Hugo

Hugo is as close as to being a twin bother of Steve Perry by looks as he is by sounding like the man. At first glance you would think you are seeing Steve Perry in his prime, right off of the Escape era. And at first listen one would think that also. But there is something about Hugo, that at times his voice sounds weaker than Perry's and has a hollow ring to it. This could be from production, because not all the cds are quite that way, but the thinness is there. On his second solo cd Time On Earth from 2000 his vocals are so frail and back in the production, that it is hard to understand what he is singing. At times the songs are what Perry could be writng, but they seem to "lacking" a soul or heart to them at times too. Again could be from production or from lack of a good writng partner to bring some new ideas, cause at times the songs are so close to greatness.......!


Valentine - 1991 (B+)

A great start. The band came out burning. Production at times sound very 80's to me, which tends to take away from the music at times. And the production tends to make more than just Hugo's voice seem hollow. His voice while sounding good, seems like it could break if to much strain was put on it. And while the music sounds hollow, it is crisp and clear, but it seems to have no depth. But enough of that.

Runnin Out Of Luck Again starts the cd off good, a really cool opening leaves you wondering what this cd will sound like. But it soon kicks in to a good rocking tune. No Way keeps the fire burning, but lack of depth and bass really pulls the reigns back on this song. Tears In The Night really screams Journey, and Hugo shines on this song, showing the promise of what he has to offer. Too Much Is Never Enough is a updated Anyway You Want It, with a twist to it . Never Said It Was Gonna Be Easy is my favorite song on the cd. Hugo really shines on the slower songs. The cd has some other good songs like Once In A Life Time & You'll Always Have Me. Of course there are a couple of songs I do not like, Naughty Girl and We Run. Rest of the cd is pretty standard rock music for that time frame. I think the band over all was good, just production held them back.

Open Skyz -1993 (B-)

This to me really is the second valentine cd. They changed the name because their guitarist (I believe) left the group, otherwise this is rest of Valentine, or so I have been told. Hugo again shows some amazing vocals, but for me it is the songs this time around, that really don't make the cut. None Of It Matters is a good song with some interesting keyboard work at the end of the song. Nothing With Out You is another nice song, with Hugo sounding very "Perry like". The song as I said is nice, but seems to be missing a hook to it. The same can be said for the song following that one too, Golden Years. Open Skies kind of get things back on track, with a very intresting 60's opening, but it holds my interest. The Answer is a very vocally powerful song, that Hugo nails against an acoustic background, WOW!!! The band finally shows some life on Everyday Of My Life. The song really rocks and Hugo pulls off a very muscular vocal on it, shame the background vocals on the chorus distracts from the song. Pickin Up The Pieces Again show some limit on the height of Hugo's voice, still it is another great job. Hugo and the band even take on Supertramp's Give A Little Bit, which is the best song on the cd. Which kind of brings home what I said earlier, that Hugo needs a good song writer to be with him, he can write, but at times he lacks a musical punch. Candy From Strangers is another strong showing from the band with a good vocal, but the song lacks something to grab your attention. Take Me There closes the cd out, but after two other really good slower songs on the cd, this almost feels like been there done that. I am not taking away from a good song here, but the other two fill two close to this one. Have to give it to Hugo he nails it, and the slower ones seem to fit him even better. Production is better this time around too. But this time the songs seem to be lacking.

