METAL RULES

Various Artists
Influences and Connections Volume One: Mr. Big

June 2004
Released: 2004, Frontiers Records/Atenzia Records
Rating: 2.0/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

This is the first volume of probably more to come by the record company Frontiers. First out it is Mr. Big and all of the artists on this album are either influenced or connected to the band.

Some short back info about Mr. Big The band was started by bass demon Billy Sheehan together with guitarist Paul Gilbert, drummer Pat Torpey and singer Eric Martin. In 1989 they landed a record deal and the same year their debut was released. In 1991 came the follow up “LEAN INTO IT” and in 1993 “BUMP AHEAD” and a lot of touring around the world followed after that and they also got numerous hit singles. The band was huge in Japan but in the late 90’s Paul quitted to do a solo career and to replace him they chosen the guitarist of Poison Richie Kotzen. The band went on and released some more albums before they laid the band to rest in 2002. The band has never impressed me with their very melodic hardock.

There are 14 tracks on this album with a lot of different artists interpreting Mr. Big’s songs. There are the some of the biggest stars in melodic hardrock scene like Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, John Waite, Ann Wilson and Paul Rodgers who take care of the vocals. Some of the other stars are Matt Sorum and Pat Torpey on drums, guitarists like Richie Kotzen, Gene Black and on solo guitar Stevie Salas, Steve Lukather, Richie Kotzen, Marty Friedman, Ty Tabor and Yngwie Malmsteen. On harmonica we have Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis.

Mr. Big’s own members are also on this album Billy, Richie and Pat also sings lead vocals on some of the tracks and Pat takes care of the drums on many of the songs as well as Richie who hands the guitar. As imagined there are a lot of the bands old classics on the album, there are “TO BE WITH YOU” with Richie on lead vocals, “JUST TAKE MY HEART” with lead vocals by Mickey Thomas and the cover “WILD WORLD” with John Waite behind the mic. Joe Lynn Turner sings lead vocals on two of the tracks “DADDY; BROTHER; LOVER; LITTLE BOY” and “COLORADO BULLDOG”. The same goes for Glenn Hughes who sings “ALIVE AND KICKIN” and “PRICE YOU GOT TO PAY”, the rest of the songs are done by different singers.

Something that I don’t understand with this album is if it’s a tribute or a compilation album by the band. If it should count as a tribute I think it’s very odd that the band members are on it. If you’re a fan of Mr. Big this is absolutely something you should buy. It is very vital versions of the band’s old songs with some of melodic hardrock’s elite. I wonder what the next release is going to be in this influences and connections series?

Track Listing

Mr Big
Take cover
Colorado Bulldog
Wild World
Price you gotta pay
Promise her the moon
Addicted to that rush
Just take my heart
Shine
Crawl over me
To be with you
Green tinted sixties mind
Daddy, brother, lover, little boy
Alive and kickin (bonus track)

Lineup

Paul Rodgers – lead vocals
Dough Pinnick – lead vocals
Joe Lynn Turner – lead vocals
Glenn Hughes – lead vocals
Billy Sheehan – lead vocals, bass, guitar solo, b-vox
Ann Wilson – lead vocals
Pat Torpey – lead vocals, drums, b-vox
Richie Kotzen – lead vocals, guitar
Donnie Vie – lead vocals
Chuck Wright – bass
Keanu Reeves – bass
Matt Sorum – drums
Lanny Cordola – guitar
Gene Black – guitar, solo guitar
Yngwie Malmsteen – solo guitar
Steve Lukather – solo guitar
Marty Friedman – solo guitar
Ty Tabor – solo guitar
Etc.