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..

Styx the early years

Styx is my favorite rock group. One of the reasons I have like the band is because it is hard to put their music into anyone category. Rock-n-Roll, pop, hard rock, soft rock, new wave. The band has had hits in all these feilds too. At any time in the bands history, they have had 3 vocalists. Dennis DeYoung (keys), Tommy Shaw (guitar), James Young (guitar), John Curuleswski(guitar), Lareance Gowan (keys) , and Glen Burtnik (guitar). Plus the band has had Todd Sucherman and John Paanozzo on drums. Also on bass was original bass man Chuck Panoozzo, and now Ricky Phillips. But no matter the line-up or the year, the band has made good music and put on great concerts.
The early years of Styx was Dennis, John C., John P, JY and Chuck, this was up until the Equniox cd, which would be John C's last.

Styx-1972 (C-)

The first cd by Styx is the most un Styx like of all the cds. 2 or 3 songs on the cd are written by the members of the band, the rest of the cd is covers. Not that the covers are bad, they just are not that good. Styx would not have a good covers cd till about 30 years later. My favorite cover song, which is my favorite song on the cd, is Quick Is The Beat Of My Heart. Best Thing is my favorite Styx written song. But I would not buy this cd if I were not a Styx fan, any of their best of cds from this era 2 of the 3 good songs on the cd. By the way, the cover show is from the 1980 re-releases, this not the original.

Styx 2-1973 (C+)

After a lackluster start, Styx came back with their follow up CD, Styx 2. This time writing their own songs, and John C. singing on the two songs that he wrote, A Day, and You better ask. A Day is a good song, containing a very good instrumental in the middle. You Better Ask is one of the two weak songs on the CD, a song about VD and pregnancy and the problem it causes. But the star of this CD is Dennis. Writing five of the six songs, and handling vocals on three of them. Dennis started it all right here, with a song called Lady. Not a hit at first, but a couple years after the release of this CD, it would be a top ten hit, their first of many. Father O.S.A. one of the other songs that Dennis has lead vocals on is a prelude of songs to come for the group (Madame Blue, etc). JY isn't to be counted out, handling vocals on You Need Love and the rocker I'm Gonna Make You Feel It, which is a great closer for the CD. Styx showed life on this CD, long before anyone really knew them. Earl Of Roseland is my least liked song on the cd, Dennis' voice is grating.

Serpent is Rising -1973 (D+)

I remember when I first got his album (CD), I put it on and cranked it up. I was totally blown away by the opening track, Witch Wolf, JY had created an awesome rocker. But things didn't awesome for long. The Grove of Eglantine, by Dennis falls flat, one of my least liked songs by Dennis. I do not like the way it is sang, arranged, I just don't care for it. But JY, again saves the CD with the third track, Young Man. This track has a meaning behind it, and can still be sung today as easily as when the Vietnam war was going on. And this song kicks butt. JC, enters the game with a good As Bad As This, but by the time the track is over, a non listed song pops up, Plexiglass Toilet. This has to be the worst Styx song in history. Its a embarrassment to listen to, when I play the CD now, I have to hit the skip button. It's hard to keep listening to the CD after hearing this song, most of the time, I'm able to move on to the next song. But since its a "hidden" song its tacked onto the end of As Bad As This, and you can't program your player to skip "Plexi"without skipping "As bad as.." The next song is Winner Takes All, a good message, but Jy voice is whiny, and the CD never really recovers with the following tracks.The CD really tries to rock, and at points it really does. Witch Wolf, and Young Man are two of JY's finest. Dennis writes three songs and sings vocals on two, one of witch is a duet with JC. As a concept CD, which it tries to be, it comes up very short with its dark message. Basically it is some songs (most of them poorly produced and written) with a very very thin theme in some of them.

Man of Miracles-1974 (B-)

