Johnny Gioeli - 'One Voice' Album Review

Johnny Gioeli – One Voice

Johnny Gioeli has been around the rock scene for yonks. How long is a ‘yonk’ I hear you ask, reader? I think its about 10 years. In bands from the age of 15/16, Gioeli was a member of Brunette, but it was Hardline where he shot to prominence. Unless you’re a fan of either Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell or Crush 40 then you probably haven’t heard of him. If you’re already a fan, welcome to ‘One Voice’. If he is new to you, then where the hell have you been?

I get the feeling that Gioeli is a thoroughly nice bloke. The kind of fella you could have a pint with. What makes him even greater is the fact that a big portion of the money raised for this album through a crowd funding campaign is going directly to help a young man named Joe Barber who needs help in his recovery from an accident last year that has left him paralyzed. There needs to be more people in the World like Gioeli, and I hope the rock community gets behind him in this excellent cause

In moving away from the band scenario, does a solo album give him enough freedom to express himself? I would say its a big, fat YES! ‘Drive’ comes out of the blocks with a big, positive vibe. Driven forward by an FM friendly guitar sound, it’s a 'crank it up with the top down' number. ‘It’‘s verses reminds me a bit of Incubus without the widdly-wicky-waa bits. Again it’s the uplifting chorus that grabs you. Title track ‘One Voice’ shows that Johnny is not afraid to mix it up a bit. Yes, its still another punch to the gut with the instant likability of it, but its as if John Mayer and Jon Bon Jovi got together and ‘One Voice’ was the result. ‘Mind Melt’ is just another now trademarked slice of GJ radio friendly rock. ‘Running’ is yet another song where its all about the chorus, and a song so Bon Jovi like, I had to check the credits to make sure it wasnt him! So far in, theres nothing new with any of the songs, but the way its has been done has been done ever so well.

‘Deeper’ is the first lighter/balladic song on the album, and I particularly like the guitar playing from Gadrix. As you would expect, a song that’s called ‘Hit Me Once, Hit Ya Twice’ isn’t gonna be a ballad! It’s the heaviest intro so far, and the Ronseal go to rocker on ‘One Voice’.  ‘Price We Pay’ is the big ballad here, and it has its complimentary big guitar solo tagged on for added measure. ‘Out Of Here’ is a song that is closest to his Hardline persona. Its over all too soon with ‘Oh Fathers’, another big ballad that just draws you in.

Gioeli should be very proud of this effort. If you are a fan already, there is nothing here that’s not to like. He is the kind of person that needs (nay, deserves) to be heard by a lot more people. Its musically away from any of his other music, and he has hit the ground running with this, his personal journey. In all honesty, it’s a Gioeli ear orgasm, with positive, and hugely likeable songs from a very likeable bloke (I guess).

Score –

Album 8.8/10

The cause behind it – 10/10

Tracklisting

Drive

It

One Voice

Mind Melt

Running

Deeper

Let Me Know

Hit Me Once, Hit Ya Twice

Price We Pay

Out Of Here

Oh Fathers

Johnny Gioeli – Vocals

Eric Gadrix – Guitars

Nik Mazzucconi – Bass

Marco Di Salvia – Drums

Alessandro Del Vecchio – Keyboards

Produced By Alessandro Del Vecchio

Released 7.12.18

Devils Hand - 'S/T' (feat. Mike Slamer and Andrew Freeman)

Devils Hand – S/T

Devil’s Hand is a new project featuring the talents of two outstanding musicians: famed producer/guitarist/songwriter Mike Slamer and  Andrew Freeman of Last In Line.

Mike Slamer has been the guy behind some of the most amazing melodic hard rock releases of the past 20 years (make that 40-odd taking City Boy into it). The list includes, but is not limited to, Steelhouse Lane, Seventh Key, Slamer, and Terry Brock, and we can’t forget his work in the 80’s with Streets (featuring Kansas singer Steve Walsh) and the 70’s with City Boy. The quality of his songwriting and production work is unsurpassed in the business and the records he produced and was involved in stand the test of time!  Slamer is probably one of the best musicians you’ve never heard of, unless you’re a fan of the aforementioned bands. He should be a household name!

Andrew Freeman jumped onto the scene with his joining the Last In Line debut album. At the time I was not a fan as I was / am so Dio biased, but specifically because he put his own stamp on a band that was incorrectly thought to be “just another Dio tribute act”. I was one of these people who thought this.

The partnership promises a lot, but does it Devil-er ? (OK. I know its shit! At least its nearly clever!)

