Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Authorized Biography’ by Frank Tunney and Ronny Hahn’ (2014) – Book Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Back in December 2021 when I announced I was doing a Jeff Scott Soto Series, I got a lot of response on the picture of my collection. One such person contacted me on Facebook and offered to send me a hard back edition of a biography on Jeff Scott Soto, so I quickly thanked him and agreed. He quickly mailed out this glorious copy of the book. His name was Sundeep Pooni and that book has been a massive reference guide for my review series up to this point. So, a big thank you to Sundeep and his very generous gift!! From here on out in the review series, we are past the date of the book so none of the albums I’ll be reviewing from ere on out are in the book, so I am on my own.

Before we get to the next review, let’s go through this book. It was originally written by Ronny Hahn and it was written in German and only an electronic book. For the 30th Anniversary of Jeff’s career, it was released thanks to Frank Tunney who took the original book and added more chapters and re-organized the structure. It is now a hard back book and chock full of the details of his career that all hardcore fans love to know. The book is called “Authorized” so it has the blessing of the man himself and that is good enough for me.

The book starts off with the original foreward written by Ronny Zahn and then there is a great dedication to the late Marcel Jacobs who played with Jeff in several bands and was a very close personal friend. It was a terrible loss, but thankfully he left behind a great legacy of music. Afterwards you get a brief biography of Jeff’s very early life, but the rest of the book is all Jeff’s music career.

Continue reading “Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Authorized Biography’ by Frank Tunney and Ronny Hahn’ (2014) – Book Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)”

January 2023 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs

Last year flew by and now here we are in 2023 and already at our first month purchases wrap-up. It was a good start to the year if I do say so myself. I started a new collection, found some stuff for other collections I have, treated myself to an album I’ve been wanting for years and even found a Jeff Scott Soto CD that I didn’t even know existed. I would say that all makes for a solid month.

The month kicked off in full glory when 2nd & Charles kicked off the year with a buy 5 get 5 free sale on their CDs and so I pounced on it. Sadly, my memory sucks and one is one I already had, see if you can guess which one because it was in my November purchases as well.

If that wasn’t enough, later in the month I went by Repo Records here in Charlotte and found a handful of picture sleeve 45’s. I love the picture sleeves and so I bought about 9 this time around. Some great stuff to add to the collection…

Continue reading “January 2023 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs”

Journey – ‘Turn the Page: Live in Atlanta, GA’ (Bootleg)’ (2006) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Journey were on a massive Stadium Tour with Def Leppard in 2006. Journey’s lead singer, Steve Augeri had struggled with throat issues and was really having a hard time vocally. The decision was made by Neal Schon to replace Steve and he needed someone he knew could handle the Journey catalog. Luckily for Neal, he had been working with Jeff Scott Soto in their supergroup Soul SirkUs and knew he was the man for the job. Neal called Jeff and there was no way Jeff could say no, it was a dream of his to sing with Journey. He had already been working with Neal, but now he could do it and sing those classic Journey songs, No way he was turning it down.

Jeff got the call and was on a plane the next day and arrived in D.C. on July 5th 2006 and luckily the band had a couple days off, but Jeff had to be ready to sing as the first show with him was on July 7th in Bristow, Virginia. And Jeff was thrown in to the deep end as he didn’t really get to talk with anyone until the day of the show and didn’t even have a setlist for the show until that day and to top that off, he didn’t even get a soundcheck or any real rehearsal with the band…damn that is insane. The only time he had with the band was on the tour bus prior to the show to discuss the set and show. Jeff, of course, survived and continued on with the band.

Jeff’s stint was supposed to be short term, but he was doing so well and the tour was extended until December. Then on December 19, 2006, Jeff was announced as the official new lead singer with the band. His reviews from the tour were glowing and all was going well. There were plans for a new album and work had begun, but by June 2007, it all fell apart rather quickly and as far as Jeff was concerned, unexpectedly. It was announced on June 12, 2007 that Jeff was no longer in the band and the band was going to take the rest of the year off. I don’t think anyone is really sure what happened, but the band eventually wound up with Arnel Pineda who is still with the band today.

