Peter Criss - One for All
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Free Music Notes for One for All
Free Music Review: A Classical Sound Brought back to Life!
Hit: 5 Stars
As a KISS and Peter Criss fan, I have all of his solo projects and think that all of them are special and amazing. When I heard that Peter was coming out with another album, I was pumped. When he said that the album would be primarily ballads and R&B/Jazz, I knew this would be great. After all, Peter's voice was meant for ballads. When I first bought the album, I admit, I was a little poised trying to figure the album out. After a few times through, I was hooked.
Peter Criss has done it again. This time he has traveled back in time nearly fifty years and successfully revitalized a classical generation of music. This is the music that Peter grew up with and did an excellent job re-creating it for the 21st century. There are so many great moments on this album that make it all worth while. Peter's lyrics are honest and straight from the heart, like he has always done. His drum playing fits the R&B/Jazz sound perfectly and his long-time friend, guitarist and writer Mike McLaughlin is fantastic. With Peter's great drumming and Mike's rip-roaring bluesy guitar playing, the album came out STELLAR!
The title track is autobiographical about the events of September 11th. Great drumming by Peter, very passionate lyrics and the children's choir adds more flame to the fire. The next track, "Doesn't Get Better Than This" is purely a dedication to Peter's wife, Gigi. The lyrics are all about Peter's life on the road and how he enjoys his time alone with his lovely wife. This is Peter's first duet I believe with the incredible Jen Johnson. These two together give the song a lot of power and harmony that is so touching. Great job!
A couple tracks later, "What a Difference A Day Makes" was inspired by Peter's mother. He said on "Rockline" that his mother always sang around the house and that this was one of those tunes, so Peter honored her with a remake of one of her favorite songs. There's so much "heart behind these hands." On all these tracks, you can feel the heart that Peter put into this. The next track, "Hope" is a lovely ballad. I've read that this was originally a Psycho Circus demo, but was rejected by the "bosses" Gene and Paul. I think they were crazy. This could have been a bigger hit than Paul's ballad. The next track is Peter's dedication to the KISS fans everywhere. The lyrics express Peter's joyest moments when he is out there playing and seeing the bright and smiling faces of his fans. Thanks, Peter! The sound of the crowd gives adds a bit of spice to the mix.
Next is, "Send in the Clowns." This is a very slow and passionate ballad, which Peter did a remake of. The song was originally a Broadway tune that Peter indeed tried out for and nailed the song, but unfortunately, not the acting side of it. This sounds like something that Neil Diamond or Johnny Cash would do. Just by the sound of Peter's voice, a country singer with a deep voice should take a swing at this one. If Peter's first dedication to his wife wasn't enough, then you'll love "Falling All Over Again." Many married men say that they fall in love with their wives more and more each day. Well, Peter makes that perfectly clear here. You're so affectionate, Peter! The next track, "Whisper" is a good jazz tune with some good bluesly guitar mixed in. The next track and perhaps the best of the album is "Heart Behind These Hands." This track contains some of Peter's best drumming and McLaughlin's greatest solos ever. Very good lyrics and great job on the vocals. After that comes "Memories", which is Peter's recollection of his childhood and reaching for his dreams, which he declares do come true if you work hard enough. Great lesson to learn here for all of us. And last is Peter's dedication to his best friend, Ace Frehley. The song itself is very spacy and definitely describes Ace's personality. The second half of the song has some very good jamming and gets really heavy. Excellent stuff here!
Overall, the album was incredible. Peter's vocals were great and heartfelt, the production was done precise and not over-polished like other releases by KISS members. The drumming of the Catman was tight and incredible. Last but not least, McLaughlin's guitar work was out of this world. Those two make a great pair musically. Peter and Mike wrote most of the songs for the album. A couple tunes were covers, but other than that, there are really no major flaws in the album. During the "Rockline" interview, Peter said he also had a Rock/Swing mix that he finished last winter is nearly ready for release. I can't wait for that. Thanks, Peter Criss! You always deliver incredible music. I love every minute of it!
Free Music Review: I'm glad you don't like it! It's cool!
Hit: 5 Stars
There are quite a few folks who don't like this album. To that I say, Good! Music these days stinks bad. It all sounds the same. It's all made cookie-cutter and it's freaking boring. Since there are some who will compare Peter's effort to Gene's and Paul's, I will only briefly. Paul writes the same tired, frayed tunes he always does. Gene, well, Gene is quite possibly the worst song writer to come down the pike since, well, me. :)
Peter wrote what he liked, sang the way he sings and released and album that is not something you will find anywhere else. You will know it's Peter Criss.
When I first heard the snipits, I was like, what the heck is that? But I waited. I don't want to get disappointed until I heard the whole thing.
When the CD arrived, I put it in the CD player and slapped on the headphones to give it an honest listen. After three listens I was hooked. Why? Because it's honest. It's real. It's not over produced like his last release was, like Stanley's or Simmon's. It's the real Peter Criss there, not a computer. That's why I like it.