From the opening few bars of ‘We Come Alive’, the combined guitar and keyboard riff settle you as a listener into Slamer’s familiar slippers – its crisp, clean, and polished to good effect. The union is cemented just in hearing this first song. Freeman adds as much with his vocals as does Slamers guitar work.  ‘Falling In’ is a nice and melodic positive rocker, whereas the acoustic opening of ‘One More Time’ that builds to a mid paced rocker has a stand out chorus. If I’m totally honest, 4 songs in and the bar is set to ‘decent’ without a stand out track so far, but its and album that’s very consistent, and not mediocre.  I must admit I have warmed to Freeman’s vocals after a couple of listens, as I didn’t really buy into the Last In Line album, but he is making want to revisit it.

‘Justified’ is the real first change of pace, and shows off another facet to his vocals. Nice. ‘Rise Above It All’ is back on the money, chugging riffs, driven by a thumping bass and a more ‘in your face’ vocal. Title track ‘Devils Hand’ is very 80s and is probable one of the stand out tracks. ‘Unified’ is a dirty, bluesy song that builds to the melodic chorus. ‘Heartbeat Away’ is probably the lightest song on the album and is a pleasant addition and nice and fluffy slice of AOR. Devils Hand finishes up with a rousing rocker in ‘Push Comes To Shove’

Whilst I wouldn’t put it up there with Steelhouse Lane, or Streets, any album that involves Mike Slamer is worth a listen. Its great to see (hear) him back again. This is where Frontiers do a great job, moulding partnerships and putting the money up to get guys back in front of a wanting audience. Long may it continue.

Scores

Album Cover –                  5

Album –                              7

Duff songs –                       0

Chance of gigging-           5

Songs

Alive

Falling In

One More Try

Another Way To Fly

Drive Away

Justified

Rise Above It All

Devils hand

Unified

Heartbeat Away

Push Comes To Shove

Alcatrazz - 'Parole Denied' (Tokyo 2017) Album Review

Alcatrazz – Parole Denied (Tokyo 2017)

As part of the Graham Bonnet Band's 2017 "The Book" tour in Japan, a three night special engagement and reunion of Alcatrazz was presented much to the delight of the Japanese hard rock faithful.

Founding Alcatrazz members, Graham Bonnet (vocals), Jimmy Waldo (keyboards) and Gary Shea (bass), reunited after 33 years for a unique series of shows in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, Japan in March 2017. For the special occasion, the band was rounded out by Mark Benquechea (drums) and Conrado Pesinato (guitars), both from the Graham Bonnet Band.

In addition to this unique farewell performance captured on audio and video, Alcatrazz raided the archives and added some unreleased bonus tracks taken from the original sessions recorded in 1985, including one song, “Emotion” with a young Steve Vai on guitar.

Alcatrazz was formed in 1983 by former Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group vocalist Graham Bonnet along with Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea and made three studio albums in the 1980's. The band’s debut album included a young Swedish guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen and their second album, guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. Alcatrazz split up in 1987 after the release of their third album, “Dangerous Games.”

Bonnet is one of the true rock luminaries, despite the fact that he never thought himself a rock singer, as he fell into it with Rainbow, but common sense told him there was something here to be reckoned with, and after a fruitful but short lived stint fronting MSG, he put a band together in his own style and it was Alcatrazz, plucking two young and future guitar Gods into the spotlight in Malmsteen & Vai. You could even throw in a third in Impelliteri!

Graham Bonnet is not one who ‘goes with the flow’ so to speak. He has always been to me, someone who is single minded and knows exactly what he wants. Take his spell in Rainbow for example, when told to grow his hair by Ritchie Blackmore, he came back with it shorter than before. He did it recently on tour, and he does it again here on this album, with many classics omitted for some lesser (but not by some, OK…me) favourites.

Anywho, lets face it, Vai nor Malmsteen were going to show for Alcatrazz, which is a shame considering its where they were both catapulted into the mainstream. Who needs a prodigy when you have axe-slinger Pesinato who carries off all the right notes in all the right places, which is no mean feat in itself. Alcatrazz wouldn’t be Alcatrazz without Graham Bonnet. I had my reservations in seeing him recently, down to my stupid perception of his age! He may no longer have the foghorn blasting vocals of the 80s, but bugger me, he can still belt out a note, when he should be retired, sitting near a beach reading the papers. ‘Too Young To Die, Too Young To Live’ highlights his vocal histrionics – at 70! Yes, bloody seventy! Other highlights are the song he wrote for his mum, ‘Suffer Me’; the song that introduces a whole generation to Alcatrazz via GTA, ‘God Blessed Video’, and main tune from their debut, ‘Island In The Sun’.

