After a year that has seen some exceptional melodic rock albums here are reviews for five of the very best.
Robert Berry – The Dividing Line
From the Bay Area, San Francisco, Robert Berry made his name with Hush, fronting the short lived supergroup ‘3’ alongside Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer, and GTR with Steve Howe of Yes fame. His solo career includes his excellent album Pilgrimage To A Point.
Recently he has been working with Jack Foster III on his latest album Jazzraptors Secret. Now he has released The Dividing Line (Frontiers Records, 2008). It opens with the energising title track, and moves us quickly through “One Good Man”, and “Listen To The People”, complete with some excellent guitar work from Gary Pihl.
However nothing prepares us for the magnificent “Faith”. It is such a strong ballad that it very nearly justifies the cost of the album by itself. Other highlights include the mellow “Wait”, the pulsating “Life Is On Fire”, and the huge hook and soaring guitar solo of “Can’t Let Go”. Anthems come and go especially with “This Life” and “Young Hearts”.
The vaguely Lizzy, Wishbone Ash twin guitar opening of “A Life Worth Livin’”, and the hook laden “I Gave You The Best Of Me” also help power along a highly satisfying set.
Visit his official website for a listen.
China Blue – Twilight Of Destiny
Formed back in the late eighties by keyboard maestro Eric Ragno (Takara, Vox Tempus, Danny Vaughn) China Blue have had something of a stop start career. In fact, the whole project was shelved for many years while Eric was involved with other bands.
Gathering an impressive cast of musicians around him Eric has finally got to put out a China Blue album, Twilight Of Destiny (Frontiers Records). It proved to be a testing time as everyone already had diaries full of recording, and touring.
Tony Mills (Shy, TNT) was approached and his voice proved to be the perfect addition giving the tracks the passion they deserve. Guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm) also appears and Eric returned the compliment covering keys on the Ramos Hugo album The Dream, reviewed below. Drummer Zane Patterson, bass player Doug Odell, Ronny Smith’s rhythm guitar, complete the scene, with bass player Fabrizio Grossi, and the drums of Pete Newdeck also adding their respective talents on selected tracks.
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