Tag: Axel Rudi Pell

Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

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After Jeff Scott Soto had finished his vocals on the ‘Eternal Prisoner’ album for Axel Rudi Pell, he went back to the states to continue to work with his band Slam. Then it was on to work on the next Talisman album ‘Genesis’. But his obligations weren’t done with Axel. Axel wanted to do an album full of nothing but ballads so Jeff was brought back in April 1993 to finish up some work on several songs to be included on the album. Jeff was only on 4 of the 10 songs, two were instrumentals, two from Rob Rock with one from Karl Holthaus both previous singers of Axel’s.

The album was released on September 7, 1993 and I guess it was successful as Axel did a total of five of these Ballad compilations. ‘The Ballads’ release had a mixture of previously released tracks, some previously unreleased tracks and even a couple covers. It is a lot of ballads to have on an album. It caused a mixture of reactions. Some metal fans were turned off because the album was nothing but ballads, however, you had a section of non-metal people that were now introduced to Axel’s music because it was all ballads. Heck it was the ballads that probably brought a lot of women in to the Glam music scene anyway…that and the fact they wanted to know the secrets on how the guys got their hair so big and poofy. But lets talk about the music instead of the hair.

“You Want Love” opens the album and was one of the new tracks recorded by Jeff Scott Soto for this release. Opens with acoustic guitars and then Soto comes in singing in a soft falsetto. The chorus brings harmonies and the bass and drum. From here on out, the tempo stays relatively consistent. Jeff does sound great, I’ll give him that, but the song is a little dull as it is too same-same sounding throughout. Even the solo is a little lifeless and boring.

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Friday New Releases – April 15, 2022

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April 15th in the U.S. use to be Tax Day. The day our taxes needed to be filed and paid (unless you file an extension). This year it is actually been pushed to Monday, April 18th like that will make any difference to the procrastinators. Mine are done!! But, being that Friday New Releases this year is on April 15, maybe they decided not to have many so these people that have to pay more in taxes don’t have to worry about missing out on too much. Or it could be the Super Deluxe Edition of Rush’s Moving Pictures is so expensive no one can afford anything else. Either way, we only have around 35 this week which is way down from previous weeks. I only have one and it is up first and highlighted in Blue. But I am sure there is something for you in there so take a look and let me know what you want to hear this week or what we missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great weekend!!

  • 71vsyGEt+AL._SX522_  Rush – Moving Pictures (40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) – (Mercury Records / UMG): Probably my favorite Rush album and my entry point in to the band, ‘Moving Pictures’ is getting the Super Deluxe Edition for its 40th Anniversary…WOW!! 40 Years. I am getting old. This box set includes a 3 CD set featuring the 2015 album remaster and the complete, unreleased Toronto concert from March 25, 1981. All audio is also showcased on 5 LPs cut at half-speed DMM on 180-gram vinyl. Blu-ray Audio disc presents a first-ever Dolby Atmos and new 5.1 surround album mix including the brand-new video for “YYZ” + 3 music videos. Extras include a book, model car, drumsticks, posters, and more! At only $299, it is a little steep. You could just get the deluxe edition CDs or vinyl for way, way less.

And then all the rest…

  • 51R6fD7UPoL._AC_UL640_FMwebp_QL65_  Jewel – Freewheelin’ Woman – (Words Matter Media)
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Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

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During 1991, Axel Rudi Pell wanted to go out and do some live shows for his most recent album, ‘Nasty Reputation’. There was only one problem. His lead singer, Rob Rock, left the band. That does cause a problem not having a singer. Axel started searching and one name was thrown out to him and that was Jeff Scott Soto. When Jeff found out that he could sing with a former guitar player from the band Steeler, he thought he was having de ja vu! Didn’t he just sing in a band with former Steeler guitar player…oh yeah…Yngwie Malmsteen. Soto couldn’t pass that up so he did it. He also couldn’t pass it up because his band, Slam, he was working with at the time hadn’t completely got off the ground so off he went.

After the tour, Jeff went on his way back to the Slam. That was until a short time later, Jeff got another call from Axel Rudi Pell. Axel was so impressed with Live Singer Jeff, why not have Jeff sing on his new album. Since Jeff really enjoyed working with Axel, why not and off he went. The result of that collaboration was the album ‘Eternal Prisoner’. Soto did more than just sing for Pell, he also co-wrote 6 of the 9 songs on the album. Along with Kai Raglewski on Keyboards, Volker Krawczak on Bass and Jorg Michael on Drums, the album was recorded at RA.SH Studio in Germany from June to September 1992. After a quick turnaround, the album saw the light of day on October 1, 1992.