I grew up in the 70's when stuff was real and there was no such thing as protools. So no matter if the pitch is perfect, or the lyrics don't meet your standards, it's from the heart, it's real and it's honest. Britney Spears could learn a thing or two here.
I haven't stopped listening to it. The songs stick in my head and I can't get them out. They're catchy tunes and quality tunes. I'm glad I bought this album. Peter captures an era here that has long since passed. I'm glad he did.
He's coming out with two more, so this is only the first. As I understand it, we'll here rock and swing! Can you imagine that? What we here from the others? The same old tired stuff. If you like that, it's cool, dude, but if you are looking for something different, catchy and a lot different, than this CD is worth the price. At the very least you know when you buy this CD you won't be buying a studio's version of a band. It's the real guy.
To Peter I say congratulations. You flip your bird at the nay-sayers and did it your way.
Thanks for reading. :)
Free Music Review: "Doesn't Get Better Than This"
Hit: 5 Stars
...actually, it often does. So why the five stars? Not because I blindly love all things Kiss. (Gene's album A**hole was truly horrible, and worthy of NO stars.) Not because the version at Best Buy comes personally signed by Pete. And certainly not because Pete is a gifted vocalist, as the product description claims, because he isn't.
Some claim to be shocked at how bad this album is. Why? Most were aware he and his co-writers were writing an album of ballads and jazz music. His last output, Cat #1, was ridiculous. Pete's certainly not a poet, but his lyrics are at least more mature this time around. Not really any better, but more mature.
So again, why five stars? There are moments on this album that I truly like. "Last Night" has great music. "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Whisper" are nice as well. "Space Ace" is eclectic, different, and better than I had expected.
Yes, there are some truly sad moments. Pete's harmony vocals in the title track (not a very good song in the first place) could use some - a lot - of pro tools. But they're so bad it becomes an accidental comedy. Can't complain with that. At times it sounds like he's singing through his nose. When did he become so nasally? Doesn't matter. When he's off a little, it's funny. That ain't bad.
So, yes - there are a few lousy moments on this record. There are some really good moments. And some in between. That's hardly a five star record. But for some reason I keep playing it. And while I respect each person's right to their own opinion, it seems an awful lot of folks are ripping Pete to shreds. On the whole, I like the album. I think Pete must have a lot of guts to put something like this out. That adds another star or two in my book.
Free Music Review: Breathing life into a genre of music long forgotten
Hit: 5 Stars
This is, without a doubt, one of the best releases of the year. Peter Criss has reminded us "old timers" (I turn 41 in a few days) just how good music used to sound. He's also done the younger generation the favor of introducing them to a style of music not heard very much anymore. As a long time KISS fan, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a former band member making music that doesn't fit "in the box". If I want to hear Peter singing loudly and beating on his drums, I'll listen to some early, classic KISS lps. If I want to just sit back, relax and get a smile on my face, I'll listen to "One For All". Peter's voice sounds fantastic as it effortlessly glides along with , not over, the intertwining melodies of each song. His drumming is up to snuff and the songwriting on this disc is simple and sweet. Even the few cover tunes sound refreshing and new.
He's got nothing to prove to anyone and I think that allows him to finally be himself. While listening to him sing, you can tell he's happy with what he's accomplished with this release. I'm also glad he wised up and told Gene and Paul he's finished playing games with them. He deserves so much more respect than they ever gave him. His cds might not sell as many copies as "Live To Win", but, somehow, I don't think that bothers him. I'm proud of him for baring his heart and soul on this disc. I look forward to his next release of swing music, yet another genre of music many people have forgotten. Thanks, Peter, for reminding us that being honest means everything.
This is a first class cd from a first class man. Can you imagine Gene or Paul hand signing copies of their solo releases and selling them for regular retail prices? I doubt it. Peter was always the humble one in KISS. It's nice to see he hasn't changed.
Free Music Review: Good try, fresh sound
Hit: 5 Stars
Given the fact that this is nowhere near the same as "Cat#1", or "Out of control", it is a good sounding Peter Criss. The more mature, bluesy jazz sound is so good in fact yesterday when I bought it, I listened to it several times. I would have to say the tracks that stand out best to me are "Last Night", "Hope", "What a Diference a Day Makes". My least favorite though was "Faces In The Crowd", which would have been better to me had he left out the audience sound. The tribute to Ace Frehley, "Space Ace" was a good way to end the disc in my opinion. Although this album is similar to his solo album in the 70's, it is more jazzy, and a whole lot more mature. If your a die hard Kiss fan then this is a great additon to the colection (I bought it both on vinyl and cd), however for the younger crowd, who have not been listening to Kiss for the last 30 years, you will probably be disappointed. This in no way shape or form is even close to the rockers Peter did with them in the 70's. For us long time Kiss fans though I think we can appreciate what Peter has done here. Hopefully though it will not take him another 10 years or more to give us another helping of tunes from him.