The Law
Paul Rodgers - lead vocals, guitars, piano
Kenney Jones - drums
Jim Barber - lead guitar
Additional Musicians
John Staehely: Guitar
Pino Palladino: Bass
David Gilmour: Guitar on "Stone"
Chris Rea: Guitar on "Stone"
Bryan Adams, Mike Hehir: Guitars
John Astley, Steve Pigott: Keyboards, Programming
Albhy Galuten: Synthesizer
George Hawkins: Bass
Tom Pool: Drums
Joe Lala: Percussion
The Memphis Horns: Horns
The Law were an English rock group formed in 1991 by singer Paul Rodgers (ex-Free, Bad Company and The Firm) and drummer Kenney Jones (ex-Small Faces/Faces and The Who).
The 12-track record was released on March 19,1991 with Chris Kimsey (Peter Frampton, The Rolling Stones, Marillion) producing.
Despite a #1 AOR Chart hit with Laying Down the Law, guitar work from Dave Gilmour, and songs written by Bryan Adams, Chris Rea and Phil Collen the album stalled at No. 126 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Granted, The Law’s debut record isn’t a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, it is still an entertaining listen and deserves a revisiting.
In my opinion there were two reasons as to why the album was a commercial disappointment.
First, the album was released around the same time as grunge music made its popular breakthrough. So arena rock groups like The Law were losing their hold on radio and video waves.
Second, given the gritty, soulful past work of Rodgers and Jones, most fans were disappointed in the album’s overly slick production value.
Regardless of the bad timing or production issues, Paul Rodgers raspy, soulful vocals are clearly the highlight of the record and is the why I always recommend this album to anyone who likes classic rock.
Highlights on the record include the album opener ; For A Little Ride, the mid tempo rocker; Stone Cold, the smoldering/Bad Company-esque Laying Down The Law , the heartfelt ballad; Miss You in a Heartbeat, the atmospheric Stone and the rowdy ; Nature Of The Beast.
In my opinion The Law may have been a short venture , it has become an enduring addition to both of these rock n’ roll superstars, and clearly deserves a dusting off.