Traces by Steve Perry ** ( out of four stars)
Bigger Picture by Rita Wilson *** ( out of four stars)
Great to have Steve Perry back. The former lead singer of Journey has teased a comeback album for years. he finally returns with Traces.
Perry lost someone very special to him to breast cancer a few years ago. From deep grieving came this music, especially when Perry promised his dying girlfriend to release the new music as one of her last wishes.
Coming out of seclusion had to be hard. Perry is 59 now, with an edgier, huskier voice, but still a very recognizable voice. You know it's Steve Perry when you listen to Traces.
The first single, which is also the first song on the 10-tune collection, is "No Erasin'", an upbeat song which could've easily been a Journey song. That gave me hope the rest of the album would be similar. It's not.
Most of the album is sad and slow. Pretty arrangements, more mature lyrics but a bit disappointing after hearing "No Erasin'" out of the box.
Being a Beatles fan, I was really looking forward to Perry's cover version of George Harrison's "I Need You." But it's so slow, it almost doesn't sound like the catchy rendition first heard in the movie "Help!"
I get it, that Perry was still grieving when he wrote and recording this, his third solo album. And it's better to have Steve Perry music than no Steve Perry. I just wish it was a little more upbeat.
Maybe now that he is back, and hopefully will tour soon, Perry's next effort will be one of positive hope.
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Rita Wilson is best known as a film actress, director and Tom Hanks' longtime wife. She also releases her third album this week, called "Bigger Picture", a beautiful collection of acoustic folk- country- pop tunes.
It's a really laid-back, relaxing album, the kind of music you don't hear much anymore. Much of it is just piano or acoustic guitar, which even more showcases Wilson's angelic voice.
It's hard to pick a favorite here, and sometimes it feels like all the songs sound the same, like a Sarah McLaughlin collection, but in the end it is what you want if you are looking for a very pretty, simple album of thoughtful lyrics and beautiful melodies.
I loved t, and listening to "Bigger Picture" makes me want to look back and check out her previous first two albums. Her debut is called AM/FM," cover versions of songs from the 60s and 70s, and "Rita Wilson", a more upbeat album of original songs. Her voice is silky smooth on both, a similar Sheryl Crow style of pop-folk and a little bit of country. Check them out!
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