Their 1974 release, starts off with the rocking Rock and Roll Feeling and ends with the metal title track Man of Miracles. And this CD contains some very good songs, even though they never got any air play, Lady from Styx 2 was starting to be picked up ath the time of this release .This CD contains other rockers besides the two mentioned above, Southern Woman the 3rd sung and written by JY, shows that he could carry a STYX CD. He also sings A Man Like Me, Havin' a Ball, and shares vocals with Dennis on Lies. Having written or, co-written about half the tracks on this outing, JY made what would be his best STYX CD. He would later be reduced to one to two songs a CD, as the Tommy and Dennis pair would take over the writing chores on later Cd's.Dennis made his presence know this time, on the last CD (SERPENT) he was almost unnoticed. But this time he showed his style, that would later develop into his superstar writing pattern.Here he as the songs Golden Lark, A Song for Suzanne,both good, the haunting Evil Eyes, the lackluster Christopher, Mr.Christopher. And if you were lucky you may have the CD with the hidden track Unfinished Song, which besides Lady is his best song up to this date. JC didn't sing on this outing, and he only co-wrote three songs. Rest of the band Chuck and John, show a growing connection in the playing together, the whole group appears to be coming together. only leave Havin' a Ball, which keeps repeating itself, is the weakest song this time, followed by DeYoung's Christoper song .Over all not a bad album.

Equniox-1975 (B+)

Styx starts off their new CD with a one two punch, Light up, and Lorelei. Both songs sung by Dennis show the growing range of his vocals, and the range of his keyboards. The former was written with JY (which he now sings lead vocals on in concert). The CD is very keyboard driven, and very well produced. Both songs, along with this Cd's Suite Madame Blue are Styx' classics. Suite Madame Blue is one of my all time favorite songs, the live versions of this song stand out above just about any song on radio or in concert today. Lonely Child is your typical Dennis song. Midnight Ride is a classic JY song, and one of his best ever. Mother Dear would be JC's last song for Styx (he would leave the group before they would start this tour), and other than some good keyboard work, this song falls flat. Born for Adventure, is a good rocker.Overall not a bad start with their new record label, and it stands up well to the test of time. Over the past couple of years this CD has grown on me even more.

Steve Perry

Steve Perry, The greatest singer is Rock history, and one of the greatest singers ever. The man could belt a rocker that would floor you, then sing a ballad that would rock you with the emotion he put into it. The man has also caused more controversy. Who cares if "Elvis has left the building", it is "Perry has entered the building!" His sudden disappearance after Journey's Trail By Fire, has divided the Journey camp. Did he leave Journey or was he fired? Did he really have hip problems and if he did, was there surgery. Is he losing his voice? Is he ever going to make a new cd? Every year for the past 10 years, rumour has it Perry is in the studio working on a new cd. 10 years now!!! And the big one, which came first the chicken or the egg question, "would Journey have made it big without Perry or would Perry have made it big without Journey?" Whatever the questions, the man has talent as a singer and song writer. But who would have been more popular?


Street Talk-1984 (B+)

Journey's vocalist Steve Perry's STREET TALK is his first and best solo cd. With a voice like Perry, it is hard not to know it is not him singing. He has a voice like no other. He is the voice of rock. STREET TALK confirms this even more.
Oh Sherrie starts off the cd. It starts off with a very recognizable keyboard intro, but when Perry sings, you know who is in control. This is his show, no matter how good the music is or how poor, Perry sails above it all. Perry sings with control and confidence. Even though his voice is showing more wear and tare, he pulls it off in a slightly lower range. He still soars above the rest of the singers in the field.
Perry vocals are showcased on all songs, but he really shines on Oh Sherrie, I Believe, She's Mine, Foolish Heart, Running Alone, and Captured By The Moment.
While Strung Out wasn't a vocal showcase for Perry that it could have been, it is still a good song, and is the most Journey like sounding song on the cd. And that brings the only weak point to the cd. The people playing the music for Perry. As great of a singer that Perry is, he needs a strong band to back him up. The musicians are good here, but they are not of the Journey caliber.
Still a very good cd here,and some good songs.

For The Love Of Strange Medicine (C-)/Remastered (B)

Production, production, production. It can make a bad cd good, or a good cd sound bad. This cd show both sides of the coin. When this cd first came out, I was ready for it. A new cd from the voice of rock himself, Steve Perry!! This man can sing and right music, but more than anything he can sing. From the opening note of You Better Wait to the note of Anyway I was in shock!?! What had happened?! This was not the Steve Perry I know. While there were some good songs on here, the cd was lifeless, from the singing to the playing. So I put the cd on again, this time I cranked it up. HORRIBLE!!! Turned it down half way threw the cd. It was almost a week before I came back to it. Listened to it in the car, at work, on my walkman. Everywhere I went this cd went with me. And for years the memory of this horrible outing by Perry was how I pictured him. The Journey reunion faired better, but failed to live up to Journey's high standards. While I said it was a bomb (for Journey), it is not a bad cd. But this cd was bad. The only songs I every listened to when I put this on were You Better Wait, I Am, Stand Up, Missing You, and Anyway the rest were skipped.