Theres not a lot extra to say other than it’s a decent live album, but the real bonuses are contained within the package. Disc 2 is a side of demoes mainly from 1985. ‘Emotion’ is a typical Vai and shows what was to come on ‘Passion and Warfare’. Demo songs are always worth a listen, especially as you can mostly sense why they weren’t selected at the time, particularly  ‘Imagination’ and ‘Please Call me’, but also show the beginnings as to what they morphed into ‘Ohayo…’ and ‘Blue Boar’. Finishing up disc 2 is ‘Set Me Free’ from ‘Line Up’, and last on the list is a demo of ‘Rider’ from ‘The Book’.

Disc 3 is a DVD of the live show, and I expect is far more enjoyable watching Bonnet tear into the Japanese paying public. It you were not at the gig, I always find the DVD of it more enjoyable, unless its ‘Live and Dangerous’, ‘On Stage’ or ‘Strangers In The Night’

On its own, Parole Denied, is passable, but the added bonus of demo and DVD makes it a worthwhile pack for any fan of Alcatrazz or Bonnet

While people were commenting about Steve Perry recently, stating 'dont expect the voice he had in 1981', well...Graham Bonnet isnt making any excused and can strill strip the paint off a barn door from 20 paces. Long may he reign!!

Score -

Disc 1 – 6/10

Discs 1,2,3 – 8/10

Review by Paul Chesworth

Tracklisting:

CD1

1.    Night Of The Shooting Star

2.    Ohayo Tokyo

3.    Too Young To Die...Too Drunk To Live

4.    Suffer Me

5.    God Blessed Video

6.    Will You Be Home Tonight

7.    Jet To Jet

8.    Witchwood

9.    Skyfire

10.Hiroshima Mon Amour

11.Island In The Sun

CD2

1.    Emotion (Studio Demo)    

2.    No Imagination (Studio Demo)  

3.    Losing You Is Winning (Studio Demo)  

4.    Please Call Me (Studio Demo)  

5.    Blue Boar (Studio Demo)  

6.    Ohayo Tokyo (Studio Demo)  

7.    Set Me Free (Rehearsal / Studio Demo)

8.    Rider (Rehearsal / Studio Demo)

DVD

1.    Night Of The Shooting Star

2.    Ohayo Tokyo

3.    Too Young To Die...Too Drunk To Live

4.    Suffer Me

5.    God Blessed Video

6.    Will You Be Home Tonight

7.    Jet To Jet

8.    Witchwood

9.    Skyfire

10.Hiroshima Mon Amour

11.Island In The Sun

12.Hiroshima Mon Amour (Soundcheck)

PRODUCED BY: Jimmy Waldo & Giles Lavery

Live Tracks recorded in Tokyo March 2017

BAND MEMBERS: 

Graham Bonnet - Vocals

Jimmy Waldo - Keys

Gary Shea - Bass

With:

Conrado Pesinato - Guitars

Mark Benquechea – Drums

01 Night Of The Shooting Star	1:01
02 Ohayo Tokyo	3:23
03 Too Young To Die Too Drunk To Live	4:46
04 Suffer Me	5:12
05 God Blessed Video	3:29
06 Will You Be Home Tonight	5:17
07 Jet To Jet	4:41
08 Witchwood	3:13
09 Skyfire	4:25
10 Hiroshima Mon Amour	4:05
11 Island In The Sun	4:24
12 Emotion (Studio Demo 1985)	4:19
13 Imagination (Studio Demo 1985)	3:29
14 Losing You Is Winning (Studio Demo 1985)	3:07
15 Please Call Me (Studio Demo 1985)	3:43
16 Blue Boar (Studio Demo 1985)	3:20
17 Ohayo Tokyo (Studio Demo 1985)	2:23
18 Set Me Free (Rehearsal _ Studio Demo)	4:04
19 Rider (Rehearsal _ Studio Demo)	4:18

Firmo - 'Rehab' Review

Firmo – Rehab

After the critical and fans' acclaim received with the release of Room Experience in 2015 (fronted by PC69 vocalist David Readman), Gianluca was invited by the Street Symphonies' label team to express himself also as singer in a dedicated solo release, in order to show another side of his musical personality. With a finalized line-up of skilled and talented musicians, recruited specifically for backing Gianluca in this solo adventure The result is shown in twelve melodic rock songs, where Gianluca finally had the chance to share his personal singing style coached by the skills and experience of vocal producer Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (Raintimes, Room Experience, Wheels Of Fire, Charming Grace). 

