Mr. Big was a so-called super group formed when
Billy Sheehan left David Lee Roth in 1988. He teamed up with
Paul Gilbert formerly of Racer X, Pat Torpey and solo artist
Eric Martin. All the musicians involved in making this record are an influence upon, or connected in some way, to
Mr. Big.
This is the first album in the "Influences & Connections" series. It's a quite interesting concept compared to the ordinary tributes on the market.The trefoil from the last
Mr. Big record,
Richie Kotzen plus original members
Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey all participate on the record. Overall there are big names involved including a reunion of
Joe Lynn Turner and
Yngwie Malmsteen.
The album opens with Free's classic
Mr. Big.
Billy Sheehan, Pat Torpey and
Richie Kotzen play on this track along with Paul Rodgers, who sang the original version from 1970.
From the last
Mr. Big album "Actual Size" a surprisingly great track is featured. Drummer Pat Torpey takes over vocal duties on
Crawl over me and his vocals sound great on this rocker. Matt Sorum plays drums and also provides backing vocals.
Ironically, the album highlight is a track off the record, which made me stop listening to
Mr. Big namely 1996's "Hey Man".
Take Cover sounds amazing. Doug Pinnick from King's X warm vocals sound fantastic on this modern rocker and fellow King's X axeman Ty Tabor lays down a brilliant solo.
From 93's "Bump Ahead" John Waite's smooth vocals suit the new arrangement of
Wild World.
Heart's Ann Wilson provides the ballad
Promise Her the Moon with some emotional vocals.
The main emphasis is on "Lean into it", which is
Mr. Big's strongest effort. Mickey Thomas sings brilliant on
Just Take My Heart and actually I like this version better than the original even though it doesn't deviate much from the "Lean into it" version.
Donnie Vie sings the psychedelic Rocker
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind and even though this is my all time favorite singer singing my favorite
Mr. Big track - I could only hope for a win/win situation. However, the arrangement is a bit weak, but still a pretty good track though.
The version of
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy is simply amazing with incorporation of
Deep Purple riffs.
Joe Lynn Turner sings and to spice it up
Yngwie Malmsteen adds some great shredding to the fast up-tempo song.
To make this record perfect, both
Eric Martin and
Paul Gilbert should have appeared on the record, since they are a very significant part of
Mr. Big's history. One could only wish for a duet with Eric and Ann Wilson on
Promise her the Moon, which I would have thought to be interesting. Guitar ace
Paul Gilbert is also a good singer, so since both Pat, Billy and Richie get to sing I would have preferred Paul to sing a track as well.
Overall an interesting concept and it's a worthy salute to
Mr. Big's career.
Written by
Michael Sunday, January 4, 2004
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