Now flash forward 12 years. Journey reissues their catalogue freshly remastered. I by them all plus Steve's Street Talk. I was amazed by how good they sounded. But did I want to waste my money on this cd? I am glad I talked my self into. The remasters have breathed a new life and a new sound into this cd. The music no longer seems stale, but full of life and crisp. Now other songs that I skipped I listen too, and the songs I liked, only sound better.

Yes production can make a difference.

Greatest Hits Plus 5-1998 (B+)

Is Steve really worth a hits cd? Only 2 cds (solo) and I was not a big fan of the second for a long time. Yeah Steve is worth this. Included are some soundtrack solo stuff the Awesome I Stand Alone and some early demo, plus songs from his unreleased Against The Wall cd. Would have been nice to have had some Journey songs recorded from his solo shows.

Playlist; The Very Best Of Steve Perry-2009 (B)

Can't really say a lot about this set. Nothing new, and it is all covered in the 1998 hits cd. Worth buying if you do not own the remastered cds above.

Ok, who would have been more popular if Perry had not gotten hooked up with Journey?

Perry had retired, given up on music Journey was still moving a long, having hired a new singer right before Perry came along. I think both would have done ok. Perry's solo stuff has been good but not outstanding, while Journey's has done a little bit better. What Perry was lacking was someone who had the fire that his voice had, and keep the music sharp. What Journey had was someone who could sing, but they seemed scared to move on from the prog sound they were stuck in (Perry had the attitude to move them foreward). So I think, Journey would have gone down the rock road and Perry more pop or even r&b. But it doesn't really matter because they got together and made some of the best music out there. Schon needed someone who could match his playing, and Perry had the voice to do it. Perry, then Cain brought a more pop rock approach to the sound, but Neal's guitar keep even the slow songs on fire, and Perry's voice gave them soul.

Forget about all the what ifs and what could have been, just crank it up and enjoy the voice and the music.

SAMMY HAGAR

Sammy Hagar is one of the finest rock and front men in the business. He has had a successful solo career, fronted one of the biggest rock bands in history, Van Halen. And on top of that he has worked with and has the respect of the rock community.
Sammy may not have the best voice out there, but he packs an emotional wallop in his songs. Sammy may not be the best guitarist out there, but he can handle his own against the best. He may not be the
best stage persona, but he has fun on stage, and brings the audience along for the fun. Sammy's song writing at times seems pigeon holed, but he does it good, and will still step out into the political or religion area and have his say. So what makes Sammy one of the best front men out there, all the above, and a love for what he does. It shows on every cd. I may not like everything he has done, but Sammy holds to his guns, and lets it rip. The cds below are what I have, and with the new Chickenfoot cd, now is a good time to see how it compares to the rest.




Chickenfoot-2009 (B+)


A new "super group" of veteran rockers, lead by Hagar on vocals, with his musical buddy from Van Halen, Micheal Anthony on bass. Joe Satriani, is the guitarist, and Red Hot Chilly Peppers drummer, Chad Smith fills out the band. What a combination, I didn't know whether to run and hide or strap on my headphones and crank it up. Not being a big Chilly Pepper fan and not having followed Satriani career that much, I was in doubt about this cd. But hearing Mike and Sam together again was what made me crank it up. I am glad I did. This cd starts off with a bang and heads along at warp speed. Sometimes the music seems ready to jump off the disk. The first 4 songs Avenida Revolucion, Soap On A Rope, Sexy Little Thing and Oh Yeah, along with Get It Up and Learning To Fall make for a great rock and roll cd. The band for the most parts seem to click very well together, still a little issue with the drummer, but he moved up a notch in my book. Satriani I like his style, got 6 of cds on the way. What can I say about Sammy and Mike, other than BAM!!!! In your face rock, lets see if Dave, Eddie and little wolfie can beat this!





Sammy Hagar-1977- (C+)

First record of Hagar's I ever owned. This cd hasn't really stood the test of time that well. The are a hand full of good tunes Red, Rock-n-Roll Weekend are the best of them, while Filmore Shuffle and Cruisin and Boozin feel out the rest the decent songs. C&B musically, is good , but hate the thought of drinking and driving with your buddies, now a days, sends shivers down my spine. Rest of the cd is filler and the songs really are slightly below average.