Gianluca says: "Beside the fact that it allows me to sing my own songs, this record for me is both a test and an achievement. A test because It’s the first time that I’m in charge for everything concerning the production of a record. And it is an achievement because I had the chance to work shoulder to shoulder in the studio with some amazing musicians, but also the luck to find a label that allowed me (and supported me) to work with no artistic boundaries and even make some unusual choices to follow my different musical influences and tastes. I feel the result is very personal and though it’s far from being perfect, it sure is my perfect rehab from being put in any frame. And as today I couldn’t be happier than this". 

‘Place For My Judgement Day’ is very Eurovision in its melody, and is a decent opener. Having never heard Firmo sing anything other than BVs, I didn’t know what to expect. Last time I heard a keyboardist do vocals, it was Jonathan Cain, and lets just say there's a reason he plays the piano! Gianluca's vocals are a bit raw and rough around the edges, but I have to give the guy a lot of credit as it takes some balls stepping up and putting yourself out there with vocals, writing, etc. So, well done so far. ‘Heart Of Stone’ is an acoustic and mellow offering with a good chorus and is a good slow burn and deserves repeated listens. Shadows and Lights’ again falls on the side of ballad, and has leanings toward Bon Jovi and surely that is not a bad comparison to make! Nothing is jumping out at me so far, but I have to stop expecting a ‘melodic rock’ album. With ‘Maybe Forever’ its definitely a song (and an album) for all occasions. You find yourself happily tapping away to the beat. 

‘No Prisoners’ is the first time we get the mid-paced rocker. Built around Firmo’s keyboard riff, it proves to don’t need a heavy guitar riff to make an entrance. ‘Didn’t Wanna Care’ has a warm presence and is Marx like (Richard, not Karl!). ‘Unbreakable’ is another up-tempo number that pings along nicely. I really like ‘Cowboys Once, Cowboys Forever’ a ballad anthem by any other name, and the guitar solo makes it shine the brightest so far. ‘Rehab’ has a positive, happy vibe and I like all the whoa-ohs that are thrown in. It’s a good choice for the first single. If the album had more of a country twang to its sound it would sound even better, but that’s just my personal preference.

After the first listen, I admit I felt a bit ‘meh’, but once you settle in, it’s a good ride. It doesn’t settle for a specific genre, it’s a mix up of sounds and styles that Firmo has aimed for in having no boundaries and it makes for a good 50 minutes spent in Gianluc Firmo's presence. It’s a little too ballad-y for my liking, but it will be well received if you like the softer and personal side. Its an album I clearly did not expect, but its been a very good surprise. He can expect endorsements from Zippo lighters any time soon!

In fact, I'm full of admiration for Firmo. He does not have the best vocals you’ll hear this side of Lou Gramm, but he knows fully well what he can hit and works within his range. Less have made more out of their skill-set. I look forward to hearing how he develops away from Room Experience.

Think of him as the go to housewives choice for Italian singer songwriters! Well done mate.

Score 8/10

A Place For Judgement Day

Heart Of Stone

Shadows And Lights

Maybe Forever

No Prisoners

Didn’t WannaCare

Unbreakable

Don’t Dare To Call It Love

Cowboys Once, Cowboys Forever

Rehab

Until Forever Comes

Everything

Newman - 'Decade II' Album Review

WOW AND WOW!! Newman are definitely a band worth spending a few shekels on.

2018 is the 20th anniversary of Newman. Steve Newman (leader singer guitarist and songwriter) decided to celebrate this with "Decade II" following the same format as the first Decade release. A 2 CD 34 track album covering the bands history from 2007 to the present. Disc 1 features 17 songs from the 2007 album “Primitive Soul” through “The Art Of Balance”, “Under Southern Skies”, “Siren”, and finally the 2015 album “The Elegance Machine”. Disc 2 features another 17 songs, some that were written and even recorded, but not included

I was asked by the bold Chesy (Paul Chesworth) to review the Newman release. He told me “I think is this the kind of stuff that’s right up your street”. He wasn’t wrong. What he never told me was that there was 34 tracks on the Decades album(s). Let’s just say that whilst I’ve seen the band live I was probably not 100% engaged as I talked to mates as they did their thing at Firefest. This album highlighted to me how ignorant I was and whilst I’ve always enjoyed them I never fully appreciated how good the music is……until now.

