Lion Music
Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute to Uli Jon Roth
CD's and DVD's
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| Ian Haugland, Gerald Kloos, Lance King, Lars Eric Mattsson, Cyril Achar, JAMES Byrd , Rolf Munkes, Torben Enevoldsen, Chris Steberl, Joop Wolters, Tony Hernando, Dushan Petrossi , Thorbjorn Englund, Neal Grusky, Eric sands Paul Nelson, Alex Masi, William Stravato , Ella Grussner, Michael James Flatters.. | ||||||
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Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute To
Uli Jon Roth Eine schöne Hommage an den bedeutenden deutschen Gitarristen Uli Jon Roth hat
der Finne Lars Eric Mattson zusammengestellt. Er ist selbst beileibe kein
Neuling und veröffentlichte bereits 1988 sein Debut "Eternity" auf Black Dragon
Records. Eine Menge renommierter Leute hat er zusammengetrommelt und solch einen
Virtuosen wie Uli Jon Roth können nur gute Gitarristen nachspielen. U.a. sind
vertreten James Byrd (ex-FIFTH ANGEL und auch schon etliche Solo-CDs),
Paul Nelson (ex-LIEGE
LORD und Solo-Künstler) und Alex Masi (etliche Solo-CDs und er scheint sich in
den letzten Jahren nach Projekten um Mozart und Bach aufs Covern zu
konzentrieren). Paul hat sich "Paganini Paraphrase" angenommen, bekannt von dem
Album "Transcendental Sky Guitar" aus dem Jahre 2000. Als einziger Deutscher ist
auch Rolf Munkes (Solo-CD und EMPIRE) dabei, "seinen" Track, das alte
SCORPIONS-Stück "Dark Lady" singt der ex-BALANCE
OF POWER-Sänger Lance King - wirklich stark! Am Schlagzeug sitzt bei den
meisten Songs übrigens EUROPE- und
LAST AUTUMNS
DREAM-Drummer Ian Haugland. Torben Enevoldsen ist auch mit on board - er
veröffentlichte auf Lion Records auch schon eine Platte. Ein weiteres angenehmes
Wiederhören gibt es außerdem mit den alten SCORPIONS-Songs "Pictured Life" (von
"Virgin Killer", 1976) oder "Polar Nights" (von "Taken By Force, 1977). (Ich
glaub', ich muß mal wieder "Tokyo Tapes" im Autoradio hören - Anm. rls)
Höhepunkte sind zahlreich, neben dem ebenfalls von Lance King interpretierten "Sails
Of Charon" (auch von "Taken By Force") mit einem gewissen Joop Walters an der
Gitarre sticht vor allem das wunderbare "I'll Be Loving You Always" mit
weiblichem Gesang und Lars Eric Mattson an der Gitarre heraus, so schöne Musik
gibt's heutzutage (im Radio) gar nicht mehr zu hören. Wen man seit Jahren
Interviews mit (internationalen) Gitarristen liest, taucht immer wieder der Name
Uli Jon Roth als Einfluss / Inspiration auf - groteskerweise bei uns in
Deutschland gar nicht. Kurios, dass Schweden, Finnen und Amerikaner uns (den
Unterzeichner eingeschlossen, der sich um die ELECTRIC SUN-Scheiben nun kümmern
wird) (beide sehr starker 70ies-beeinflußter Hardrock - Anm. rls) Deutschen auf
diesem Umweg einen Landsmann von uns und sein gefühlvolles meisterliches
Gitarrenspiel rückwirkend näher bringen. Well done - Congratulations! Georg Lögler www.crossover-agm.de
2003 Lion Music LMC078 Excellent CD tribute for one of the best guitarist’s Hard rock of the last decades who was part in some opportunity of the legendary Scorpions, this label Finland’s throws this album that will be a jewel for all the lovers of the virtuousness in the guitars. "Sails Of Sharon" it is listened in a masterful way, the participation of guitarists of the category of Lars Eric Mattson and Paul Nelson enlarges this production, this without demerit to the other participant musicians, in "Firewind" the guitarist Tony Hernando destroys you, "Dark Lady" it is interpreted by Lance King in a very original way Rushes, "Still so Many Lives Away" with participation James Byrd, "Indian Dawn" with Thorbjörn Englud and Lance King, "Pictured Life" my favorite one since listens to it in its original version for the Scorpions and to culminate a sequence of instrumental topics in charge of William Stravato and Alex Masi "Return" and "Paganini Paraphrase" for Paul Nelson. A collection disk that will be good you to appreciate the quality of these musicians and to continue the legacy of who was its biggest musical influence, for a wide information writes to the label: lion.sales@lionmusic.com and it visits their web: www.lionmusic.com Shouts of Metal Magazine
V/A-Beyond Inspiration: Tribute to Uli Jon Roth
Beyond Inspiration
- A Tribute To Uli Jon Roth Uli Jon Roth is one of the biggest influences on the rock/metal community. His soulful guitar work that first came to prominance in the Scorpions and then his own band Electric Sun followed by his own recent solo explorations have earned the man the status of Cult God. If you haven't delved into any of Uli's work then amend that now. This influence on a legion of guitarists has now been paid tribute to by Lion Music. Utilising artists from the labels roster such as James Byrd, Petrossi Dushan, Torben Enveldson and Alex Masi these artists cover a variety of music from Uli's career. Chris Steberl kicks off the album with his version of Electric Sun. Sticking closely to the original in arrangement the track is given a more modern edge with a dirtier guitar tone than the original. A