Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol.1
 Jim Peterik appears to write songs like most of us have breakfast which is why he can be relied upon to put out at least one album per year and the thing is, the quality control is high at all times. They're not all classics by any stretch of the imagination but they're all worth the time of any AOR/melodic rock fan.
According to the man himself Roots & Shoots is my latest collection of new music by what I consider to be the most iconic artists from the classic rock of the 80’s (the Roots) paired with the most exciting new talents I’ve had the pleasure of discovering. I found the same timeless qualities in the Shoots represented on this album. They are all rising stars!” It's fair to say that here in the UK Kevin Cronin and The 'Wagon are the most 'iconic' artists one offer although personally I worship at the altar of Don Barnes of .38 Special and it's the songs featuring these artists which were chosen as videos before the album's release.
"Dangerous Combination" is an updated version of the track from Speedwagon's underappreciated Find Your Own Way Home platter from 2007. It's a moot point as to whether Peterik's presence improves things but is a pleasant mid-tempo dad-rocking start to proceedings. Things continue in an acoustic kinda rock style with "Before Anyone Knows We’re Gone" where, interestingly Peterik doesn't interject with his own unique vocal stylings. Not sure why this might be. Couldn't possibly be nepotism could it?
"Forever's the Last Place You Look" is a tad ho-hum compared to the usual upbeat fun Peterik unleashes on the world and Night Ranger's Kelly Keagy turns up next on the equally contemplative "Mend Fences". Time for a ballad? You just know it and Ashton Brooke Gill takes lead vocals and a track that frankly isn't JP's best but it's good enough...it might have made a good Bond theme back in the day. Mark Farner turns up on "Friends Forever" and I'm not sure I've ever heard Mr. Farner before despite his enormous stateside success back in the day and ooh Peterik cliches are abundant in this one. It's as sickly as a caramel macchiato with extra cream. Pleasant guitar solo though. "I Found Me" featuring Mark MacKay is the pick of the second half and is the absolute epitome of what I said in the opening paragraph; it's solid, good, but not top-notch Peterik.
Track Listing:
1) Dangerous Combination (feat Kevin Cronin & REO Speedwagon)
2) Before Anyone Knows We’re Gone (feat Colin Peterik)
3) Last Dream Home (feat Don Barnes)
4) Forever's the Last Place You Look (feat Paul Childers)
5) Mend Fences (feat Kelly Keagy)
6) As I Am (feat Ashton Brooke Gill)
7) Friends Forever (feat Jim Peterik and Mark Farner)
8) Suddenly (feat Leslie Hunt
9) I Found Me (feat Mark Mackay)
10) Fire and Water (feat Lisa McClowry and Mike Mikulskis)
11) Fire and Water (Acoustic Version) Bonus Track Japan
Added: January 16th 2024
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:  
Related Link: Artist Website
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Language: english
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