STEFAN BERGGREN – Stranger In A Strange Land (2016)

“Stranger In A Strangeland” is STEFAN BERGGREN‘s debut solo album released today, a well known Swedish vocalist who has graced many bands/projects such as Snakes In Paradise, M3, Company Of Snakes, Razorback, Berggren / Kerslake Band and more. Stefan also shared the stage with many legends like Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Brian May Band to name a few.

“Stranger In A Strangeland” is a curious title, as in fact the album shows the artist moving in the style he is known for; classic rock / hard rock sounds with a strong ‘bluesy touch’ that makes the final result a highly enjoyable solo debut for every fan of the genre out there.

On this album he has enlisted guest musicians from his musical past and present including former Whitesnake men Bernie Marsden and Neil Murray, fellow Snakes In Paradise member Tomas Pomma Thorberg, Joakim Svalberg (Opeth) and Lars Karlsson (Diamond Dogs) amongst others.
One minute Stefan is rocking out on ‘Do What You Do’, complete with slide guitar and rumbling Hammond organ, then it is a more reflective side of his singing on the stripped back blues on ‘Bye Bye Baby’.
Stefan has a soulful voice, no rough edges and perfect for the blues/rock he sings.

Title track ‘Stranger In A Strangeland’ is a very nice rocker in the old-school vein. Not sure who plays on each song as there’s little detail available, however credit to the keyboard / organ player (I suspect it’s Opeth’s Joakim Svalberg), lots of interesting fills and solos on this one.

On ‘Life Goes On’ we have a melodic bluesy rock gem. More commercial with a feel-good vibe in it, this tune is one of this album’s highlights. ‘Keef Song’ reminded me of the much missed Company Of Wolves, a good time song with a neat piano riff and gang vocals.

‘Long Gone Down The Road’ is superb, from the opening guitar drawl through to the Whitesnake approved vocal backing on the chorus. Close your eyes and you are transported back to the classic days of stadium rock anthems. The way the vocals come back in at the end of the song, the ‘slow-hand’ solo and the drums all make this a classic in the making, a wonderful piece of Rock music.

Stefan Berggren is one of the best bluesy classic rock singers out there and this solo album is a delicious collection of tunes, especially if you miss the Moody/Marsden era of Whitesnake.

01 – Sands Of Time
02 – Coming Home
03 – Ain’t Got No Woman
04 – Keef Song
05 – Long Gone Down The Road
06 – Stranger In A Strangeland
07 – Depression
08 – Life Goes On
09 – Do What You Do
10 – Bye Bye Baby

Stefan Berggren – vocals, guitar
Bernie Marsden (ex Whitesnake) – guitar
Neil Murray (Black Sabbath, Whitesnake) – bass
Tomas Pomma Thorberg (Snakes In Paradise) – bass
Sebastian Sippola (Plankton) – drums
Marcus Jidell (Avatarium, ex Evergrey) – guitar
Stephen Bentley-Klein (Deep Purple) – strings
Joakim Svalberg (Opeth) – keyboards
Lars Karlsson (Diamond Dogs) – guitar
and more

BUY IT !
www.aorheaven.com/index.php/englisch_b/berggren-stefan-stranger-in-a-strange-land.html
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