We might be in the year 1992, but musically the music is still drenched in the 80’s rock and metal sound. If you like Black Sabbath, maybe some Deep Purple with a dash of Aerosmith and AC/DC there is going to be something on here you like. Axel is also a huge fan of Dio and Richie Blackmore and that influence is seeping from all corners of this album. Throw in the powerhouse vocals of Jeff Scott Soto and you have the making a damn fine album…but is it? That is what we are here to find out so turn it on, turn it up and I can’t think of of another turn it statement…oh well…on to the music.

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January 2022 Purchases – Vinyl & Cds

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Welcome to the first round of purchases for 2022. Yes, I know, it never seems to end…my wife and wallet keep telling me that, but I don’t listen…obviously. And this week was another stellar month and a few really good deals as well…at least I think so. The first set of purchases were from gift cards left over from Christmas that I hadn’t spent and it was tough to decide. First I went with a vinyl I had been wanting for awhile and finding an original vinyl pressing was going to be expense so I went withe re-issue from Music on Vinyl for Extreme!!

The other items I picked up on those gift cards were the studio albums I was missing for Robbie Williams…I figured no time better than to complete that collection so I did. There were four left and here they are… Now I just need to the rare stuff that I am missing…challenge accepted!!

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COMING TO 2 LOUD 2 OLD MUSIC IN 2022 – THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES!!!

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Let the Countdown begin!!!

Starting January 3rd, 2022, we will kick off the EPIC series covering one of my favorite singers, Jeff Scott Soto!! We will go through his entire career from where it all began in 1984 with Panther all the way to his latest solo album that came out this past October called ‘Duets’. Wait, I know it started with a band called Threshold in 1983 (not to be confused with the prog metal band years later), but I can’t find anything on that band or album so it is starting with Panther for this series as I have that album.

No stone will be left unturned! Okay, that isn’t true as we are not going in to any compilations or tribute albums where he wasn’t the featured singer as this will only be albums that Jeff is the Lead Singer and not just appearing on one song as we would be here forever if that was the case. We will also have some great little bonus pieces with Singles and E.P.’s I happen to have in my collection and interesting one-off projects he has done. Heck, I even have a digital bootleg of when Jeff Scott Soto toured as the lead singer with Journey. And as you can see below, it is quite a collection…if I do say so myself…

There will be over 65 Posts in the Series, you read that right, 65!! And that is at least 65 because I am sure he will release 1 to 2 to maybe even 4 albums by the time I’m done. I expect this to take over a year to complete because this isn’t all I’m going to do. No, not at all. We will still finish up the series of Cheap Trick and Aerosmith that we are currently doing in 2022 and when those end I am sure new series will be added in as well. Quite possibly Bon Jovi, Scorpions, Van Halen, Ace Frehley, Poison or even Def Leppard. It won’t be all, just a couple of them, but I can’t decide which ones yet. But heck, I do already have an idea of which epic artist I want to tackle after Jeff, but that will be 2023 and it could be huge. We will announce it next year.

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August 2021 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs

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Wow, how time has flown. Summer is winding down, school is back in session and we had a big month here at the 2 Loud 2 Old Music home life. Our oldest daughter turned 18 and moved off to college the very next day. A very happy and sad time in our life. And my youngest became a freshman herself in High School. Man, they grow up so fast. And usually when I have these big moments that make me happy and yet sad, I drown that sad part in purchases and I have to say, there were a few this month and so we might as well get to it…

To start it off, the first album on the list this month is one that came out on July 30th, but I didn’t get the album in time for the July post so it kicks off this month’s post. The brand new album by Needtobreathe called “Into the Mystery” and my copy is CD. I also have the Vinyl on order but due to delays we won’t see that until November which is why I have the CD now.

Then my daughter and I were out and I picked up a few random items. First was bought at Manifest Disc in the used CD section and was something I have already, but didn’t. It was a limited deluxe edition CD with a 64 page mini-magazine of Kiss’ Monster. I have this one on vinyl, but this was too cheap and cool to pass up.