Continue reading “Journey – ‘Turn the Page: Live in Atlanta, GA’ (Bootleg)’ (2006) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)”

Friday New Releases – December 9, 2022

Happy Friday! Fridays are always great since we get new releases and it is the start of the weekend. But this one might be the very last Friday New Releases as I’m done…well…I’m done for 2022! As there aren’t enough releases the next few Fridays to do a post. But it will be back in 2023!!! 2023?? Wow, is almost that time already…time flies. It is typical this time of year for releases to slow down as artists hold off on releasing if they can’t get it out early enough before Christmas. Now, between now and next week, if I find enough to do the 16th’s releases, I will do one. Cross your fingers, but if we do, that is for sure the last one for the year. For me, there is really nothing I need. Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you want to hear this week or what we may have missed. Have a great weekend.

  • 81y0NQ+oPIL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Journey – Live in Concert at Lollapalooza – (Frontiers Records)
  • 71tqnuY209L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  David Crosby – Live at Capitol Theatre – (Three Blind Mice / BMG Rights Mgt)
  • 8193-lYhq4L._AC_UL640_FMwebp_QL65_  Sabu – Banshee – (Frontiers Records)
  • 91GoZLs1cdL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Rob Moratti – Epical – (Frontiers Records)
  • 61FtpkrCQNL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Landfall – Elevate – (Frontiers Records)
  • 811JBZ8ayJL._AC_UL640_FMwebp_QL65_  Nevena – Nevena – (Frontiers Records)
  • 813286Gw+lL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Tony DeCarlo – Dancing in the Moonlight – (Frontiers Records)
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – December 9, 2022”

Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On’ E.P. (2002) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Jeff Scott Soto was ready to call it quits with The Boogie Nights as doing some solo work was starting to appeal to him as it had been years since his debut solo album. He thought about signing with Z-Records, but due to the problems with his band Humanimal, that was quickly nixed. He wound up with an Italian label called Frontiers Records. The deal included re-releasing his debut solo album ‘Love Parade’ as well as new material which was already in the works and would be released in late 2002.

I am not sure the actual release date of this E.P., but I am guessing it is prior to the album. The E.P. consists of the first single from his upcoming solo album ‘Prism’ called “Holding On”. It also includes a previously unreleased track and 2 live songs plus a re-release of a song from his debut solo album ‘Love Parade’. It is a great E.P. to have.

Continue reading “Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On’ E.P. (2002) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)”

You Pick It! – Which Album To Review in August?

You, my reader, are going to pick an album for me to review each month.  It is really simple…first, I will give you 5 albums to choose from and second, you will tell me which one of those you would like to see reviewed on the site.  See…simple! Now, if you want to cast more than one vote, comment on the Twitter and Facebook post and you could get up to 3 votes on your favorite pick.

There are a few simple rules I have put in to place in my selections.  They are…

  • One has to be a new release (within the last month)
  • One has to be one I have never heard before (new releases don’t count for this one)
  • One has to be from a genre I don’t normally listen to at all or very often
  • And the last two are choices from my collection that I haven’t reviewed before

What are the 5 albums you ask?  Funny you should ask because I have those right here…

  New Release – Journey – ‘Freedom’

  Never Heard Before – Metallica – ‘Kill ‘Em All’

  Not My Normal Genre – Kris Kristofferson – Kristofferson

  From My Collection – Robin Trower – ‘Twice Removed from Yesterday’

  From My Collection – Hollywood Undead – ‘Swan Song’

Let me know which one you would like to see and sometime in August, I will post a review of the album that gets the most votes. You have one week to decide and from there I will start listening to the album and do a review.

Thanks for participating!!

Friday New Releases – July 8, 2022

Happy Friday…I hope everyone is staying cool. Speaking of cool, we have a bunch of cool stuff for you this week. We don’t have as much as some weeks, but there are still over 30 releases this week. I have a few I am interested in hearing and some I’ll get to eventually and those will be bolded. Let me know what you want to hear this week or what we may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!

  • A1q6kVDyt3L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  James Bay – Leap – (Mercury Records / Republic Records / UMG): James Bay is back and it has been awhile as it has been 4 years since his last one. He is a fantastic guitarists and his music leans between folk, pop, rock, Americana and whatever else he feels like playing. I am excited to get some new tunes.
  • 81zTZ0x99hL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Journey – Freedom – (Freedom JN / BMG): Speaking of being gone awhile, Journey hasn’t had a new album in 11 years…that’s right…11 years. It is about time. Can’t wait to hear Neal rip on guitar and Arnel sing his heart out (man what a voice he has). Even Dean Castronovo sings on one song so this should be a good listen. Can’t wait to hear it.
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – July 8, 2022”

You Pick It! – Which Album to Review in May?

