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Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion
Mike Tramp - Songs Of White Lion Album Art

Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.04.2023 | Released: 14.04.2023

Most remember Danish born Mike Tramp as the vocalist for Eighties hard rock band White Lion which he formed with guitarist Vito Bratta in New York City. The quartet would go on to record four studio albums between 1985 and breaking up in 1992. In that same period, White Lion would have some success with the popular singles Wait and When The Children Cry. The band was also known for their socio-political songs of interest: Little Fighter (Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior destroyed by the French) and Cry For Freedom (apartheid in South Africa), among others.

Mike Tramp Click For Larger Image

Mike Tramp

Over the last 20 odd years, Tramp has also kept the White Lion brand going in some shape or form. Mostly, however he has being doing his own solo material. His most recent studio album, 2022's For Første Gang, reached number thirteen in his native Denmark. Now, Tramp returns to revisit his work with White Lion by re-imagining and re-recording his favorite songs within Songs Of White Lion. As Tramp describes it, the recordings are " as close to the originals as possible, but exploring small new parts that today I feel should be that way ... I sing the songs that I wrote with Vito Bratta over 40 years ago exactly the way I am today."


Now, this is where my review should kick in. But first some full disclosure. Though quite familiar with the great Eighties, I never owned, and probably didn't listen to, any White Lion albums. Perhaps that's my loss. Essentially, however, it means I have no context to compare the past with what Mike Tramp is doing now with White Lion songs. I think that's a good thing. (No, I did not go to YouTube to listen to the originals.) To me, these songs are both new and fresh, and honestly terrific and quite entertaining.

Tramp is a fine melodic vocalist and these songs turn on classic melodic hard rock wrapped in AOR accessibility. Noting the aforementioned singles, I gave them particular attention as I listened. My conclusion with Wait, Little Fighter, or When The Children Cry is simple: this is very fine songwriting. Songs that stand the test of time. But other songs were equally appealing: Lady Of The Valley, Love Don't Come Easy, or Cry For Freedom are more examples of well-crafted classic rock.

All considered, if you are a White Lion fan, with Songs Of White Lion I believe you will enjoy vocalist Mike Tramp's current, yet faithful, interpretation of some of their best songs. Easily recommended. (If, like me, you never listened to White Lion, this also a fine place to start.)



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The Take Away

If you are a White Lion fan, with Songs Of White Lion I believe you will enjoy vocalist Mike Tramp's current, yet faithful, interpretation of some of their best songs. Easily recommended. (If, like me, you never listened to White Lion, this also a fine place to start.)

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