Los Angeles Drummer Matt Starr will kick off 2015 touring South America and the U.S. with MR BIG, continuing his position filling in for drummer for Pat Torpey. This comes on the heels of a two-month tour of Europe and Asia including a sold out show at the Budokan in Japan in October and November of this year. Tour Dates: http://www.mrbigsite.com
Starr’s participation in the 2014 MR BIG tour meant that he was not available to tour with KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in support of the 2014 release, “Space Invader”, to which Starr contributed all drum tracks. The album debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 20,000 copies in its first week. “I had a great time working with Ace on “Space Invader”, says Starr. “I’m very proud of that record and the fans have responded so favorably, comparing it to his 1978 record, that was quite an honor.”
Before the years’ end Starr will join former Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich, Keith St John (Montrose) and Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot/Dokken), collectively known as Burning Rain, for a short Northwest tour. Tour Dates: http://www.burningrain.net
Artist: MR BIG Album: …THE STORIES WE COULD TELL Label: Frontiers Records Release Date: 30th September 2014
Track Listing: 1. Gotta Love The Ride 2. I Forget To Breathe 3. Fragile 4. Satisfied 5. The Man Who Has Everything 6. The Monster In Me 7. What If We Were New? 8. East/West 9. The Light Of Day 10. Just Let Your Heart Decide 11. It’s Always About That Girl 12. Cinderella Smile 13. The Stories We Could Tell ⦁ Addicted To That Rush (Live – Exclusive Bonus Track)
Just when I sadly thought we might not hear anything new from these guys collectively—what with all their other musical and teaching projects, to name a few—here comes MR. BIG with another generous offering of the kind of guitar lovers’ ear candy to which I’m still addicted.
“The Stories We Could Tell”, the band’s 8th studio album, is a real treat. Having been a fan since their debut, I got right into ‘Gotta Love The Ride’ and ‘I Forget To Breathe’, two tracks that open the album and immediately harken back to the classic MR. BIG sound, complete with funky, rock-solid grooves and blazing guitar solos. They go seamlessly into ‘Fragile’, also a strong song, bringing down the party mood just a bit to reflect poignantly before kicking it in again for the sass of Paul Gilbert’s guitar licks in a bluesy face-off with Eric Martin’s vocals on ‘Satisfied’.
Paul Gilbert is a prime example of a guitar hero who only gets better with time. The same can be said for his tone. There’s no doubt the man can shred, but his musical scope, broad to begin with, has widened and finessed considerably. He has the knack for always knowing the perfect licks, runs, and solos for every spot in a song to give it that extra somethin’- somethin’ to bring it to the next level, without taking away from the feel or the structure of it. The talent is evident, but it never sounds like he’s showing off. Rather, it’s more that he’s totally into what he’s doing and he’s having a blast, and he’s invited you along for the party. The artistry of Billy Sheehan is ever impressive as well; although he’s mixed in a little more than what I’m used to, there’s plenty here of what makes Billy one of the most admired artists in music. They sync so well in the irresistible funk of ‘The Monster In Me’, and in the lead break in ‘Light Of Day’. Pat Torpey doesn’t miss a beat, either; each song on the album could stand apart from the rest on the diversity of percussive timings alone. Despite a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, there’s no evidence of it here, and he gives the other guys a great run for their money to keep up with him! I wish Pat all the best.
The album is replete with some wonderful acoustic stylings as well; ‘East/West’ and ‘Just Let Your Heart Decide’ are both lovely and powerful, and stay in my mind long after the music is over. Eric Martin can still belt them out like the best of ’em, and these days his voice carries more depth and soul than ever. I like the melody and the richness that the string section adds to ‘The Man Who Has Everything’, a tune that upon initial listen, might seem to fit better among Eric Martin’s solo efforts. Gilbert gives the song a little of a Beatles feel with his smooth playing and the chord progressions he uses.
The remaining songs: ‘It’s Always About That Girl’, ‘Cinderella Smile’, and the title track, ‘The Stories We Could Tell’ (the bonus live track was not available for my review) are slower-tempo rockers and also feature some great playing from the guys, but for whatever reason, they don’t seem to possess the same verve as the other tracks on the album. That won’t keep me from adding this one to my collection, though. Overall, the classic MR. BIG elements that initially made me a fan are still evident: talent out the wazoo, strong and catchy melodic songs, and terrific vocal harmonies, all coming together perfectly once again on “The Stories We Could Tell”.