Hugo-1998 (A)

This is what the Journey reunion Trail By Fire cd should have been like. Hugo like either Storm cd, did Journey better than Journey did at the time. This is my favorite Hugo cd. The production on this cd is crisp and clean and packs a punch. The songs are all good, no, make that great. The band members play with a purpose, and axeman Vinny Burns plays a slick guitar putting a fire in the songs. And Hugo has never sounded better. If Hugo intended for this to sound so much like Journey, or if he is just doing Hugo, I do not know, but it sounds good.
The cd starts off with a bang with the intro/We Will Find A Way. This was the very first song I ever heard Hugo sing, and I have been hooked ever since. On the first two cds above Hugo really shined on the slower songs, but here he shows he is in complete control. Love the ending of the song, the echo effect drives home the production values of the cd. Walk Away carries a good beat thru the song and the chorus has you singing along. Slow keys and another great chorus has So Many Tears A Go screaming for repeated listens. And the songs pulls a Journey on you with the high vocal note with matching guitar solo, reminds of Steve and Neal in the glory days. Crazy hooks with the vocals and the chorus and keeps you humming along.

The cd seem to have a natural flow from song to song that keeps you listening. All That You Wanted is a slow burner of a song, the song stays in check but seems like it could bust open at any moment. All The People You Love has a good guitar lick and a rougher sounding Hugo matching the edge on the song. If Your Ever Lonely has a familiar sound to it, at times I could swear I have heard it somewhere before, but then it changes directions so slightly, just to be different. Desire (is that Neal playing?!?) again another song with a scorching guitar part, but even with that, it is my least liked song on the cd. Vocally, the chorus fails to deliver. But still a song that is worthy to be in with the rest of the songs on this cd. Standing Alone is a rocker, with a good vocal. The cd closes with the best vocal track on the cd, A Tear In LA. Listening to the song it seems like it could have been a follow up to Faithfully, with the mood, playing and wording of the song. Wow a great song and cd.

This cd could have easily been a natural follow up to Raised On Radio.

Time On Earth-2000 (C-)

From the start of the first note, the cd had a false hope to it. Can't Stop Loving You had an old familiar sound to the music, but that is were it ends. The keyboards sound distant and faint. Hugo starts singing and he sounds hollow. the chorus kicks in and it comes across the outer edges of the sound spectrum giving it a distant light touch when it should pick up the song, it distracts from it. Not a good start. One saving grace for this song is the guitar, it is clean and clear. Tell It To My Heart has a good chorus, and an ok build up to it. And Hugo pulls off some good vocals on it, especially at the end of the song, holding the note over the guitar. But this is one of the few bright spots on this cd. Last One More Time could have been a vocal triumph for Hugo, but the vocals seemed slurred and the high notes unnecessary. He seems to be worried about trying to be Steve Perry, and the song shows his short comings on it. Passionate vocals isn't always about going high as you can. Anyone In Love sounds beautiful, but comes across as a very boring song. Fine shows some fire to it, something this cd is very lacking in, but at times Hugo vocals on this song are almost grating. The tone of this whole cd is bland. Blues For You, is one of the two really standout songs on this cd. Hugo sings with a passion that seems to be missing for most of this cd. The playing by the band also shows a deep burning fire. If rest of the cd could have been like this...IF!!! This Love Song, I Will Be Waiting, and Our Love Will Be There are just plain boring. Every time I listen to these songs, I can not help but think what a waste of talent. The other outstanding song on this cd is Triumph's Magic Power, Hugo delivery and vocal power is great, the band shows life too. The cd closes with what could have been another great song, I like the song, I just don't like the production on this song. Heck, I don't like the production on the whole cd to be honest. Poor material, poor production, lifeless singing and playing. Only 3, maybe 4 songs I listen to on the whole cd. Shame, because Hugo is talented.

Fire In The Night-2004 (B)

A big improvement over the the last cd. Better writing, singing, playing, and a lot better production. The cd starts with a barn burner with Hand In Hand. This song belongs in a handbook on how to right songs that sound like Journey. It is very good. Fire In The Night, is another good rocker, with a strong beat to it.

I'll Learn To Live Without You is a nice mid tempo song, that sounds like a leftover from Raised On Radio by Journey (which is not a bad thing). The acoustic Just So You Know is probably my favorite song on this cd. Hugo sounds awesome. Hugo as good interaction with his guitarist on (Don't Wanna) Say Goodbye Tonight, it is good to see a little bit of dueling going on with them. Just To Be With You Tonight, another slow song that Hugo pulls off well, no surprise there. While Here I Am suffers a little from a really lack of build up from the band. This song could have been through the roof if the band had been kicked a few notches.