Danger Zone-1979 (C)


This outing by the Red Rocker contains some good songs also. Love Or Money, Bad Reputation, Iceman and Run For Your Life. But as with Sammy early work, the songs were either good or bad, and it is about 50/50 on this outing. Production is better this time too. Sammy plays with a gusto on all the songs, it just that all the songs aren't worth the effort.





Musical Chairs-1981 (B-)


This is were Sammy started coming into his own. Chairs is a raw energy filled cd. The songs are all good. There are no songs that have "filler" written all over them. Reckless, Turn Up The Music, You Make Me Crazy, and Someone Out There are the stand outs on this cd. Turn Up The Music is one of my top 10 Hagar songs. And he has done something here that was really lacking on his earlier efforts, you want to listen to the whole cd, and some of the songs have you singing along.



Standing Hampton- 1981 (A)

This is my favorite Hagar cd. From front to back it rocks. If Hagar came into his own on Musical Chairs, he kicked it into overdrive with this outing. I'll Fall In Love Again, Heavy Metal, Sweet Hitchhiker, Baby's On Fire, and my favorite Hagar, There's Only One Way To Rock. Production on this cd is the best yet to this point, not to raw and not to polished, it adds just the right kick without overdoing it. Not a bad song on this cd, the music is tight, the vocals are powerful and Hagar is at his best. There is only one way to rock with Hagar, LOUD!

Live 1980-1983 (D)

I wanted so bad to like this cd when it came out in 83. The performance and production does nothing to catch Sammy at his best, and that is on stage. Cd (record then) was recorded in 1980 so nothing from his last two fine recordings, Standing Hampton and Musical Chairs are on here. I feel it was released to catch some sales on Hagar's new found popularity. Song selection is ok, and the cd may be better if it was remastered. But for now it is the low man on the totem pole.

3 Lock Box-1983 (B)

Again Hagar delivers another great cd. Many people I have talked to consider this his best pre Van Halen cd, and some his best period. I am not one 0f those people. I think the cd is good and has many good songs on it like, 3 Lock Box, Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy, Rise Of The Animal and I Don't Need Love. It is the other songs that fail to hit the mark. Remote Love and I Would Change A Thing are cringe worthy. Rest of the songs are ok, but do not offer any thing good or bad to the cd.

Through The Fire-1984 (C-)

I did not get this cd till a few years back. Never heard of it till then. Hagar and Neal Schon of Journey on one cd. The possibilities!! The cover promised this music would be on fire, just like I thought. Top Of The Rock was just that my favorite song from the cd. But then something bad happened, rest of the songs failed to capture the lead of song. What should have been an awesome musical experience turned to pain. Each track was a bigger disappoint than the last one. It wasn't until My Home Town that the guys turned it around and then it was too late. The cd may not be as really bad as I say it is. But the problem is with the greatest axeman in the business, Neal, and one of the greatest rock and roll front men, you hopes are really high for a great cd, no an outstanding cd. What we got here is a plain doctored up live cd, with ok production and just ok songwriting and playing.

V.O.A.-1984 (B)

Again back to his basic band, Hagar pull out another good cd. I Can't Drive 55, one of Sammy's best songs, starts this disk out on the right start. A hard guitar lick and a great sing along chorus that sinks its hooks in you and drags you along. The cd almost stumbles with the second song, Swept Away. The song is a little too over dramatic for it's own good. Rock Is In My Blood, Two Sides Of Love, and Don't Make Me wait are standard Hagar affair, they are still worth repeated listens. And the cd ends with the awesome Burning Down The City, some great guitar work on this song.

I Never Say Goodbye-1987 (A-)

This is my second favorite cd by Hagar, which was recorded after his first cd 5150, with Van Halen (Van Hagar). The production adds a heavy feel to the cd, which normally I do not care for, but it works here. Some of Sammy's best guitar work is on this cd, and his voice is in true form. Every song is good from the blues Standing At The Same Old Crossroads, to free flying Eagles Fly. Returning Home and Boys Night Out sound like 5150 material (which was their best cd), while the rest could have had a place on any of his last 3 studio cds. The last three songs on this cd are in my top 10 Hagar songs, Back Into You, Eagles Fly, What They Gonna Say Now. Give To Live was the hit off this cd, and probably my favorite liked song on it. A great cd.

