Music review: Gregg Rolie – 鈥楽onic Ranch鈥�
A multiple inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of two iconic bands, Gregg Rolie certainly has impacted the music scene over the last 50 years as a founding member of Santana and Journey and as a touring member of Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band.
Rolie鈥檚 distinctive voice added depth and passion to Santana classics like 鈥淓vil Ways,鈥� 鈥淥ye Como Va鈥� and 鈥淏lack Magic Woman.鈥�
As the featured vocalist on Journey鈥檚 first three albums, Rolie shared the microphone with Steve Perry on the band鈥檚 fourth effort. 鈥淚nfinity鈥� would prove to be Journey鈥檚 breakout release and feature Rolie and Perry together on 鈥淔eeling That Way鈥� and 鈥淎nytime,鈥� making the 1978 offering my favorite Journey album.
I鈥檝e had the pleasure of seeing Rolie perform with Journey for a show at the Stanley Theater (now the Benedum Center) in 1979 and with Ringo Starr at Heinz Hall in 2015.
In addition to his band work, Rolie has delivered a fruitful solo career since his self-titled release in 1985.
With 鈥淪onic Ranch,鈥� the 72-year-old singer-songwriter and keyboardist releases his first full-length solo album in 18 years.
Rolie鈥檚 soulful voice sounds as strong as ever on the album鈥檚 opening number. 鈥淕ive Me Tomorrow鈥� features the fine guitar work of Toto鈥檚 Steve Lukather, giving the track a vintage Journey vibe.
The album鈥檚 first single, 鈥淲hat About Love,鈥� is a stirring number inspired by Ringo Starr鈥檚 familiar message of peace and love with Rolie encouraging everyone to combat fear and hate through the universal spreading of love.
Neal Schon, Rolie鈥檚 former bandmate with Santana and Journey, makes a guest appearance on the ballad 鈥淏reaking My Heart鈥� and the bluesy track 鈥淟ift Me Up.鈥�
The new album also includes a fresh version of 鈥淟ook Into the Future.鈥� The arrangement written by Rolie, Schon and Diane Valory originally appeared on Journey鈥檚 1976 sophomore release.
Other highlights include a gospel-infused cover of Elvis Presley鈥檚 鈥淒on鈥檛 Be Cruel鈥� and the sentimental offering 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the Way It Goes.鈥�
With 鈥淪onic Ranch,鈥� Rolie appears to still be on a roll with no signs of slowing down his diverse musical journey.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.