I really dislike the opening vocal on Every Time You Walk Away. Rest of the song just never recovers. It's The Love while a good song also lacks from really strong playing, or a deeper sounding bass. And Hold Me the closing song tries to show some punch, but by the time it delivers, I have already lost interest in the song.

Over all a strong cd from Hugo.

Hugo's Evolution Live 2006

So does Hugo sound like Steve Perry? Here is a download of his band Evolution. Evolution is a Journey Tribute band. This show has 10 live songs recorded at the Canal Ball Room. 10 tracks and front cover in the download. So could Hugo have pulled off being Journey's new singer?

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QQJS8JVJ

Soul Salvation-2008 (B+)

Wow what a return, Soul Salvation is a great cd!!! The tile track is one of Hugo's best!!! Hugo sounds great and the band is just as good if not better than they were on the first Valentine cd. The music seems inspired and the production is top notch. Dream On The Way starts the cd off on the right foot with a nice tempo song that is great all the way thru. The vocal ending of the song is great. Pickin' Up The Pieces, another mid tempo song with Hugo and the band playing with a fire that begs to be noticed. I usually hate songs named Love Song, but this Love Song, stings with passion. The guitar solo is one of the best on any Hugo cd. Hugo glides thru the vocal on the song, the high notes are clean and full of power. With the way One More Chance starts out with the urgent guitar and beat, I was really expecting a faster paced song, but the band keeps it under control, which just servers Hugo's vocals better. The song seems like it could explode at anytime, but it never does, which just adds to the heat of the song. Hugo as always shined on the slower song, and the slower the song the more like Perry he sounds. With Pages, Hugo should have been in full Perry mode, but that is not the case. Pages is the weakest song to this point on the cd, it ends up picking up some steam, but it is the arrangement of the song that kills it for me, seems to busy. Every Time You Go Away, starts with a nice little vocal intro, then kicks into gear, becoming a nice mid tempo song. I really like the chorus on this song, even though it likes a good hook to grab your attention. Could have liked a longer guitar solo on this song too. Ending reminds me of Girl Can't Help It from Journey's Raised on Radio. I'll Be The One has a laid back feel to it that for some reason didn't really grab my attention the first few times I listened to it. It has grow on me, but is lacking something, needs a little more punch to it. Has some nice vocal work to it. Wait has a catching chorus to it and rock pretty good thru out the whole song. Some good keyboard work on this song too. Good soulful guitar solo in the song. Hugo's vocal is stunning, like the way the music stops for a few seconds and Hugo carries the song for that instance. Just adds to the strength of the song. The last song Love Is All We're After is the worst song on the cd. I really do not care for this song. Hugo sings in a lower register, which he has done before to good effect, but here it is very distracting and annoying, The song has a very retro feel to it, which also for some reason I do not like.
Over all a very good return for the band. A couple of songs really hurt the cd, but the over all feel for the cd is good.

The Dream-2008 (A)

While Hugo's debut self titled solo cd from 98 is my favorite cd by him, this cd is a very very close second. If you wondered how Hugo would sound with Neal Schon playing the guitar, you got the next best thing, Josh Ramos. It was Josh who gave the Storm that extra Journey edge on their two cds, and he does it again here. The cd also has a nice "wall of sound" production, yet the vocals or the guitar never get lost.

