JOE PERRY
Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII
Roman Records
www.joeperry.com
Back in 2018, AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry teamed up with a bunch of his brothers in music for the release of the Hard Rock 'n' Blues album Sweetzerland Manifesto. The album featured contributions by Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK), David Johanson (NY DOLLS), and in-demand session vocalist Terry Reid.
For unknown reasons, the legendary axeman and 4-time Grammy winner decided to revisit the release. Longtime AEROSMITH producer Jack Douglas worked his magic behind the boards, as well as Perry's sons Tony and Roman. Renowned actor and HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES bandmate Johnny Depp is listed as executive producer.
MKII features 6 new songs and 4 tracks from the original Sweetzerland Manifesto with alternative mixes and vocals. Non-audiophiles may have a hard time determining the differences from the original and updated versions. To me, there are little or very subtle differences. MKII is also the first time any of the material has been made available on vinyl.
As far as the new tracks go, Perry bends the strings like only he can on the album's opening number "Fortunate One". THE BLACK CROWES frontman Chris Robinson is the ideal choice for this Southern Blues rocker. There's a very Jerry Lee Lewis inspired piano piece in the background.
If you were scratching your head when Perry recently hit the road as THE JOE PERRY PROJECT with Gary Cherone (EXTREME) on vocals, you will understand why it all makes sense when you hear "Quake". Cherone and Perry are like peanut butter and jelly on this funky and soulful track.
Joe stretches out his fingers on the instrumental track "Man With A Golden Arm". It's not a shred guitar composition, but more of a trippy, melodic joint that harkens back to the early days of Rock. "Time Will Tell" is Perry's only appearance on vocals. If you've never heard Joe sing, he's on the lower end of things, with almost a crooner style delivery.
Robert DeLeo (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS) provides the riffage while Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK) delivers an impassioned vocal performance on "Suck It Up". Joe slows things down with the ballad "Goes His Own Way". The track features the weathered yet commanding vocals of Terry Reid.
As for returning songs from the original release, Terry Reid is prominently featured on the Blues-soaked "I'll Do Happiness" and haunting, yet trippy "Won't Let Me Go". Robin Zander kicks things up a notch with easy to sing along with "Aye Aye Aye", and David Johanson delivers a very avant-guard performance on "I Wanna Roll". What else would you expect from the NY DOLLS frontman?
What happens when you get seven of the most talented and pedigreed musicians in the studio to make an album? You get Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII. A great collection of songs by some old pros who are just doing what they love to do without expectations.
3.8 Out Of 5.0