more funked up verse paves way for the chorus which sees Sterberl wailing in true Uli fashion. The solo section sees the energy pile up with double bass drumming over which Steberl throws in some Uli-isms and some arpeggio sections. A solid enough opener. Joop Walters then gives his version of perhaps the ultimate Uli track, Sails Of Charon. Yngwie Malmsteen covered this track exceptionally well on his Inspiration album and gave it a slightly different arrangement. Walters however sticks very closely to the original. Lance King provides vocals and does a very faithful Klaus Meine impression. If you enjoyed the original then you will like this, I do prefer Yngwie's version however. Lars Eric Mattson is up next with the Hendrixy ballad I'll Be Loving You Always. Vocals are provided by Condition Red's Ella Grusner, and the female vocals really do work well on this track. Lars' solo on this track is quite superb like a hybrid of Uli and Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour, some really nice melodies. Another good working with classy vocals. Tony Hernando covers Firewind. An up-tempo rocker that is given a very Euro Power Metal treatment here. The solos are pretty cool but are marred slighty by a muddy mix in places. Dark Lady from Virgin Killer is next covered by Rolf Munkes (Empire). A great riff fueled rocker with great energy. The original solo is nicely recreated then updated with some more fluid lead work than the original. A good version. Things slow down for Petrossi Dushan's version of Yellow Raven. This extremely melodic ballad that shows the Iron Mask guitarist bear his soul with a fine version. Alf Wemmerlind (Mister Kite) provides some very fine vocals, made better by the fact that he is not trying to recreate Klaus Meine's vocals. The track gains intensity (if not tempo) for the grandiose outro instrumental ride out, a highlight. Danish axeman Torben Enveldson then picks up the tempo with Burning Wheels Turning from Uli's Earthquake album. The track like the original has a very quirky vocal line, Lance King's interpretation of Uli's unique vocals here is very good, adding his own elements. The solo stays pretty faithful to the original, but it is given a slight update, as well as Enveldson's more processed tone adding a more modern slant. The extended middly section gives the track a chance to breathe before the main theme kicks in once again. Another very good interpretation. James Byrd kicks in hard with Still So Many Lives Away, joined by fellow Byrd vocalist Michael Flatters. This is one track I was very excited about as soon as the cd arrived, luckily the track does not disappoint in the slightest. Byrd's extremely pure tone is prevalent throughout with some tasty harmonisations of the original lines. James' guitar tone was big on the last Byrd release Anthem but here it is super thick yet with stunning clarity. The energy level is very high on this track, excellent backing by Ian Haughland (drums) and Weine Johansson (bass). Michael Flatter is his usual self - superb, further illustrating that he is one of the best new singers on the rock scene. But not only do we have excellent bass, drums, vocals and guitar but some extremely tasty keyboard orchestrations by Byrd. Uli's influence on Byrd is well known, yet James has not seen this as an excuse to ape Uli note for note. Instead Byrd serves up a revamped solo and guitar lines that whislt staying true to the original add a new sound to the track that updates it and brings an original element to the tune - just listen to that phrasing, vibrato and tone - glorious! This is the best example on the album of how to cover a track, by using the original and then revamping it to make it your own. Simply stunning! Cyril Archard (Taboo Voodoo) has the unenviable task of following James Byrd with I'll Be There. This track is one of my favourites from Beyond The Astral Skies and its a good version, the drums are a little high in the mix for me, but the band does a good job of recreating the quirky arrangement of the original. This track is well known amongst Uli fans as having one of his best solos ever. Archard does a good job of recreating it although he is a little buried in the mix. Jean Marc Layani throws in some good keyboard solos over which Archard trades licks with. A good track though slightly let down by the production. Indian Dawn (from Firewind) is next covered by Thorbjorn Englund (Winterlong) is next, another riff fueled rocker. The track has been given a heavier treatment than the original but it works, that riff sounds bigger than ever. Lance King (Empire) once again supplies vocals and does a good job. Englund throws in a good wah drenched solo that is not something you would hear on Winterlong albums before coming in with a good alternate picked pattern which leads into the majestic outro, Recommended. Takara's Neil Grusky supplies the guitar for the cover of the Virgin Killer opener Pictured Life. Its a very good version with a more updated sound thanks to modern production values, vocals by Torgny Stjanfelt (Condition Red) are also worthy