You're Not Alone starts the cd off rocking, and as soon as the guitar starts you there is something different this time around. The song is fast paced with a hard hitting drum through it. The chorus lifts the song up and Ramos burns it up. Heck Ramos burns it up the whole cd, finally someone to give Hugo that extra push. The second song also starts with a urgency, but quickly fades, by then it has already pulled you in. All I Wanted has a beat that keeps you in the song, even though it never really picks back up to how it started. Josh's playing makes the song smolder. The title track The Dream is a nice Journey tribute, that pulls the vocal style from Don't Stop Believin. The Dream is not only a tribute to the song, but a modern day extension of the song. Fools Game is one of the weaker songs on the cd. It sounds good, but comes across lacking lyrically. It is however a great showcase for Ramos. Bring Back This Love, In The City, and Tomorrow are good songs, all show what make Hugo and Ramos a good pair, strong guitar and great vocals. The two of them take these slightly above average songs and pump some life into them.

When You Get Lonely, I can not make my mind up on this song, one time I think it is my least liked song on the cd. The next time I really like it. Today, I really like it. The problem with it is Hugo's vocals. At times I think they are a bad fit for the song, then the next time I can hear the loneliness he is expressing. Not a bad song when I am not into it, but when I am, my third favorite song on the cd, behind You're Not Alone and The Dream. I Can Take You closes the cd. Clocking in clocking in just a few seconds under 8 minutes shows why theses two people need to work togerther even more. The song holds your intrest the whole time, Josh's best work on the cd, which is great thru out. Hugo pulls out the high notes and finally has someone to push him on.
Givin time this may end up being my favorite Hugo cd..

KEVIN CHALFANT

Kevin Chalfant, in my opinion is one of the greatest singers out there. The man has a golden voice, that can be soft or powerful, and a range to match. Not many people know of Kevin, but he has been around for many years, singing in bands like The Storm, Two Fires, 707, Steel Breeze, and Shooting Star. I may not know the whole story, but I can say I know a lot of his music. Kevin was rumored to take Steve Perry's place back in 88 when Perry left the group Journey. Then in the mid 90's before Journey's Trial By Fire cd, Kevin was in the group doing a few shows for the band. The band was to start recording with Kevin, when Perry decided he wanted back in Journey, so they sent Kevin packing, along with Gregg Rollie. Would have loved to have heard a Kevin lead Journey, with Neal, John, Gregg, Smith, and Ross on cd and stage. But it was not meant to be. And yet again when Perry bailed on the Trail tour they went with Steve Augeri (who had a good run with Journey). And yet again when Augeri lost his voice on the Generations tour, the call went out to Kevin, who this time couldn't be there on Journey's time frame. Again, with Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto out of the picture, I was once again hoping for a Kevin led Journey, but again, it is not meant to be.

Even without Journey, Kevin has put out some fantastic cds, and some of them have been done with past and present members of Journey. The cds I have by Kevin are reviewed below, and I can strongly recommend buying his cds. If your a Journey fan, there are times when his music is more Journey than Journey themself.

SOLO CDS

Running With The Wind (A-)

This cd was done between Storm cds, and has a more laid back feel to this cd when compared to the two Storm cds. The first 5 songs on the cd are just plain great. The soul coming from Kevin's voice is beyond belief. Kevin shows he is not a Steve Perry clone, although the compression will always be there. Kevin takes a natural approach to his singing being more his self, than trying to sound like Perry.

Love Changes Everything is a good example of this. On this cd, he is more himself, which is always a good thing. Kevin voice shows such power on this song and through out the cd.

The last 4 songs fail to match the power of the first 5, but still come across strong. It is just that the first half of the cd is very strong, and over shadows the second half of the cd. The only song on the cd, I usually skip is Hurricane, which is the only weak link to a other wise great cd.

Shadows Fade (A-)

This is a treasure indeed. Twisted Again starts the cd off on the right foot. Awesome vocals and a very powerful song. Sooner Or Later is another good rocker. The cd rocks for the most part and very uptempo. Best guitar work since the Storm days. Speak shows off the miracle that is Kevin's voice. My only complaint, is that the cd is a little heaver in production than what I am use to with Kevin, but it doesn't take away from the music or the voice.