The Best Of Sammy Hagar-1992 (A)

Of all the early Hagar "best of" collections this is the best. Pulls from all the early cds, plus has Hagar's version of his own song, that Rick Springfield made famous, I've Done Everything For You. Plus Otis Redding's' Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay with the rock Boston on backing vocals. Plus it doesn't hurt that it has all my favorite early Hagar songs, like Plain Jane, Turn Up The Music, Reckless, Bad Reputation, You Make Me Crazy. A good solid best of collection all the way around.

Unboxed- 1994 (A)

Another good collection of Sam's songs, this time from 81 to 87. The big ones are here Only One Way To Rock, Heavy Metal, I Can't Drive 55, plus many other. Two new songs Buying My Way Into Heaven and Up In Smoke are a welcome addition to the Sam club of music.

Marching To Mars-1997 (A-)

Sammy comes back to his solo career with a vengeance. Marching is a solid effort that kicks some serious butt! Little White Lie is a rocker with a blues feel to it, and Huey Lewis is playing harmonica on it too. Lie is under 3 minute and packs a punch, that makes me want to throw down on guitar, or in my case air guitar. Following along in the right Now mode, is Who Has The Right a very social commentary song about life and death. Both Sides Now is another good rocker, as is the tile track. The Meatloaf song, which Hagar wrote, is on here, Amnesty Is Granted. Meat played it out as a straight rocker, but Sammy builds it up then takes it down for a nice controlled ride with his voice at times cutting loose and taking you over the edge. rest of the songs stand out as more than just filler. Another great cd.

The Anthology-1998 (B+)

A good collection of songs from montrose to his V.O.A. cd. The songs are in chronological order and show a good selection from his early years to his right before Van Halen years.

Red Voodoo-1999 (C)

Sammy started getting away from the rocker and going more into the party mode in both persona and concerts. It was a change I didn't like. The songs are ok, and the production pretty weak. The songs are not bad, but other than Don't Fight It, I really can't find any reason to own it, unless yur a Hagar fan.

Ten 13-2000 (B)

A return to basic for Sammy here, at least on recording. Better production, writing and playing make for a better record, and that is what we got this time around. It starts off with Shaka Doobie a nice little rocker, with a nice guitar lick. Must say Sammy and his new band (from 97's cd up) are starting to gel pretty good here. Let Sally Drive, Serious Juju, Deeper Kind Of Love, and Ten 13 are the standouts, only a couple songs fall below standard fare, and the rest stay above average rock.

Not 4 Sale-2002 (B+)

Another laid back cd from Sam, that rocks! Sam must be getting older and wiser, having learned what works and what doesn't, he has laid the ground work for a great cd here. Production at times seems a little weak, but the song writng is above par. Half Way To Memphis is one of his finest songs. Stand Up, Whole Lotta Zep, Hallelujah, Things've Changed are all stand out songs on a cd full of good siongs. Sammy plays with the experience of a seasoned rocker, but with the gusto of a young one. One of My most listened to Sammy cds.



Live: Hallelujah-2003 (B)

Live, raw, loud and in your face is the best way to describe this cd. If I remember right the cd was recorded in different cities and not at one show, which I must say kinda of set me back at first. But there is no denying this Sammy at his best. Montross, Van Halen and his solo songs are here.








The Essential Red Collection-2004 (A-)

Probably the best collection of Hagar songs from early to his 1999 cd Red Voodoo. Collects some of his soundtrack songs too.

Livin' It Up-2006 (B)

A great laid back cd from Sammy, and the new songs Sam I Am and Living On A Coastline are great songs that set the mood for rest of the cd. Want rock, you got it, want some blues, it is here. want some folk sounding songs, check, want some country he got that too. A very dervierse cd for Hagar, and it comes across very clear that Sam is having a blast.

Sammy covers Dylan and Chesney along with a couple of others. Sammy's band is tight, and so is the production. Very good outing, but, there were a couple songs that I tend to skip, not because they are bad, just not my cup of tea, or in Sammy's case shot of tequila.

Cosmic Universal Fashion-2008 (D+)

I have gave this cd several listens before passing judgement. Sammy has long been one of my favorite artists, but this is crap. Sam tries to reinvent himself. I don't know what he trying to prove here, we all know he can rock, but this cd tries to be so upfront, that it is distracting. Most of the problem seems to come from the production of the cd. I don't know who produced this cd, got mine copy off Itunes, but he needs to be fired. The production is so sloppy in its attempt to sound modern and hip that it kills the songs. And for the most part the songs need to be killed. Sammy does a horrible cover of the Beaties Boys Fight For Your Right To Party, the Beastie Boys? Come on Sam, you can write better songs than this in your sleep.

