JOHN PRATT – Turn The Page (2011)
Vocalist and musician John Pratt has been fronting bands most of his life.
Starting in San Francisco, then on to Los Angeles, he was a staple of the 80’s scene with the critically acclaimed headlining act, Roxbury Drive.
Then in the late 90’s early 2000’s, John released 3 very good melodic rock / AOR albums with his band Firefly.
Simultaneously, during the last 20 years he embraced the genre of Film and Television music composition. A prolific writer and producer, he has placed thousands of instrumental works in Feature Film and Television and over a hundred songs as well. His voice was the feature voice on well over 75% of those songs.
During this time, John kept on writing, produced many artists, and perfected his craft. All the while he composed songs, masters in scope, as he set out to create a sound that would be his own.
“Turn The Page” is the culmination of John’s best work. Many of these songs sat in the vault over the years, waiting for their chance.
It was during the summer of 2010 that John would get an inspiring nudge from his friend and former record label head Phil Quartararo, who heard these recordings and encouraged him to set this album in motion.
For the next seven months, John tore through the masters of his archives and culled 13 songs that would define who he always was and who he is. Now it was time to go back into the studio and record them again…..
It was easy to choose the players who bring this album to life.
John called upon the very people that had been there the first time many of these songs were recorded.
Gregg Rolie Band members keyboard player Wally Minko and magical drummer Ron Wikso (both worked on Firefly’s 3 CD’s), ex Vixen John Thomas on guitars, keyboardist Michael Alemania (Jack Wagner) among others, worked tirelessly over 3 months to create the amazing sound that is this record.
Blending stylized Melodic Rock with ethereal AOR, “Turn The Page” is one of the best, original and captivating album I heard in years.
The music is deep in the harmonies, with terrific arrangements and orchestrations, but also featuring great hooks and melodies.
He has a positive, honest approach to the lyric form, not trite, not indulgent. His voice is unique and powerful, yet intimate and personal.
One of the remarkable aspects of this album is the top of the line production. Really, really impressive.
Hope this independent and silent release get the recognition it largely deserves.
“Turn The Page” is one of the surprises of the year, yes, is that good.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
01 – Take Me There
02 – Searching For The Answer
03 – Turn The Page
04 – Never Say Goodbye
05 – Naivete’s Ball
06 – Forgive Me
07 – If What It Takes
08 – Trust Your Feelings
09 – One Silent Voice
10 – I Will, You Won’t
11 – Hold Me
12 – Yin Yang
13 – Still Here
John Pratt: Vocals, Keyboards
John Thomas (Firefly, Toni Childs, Vixen): Guitars
Ron Wikso (Greg Rollie Band, The Storm, Foreigner, Cher): Drums
Michael Alemania (Wilson Phillips, Jack Wagner, Vixen, Firefly): Keyboards
Lance Morrison (Don Henley Band): Bass
Wally Minko (Greg Rollie Band, Jean Luc Ponti): Piano
Chris Trujillo (Tom Petty, TOTO, Black Crowes): Percussion
Angela Alemania, Deena Russo, Kira Alemania: Backing Vocals
Ira Glansbeek, Erlinda Romero, Justin Pratt: Strings
Produced/Engineered/Mixed By: Ryan Greene
Mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, New York
Support this great artist, BUY IT!
www.johnprattturnthepage.com
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