AMBITION: Ambition

Cover	Release	Style
	2006–01-27	AOR
	Label
	www.frontiers.it
	Website
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	Contact
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	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	57:43	FRCD271
	Review by	Rating
	Johan	8/10
nederlands	Review
With names like Thom Griffin (Trillion), Jean-Michel Byron (Toto) & Joe Vana (Mecca), you can expect some real vocal talent on this album. Ambition started as a project when Serafino Perugino, president of Frontiers Records, approached Joe Vana in 2002, with the intention of bringing Thom Griffin’s wonderful voice back into the spotlights. After 20 years, Griffin reappeared doing backing vocals on the Mecca album, on which Vana shared the lead vocals with Fergie Frederikson (Toto, Leroux). Ironically enough, Frederikson was the first singer in Griffin’s band Trillion. This all resulted in a co-operation between Griffin & Vana to record “Waiting In My Dreams”, to be part of the “Rock The Bones - Vol 1” compilation of Frontiers Records. Because Vana had other personal commitments at that time, and Griffin didn’t want to work without a producer and song writing partner, the whole project was put on hold. It was only because of Perugino’s patience that Ambition saw the light of the day. Producer Fabrizio Grossi (Glenn Hughes, Starbreaker, Vertigo, etc…) and Joey Carbone (song writing partner of ex-Toto singer Joseph Williams) were hired. Christian Wolff & Brian Lablanc completed the list of talented songwriters. At the end of 2004, Ambition was ready to make a fresh new start. With Tommy Denander on guitar, the whole project would have the perfect AOR sound. At the last minute, when it became obvious that Joe Vana could not resolve his problems, Pergino and Grossi decided to include ex-Toto singer Jean-Michel Byron to duel with Griffin, and give him a solo spot on “Hunger”. This collection of twelve songs opens in true AOR style with “Hold On”, a radio friendly song, which immediately puts Griffin’s vocals in the spotlights. “Hypocrites” is a more up-tempo track with a good drive and the first vocal duel between Griffin & Jean-Michel Byron. “Alone I Cry” is a typical Foreigner-like radio ballad, but thanks to Tommy Denander’s guitar work, there’s an extra push to this song. A bit heavier is “Shaping Fate & Destiny”, based on good guitar work and nice keyboards from Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi. A well-balanced playlist on this album results in a calm “All I Need”, where Griffin’s talents take centre-stage once again. Also, take note of Denander’s great solos, supported by Grossi’s groovy bass line. “Make it alright” is a typical rock song with guitars in Richie Sambora-style, and beautiful harmony vocals in the chorus. “No Wasted Moments” is the second ballad on this album, sensitive and useful as a slow on the dance floor. “Together” again is a song on which Griffin shows us his vocal talents in all his heights and lows, in the chorus supported by well-balanced backing vocals. In “Too Much” we also get nice duo vocals from Thom Griffin & Jean-Michel Byron with a perfect partnership between those two matched voices. “Hunger” is the vocal solo spot for Byron, and even on his own he knows how to convince. “The Promise” has got a melancholic undertone like some ‘I Miss You’-ballads, so we’ve all heard that before. Last song of the album “Waiting In My Dreams” is the bonus track for the European release. On this one, Griffin & Joe Vana give the best of themselves, with balanced vocals on a fragile melody. This is an album for every AOR-minded fan who appreciates wonderful vocal talent. My favourites: “Hold on” – “Hypocrites” – “Shaping fate & destiny” - “Hunger” – “Waiting in my dreams”
Musicians
Thom Griffin: Vocals Tommy Denander: guitar Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi: Bass, Keyboards Masayoshi Yamasuka: Drums Joachim Cannaiuolo: Drums Jean Michel Byron: vocals on “Hunger” & additional vocals on “Hypocrites” & “Too Much” Joe Vana: additional vocals on “Waiting In My Dreams”
Tracklist
Hold On (4:38) Hypocrites (4:33) Alone I Cry (4:28) Shaping Fate & Destiny (4:34) All I Need (5:36) Make It Alright (4:01) No Wasted Moments (5:01) Together (4:37) Too Much (5:13) Hunger (4:30) The Promise (4:35) Waiting In My Dreams (5:26)


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