Album review: JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE – Winds of Change

Frontiers [Release date 10.04.19]

The first World Stage came out way back in 2001, so it is well overdue a follow-up from Jim Peterik, although he has of course been playing live shows under the World Stage banner. The backing musicians are top draw as you’d expect including former Survivor bassist Bill Synar, guitarist Mike Aquino (Kelly Keagy, Pride Of Lions) and his son Colin on drums.

Jim Peterik has written/co-written all the songs on here to replicate the guest vocalists main bands, so you get REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin on the excellent REO approved ballad ‘Just For You’ and a touch of the Storm and Journey on ‘Sometimes You Just Want More’, featuring former Storm vocalist Kevin Chalfant.

One of the songs generating lots of interest is ‘Proof Of Heaven’ featuring former Styx vocalist Dennis de Young. The song sounds like classic 70’s era Styx (reminding the listener of ‘Come Sail Away’ at times) and the song is set to feature on Dennis de Young’s upcoming solo album.

Toby Hitchcock nails the Pride Of Lions like ‘Home Fires’, whilst former Chicago vocalist Jason Scheff is in fine form on ‘You’re Always There’, a Chicago ballad if ever there was one! Interesting to hear a newer take on melodic rock as Peterik works his magic with Work Of Art’s Lars Safsund.

Night Ranger’s Kelly Keagy rocks it up on ‘I Will What I Want’ (with fellow Night Ranger band member Keri Kelli adding a guitar solo) and Mike Reno on ‘Without A Bullet Being Fired’ sounds like Loverboy, not only due to the vocals but the music is classic Loverboy in rock mode. One other treat is the Nelson brothers on ‘Avalanche’, a classy mid-tempo number and hopefully not the last we hear from the talented Nelson brothers.

The album also features a previously unreleased Jimi Jamison song ‘Love You All Over The World’, a classic Jimi Jamison vocal performance and a fitting reminder of what a great singer he was.

It is like a melodic rock compilation featuring many of the genre’s classic and newer singers. Basically if you love melodic rock this should be in your collection. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)