You, my reader, are going to pick an album for me to review each month.  It is really simple…first, I will give you 5 albums to choose from and second, you will tell me which one of those you would like to see reviewed on the site.  See…simple! Now, if you want to cast more than one vote, comment on the Twitter and Facebook post and you could get up to 3 votes on your favorite pick.

There are a few simple rules I have put in to place in my selections.  They are…

  • One has to be a new release (within the last month)
  • One has to be one I have never heard before (new releases don’t count for this one)
  • One has to be from a genre I don’t normally listen to at all or very often
  • And the last two are choices from my collection that I haven’t reviewed before

What are the 5 albums you ask?  Funny you should ask because I have those right here…

  New Release – Aldo Nova – ‘The Life & Times of Eddie Gage’

  Never Heard Before – David Bowie – ‘Blackstar’

  Not My Normal Genre – Beyonce – ‘Lemonade’

  From My Collection – Steve Vai – ‘Passion & Warfare’

  From My Collection – Journey – ‘Raised on Radio’

Let me know which one you would like to see and sometime in May, I will post a review of the album that gets the most votes. You have one week to decide and from there I will start listening to the album and do a review.

Thanks for participating!!

What to Expect in New Music for 2022??

2022 is upon us and it is always fun anticipating what new albums will come out in the year. There are quite a few we already know about, but some haven’t been officially announced or even a date set yet.

Last year, there were a few artist I was hoping would release an album that might have or might not have released one.  It is always fun to hope for new music from these bands, but sometimes there are disappointments.  Here are the ones I was hoping to get new albums from last year and what actually happened…

  • Def Leppard – I don’t care if I get new music, but give me The Collection Volume 3 at least!!! – We did get The Collection Volume 3!!!
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!! – We did get a Live Bootleg album in what I hope is the first of many!!
  • The Winery Dogs – Still keeping my hopes up – No Album, BUT…they are working on a new album for 2022
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!! – STILL NOTHING…But did get a couple singles!
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set, but will he get around to releasing it?? After 2 years still nothing…he keeps saying its coming but I will believe it when I see it!!
  • Matt Nathanson – Loved what we got last year, but time for new music!!! I believe he finished recording it, but haven’t heard anything for a long while. – He has recorded it but Covid delayed it. It Will Be 2022!!  We did get a live album so that was cool! Now he did surprise us with a U2 covers album called Achtung Matty! 

Okay, are there albums I want to see this year from some of my favorite bands that haven’t been announced or in some cases even rumored?  Of course there are.  These are the bands I want new albums from this year…but it might not happen.

  • Def Leppard – They’ve been writing…will we get the new album in 2022??  Or at least The Collection Vol. 4 which is the final in the series
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!!  At least give us another Soundboard LP.
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!!  They teased us with a couple singles, is an album in the works?
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set for over 2 years and still nothing much, but will he get around to releasing it in 2022??
  • Poison – I think it is finally time for a new Poison album!!
  • Will Hoge – His last one was 2020 so now is the time for another!
  • Billy Idol – He teased us with an E.P. in 2021.  A full album would be nice

From what I have gathered around the internet, here are the bands that should have new albums out in 2021, but no dates announced yet. The ones I would give a try will be highlighted in Blue.  The ones with Dates Announced are at the bottom of this post.  The list is building up nicely!! Continue reading “What to Expect in New Music for 2022??”

November 2021 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs

Can you believe there is only one more month in the year? It has flown by so fast. And here we are again with another month end wrap-up of the purchases we have made here at 2 Loud 2 Old Music. It was a pretty decent month and another month where CDs outweighed the vinyl. There should’ve been a couple more vinyl in here, but with all the delays in vinyl pressing I have 3 that have been bought that will now not show up until 2022!! Thanks Adele!!!

First up this month are a couple that came in at the end of October after I had done my post. First is the John 5 & The Creatures release ‘Sinner’ and this one is signed. It is an awesome album and it will be interesting to see where this lands on our year-end countdown.

The other item that I received was another stellar box set from Whitesnake. This time around it is the 25th Anniversary of the album ‘Restless Heart’. It is full of demos, remixes and the always cool Evolutions disc that walks you through the evolution of the songs. Sadly, there was no live show added but that is being picky.

Continue reading “November 2021 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs”