I’m not usually a fan of these done-to-order projects that Frontiers put together, but this one is done really well. Killer selection of songs with some amazing vocal performance from Jeff and his guests.
Things get off to a rockin’ start with Livin’ The Life, where he is joined by his bandmate in WET, Eric Martensson. Next up is a track Jeff recorded with Yngwie, Don’t Let It End, where he is joined by the amazing vocals of Dino Jelusick. Boy does this guy have a set of pipes (check out the Dirty Shirley album he did with George Lynch). Next up is the first of the Talisman songs: Mysterious, where Eric Martin shares the vocals. Tough song to do especially as the original is so good. Believe In Me has Nathan James from Inglorious as the duet, and it’s the one song that doesn’t quite live up to the rest. Coming Home, a song Jeff wrote with Neal Schon and has Deen Castronovo on vocals. What a killer voice Deen has. It has to be tough when Jeff is covering his own songs. I’ll Be Waiting is another Talisman tune which he sings with Alirio Netto, and again the original is so good that he maybe should have done it in a different style.
Calling All Girls is next up and Jeff is joined by super lungs Russell Allen, and it’s strange to hear him sing anything other than power metal epics but it works. Colour My XTC is another Talisman track and he is joined by Renan Zonata, who I do not know but this is the best cover of the Talisman tunes, with extra killer guitar from Jorge Santos – who until now I have not heard of. Always liked Johnny Gioelli when he was in Hardline and nice to see him appear on the Axel Rudi Pell track Warrior. I guess it was inevitable that a ballad would rear its ugly head and Holding On is it, with guest BJ who apparently is in Brazilian band Spektra. The album closes out with Again 2 B Found, which I think appeared on the Humanimal band project. Joined by Mats Leven, I think this my favourite of the whole album. Always loved the original and this definitely does it justice.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
