Went to see me mate Rob recently. His wife was away for the weekend so we had a “lad’s evening” playing NWOBHM stuff very loud, talking about the old days and drinking a beer (only one…..probably).
He put a CD on and asked if I knew it. Sounded familiar but I could not place it. And it was Limelight. I’d forgotten all about them and surprised to learn that a CD is available.
So on getting home that evening I fired up Amazon and ordered it. Dammed marvellous it is. Not your usual NWOBHM. Limelight were a bit more refined than many of their peers with definite progressive/pomp influences.
Oh yes, it does “rock” though the proggy/pomp parts give the sound a fuller feel and more varied. It is jolly excellent indeed.
Limelight really should have been massive with the amount of talent they had and ability to be that bit different. Until Rob popped on the CD I’d forgotten about them. Even then I struggled to recall much other than seeing them supporting Saxon many, many years ago.
Limelight were a bit “under the radar” even then. Formed by the Scrimshaw bothers all the way back in the late ‘60s it never happened for them for whatever reason. Certainly not for lack of ability. Perhaps a little lack of ambition? Who knows?
When it came round to recording the album it was done at the brothers’ little home studio and pushed out on the unknown Future Earth label. Despite the teeny, tiny label their single Metal Man attracted some attention (it’s a fine song) and some reasonably high profile tour spots and other gigs went on. And that was about it.
Here’s Ashes to Ashes. Does it not “rock”?
Despite a lot of technical ability and the USP at the time of a New Wave of British Heavy Metal era band who could rip it up and throw in the progressive and pomp-rock style in to their craft this album is all we have to remember them by pretty much.
And that’s a shame. Limelight were bl**dy marvellous. Somewhere in amongst (stylistically) bits of Rush, Styx, BOC, UFO, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy and early Diamond Head.
Check out the aforementioned Metal Man and Ashes to Ashes. I dare you to tell me you don’t like it.
Glenn Scrimshaw’s guitar is, in my opinion, quite phenomenal. He can churn out the power chords and riff it up sure enough. And man, can he solo. Reminds me of Argus-era Wishbone Ash and the Ted Turner/Andy Powell double act but from one man.
>> DISCOVER LIMELIGHT FOR YOURSELF HERE <<
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