As the title implies, rugged and unplugged takes an acoustic look at a lengthy career. Subscribing to the notion that it should be possible to strip any good song back to its core and still make it sound good, Adrian Vandenberg decamped to the studio (both his home set up and vocalist Jan Hoving’s Farm) and reworked a selection of tunes, stripping them of electric firepower and orchestral bombast, whilst leaving the emotion fully intact. The result is a relaxed set comprising seven reworked pieces and a new song, the instrumental sundown, which closes the disc.
Coaxing a warm, rich sound out of just acoustic guitar and voice, Rugged and unplugged kicks off with a stripped down cover of MK II’s What doesn’t kill you. It falls into place nicely, particularly given the histrionic nature of the original although, when considered against Adrian’s delicate playing, some of the vocal ad libs could have been toned down a touch. Taken from Whitesnake’s irrepressible slip of the tongue album, sailing ships has long been a live favourite at Vandenberg’s Moonkings’ shows and it is delivered perfectly here, Jan offering up an impressive Coverdale as Adrian’s sensitive fretwork really rings the emotional heart of the track. It’s an early album highlight and it fits perfectly to the stated intention of the record. Next up is the only song to feature drums and bass, not to mention violins as Adrian and Jan look back to 2014’s self-titled album to deliver a gorgeous out of reach, which, arguably, outdoes the original. Also drawn from the self-titled album, one step behind is a lovely song with a hitherto unnoticed Led Zeppelin III vibe.
Hailing all the way back to 1982 and Vandenberg’s eponymous album, Burning heart still plays like an audition reel for Whitesnake with its impassioned lyrics and deft guitar work. It works very well indeed in the acoustic environment, Adrian’s playing an absolute joy to behold. It’s followed by another track from the recent MK II in the form of walk away. As with one step behind, the track has a strong Led Zeppelin vibe and a subtle touch of gentle percussion creeps in over the solo just to add extra depth. The anthemic breathing from 2014’s self-titled effort comes across really well, the power of the chorus as instantly apparent as if it had the most convoluted arrangement appended to it. As Vandenberg asserts, it’s the song, stupid! And he’s right – the melodic power of the track is absolutely irresistible even when stripped back to its very essence. The album’s final track, sundown is a new composition inspired by a beautiful, late-summer evening and it brings this short, sweet record, to a neat close.
On Rugged and unplugged, Adrian Vandenberg and Jan Hoving have taken their bombastic hard rock back to its roots and come up with an album that is all the better for it. The power of Adrian’s guitar playing is such that the arrangements never feel bare and Jan delivers a mesmerising performance behind the mic. With just eight tracks on offer, it’s a svelte album that leaves the listener very much wanting more, and it does much to underscore the vital melody that lies at the heart of any Vandenberg composition. 8
