RIK EMMETT – Then Again… (2023) HQ

As vocalist / guitarist for the legendary Canadian hard rock band Triumph, RIK EMMETT received 18 gold and 9 platinum awards in Canada and the United States. They were nominated for multiple Juno Awards, including the Group of the Year Award in 1979, 1985, 1986, and 1987. It was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008, and into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2019.
Emmett is now releasing worldwide ”Then Again…” through Deko Entertainment (ADA / Warner Music Group) as part of a new deal with Music In Motion Ent.
Featuring re-imagined versions of various Triumph songs, the recording was originally released over a decade ago, now out of print. This new deal makes this very enjoyable CD available again, now including two bonus tracks.

For over a decade, the Canadian hard rock trio Triumph fronted by Rik Emmett was the darling of its home country, eventually crossing over to break into the American music charts with songs like “Lay It On The Line,” “Never Surrender” and “Somebody’s Out There.”
Four gold & platinum decades in the music biz have provided entry into the Canadian Rock Hall of Fame, the Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Juno’s Hall of Fame, with a few ‘Best Guitarist’ awards in various categories garnered along the way.
But by 1988, Emmett was feeling the need to leave the Triumph and do something fresh. Venturing out on his own, his first album ‘Absolutely’ – quite melodic hard rock oriented, was a nice success.

Since then, the talented guitar player continued his commitment to prolific and conscientious music-making, morphing into different musical genres such as Prog, Jazz, Classical and more. Since 2006 Emmett also formed a duo with guitarist Dave Dunlop.
Precisely with the help of Dunlop on guitar, backing vocals and production, in 2012 Rik Emmett decided to bump into his past band once again… but in a very different way.
“Then Again…” brings Triumph oldies but goodies back to life in refreshing new arrangements of these timeless classics.

What we expected from this collection was essentially acoustic ‘self-covers’ of classic Triumph songs, but Rik did a great job making each track stand on its own, not just as a homage to the original.
“Ordinary Man” is one of the stand-out pieces – incredible adaptation, powerful and engaging. Of course there’s the hits “Lay It On The Line” done with a very intimate feel, and “Never Surrender” in a punchy acoustic take with passionate vocalization by Rik.
His voice is still in great shape after belting out such rockin’ songs in such a high range for so many years… impressive. The wonderful timbre that made him one of the best rock vocalists of his time is still very much there.

“Then Again…” presents great versions of classic Triumph numbers quality re-made by the man who created them.
Over the years Rik Emmet has become an accomplished virtuoso maestro on acoustic guitar, and his distinctive touch is all over the place on this nicely done recording, an enjoyable re-imagination of the excellent Triumph catalogue.
Highly Recommended

01 – Never Surrender
02 – Ordinary Man
03 – Midsummer Daydream
04 – Magic Power
05 – Fight The Good Fight
06 – Petite Etude
07 – Lay It On the Line
08 – Fantasy Serenade
09 – Hold On
10 – Suitcase Blues
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Blinding Light Show
12 – Somebody’s Out There / 24 Hours A Day / Say Goodbye

Rik Emmet – vocals, guitar
Dave Dunlop – guitar, backing vocals, percussion

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