GREGG ROLIE (ex Journey) – Sonic Ranch (2019)

Journey co-founder GREGG ROLIE s releasing today his first studio album in 18 years – “Sonic Ranch” – and the longtime Ringo Starr sideman is bringing along some familiar friends: Neal Schon, Toto’s Steve Lukather, drummer Ron Wikso (The Storm, Foreigner), Santana bandmates drummer Michael Shrieve and bassist Alphonso Johnson, and more.
Rolie recorded in Arylyn Studios in Austin, and at the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo – the latter of which inspired the record’s title. Musically, this is Rolie’s music of all life: timeless classic rock, melodic, and rich in harmonies.

When you’re a two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, you don’t have a lot to prove. But legendary singer-songwriter and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, who holds that rare distinction as a founding member and original lead vocalist of both Santana and Journey, and who has also been a mainstay of Ringe Starr All Star Band since 2012, demonstrates that he’s at the top of his game with the release of “Sonic Ranch”.

Playing? There’s some amazing performances here. Songs? All quality stuff, some of them wrote in the ’80s, such as “They Want It All”, which he penned with Andre Pessis (Mr Big) and Kevin Chalfant (The Storm).
13 of the songs are entirely composed by Rolie, however we find a new version of the piano-driven show stopper “Look Into The Future”, which he co-wrote with Diane Valory and Neal Schon — the song originally appeared on Journey’s album of the same name in 1976. “I always liked that track and was waiting for a chance to re-arrange it and record my own version of it,” he says.
In addition, Rolie re-imagines Elvis Presley’s classic “Don’t Be Cruel” as a mid-tempo gospel tune, and his spine-tingling vocal performance would draw a nod of approval from the King.

Neal Schon, Rolie’s bandmate in both Santana and Journey, has guest turns on “Breaking My Heart” and “Life Me Up.” Curiously Schon doesn’t play on the new version of “Look Into the Future,” which makes it even more interesting as it sound different from the original.
Toto’s Steve Lukather, who’s been part of Starr’s band with Rolie since 2012, sits in for “Give Me Tomorrow” and “They Want It All.” As usual, he’s perfect.
Two other Santana bandmates also appear on ‘Sonic Ranch’: drummer Michael Shrieve and bassist extraordinaire Alphonso Johnson.

“Sonic Ranch” is, simply put, the last forty years in Classic Rock comprised into one album. There’s something for everyone here, and all good. Rolie is in top form, especially his vocals, intact and emotional.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Give Me Tomorrow
02 – Breaking My Heart
03 – What About Love
04 – That’s The Way It Goes
05 – Only You
06 – They Want It All
07 – Lift Me Up
08 – Us
09 – You
10 – Look Into The Future
11 – Rockit
12 – If I Went Home
13 – Don’t Be Cruel

Gregg Rolie – vocals, keyboards, percussion, drums
Neal Schon – guitar
Steve Lukather – guitar
Alphonso Johnson – bass
Sticky Lopez – bass
Ron Wikso – drums
Michael Shrieve – drums
and more

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www.amazon.co.uk/Sonic-Ranch-Gregg-Rolie/dp/B07W6CD845