of praise. Grusky does a good job of recreating Uli's leads and I am impressed. Its instrumental time with Return covered by William Stravato and Alex Masi. This is a very melodic track with good perfomances given a slight jazz fusion quality. Excellent solos throughout and Masi throws in some very tasty licks. Eric Sands gives us his rendition of Polar Nights, another Uli classic. Sticking fairly closely to the original in terms of performance and production. We get the urgent drive of the original version along with a cool wah drenched solo, a good performance. Paganini Paraphrase ends the album performed by Paul Nelson. To my ears this sound identical to the original - so much so I though it was on first listen! The tone, the notes its all there. Its not the most inspired cut on the album but is a nice metal guitar version of classical favourites. Overall Beyond Inspiration is a generally good quality package. There are no real duff moments, some artists obviously just wanted to cover the track as per the original which is cool, but the highlights are those that use the original as a basis and build on them - in the process breathing new life into the original. Byrd has the stand out performance of the album simply because of where he took the track...in short, if you are a fan of Uli Roth or the artists featured then get this album. Hot Spots: Still So Many Lives Away, Yellow
Raven, Indian Dawn. www.virtuosityone.com - Andy Craven
VARIOUS ~Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute To Uli Jon Roth
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute To Uli Jon Roth (Lion Music)Score: 4 out of 5 Battle-Axes (more about rating system)
Various Artists - Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute to Uli Jon Roth
Here is a tribute to one of the most phenomenal and sadly most underrated guitarists
out there, Uli Jon Roth. Probably known better for his work Axe Attack on the Scorpions
quintessential release “Virgin Killer” as well as his band Electric Sun, Roth
predated the whole neo-classical shred scene inspiring many fusion and Metal guitarists by
incorporating his own style that influenced many guitarists from Malmsteen to Petrucci,
keeping a style that is related to a Brian May meets Ritchie Blackmore meets Malmsteen.
Besides showing strengths as a guitarist, Roth was an established songwriter and vocalist, in fact Roth was also really the first to incorporate non-metal instrumentation in classical pieces that he wrote, using brass, woodwinds, and string orchestration turning these instruments into metal instruments in a way that only he could. Although Roth’s sound with Electric Sun and certain solo projects was more AOR Hard Rock oriented than many of his contemporaries, “Beyond Inspiration” showcases his work and brings new light to his work, showcasing pure musicianship. Tearing up the six strings on this tribute are guitarists Lars Eric Matterson, James Byrd, Alex Masi, Neal Grusky, Cyryl Archard, Eric Sands, Thorbjorn Englund, and Tony Fernando among many others, all phenomenal precision shred aficionados. When looking at the cuts themselves they are completely heavy, all done with discrete production, keeping the emphasis on guitar prowess within the right scope of the songwriting, without destroying any of Roth’s work, completing this monster of an album. The songs here are played into the style of classic Iron Maiden, Rainbow, the Rush “Working Man” Tribute, and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, while shying away from the overproduced symphonic aesthetic. This record's metallic flare can be found in cuts like “Firewind,” “Burning Wheel Turning,” and the Scorpions cut “Pictured Life;” but there are ballads and slower cuts like the Rainbow-ish “I’ll always be Loving You,” the dark moody “I’ll be There,” and not to mention an eased back instrumental called “Return,” being more of a fusion groove than a ballad. The album ends with the guitar classical concerto of “Paganini Paraphrase,” proving that Roth again could really fuse classical with Metal. To sum it all up, this tribute also exposes us to many guitarists who really don’t receive the attention and exposure they deserve, which is sadly the same thing that happened to Roth, so this is a great way for guitar connoisseurs to get familiar with many of the axe burners on this record, while making the listener interested in Roth’s work. Trust me, if you have not heard him before (shame on you if you have not), after hearing this, don’t be surprised if you start looking for Roth’s records. Rating: 7.5/10 Hashman - 8/11/03 www.revelationz.net
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Uli John Roth is perhaps one of the most influential guitarists in hard
rock/metal from the last 25 years, yet most of the mainstream world has probably has never
heard of him. The folks at Lion Music, along with Executive Producer Lars Eric Mattson,
have assembled a fine group of European metal upstarts to pay tribute to the axe-master,
covering many of the more memorable Scorpions and Electric Sun classics that Roth was a
part of. 