With little to no chance of the brilliant guitarist Vito Bratta ever returning to White Lion, the legacy of this classic 80’s hard rock band is left in the capable hands and throat of Danish vocalist and frontman extraordinaire, Mike Tramp.
Just over a year ago, Mike delighted White Lion fans with new versions of some of the band’s biggest hits. Now he’s back for more with Songs Of White Lion – Vol. II, which drops on August 23 via Frontiers Music Srl.
These ten re-imagined tracks from his former band dig a little deeper into the White Lion catalog and dust off some cuts that sound great with a fresh coat of paint.
The first single, “Lights and Thunder,” should sound familiar to fans of the 80’s glam metal era. This new version of what was a staple in While Lion’s live show does the original justice but could have done without the Hammond organ accompaniment.
“Lonely Nights” is one of those deeper tracks from the 1987 album Pride, that was great to hear again. Mike’s vocals are unmistakable and guitarist Marcus Nand admirably handles Bratta’s intricate solo.
Mike asks, “Would Leonardo Da Vinci have re-painted Mona Lisa if he had gotten a second chance? That we will never know, but I can say for sure, that I am beyond thrilled to have gotten a second chance to re-record and sing the songs I wrote between 1983 -1990. Today I have such a better understanding of how I want to express the songs in my voice than I had when I was in my 20’s.”
“You’re All I Need” was a bit of sleeper on 1991’s Mane Attraction, but more than deserving of a resurrection in 2024. This is a ballad that will immediately silence any critics who question if Mike still has the pipes.
Also off of the stellar album Pride, I was anxious to hear the new expression of the killer song “All You Need is Rock and Roll.” The heaviest rocker on the album, this one and “Out With The Boys” are the two gems for me.
As I noted when I reviewed Songs of White Lion Vol. I last year, if you approach these classics with an open mind, I think you’ll appreciate Mike’s approach. His vocals are deeper and more soulful these days, but the integrity of the songs remain. This is in no way karaoke versions of the music of our youth.
And unlike some artists and bands of this genre, Mike is out on the road touring in support of this new album. Personally, I can’t wait to hear these songs live here in Phoenix later this month!
Review By I’m Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski
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