Paris Keeling End of Ride Revisited
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
While fans of Paris Keeling are probably looking for a new studio album, the duo instead rehash their debut album. Shuffling the track listing, the duo delivers remixed songs, as well as bonus tracks, making the new album title End of Ride Revisited.
End of Ride Revisited features special guest musicians, including Don Dokken and George Lynch, writing separately and not together. Other guests include the legendary Carmine Appice, Al Pitrelli, Shane Gaalaas, Erik Norlander, Nate Howell and The Aevia Trio featuring Diane Cox, Maud Kelley, and Juli Roach.
Together, Marty Paris and Kelly Keeling create an eclectic mix of songs that range from the pop-rock/country vibe of the Eagles to the edgier extremes of hard rock. Opening the CD with “Tears of Heaven,” guest Don Dokken and Keeling take on the concept of war and question the necessity of such evil. The song is heavy with its weighted lyrics and guitars. Keeling handles the lead vocal as Dokken fattens the vocal melodies, singing in the background. “Life” is built on the backbone of an acoustic guitar melody. Keeling takes center stage with his emotional vocal delivery. The song builds up to a powerful crescendo of guitars and harmony vocals.
“Free” has a ‘70s rock ballad feel. Opening with a piano melody and Keeling’s emotional vocals, the lyrics long for returning home. The orchestration of the song supports the vocal melody and certainly touches your emotional being. “I Learned From the Inside” is an instrumental song that pushes the tempo to a furious pace. This is an exciting “jam” track, highlighting the bands musical skills. “These Days” was written by George Lynch and Keeling. Lynch’s exotic guitar riffs open up the song with Keeling’s singing over the top. On this song, the attempt to make the vocals full sounding, overpowers the guitars rhythms; when the verses get busy, its dificult to hear the underlying instruments. The song closes with a very Lynch-inspired solo, slithering to a fade out.
The CD seems to follow a pattern of fast song, slow song, which throws the continuity off. Just when you’re pumped and ready to rock, you find yourself sitting back and chilling. Dokken and Keeling are at again on “I’ve Found,” giving us a Beatle-inspired song. Dokken sings the main vocal melody, and Keeling is right there providing the elegant harmony. This is another mellow pop-rock song, driven by acoustic guitars and a cello.
The bonus tracks kick in with a song taken from Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus sessions. “Don’t Disturb the Occupants” is a high-energy rocker, with plenty of harmony vocals. And the drums are right up front in the mix. Keeling handles the lead vocals, and the song gets a bit Zep-ish with Keeling imitating the lead guitar. As the song ends, Doug Pinnick, of King’s X fame, joins the foray as the song finally draws to a close. “Feel” takes the turn back into the mellow stratosphere. The song is another acoustically-driven song and, until now, was unreleased. Obviously, this kind of song is the bread and butter of Paris Keeling. They are keen on lavish productions with lush vocals, pleasant musical arrangements and gut-wrenching emotional lyrics.
The band recreates Electric Light Orchestra’s “Telephone Line.” This song is right up the band’s alley, and, although it doesn’t sound much different than the original, it works. “Alive” closes End of Ride Revisited, with guess what … another acoustic-driven song with Paris singing lead vocals. The song keeps the underlying acoustic rhythms, but a distorted guitar is introduced and helps fill the sound, making the song sound huge. Al Pitrelli handles the guitar solo and delivers a bluesy-hard rock lead break. The song has a Southern rock vibe.
Paris Keeling certainly has talent. Yet, they almost need to pick specific genre and stay with it. With a majority of the songs following the more traditional ’70s rock vibe, the continuity of this CD would be better served sticking to that genre. Also, even though the CD features bonus tracks, the overall length of the album is long.
Label: Surgeland Records
Band:
Rick Van Benschoten (b)
Matt Goeke (cello)
Gintas Janusonis (d)
Marty Paris (g)(v)
Kelly Keeling (v)(g)(b)
Track Listing:
1. Tears of Heaven (featuring Don Dokken)
2. Life
3. Head Straight (featuring Carmine Appice)
4. Free
5. She Was
6. End of Ride (SUITE)
7. I Learned from the Inside
8. Morning Song
9. These Days (featuring George Lynch)
10. Color Blind
11. I’ve Found (featuring Don Dokken)
Bonus Tracks
12. Don’t Disturb the Occupants (featuring Carmine Appice – originally released on Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus – Japan)
13. Feel (featuring Shane Gaalaas)
14. Head Straight (Original Studio Version featuring Carmine Appice)
15. Telephone Line (Electric Light Orchestra)
16. Alive (featuring Erik Norlander and Al Pitrelli)
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10