The title track, Psycho Vertigo, Peephole, and When The Sun Don't Shine are the best of this poor selection. They are actually good songs, but production just about makes them unlistenable. I actually like Peephole better here even with the production better than the Soul Sirkus version that Hagar and Schon wrote for Planet Us. About the only track that Sammy's vocals don't sound like he is whinning. I thought for a while Sammy's vocie was shot unitl I heard Chickenfoot, again a casuality of poor production.

Maybe next time Sam will leave his tequila at home and pay more attention to want his going on around him.

BOSTON

CORPORATE AMERICA 2002 (C)
The name of Bostons latest cd should really be call It's Been Such A Long Time part 5. What is it about an average of 5 years between cds? What was there last cd called? Who is Boston? That should be the rally cry for Boston fans.The Bands cd COPORATE AMERICA is different than any other Boston cds for a few reasons...1) Several vocalist on one cd, 3.2) A woman is in the band, on bass.3) Several songs not written by Scholz.4) The least sounding Boston cd out there.The vocalist is a welcome part for the most part. Fran Cosomo joins Brad on several songs, plus each do there own. The bad part is it takes away from the wonder called Brad Delp. Also, Kim Dahme is the other vocalist, and she is good, but when she is singing it is NOT Boston. Kim also plays bass and does a great job of it.The cd starts out with I Had A Good Time is a great song that fits into any Boston cd. Band seems like they are having fun at it too, need to with a title like that. Cosmo wrote and sings the next song Stare Out Your Window, which could have come off the underrated WALK ON cd. Stare is also a good song, with a little slower pace to it. Cosmo vocals are good.The title track has all the vocalists on the song, singing, screaming, and purring to the voice of Corporate America and it's corruption. But the production isn't quite what I would have hoped for on this song. The vocals are all mixed together, but it may have been intended this way.Turn It Off and Crying are also good songs, for the fact they seem more old style Boston and less the "new" Boston.Rest of the songs are really not that great, but most of the time I end up hitting the skip button. But I do have one burning question for Scholz, why, WHY, is a live version of Livin For You on the cd?!? It an ok song, not the worse or best from WALK ON. So why have it on here, it not any different from the first version. Maybe it is because to write another song would have added a year or two to the cd coming out. But what is a year or two to Boston. The song may have been good!


GREATEST HITS 1997 /2009 (A-/A)
Boston has only four cds at the time of this hits collection, but it has been about 20 years during those four cds. The Hits cd has all the big songs and a few minor ones. Even has three new songs plus a a remix of one of the new ones.All the old songs deserve their place on this record. My grip on that is only one song form the WALK ON cd is on this cd, and that is the mellow Livin For You. The songs Walk On, I Need Your Love, and Surrender To Me are the better of the songs form WALK ON.My other grip, is the new songs. Tell Me is an ok song, sounds like a left over from WALK ON, The Star Spangled Banner is a Scholz showcase (Neal Schon of Journey does it way better). But the main grip is Higher Power, a great new song, but not good enough to be on here twice in two different edits. Come on...Could have put one of the WALK ON songs on here instead.



Well the 2009 version did just that, they put I Need Your Love from WALK ON, as an extra song, and got rid of the extra edit of Higher Power, which was a good song, but it didn't need to be on the cd twice. Then they got rid of the weaker then new song Tell Me, and put a song from CORPORATE AMERICA, I Had A Good Time. This makes for a much better cd.


WALK ON 1994 (B)
Boston Walk On cd was their first cd with out the amazing front man Brad Delp. Instead of Delp they replaced him with Fran Cosmo and Tommy Funderburk. This cd has an overall heavy sound to it, due to the type of music and the heavy handed production.

The cd starts off heavy and hard with I Need Your Love, and although it is apparent Delp is not singing, the song is still pulled off rather good. And The cd keeps rolling with Surrender To Me, another rocker with the two vocalist trading off leads. This works out well.

The cd slows down a bit with Livin' For You, a rather slow temp song, that doesn't bring the cd to a stop, but kinda breaks the tempo that is set for the cd. While the vocals are good, it is on the slower songs were Brad is really missed.

The 4 part title track is one of my all time favorite Boston songs, and a great song to hear in concert. The song as all the elements of a classic song, soaring vocals, wailing guitars, a crunching bass line, and over the top keyboards. AWESOME SONG!!!!

