THE BOYSCOUT – Blood Red Rose; A Rock Fantasy (2019 reissue / remaster)
German rocker THE BOYSCOUT has made available again his album “Blood Red Rose; A Rock Fantasy“, as the original release became out of print. According to frontman Manuel “The Boyscout” Mijalkovski, some of these tracks needed a re-fresh / enhance, so producer Michael Voss (Michael Schenker, Casanova, Mad Max) did a little remastering.
We can hear a duet with Amanda Somerville on one song, and Robin Beck on other.
Manuel “The Boyscout” Mijalkovski is a German guitarist & vocalist with an immeasurable love for motorcycles, but also for rock ‘n’ roll music. This biker-rocker has been developing his musical passion for more than twenty five years, occasionally recording and releasing by his own several singles. These singles and new songs were part of “Blood Red Rose; A Rock Fantasy”, The Boyscout’s full length debut.
The mastermind behind this album is no other than Michael Voss (Michael Schenker, Casanova, Mad Max), who has played, produced and given musical direction to The Boyscout’s ambition to rock the world. The Boyscout declared influences are Bon Jovi, Gotthard, Casanova, Bonfire, etc, and indeed we can hear these band’s styles in his music.
Title track “Blood Red Rose; A Rock Fantasy” is a very good polished melodious rock tune including a real orchestra. It’s a radio-friendly, sing-along track featuring an amazing, sleek duet with Amanda Somerville. There’s also a ‘single edit’ version, which apart from being shorter, seems a bit re-mixed.
“Look At Me Now” has a catchy Casanova melodic rock style, the fun “Sexy Taxi Driver” has some Bonfire on it, while “Bikers Feeling” is a cool hard rocking ode to the ‘biker’ lifestyle in a Gotthard mold.
“Hey… I Love You!!!” is another remarkable cut, a melodic track with The Boyscout in a duet with with the always lovable Robin Beck.
“I’ll Be There for You” is a moving melodic rocker in an early ’90s German style, then “Caroline” delivers some AOR feel via an extremely melodic chorus. I think the cover of White Lion’s classic “When the Children Cry” was not necessary, but things get much better with the elegant AOR of “Angel”, again resembling Casanova’s first record.
The music in “Blood Red Rose; A Rock Fantasy” is unmistakable German Melodic Rock really well produced and arranged by Michael Voss, who also adds his touch with many instrumentation.
Although The Boyscout isn’t the most versatile singer in the world, his raspy vocals work darn fine for these melodious & rockin’ tunes. And we have Robin Beck and Amanda Somerville!
Cool stuff with an 80s / early ’90s feel & sound. Easily Recommended.
01 – Sexy Taxi Driver
02 – Blood Red Rose (Single Edit) [feat Amanda Somerville]
03 – Will We Ever Make it Through the Night
04 – Little Lie
05 – Look at Me Now
06 – I’ll Be There for You
07 – Caroline
08 – When the Children Cry
09 – Hey…I Love You! [feat Robin Beck]
10 – Bikers Feeling (Remastered)
11 – Angel (Remastered)
12 – Blood Red Rose: A Rock Fantasy [feat A. Somerville] Extended Version
Manuel “The Boyscout” Mijalkovski: lead vocals, guitar
Michael Voss: guitar, bass, production
Heiko Strings: guitar, bass, keys
Ben Hatten: drums, percussion
Stefan Heinz: keyboards
Robin Beck: lead vocals on 9
Amanda Somerville: lead vocals on 2, 12
BUY IT
www.amazon.de/Blood-Red-Rose-Rock-Fantasy/dp/B07TRYX1WZ
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