious and that will say it all.Buy now and you wont be dissapointed, lets hope there is more to follow supported with a gig or two in the UK.It will be difficult to decide wether the new Burning Rain release...Epic Obsession or Dig will be the release of 2013 but Dig has to be up there with the best.Enjoy.

I Dig this.Long awaited Heaven and Earth classic rock album Dig.I loved every number and it was hard to choose a favourite, not a single `filler' each one has hit potential I even loved the photos particularly the oh so clever cover. Although it took me by surprise until I got the meaning behind it.Smith and Retta are a great duo and the whole band are so good and sound as if they belong together.Victorious is a perfect exciting pulse racing opening number, I love the warrior feel and hint of eastern promise with the Santur? which I had thought was a Sitar.No Money No Love has to be a hit and also Man and Machine with Richie Sambora also playing.I thought that the ballad I Don't Know What Love Is.was quite heart wrenching and instantly a great favourite was the beautiful romantic Bach based number A Day Like Today.Shades of Deep Purple perhaps but this album will stand on its own.

I am an ageing rocker brought up in the late 60's early 70's on a healthy diet of real rock music and wondered if I would ever hear the likes of that genre again. Read the first reviews for this album, thought I would give it a go and haven't played anything else since I received it 3 weeks ago! If you like old style rock like Purple/Whitesnake/Rainbow and others of this ilk, BUY THIS!! you will not be disappointed. From the opening bars of Victorious to the closing moments of Live as One, this album is superb, no duff tracks and definitely no filler. As others have said, great musicianship, great soaring vocals, great songs and great production. Doubt I will hear a finer album this year.

started my search for the new yes heaven and earth album to listen to on you tube, as a die hard yes fan I was a bit shocked at how tame it sounded.stumbled on h and e no money no love on you tube previews,it took me back to the brilliant whitesnake87 videos.ordered dig straight away,this is hard rock with blues or funky blues as I call it straight out of the deep purple/ rainbow/early whitesnake mould.if like them you will love this.or if your tastes are prince /hendrix/ yes90125/Paul rodgers and bad company buy this. Hammond organ keys aka kaye or lord(bless him),fender strat and more.chuck wrights bass is amazing,i really dig it.pun intended.buy it

I read a review of this CD in, "Classic Rock" magazine, they described it as close to classic Rainbow, and they're right on the mark. Too close at times, the singer tries way too hard to be Dio on the opening song, but thankfully calms down as the album progresses. Gutarist steve Smith certainly has his Blackmore chops down pat, and if you like Rainbow your're sure to enjoy, "Dig".