But the cd falls apart after this. The three remaining songs are some of the weakest ever done by Boston. Magdelene is a symphonic disaster, and the vocals are flat. What's Your Name is lame and We Can Make shows promise but never raises above the promise.

A good start for the new line up, and better than the weak 2nd Boston cd DON'T LOOK BACK, but it is a shame it takes two vocalist to fill Delp's shoes.


THIRD STAGE 1986 (A-)
Boston took about 6 years to get get their 3rd cd out. And 3rd stage was well worth the wait. Their DON'T LOOK BACK cd seemed like a ripoff of their 1st cd. But their new cd is a huge steep forward over their last cd. The songs are better, are better written, better played, and better produced.

Amanda starts off the cd, and with its blend of electric and acoustic guitars, it makes for a great song. Brad sings his butt off on this song, the emotion is real and honest.

We're Ready keeps the cd going and slowly builds before fading out into the Launch, which is a prelude to Cool The Engines. Cool...is a good song that really rocks. The drums and bass on this song are great and really add to this hyped up song.

The cd started off great with the above songs, but the next songs, although not bad, are the weakest on the cd. My Destination, A New World/To Be A Man are still better than most songs on the DON'T LOOK BACK cd.

But the cd picks back up with I Think I Like It, but it is Cantcha Say (You Believe In Me) that gets the cd rolling along again. Brad again delivers the goods, and Tom who plays most of the instruments delivers.

The cd closes like it opens, with an electric/acoustic song that rocks. Hollyann has Brad's best vocal on any Boston song. Sad to say, he would never have an all Boston cd to his self again.

DON'T LOOK BACK 1978 (C+)
3rd Stage is well written and well produced and well worth owning.
Don't Look Back is Boston's 2nd cd. At First when you put this cd on, and the title track comes on you know you are about to be treated to another great cd from the band. Don't Look Back is a killer track with an awesome riff. I would put this song up against any on the first cd. But things start falling apart after that. The Journey and It's Easy are nowhere near the quality of the first cd.

A Man I'll Never Be, not the rockin of the previous cd on this cd, shows another side of the band not shown before. With more reflective lyrics and a slower mode to the song. And it comes off good.

Feelin Saistfied is another good song, that will have humming along with it. But almost feels like a rip off of the first cd. Party is cut from the same cloth of Smokin and Rock-n-Roll BAnd. But it does it with a slightly fresh feel to it, and leaving you wondering if they were trying to copy the other two songs.

Used To Bad News and Don't Be Afraid close out the cd and leave you feeling what just happened? The cd starts off great, then wonders in and out of good songs. Plus the production seems muddled. A very poor second effort from the band.

BOSTON 1976 (A+)
Another one of the great all time debut albums of all time. Boston 1st cd, Boston, from 1976 is the Bands best cd. Like most bands that have a very strong debut, they never recapture the magic of the first cd. But Boston unlike most bands come close to the magic on other releases, but do not quite make it. Who would have thought that this little 8 song cd (record at the time) would also be the biggest selling debut by an artist (until Whitney Huston came along), for over a decade.

There is not a inferior song on this cd. Every song has ,magic to it. And a lot of that is owed to Brad Delp. One of the best singers ever, and one of the most under appreciated. This man can hit the notes and make it seem easy. And Tom Scholz has a unique guitar sound all his owe. He is one of theses guys when you hear the first chord of his axe, you know it is him. Maybe that is why Boston's first cd was so big, combine Delp and Scholz, plus some dang good tunes and you have one great cd.

More Than A Feeling starts off so innocent with its acoustic guitar, then turns into a monster of a song, with its crunching guitar, the clapping, and the impossible high notes. You can't but help sing along.

Peace Of Mind will have you pumping your fist in the air to it's rhythm, and humming along.

Rock -N- Roll Band and Smokin are cut from the same cloth. These songs will have you playing air guitar to them, and wishing you were in a rock and roll band, this rock and roll band. These songs just rock, pure and simple. But that is it, there is really nothing pure or simply about Boston's music.

Fore Play is one of my favorite instrumentals of all time. It has one of the best beats ever heard in a song. It is a perfect lead in for Long Time, a song that Delp owns. The man is just awe inspiring on this, as he is with Let Me Take You Home Tonight. This another song in which he shines. And another great sing along song too.

Something About You also shows the depth of Delps voice to. Not only can he hit the high notes, but he sounds good on a lower register.