Obviously if you’re a Newman fan you know the first 17 tracks but fuck it, I’ll review it as if you’re a Newman virgin. Newman are simply superb, there are heavy rock tracks, they have ballads, blues and a whole lot in-between. I won’t insult you by reviewing every song, I will share my favourites, this is difficult because there are so many songs that leave a real imprint. Give it a chance, I will guarantee you’ll find at least a couple of dozen tracks you’ll like.

Reviewing an album is a challenge, reviewing 34 tracks is mental. To be honest I don’t know any band who has recorded 34 perfect tracks. AC/DC did 'Back in Black', 'Powerage', 'Highway To Hell' but that isn’t 34 or perfect.The CD kicks off on a high tempo right away with 'Hero To Zero', 'Heading For Your Heart' and 'Ghost In The Night' (which is a melodic rock master piece). Possibly my favourite tracks are 'Feel Her Again' and 'Stay With Me', the latter similar in sound and feel to the Hardline track “Stay” which I think is awesome. The slow build up and a chorus that had me bouncing around the kitchen. Stunningly good. FFS, the chorus is magnificent and the song just flies away with a superb solo. It must be melodic magnificence as my wife (who is a boy band junkie) asked me to play it again.

“The Elegance Machine” is a wonderful mix of guitars and vocals and then we get “Killing Machine” which is so Magnum-like I’m tempted to send this to Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin for verification it’s not them. The keyboards and layered vocals are just sublime. 'Primitive Soul' is so Van Halen with the opening riff of Panama I nearly spat my Guinness over the keyboard (other stouts are available). The song is superb, that’s why Newman are so good, they take and re-use the best and make it their own.

'Fire With Fire' has a touch of Whitesnake when Coverdale could sing and the snake played real blues. It highlights the diversity of Newman perfectly.The first CD really is awesome. If it was a set list then I’d bite your hand off for a ticket, I would say front row but I’d need a beer and pee and lose my spot.

“She Walks In Silence” is a song with a massively powerful message: “ She walks in silence, it’s all that she can do and he turns to violence”. Bloody hell, what a well written song that highlights that domestic abuse happens all the time, It reminds me of “Never Again” by Nickelback or “Punch and Judy” by Fish. Personally I think any man who raises his hand to a woman is no real man. “Had Enough” is another proper melodic rock tune with an underlying frustration eloquently described. Newman are one decent band, they play songs that remind me of Dio, Hardline, Journey, especially “World Keeps Turning”..

“Crossed My Heart” is an emotional filled classic, simple structure and a tear jerker, a song about bereavement. “When you crossed my heart, I hoped I’d die with you, we lived on borrowed time, you were gone too soon”. It reminded me of my Dad who passed away 20 years ago and it hit a real nerve, I’m not ashamed to admit this song made me have some dust in my eye. (I will also admit I didn’t expect to die with him even though his driving was hair raising at times!). “Does It Feel The Same” is a superb ballad, the Newman voice is haunting and stunning with poignant lyrics as does “A Witness To Loves Decline”. This band have great songs coming out of their ears. “Never Becomes Again” is yet another proper rock track, it has the riffs and vocals that makes me realise why I love melodic rock so much.

34 tracks to cover 10 years? Keep going for another 10 years because the music is timeless.

To be given the chance to listen to these 34 tracks and offer an opinion is a humbling experience.

A solid 8/10

 Review by Lawrie

Track list:

Cd 1:

01 Hero To Zero,

02 Heading For Your Heart,

03 Ghost In The Night,

04 Feel Her Again,

05 Stay With Me,

06 The Elegance Machine,

07 Killing Me,

08 Primitive Soul,

09 Endless,

10 Fire With Fire,

11 Scar Of Love,

12 15 Minute Revolution,

13 She Walks In Silence,

14 Under Southern Skies,

15 Had Enough,

16 Tumble Down,

17 For The Man I Am

Cd 2:

01 Breaking The Barrier,

02 Girl Found Love,

03 Liar,

04 One More Night With You,

05 Fight No More,

06 She's The Woman,

07 Nightmare,

08 Angel,

09 World Keeps Turning,

10 In Too Deep,

11 The More I Love,

12 Crossed My Heart,

13 A Witness To Love's Decline,

14 Does It Feel The Same?,

15 Race Of A Lifetime,

16 Never Becomes Again,

17 My Fantasy