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Friday New Releases – July 30, 2021

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We are at the end of July already and dang the releases are still heating up and this week is a scorcher!! There is a battle going on in my house as one of my favorite bands is releasing and album and one of kids favorite artists is as well so it will be a fight on who plays what in the car. The girls will win because they have me wrapped around every finger!! I will go ahead and admit defeat. My choices this week are in Blue and I am sure there will be something for you as well as there are around 40 releases to choose. Let me know what you want to hear and what I may have missed so everyone knows it as well. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • 81hSQL7GTfS._SS500_  Needtobreathe – Into the Mystery – (Elektra Records): If you follow this site at all then you know Needtobreathe is one of my favorite bands of all time!! While in Quarantine in 2020, they couldn’t tour so they made a new album…hell, why not!! Can’t wait to see where their heads were on this one and glad we got one so much sooner than we probably would have. I guess Covid was good for something!!
  • 91L7BkHtcsS._SL1500_  Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever – (Darkroom / Interscope Records): Unless you’ve been under a rock the last few years, you know Billie Eilish is like the Big Cheese!! My kids love her and I will admit she has some great songs and teamed up with her brother who writes a lot of it, they are a pretty dynamic duo right now. I did really enjoy the single “Therefore I Am” so hoping the rest is as good.
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October 2020 Purchases – Vinyls & CDs

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Is October already over!! Wow! The time is flying by now. Luckily for me, it was another stellar month for picking up so new stuff (most is old stuff new to me though). And I didn’t waste any time as right at the end of September after I wrote the September Purchases post, a few things came in the mail from Amazon within minutes and days of each other. First up was Ace Frehley’s Origins. Vol 2…and yes I have Vol 1…duh!!

Then Queen & Adam Lambert’s Live Around the World. I chose CD on this only because when I ordered it the vinyl wasn’t listed. It did come with a DVD of the shows as well. Since my daughter saw this tour a couple years ago, no brainer…

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Friday New Releases – May 8th

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The second Friday in to May and more bands have moved their releases to later in the year.  Covid-19 is taking its toll on music for sure.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t any brave artists still willing to dare release an able in these times. I salute you and since there is been so little out the last few weeks, I am will to try a few this week.  I will highlight those in Blue as usual.  Let me know what interests you and what I missed this week.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • 71Gy27WGi+L._SX522_  Butch Walker – American Love Story – (Ruby Red Records): Singer/Songwriter/Rocker/Producer – jack of all trades, Butch is back with another solo album.  His resume is pretty impressive and I think he had been working with Matt Nathanson lately, who I love, so Butch will get a listen.

  • 81mSkM7vGLL._SX522_  Fake Names – Fake Names – (Epitath): Punk rock supergroup Fake Names – which includes Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace, One Last Wish), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, International Noise Conspiracy, INVSN), and Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside)…yeah, this line-up is worth a spin.

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Friday New Releases – March 23rd

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Happy Friday!  Of course, all Friday’s are happy.  The last day of the work week and new album releases.  What could be better…maybe everyday being a Friday.  There are a handful of albums this week for me and one was on pre-order and should be at my door when I get home from work…yes, it will be a great Friday.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in or if I missed anything which happens all the time.  Have a great weekend and enjoy any new music you pick up.

  • 51eohOeVCWL._AC_US436_QL65_  W.E.T. – Earthrage – (Frontiers Records):  Jeff Scott Soto is a busy man between his solo album, Sons of Apollo and now a new W.E.T. album.  And it has been too long since the last one, 5 years I believe since the last studio album and that is way too long.  Jeff’s vocals are what keep me coming back to everything he releases.  With W.E.T., he teams up with Erik Martensson and Robert Sall to form this sensational trio.  The bands this trio is from makes up the name…Work of Art, Eclipse & Talisman…all three great bands in their own right.  If this first song is what we can expect, hold on tight!!  Check them out!

  • 51i8VbzMIkL._SS500  Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – (Frontiers Records):  Kip Winger is such an underrated talent…well at least he used to be.  He is now a Classical Composer (Grammy nominated I think)…pretty cool!  This set is a collection of all his solo works (it isn’t classical music though). We get 5 CDs, the 3 solo albums, an acoustic album (with Winger songs included) and some rare demos and an unreleased track.  Pretty damn fine set of music and worth picking up.  This is what I have on pre-order and should keep me busy for awhile!!  Here is the collections trailer…

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