Boston is more than Delp and Scholz, catch a live show and see what it takes to make there sound. But in the studio it is just the two of them, and they are are magic.

RTZ


FOUND IN AMERICA 2005 (B-)



Found in America ia left over songs from the first cd. The songs are good but the production isn't quite as good as the last two RTZ cds. It is a shame too, because the cd song wise is pretty good. I have seen different covers for this cd, and slightly different naming of the cd. Turn This Love Around is a clear standout on this cd, as is the live recording of Return To Zero.


LOST 1999 (B)
This second cd by the band is another good cd. But it is not near as good as the original. Lost starts off with a one, two, three punch that jsut about kills rest of the cd. These three songs are so powerful that it is hard to overcome you sense of awe over theses songs. After these songs I was stunned about how good they were, that rest of the cd was a disappointment, even on the better songs that followed on the cd.

The first three songs could have easily been on the first RTZ or Boston cd. But the following two songs, Violent Days and Change for Change are the weak songs for the cd. They really seem out of place here with rest of the music.

One In A Million gets better, but the cd kicks it back up with the next three songs, but Don't Lead Me On ends kinda weak. But over all a good cd.

I must say the production on this cd is the best of the RTZ cds, and the band plays good. This is some Brad Delp's best work ever...

RTZ 1991 (A-)
Boston's lead singer Brad Delp and ex Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau form a group between Boston cds, RTZ. Their debut cd RETURN TO ZERO is a very good cd. Barry and Brad have worked together on other projects away from Boston, but RTZ is their best effort. Barry was always over shadowed by guitarist Scholz in Boston, so we get to see what Barry has to offer, which is a lot. And Brad shines even more with this more laid back simple production of the cd.

The cd starts off with Face The Music, a song that slowly builds both musically and vocally and ends up delivery in a big way on the opening track. And it isn't just the opening track that packs a punch, There's Another Side and All You Got both delivery the goods. Leaving no doubt in my mind, that this is a Boston cd that never got released.

Songs even get better with some of Delp's best vocals ever with This Is My Life and Rain Down On Me. And the simple clear production is a blessing to these songs. Having Scholz heavy handed (but good) sound on the songs would only have taken away from them.

And the simple majestic Until You Love Comes Back Around is a Delp performance that begs the listener not to feel his loneliness. This Delp's best vocal ever!! The piano is haunting and as simple as the song is express more emotion than any Boston song since there debut cd.

The title track is a song that could have fit on any Boston cd, and is the closest sounding classic Boston sound.

But as good as this cd is, there are some not so great songs and a dog on here. The dog is Livin For Rock-n-Roll. Sounds like the song was made just to put the word rock and roll into a song. Devil To Pay and Hard Time are pretty weak to.

Overall a very good debut cd from the band

Other side projects


Orion The Hunter


ORION THE HUNTER 1984 (B)
Orion The Hunter is want to be Boston cd. It had Barry Goudreau, one Boston's guitarist, and Fran Cosmo a soon to be Boston vocalist. Plus Brad Delp (Boston vocalist) made a guest appearance on a couple songs, plus co wrote a couple of others.

Having said that Orion is a decent cd, with some good songs. But for the most part the cd sounds dated nowadays. But songs like there hit So You Ran, I Call It Love, and All Those Years hold up pretty good. Dark and Stormy is a good song, but with a title like that, you would want a little more raw emotion in the song.

Rest of the songs are ok, but for the most part it his hard to get past how 80's the cd sounds at times.



Barry Goudreau


BARRY GOUDREAU 1980 (B)


For many years this cd has been tried to be passed off as an unreleased 3rd Boston cd (Mission Aborted). I can see why too, Delp is singing and the song have that classic Boston fill to them. The only thing missing is the heavy handed guitar of Scholz. But that can be over looked, Delp just takes you to another place with his singing. This cd is hard to find, but worth looking for. Nothin To Loose is my favorite song from the cd. Life Is What you MAke It is also a great song. Rest of the songs are good, nothing really bad on this disk.




DELP & GOUDREAU 2003 (A-)



This is a stand out disk, never has Delp sounded any better. The minute you push play, you'll be takin back by his voice. What You Leave Behind is masterful, and after his death gives the song even more meaning. The whole cd is like this. His voice is stellar, and Barry's playing is superior to just about anything he has done. The songs are a slow to middle tempo to them, but pack a punch behind them. A fitting cd to the end of Delp's career.