Long Road Home - Are We Invisible?

Sometimes its fate; sometimes its luck; sometimes it’s a chance meeting between old friends; sometimes it’s a tragedy or unforeseen circumstance that leads to opportunity.
The formation of "rock solid blues" band (to use their own tag line) Long Road Home could be perceived as a mix of all the above, but there’s no question the disbandment of highly regarded blues rock outfit Storm Warning, due to the sad and sudden passing of guitarist Bob Moore in 2020, played a part.
(Following the release of best to date album Different Horizons in 2020, the remaining members called it a day; they couldn’t in good musical & friendship faith continue without Moore).
Flash forward a couple of years to Storm Warning bassist Derek White and keys player Ian Salisbury (the pair also played with Larry Miller and the late Bernie Marsden) having a chance meeting with guitarist Steve Summers and vocalist Mike Sebbage (both from recording project Rien de Faire).
With the addition of an old friend, drummer Dave Norman, came the formation of new band of old mates called Long Road Home and a well-received debut performance at the 2022 Cambridge Rock Festival.
Due to unforeseen personal circumstances Dave Norman was replaced at the top of 2023 with another old mate, Lee Morrell (who has turned out to be a great fit), but not before Norman contributed to the band’s debut album Are We Invisible? (drummer Scott Hunter also contributes).
As the debut underlines however, that "rock solid blues" tag is doing them a bit of a disservice, because there’s a lot more to Long Road Home than can be categorised under the usual rock-blues template.
There's a discernible 70s/ classic rock sensibility for a start, along with a sprinkle of soul-jazz, melodic rock, and the progressive, even though no track runs longer than five-and-half minutes (a concise reminder progressive doesn’t mean you have to write or perform a ten-minute epic).
The riff-driven and self-titled 'Long Road Home,' which opens proceedings, is a mighty fine slice of melodic rock blues with a simple but highly effective harmonised "Long Road Home" chorus and tasty solos from Steve Summers & Ian Salisbury.
The formation of "rock solid blues" band (to use their own tag line) Long Road Home could be perceived as a mix of all the above, but there’s no question the disbandment of highly regarded blues rock outfit Storm Warning, due to the sad and sudden passing of guitarist Bob Moore in 2020, played a part.
(Following the release of best to date album Different Horizons in 2020, the remaining members called it a day; they couldn’t in good musical & friendship faith continue without Moore).
Flash forward a couple of years to Storm Warning bassist Derek White and keys player Ian Salisbury (the pair also played with Larry Miller and the late Bernie Marsden) having a chance meeting with guitarist Steve Summers and vocalist Mike Sebbage (both from recording project Rien de Faire).
With the addition of an old friend, drummer Dave Norman, came the formation of new band of old mates called Long Road Home and a well-received debut performance at the 2022 Cambridge Rock Festival.
Due to unforeseen personal circumstances Dave Norman was replaced at the top of 2023 with another old mate, Lee Morrell (who has turned out to be a great fit), but not before Norman contributed to the band’s debut album Are We Invisible? (drummer Scott Hunter also contributes).
As the debut underlines however, that "rock solid blues" tag is doing them a bit of a disservice, because there’s a lot more to Long Road Home than can be categorised under the usual rock-blues template.
There's a discernible 70s/ classic rock sensibility for a start, along with a sprinkle of soul-jazz, melodic rock, and the progressive, even though no track runs longer than five-and-half minutes (a concise reminder progressive doesn’t mean you have to write or perform a ten-minute epic).
The riff-driven and self-titled 'Long Road Home,' which opens proceedings, is a mighty fine slice of melodic rock blues with a simple but highly effective harmonised "Long Road Home" chorus and tasty solos from Steve Summers & Ian Salisbury.
The title track, which follows, opens in Robin Trower-esque fusion-blues fashion before settling itself into a rhythmic, mid-tempo groove that is as satisfying melodically as it is lyrically pointed ("Open up your eyes! This should come as no surprise! Look and you will see, the world is on its knees… are we invisible?").
The song also sports a soulful organ lead from Ian Salisbury and soul-crying solo from Steve Summers (one album down, Messrs Salisbury & Summers are already forming quite the dovetailing partnership).
'I Lose Again' does carry a Trower tone (no bad thing) across its bluesy, mid-tempo rock framework (indeed Mike Sebbage’s vocal would sit perfectly on latter-day Trower tuneage), while 'Where I Wanna Be' is progressively arranged 70s classic rock with a bluesy undertone (think Mark II Deep Purple with a blues hued singer and you’re pretty much there, as confirmed by the Blackmore & Lord styled nods).
Slowing the pace, but continuing the 70s theme, is the soul-dreamy, atmospheric and spacious 'What They Call The Blues,' the first of two slow-blues numbers to grace the album.
The other, 'Whispering Rain,' chooses a more traditional, organ backed, crying guitar, soulfully forlorn vocal route; as such it’s the most predictable song on the album but oozes melancholic charm.
Elsewhere 'Eye on You' is a contemporary take on the traditional shuffle, but doesn’t quite hit the highs of the stronger songs that surround it.
Also treading a more familiar blues path is the fun boogie 'n' slide appeal of 'Gone Gone Gone,' while the soul-funky 'l Don't Belong Here,' with Derek White & Dave Norman tight in the groove, is an unexpected highlight.
'Waiting For The Kill,' a contemporary/ progressive take on blues-shaded rock balladeering, is the most interesting song on the album, but not the most successful; it’s almost as if Mike Sebbage can’t quite find the right tonal qualities or delivery to give the song the gravitas it so nearly pulls off.
It will come as no surprise however to hear Ian Salisbury pulls out a gorgeous little solo, and Steve Summers’ six-string remarks are both confident and complementary.
The album closes out on 'Perfect Afternoon,' which turns out to be the perfect sign-off.
From an atmospheric keys & guitar intro, the song develops into a mid-tempo, bass pulsing rock groover that makes for an uplifting "I never wanted it to end!" finale, complete with delightful bursts of six-string positivity from Steve Summers.
Produced by the band, mixed & mastered by Steve Lyon, and with a clutch of songs penned by Steve Summers & Mike Sebbage (Vic Martin, ex Gary Moore band, also co-writes on four of the tracks), Long Road Home have made a fine start to what will hopefully equate to an equally long recording and performing run.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