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Jim Peterik & World Stage: Winds Of Change
Jim Peterik & World Stage - Winds Of Change Music Review

Peterik & World Stage: Winds Of Change

AOR Melodic Rock
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 23.04.2019 | Released: 26.04.2019

While multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Jim Peterik is a musician in constant motion, he hasn't revisited his World Stage project in nearly two decades. But the Grammy winner returns to combine his love of voice and vocal harmony with his talent for writing infectious AOR rock tunes. For the latest Word Stage album, Winds Of Change, Peterik has recruited some of the finest rock vocalists (and friends) to lend him a hand. These include, among many, Dennis DeYoung (ex-Styx), Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), Toby Hitchcock (Pride Of Lions), Mike Reno (Loverboy), and Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon). Additionally, the late Jimi Jamison is featured on the last song Love You All over the World. You can view the complete list of guest vocalists in a PDF.

Jim Peterik Photo - Click For Larger Image

Jim Peterik

It's nearly a moot point to discuss the character of Peterik's songwriting. We all know him to be a master of creating ambitious and entertaining AOR melodic rock. From guitar harmony and leads to smooth rock rhythm and groove, from delightful melodies to catchy refrains, you will find all these things and more in all 12 songs. The more, in this case, is the vocal expression that carries each song and the exceptional pairing of vocalists to the song.

Up to a day ago, I did not know which vocalists were singing what songs. But I had my suspicions after a prior spin or two. Proof Of Heaven sounded undeniably like a Styx song. It had to be Dennis DeYoung, and I was right. I was right also with the delightful piano ballad Just For You. Kevin Cronin. I could even visualize him singing this song in a live context, acoustic guitar in hand. For Without a Bullet Being Fired, my first best guess was Loverboy's Mike Reno. Right again. There was just something about quick rhythm and groove paired with the lyric that fit his vocal style. As for the rest of the songs, the mystery of musical gnosticism revealed the best results. The deep emotion of Toby Hitchcock drives Home Fires. The assertive voice of Danny Vaughn lights up the quick rocker I Will What I Want. And Jimi Jamison delivers his best emotional soul within Love You All Over The World. It's all good. All said, with Winds Of Change, Jim Peterik and friends have given us a mighty gift, an amazing album of vocal driven AOR melodic rock for the ages. Quite recommended.


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The Bottom Line

All said, with Winds Of Change, Jim Peterik and friends have given us a mighty gift, an amazing album of vocal driven AOR melodic rock for the ages. Quite recommended.

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