Back to Square One (A)

This a Christian hymn cd of traditional songs like I Have Decide To Follow Jesus, How Great Thou Art, At The Cross, Just As I Am, are just some of the 10 hymns on this awesome cd. When I saw How Great Thou Art was on this cd, I was both excited about it and dreading it. I didn't know how Kevin would sing it. Go for the Elvis live cut on the basic hymn. I was wanting the Elvis and also hoping he wouldn't do it. And by Elvis, I mean vocally cut loose, and rip the song. But he didn't. And really that is a good thing, because this is praise cd of worship. And vocally showing off would be defeating the purpose and putting the spot light on you and not Christ.

The term Back square one means to go back to the beginning, and in today's age when some Christian rock can not be told from regular rock, this cd is a true pleasure to hear.

Christmas With Friends (A)

My favorite Christmas cd. Traditional songs and rockin Christmas songs all on one cd. Kevin brings them all to life in awe inspiring vocals. This cd is in heavy rotation every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The best out there.

Fly 2 Freedom (A)

Kevin has often been compared to Steve Perry through out his career, and now he has done a Journey tribute cd. Journey's hits are here and we get to see how Kevin would have done fronting Journey. Don't Stop Believing', Faithfully, Lights, Open Arms, and Send Her My Love are the stand outs on this cd. But it is Separate Ways (an awesome Journey song) that falls flat. Kevin does a stand up job on the song but it the retro fluffy keyboards that really hurts the song, the song is still very listenable, but it takes away a lot of the punch that this song is known for. Rest of the cd and its songs come off very good.

Some have gotten mad over Kevin doing these songs, trying to be Perry, but they have the wrong idea. this is a cd of tribute to one of the greatest bands out there, by one of the greatest voices paying homage to another great voice. This cd isn't meant to replace your Journey collection, but give others take on the songs. And this take is very good indeed.

with the Storm.

The Storm (A)

When I first heard the lead off single for this cd, I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love, I just knew that Journey was back inaction with Steve Perry. I went in the music store asking for the new Journey cd, no body knew what I was talking about, until I mentioned the song on the radio. They handed the Storm cd to me and I sat in the car listening to it, before going home. I was blown away!! How could a group sound this much like Journey and not be Journey. You Keep Me Waiting, awesome song to open the cd with, and it just got better. Kevin never heard of him till I listened to this cd, and I have been a fan ever since, buying new and back catalog cds by him. Steve Smith and Ross Valory sounded tight together, but they should, they were Journey's rhythm section for over 10 years. Ramos, a great axeman had enough of Neal Schon's sound to add to the Journey sound. But the big surprise was Greg Rollie. Greg never sounded better on keys, and turned in his best vocals up to that point. His lead vocals on In The Raw, Call Me, Take Me Away, Still Loving You,are smooth, yet emotional. Better than anything he has done with Journey or solo. But the BIG winner was Kevin, him and Rolie teamed up vocals on some songs for the pure-Escape feel of Journey. But when Kevin was alone on vocals, in that time he was untouchable. Two of the most vocally stunning songs were Show Me The Way and the closing song Can't Live Without Love. Those songs showed that Kevin could handle Perry legacy. The Storm did Journey has good as Journey if not better.

Eye of the Storm (A+)

This cd is even better their debut cd, and that was great. Ever song has a purpose and that is to please. Don't Give Up starts of the cd a rockin and the cd never really lets you down from there. The band sound even more Journey like but at the same time towards their own sound.

