Negoba
Working for Credibility
Sophomore albums are notorious for destroying bands, especially groups that really didn't have much fresh to offer the first time around. Cinderella chose to go back to their roots on their 2nd disc, and the gamble worked. Long Cold Winter points back to hard blues rock of the 70's rather than the glam of the 80's. Tom Kiefer grabbed hold of the reins to an even greater degree, and the band enjoyed continued great success.
The tour to support this album was the first rock concert I ever saw at 15. I recall the piano being lowered from the ceiling and most of all the immense volume. My ears were still ringing the next morning.
The first single from this album "Gypsy Road" set the tone, being much more bluesy and pop oriented than anything on Night Songs. The band would have its biggest hit with the piano ballad "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)". But my favorite was the straight blues of the title song, where Kiefer plays some immensely tasty leads. For a kid already obsessed with Zeppelin, it felt good to see a contemporary artist paying homage in a more legitimate way than just aping Robert Plant.
Again, Cinderella was a never a band to break the boundaries musically. Here, they settle into some comfortable rock n' roll, which was actually a nice change in a time when everything was over the top. A solid offering.