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Westminster, Colorado
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Kimball and Jamison: Two of the most recognizable voices in rock
by Tom Walsh
Posted on January 10, 2012
Kimball Jamison
Released: Oct 14, 2011
Tracklist:
1. Worth Fighting For
Worth Fighting For2. Can’t Wait for Love
Can’t Wait for Love3. Sail Away
Sail Away4. Chasing Euphoria
Chasing Euphoria5. Find Another Way
Find Another Way6. Get Back In the Game
Get Back In the Game7. I Did Everything Wrong
I Did Everything Wrong8. Shadows Of Love
Shadows Of Love9. Hearts Beat Again
Hearts Beat Again10.We Gotta Believe
We Gotta Believe11.Kicking And Screaming
Kicking And Screaming12.Your Photograph
Your PhotographWhen you talk about 70’s and 80’s AOR or melodic rock music, bands like Journey, Boston, Toto, Foreigner and Survivor inevitably come up. Now the folks at Frontier Records have taken two of the most recognizable voices from that era of music and paired them together on one album. Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Jimi Jamison (Survivor) have teamed up to make one unforgettable album, backed by power metal guitarist Alex Bayrodt, bassist Mat Sinner (also produced), Jimmy Kresic on keys and Martin Schmidt on drums. The album simply called ‘Kimball Jamison’ takes you on a tour of 70’s and 80’s AOR and pretty much smacks you in the face with it.
Not only do Kimball and Jamison have two of the most recognizable voices in the classic rock world, but they are also longtime friends. Being friends for a long time had to have had a hand in the incredible harmonizing on this album, as well as the main motivation behind this project. The writing for the album never ventures too far outside of either singers comfort zone, and why would it? You wouldn’t want either of these singers too modernized, and if that’s what you expect from this album you will be sadly disappointed. On the other hand, if you love classic melodic rock as I do then this album will definitely be a welcome walk down memory lane for you.
The writing has come from an impressive array of Bobby and Jimi’s contemporaries including Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Jim Peterik (Survivor), Randy Goodrum (Steve Perry, Toto), John Waite, Erik Martensson (W.E.T.) and Robert Sall (Work of Art) keeping with the classic AOR theme and the album is one anthemic tune after another, both rocking and ballad wise.
The most rocking song on the album is titled, appropriately enough, ‘Get Back In The Game’ and starts out with a screaming guitar riff by Alex Bayrodt, who for seems to be strangely comfortable playing this style of music being a power metal guitarist. Back In The Game also highlights both of the singer’s natural vocal talents. They put their all into this tune without their voices sounding stressed or strained. This song is a stark reminder of why these two were at the top of their games in the 70’s and 80’s.
If you haven’t guessed yet, my favorite tune on this album is probably Back In The Game, but there are some excellent ballads on this album as well. Sail Away, Find Another Way and Your Photograph are all great ballads but Find Another Way is probably my favorite on this album.
Bottom line: If you want to hear some expertly written and performed 80’s style rock songs, look no farther than this album.
Kimball Jamison Band members:
Bobby Kimball – Vocals
Jimi Jamison – Vocals
Alex Bayrodt - Guitar
Mat Sinner – Bass
Jimmy Kresic – Keys
Martin Schmidt - Drums
Click ablum cover to check out Kimball Jamison on iTunes.