Long Time Coming is my favorite song on the cd, and one of my top songs of all time. Kevin is fantastic on this and rest of the songs. While Gregg again has some of his best vocals too. And songs like Come In Out Of The Rain, What Ya Doing Tonight, To Have And To Hold, and Give Me Tonight could have fit on any Journey cd. A Shame the band split up do to record company politics.

with Two Fires

Two Fires (B+)

A great debut cd by the band, shows a lot of promise of what is ahead for the band. CD has strong writing, playing and production. Josh shows a strong hand on the axe, and Kevin is vocally awesome. My Love Will Be There is an awesome song to open the cd, and sets the tone for rest of the in what to expect. A Mans Gotta Do What A Mans Gotta Do will have you singing along. Summer of Love, Remember, I Won't Give Up On Us are other stand out songs on this cd. Rest of the cd is pretty good, one or two songs are a little weak, but other than that....This is a cd I put in a crank up from start to finish.

Ignition (B-)

There are a few things that are disappointing about this cd. One is the songwriting, with the talent involved in this cd, Kevin and Josh, plus Survivor's Jim Peterik, one would think that this would have been an outstanding cd. But it seems to be rock by the numbers. Two is the production, after the first Two Fires cd and The Storm cds, this seems to be almost demo quality sound. But Ramos and Kevin sound awesome, just wish they were going somewhere in the song. A few of the songs seem to really have no meaning. There are some shining stars on this cd. Songs like I Will Remember You, Ignition, and I'm Falling. Rest of the songs are not skip or turn down poor, but they don't have the crank it up or sing along quality you expect from Kevin. Still not a bad cd to own, just not one of his best.

with 707

Mega Force (C-)

This is my lest favorite cd with Kevin on it. The production really bites and the so does most of the song writing. Like Shooting Star, 707 as never really been a group I have really liked or followed. The copy I have is the 2006 bonus track re-issue. If memory serves me right, the original came out in or around 82. There are several problems with this cd that I do not like. One the bonus material is pretty bad. The productions sound like it was pulled right off the LP and not remastered, has a very hollow and shallow feel to it. The songs are lame and the music is just about as lame. Kevin singing is not that good either. Sounds like it was cut vocally in one weekend, with Kevin having a cold and sore throat

Having said that there are a couple of bright spots that save this cd from doom. Namely Can't Hold back and Mega Force. This very very seldom seems the inside of any of my cd players.

with the Vu

The Vu [Also know as Phoenix Rising by Kevin Chalfant] (B)

(one of several covers I have seen)

Kevin teams up Journeyman Ross Valory to make a solid cd. Some stand out songs are Keys to the City, Who You Gonna Believe, One Track Mind, and So Long. An early cd that should have got Kevin the Journey job back when Perry first left the band. The other songs hold there own, and there is really nothing I dislike about this cd.

with Shooting Star

Circles (B)
I have neverr been a Shooting Star fan, and I was hoping that maybe with Kevin in the band that would change my mind. I have to say it did not. When I first got this cd, and the only reason I bought was due to Kevin being in the band, I was not impressed. I listened to it about 5 or 6 times and then put it up on the shelf. From time to time I would give it a play, and never really warmed up to it. But something as happened over the past year, I have started to like the cd. Guess I never really gave it time to grow on me. Maybe part of the problem was Kevin was involved in the writing of the songs, except for one. Maybe it was the production. What ever the problem was, it was either me, or I grew use to the music. Runaway and What Is Love were the stand outs on the cd. But songs such as Borrowed Time, Everybody's Crazy, Temptation, I'm A Survivor have call be songs that I play on a regular basis. While George's Song gets skipped every time, rest of the cd seems to be filler that depending on my mood is either passed on or turned down.

Kevin's singing is good as always, the music seems a little lifeless at times. The problem I have had with Shooting Star in the past. Goes to show no matter good a singer is, if the playing and/or the writing isn't any good, the cd will never be above average (look at Steve Perry's For The Love Of Strange Medicine cd).

STEEL BREEZE

Still looking for this cd, been out of print for years. Downloaded their debut cd (without Kevin) the other day, and it pretty good. Also been looking for the cd that has is Hold Onto Your Vision song. Found a utube link so here is the down load of it....

www.megaupload.com/?d=QYEXKTI7

Anyone know where I can get the two above cds, let me know.