Album review: THE NEVERLAND EXPRESS + CALEB JOHNSON – Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited

Deko Entertainment [Release date 27.01.23]

A reworking of the classic Meat Loaf album ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, based on the live version Meat Loaf’s band the Neverland Express performed with the much missed frontman. Band leader and former Anthrax guitarist Paul Crook explains further by saying – “The music is timeless, and we play it virtually note for note. The wall of sound that fans experience when seeing us live is captured in this recording. Meat Loaf fans will be pleased. We’re hoping this release introduces Meat and Jim to a whole new fan base.”

The Neverland Express are the aforementioned Crook with Justin Avery (keyboards, vocals), Tom Brislin (orchestration), Steve Buslowe (bass), Randy Flowers (guitar), David Luther (saxophone), Lyssa Lynne (vocals) and John Miceli (drums). Steve Buslowe has been around the Meat Loaf live band and albums since ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ and he has also worked on the albums under the Jim Steinman solo & Pandora’s Box handle. Paul Crook,

Randy Flowers and John Miceli have all been involved in Meat Loaf’s live and studio recordings since 2003, whilst Tom Brislin is a member of Kansas and has worked with Yes amongst others. An impressive set of musicians to which is added vocalist Caleb Johnson (American Idol winner, season 13), who has the immense task of taking the place of Meat Loaf. He may not sing with the same timbre as Meat Loaf but he certainly gives it his all and has a powerful set of pipes of that there is no doubt.

The title track has all the bombast you’d expect and want, however, the real stand out is ‘For Crying Out Loud’. The piano and vocal performance are simply stunning and if that wasn’t enough by the time the full orchestrations kick in you are in musical heaven. I am pretty sure Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman would approve of this piece of theatrical rock bombast!

‘Paradise By The Dashboard Light’ remains good fun rock ‘n’ roll and allows Lyssa Lynne to show her vocal talents. Those years of playing these songs live means the playing is spot on and quite possibly the best you’ll hear these songs performed outside of the originals and Meat Loaf’s live recordings.

Tastefully done and job done in that it will introduce a host of new listeners to the music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

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