Genre: Guitar virtuoso
Format: Wv + cue + log + test
Released: 2009
Label: Rising Force
01. Forever One
02. Like an Angel
03. Crying
04. Brothers
05. Memories
06. Save Our Love
07. Ocean Sonata
08. Miracle of Life
09. Sorrow
10. Prelude to April
Yngwie’s core fans will be pleased anyway, even if lightning arpeggios are rarely seen (don’t bet...) in this compilation CD. The Swedish virtuoso’s rivals will have another arrow in their quiver, not to forget, even if now it’s not the time for accusing the man of infinite shredding. Who’s left then? Well, fans willing to taste alternate versions of the originals plus fans of mild music is a case study,. After listening to "Angels Of Love" for a dozen of times in a row (gazing at the attractive lady in the cover frequently, to recapture the muse tendered) it’s no wonder I’d take a glimpse again shortly.
What’s the scenario here: the ’neoclassical’ shredder compiled this album with (nearly) acoustic versions of some of his ballads all these years. Using acoustic guitars - with a slice of electricity scattered for some climax to be uncapped - and keys arrangements, Yngwie lets his inner self loose in service of the resulting equilibrium and tranquillity. Some of the songlist does not fly away from the original versions, mainly due to the inflexible composing pattern while enough songs do gain a fair new-fangled point in terms of letting loose ’parallel’ emotions once buried under the nonstop virtuosity of this mentor.
I think (did not count, it’s a general impression) the takes recorded here do not - in a whole - depict 100% of the duration of the originals; let’s just say that each tune here carries the main theme (or a set of themes) correlating to the preliminary composition. In addition, I cannot recall any existent song named "Ocean Sonata" in Malmsteen’s so far catalogue, not being a die-hard follower though...Anyway, some last notion obtained is that - due to his performance or the new arrangements or whatever - the final upshot approaches more the Uli Jon Roth blend rather than the Ritchie Blackmore pen (if only these two choices ever existed in Yngwie’s mind, haha).
Sum it up? Yeap, this is the road the Swedish maestro walks on the last quarter of a century. Nothing new in terms of style, still listening to this album while driving in the countryside, seeing beautiful landscapes, reading on a winter’s night or just sitting by the fire is some kind of a nice companion soundtrack. "Angels Of Love" is perfect as a present too, let’s propose.
On second thought: if Yngwie Malmsteen also wanted to deliver a certain message to his critics, he possibly did it... Reviewed by Grigoris
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