Rating: 8/10
MR.BIG are: Eric Martin – vocals Paul Gilbert – guitars Billy Sheehan – bass Pat Torpey – drums
Following earlier announcement detailing the revised September 29th UK release date for Mr. Big’s forthcoming studio album …The Stories We Could Tell (Sept 30th in North America), the band have today confirmed Matt Starr as drummer Pat Torpey’s replacement on their upcoming 2014 World Tour.
Starr, currently Ace Frehley’s drummer, will sit in for Torpey (who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease) throughout Mr. Big’s tour in support of the new album.
Matt Starr
The album is available for pre-order via Amazon UK. Mr. Big kick off their European tour on Friday October 17th at London’s Koko. Visit the official Mr. Big website for full 2014 tour dates.
The release for MR BIG’s highly anticipated new album, …The Stories We Could Tell, has been moved from September 22nd to September 29th in the UK, and from September 23rd to September 30th in North America via Frontiers Music Srl.
“The new album rocks,” says Paul Gilbert. “I love playing guitar, singing, and writing with Eric, Billy, and Pat. And after 25 years, I’m proud that we can make an album that is melodic, powerful, interesting, groovy, and emotional.”
The original line-up comprised of Eric Martin (vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums), are back with some of their most powerful material to date. The new album is the follow-up to the 2011 release “What If,” that marked the band’s return to their signature hard rock sound.
The new album is available for pre-order via Amazon UK. Mr. Big kick off their European tour on Friday October 17th at London’s Koko. Visit the official Mr. Big website for full 2014 tour dates.
Hard rock’s original supergroup, MR. BIG are back with a vengeance with their new album “…The Stories We Could Tell”. The band’s eighth studio album is slated for release in the UK on Monday 22nd September, followed by North American release on Tuesday 23rd September via Frontiers Music Srl. “This new album rocks,” says Paul Gilbert. “I love playing guitar, singing, and writing with Eric, Billy, and Pat. And after 25 years, I’m proud that we can make an album that is melodic, powerful, interesting, groovy, and emotional.”
“We wrote songs individually and collectively on this new record,” says Eric Martin. “To me this is the album that we’ve threatened to make decades ago. A classic, groovin’, blues-rock record with the spirit and spark of our rock and soul idols from the 70’s. Hells to the yeah it’s a Mr. Big album complete with all the trimmings. I think whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just starting, you’re going to dig where we are coming from and where we’ve been.”
The original line-up comprised of Eric Martin (vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey ( drums), are back with some of their most powerful material to date. The new album is the follow-up to the 2011 release “What If,” that marked the band’s return to their signature hard rock sound. The new album is available for pre-order via Amazon UK. Mr. Big kick off their European tour on Friday October 17th at London’s Koko. Visit the official Mr. Big website to view all their 2014 tour dates.
The band recently announced that drummer Pat Torpey has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis has left him unable to perform his normal drumming duties on the band’s upcoming World Tour. He did complete all of the drumming on the upcoming album, but unfortunately touring will be too difficult for him at the present time. Mr. Big intends to announce a drummer in the near future who will handle most of Mr. Big’s drumming duties on the Fall 2014 tour and expects Torpey to jump on the drums on suitable live songs as well as participating in the group’s acoustic set.
Album Track Listing:
1) Gotta Love The Ride
2) I Forget To Breathe
3) Fragile
4) Satisfied
5) The Man Who Has Everything
6) The Monster In Me
7) What If We Were New?
8) East/West
9) The Light Of Day
10) Just Let Your Heart Decide
11) It’s Always About That Girl
12) Cinderella Smile
13) The Stories We Could Tell
14) Addicted To That Rush (Live – Exclusive Bonus Track)
LA Rockers MR BIG have announced a one off show at London’s Koko on Friday 17th October 2014 – their only show on these shores this year.
The original line up of super-piped vocalist Eric Martin, shred legend Paul Gilbert, bass god Billy Sheehan, and powerhouse drummer Pat Torpey will perform songs from their vast catalogue, spanning nearly 25 years.
With huge tunes such as “Addicted To That Rush”, “Green Tinted Sixties Mind”, “Undertow”, “Ain’t Seen Love Like That” and of course their 1991 smash hit “To Be With You”, this exclusive British Isles show is unmissable for any Mr Big fan.
Artist: MR BIG
