Album Review – Ace Frehley – Origins Vol. 2 – eOne Music
Artist – Ace Frehley
Album Title – Origins Vol. 2
Label – eOne Music
Release Date – September 18th 2020
ACE FREHLEY:
Ace Frehley – Lead Guitars & Vocals
Ryan Spencer Cook – Guitars & Backing Vocals
Philip Shouse – Bass, Guitars & Backing Vocals
Jeremy Asbrock – Guitars & Backing Vocals
Matt Starr – Drums & Backing Vocals
ACE FREHLEY – ORIGINS II – CREDITS
Produced by Ace Frehley
Co-produced and recorded by Alex Salzman at Ace In The Hole Studios, Rancho Santa
Fe, CA
Additional recording:
Space Truckin’ and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place: basic tracks recorded by Michael
Everett at The Creation Lab, Turlock, CA
She: recorded by Tim Brennan at Sienna Studios, Nashville, TN and Alex Salzman at
ASP, Brewster, NY
Jumpin’ Jack Flash: lead vocals recorded by Ronnie Mancuso at Ace In The Hole
Studios
Mixed by Anthony Focx and Marti Frederiksen
Mastered by Anthony Focx
TRACK LISTING:
01. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
Jeremy Asbrock – guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
Lara Cove – backing vocals
02. Never In My Life (Mountain):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
03. Space Truckin’ (Deep Purple):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars, bass
Rob Sabino – organ
Matt Starr – drums
04. I’m Down (The Beatles):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
John 5 – guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
05. Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones):
Ace Frehley – guitars, bass, vocals
Lita Ford – vocals
Matt Starr – drums and percussion
06. Politician (Cream):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
John 5 – guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
07. Lola (The Kinks):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
Lara Cove – backing vocals
08. 30 Days In The Hole (Humble Pie):
Ace Frehley – guitars
Robin Zander – vocals
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums and percussion
09. Manic Depression (The Jimi Hendrix Experience):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
Bruce Kulick – guitars
Alex Salzman – bass
Matt Starr – drums
10. Kicks (Paul Revere & The Raiders):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars
Alex Salzman – bass, guitars
Matt Starr – drums
11. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (The Animals):
Ace Frehley – vocals, guitars, bass
Matt Starr – drums
12. She (KISS):
Ace Frehley – guitars
Ryan Spencer Cook – guitars and vocals
Jeremy Asbrock – guitars and vocals
Philip Shouse – bass, guitars and vocals
Matt Starr – drums
Ace is back with his second covers album entitled “Origins Vol. 2” and as a fan of Ace & covers albums in general, I was excited to see how he’d follow up “Origins Vol. 1” from 2016.
Let’s take a rocket ride to Jendell to see what the OG Spaceman threw down in the studio…
01. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin): – One of my favorite Zep classics. I was a fan of Godsmack’s version of this song. Upon seeing the track listing, I wondered if Ace bit of more than he could chew by taking on a vocalist such as Robert Plant.
I feel that Ace did a damn good job behind the mic. He made it his own while remaining faithful to the original. Nice to hear Jeremy Asbrock’s playing alongside Ace’s. I feel Ace’s current touring band is the best he’s ever had and Ace has really stepped up his game with their addition.
02. Never In My Life (Mountain): – Not real familiar with this tune so I A/B’d the original and the cover. Leslie West is a legend for a reason. Ace, Matt and Alex did it justice. Now I need to dive into Mountain’s catalog.
03. Space Truckin’ (Deep Purple): – This cut is in my Top 3 from this album. I digg how Ace added more guitar, didn’t lose the Organ and added his sense of humor & Ace-ism’s like “Hey Curly” “Jendell” & “Space Ace Truckin'” to his version.
Nice to see his touring band represented in the music video even though I’m not a fan of the edit of the song. The album version is where it’s at. Well done to all involved, Ack!
“Space Truckin'” [Single Edit Music Video]
“Space Truckin'” [Album Version]
04. I’m Down (The Beatles): – I really love Aerosmith’s cover of this tune, more than the original, I’ll admit. When the track listing was announced, the inclusion of this tune piqued my interest.
Ace freakin’ nailed it! What else can I say about John 5 that hasn’t already been said? I honestly think John 5 is an alien because is there anything he can’t do on guitar? I think not!
“I’m Down” [Official Visualizer]
05. Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones): – As soon as I heard Lita’s voice I reached for the forward button. Thankfully, Ace shares vocal duties on this track or it would have been an automatic skip for me. I listened to it once, never again. Not a Lita fan whatsoever. This song suffers due to her.
06. Politician (Cream): – You know a track is going to be good when you find out that Ace, John 5 and Matt Starr are involved. Digg the heaviness and the fat groove.
07. Lola (The Kinks): – I have a confession to make…thanks to my dear (much) older brother Greg, I can’t hear any version of this song without “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Yoda” drowning it out in my brain. So send your hate mail to him because I can’t hear this song without harmonizing “Yoda” with it! Fantastic job by all involved in this cut but damn you, brother!
08. 30 Days In The Hole (Humble Pie): – One of my all-time favorite Rock N’ Roll tunes is the original. Steve Marriott is so underrated, IMO. It’s only fitting that Ace called in another vocal great to pay homage to this song. Another one of my favorites on this album.
09. Manic Depression (The Jimi Hendrix Experience): – A really strong version by Ace and Bruce of a tune by one of their biggest guitar hero’s! I think Jimi would approve! Great to see the wonderful Bruce Kulick and Ace sharing guitar duties together. This is a great thing for the KISS ARMY!
10. Kicks (Paul Revere & The Raiders): – Truth be told, one of my first concerts, that I can remember, was Paul Revere & The Raiders. My late Mother L-U-S-T-E-D after frontman Mark Lindsay so just the fact Ace covered it brings back many fond memories with my Mom. Thanks Ace!
11. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (The Animals): – If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought this was an Ace original. It has that kind of feel to it. Ace handles everything but the drums here. Impeccable job, Matt and Ace…so fun! I hope this will be in their live set once touring resumes.
12. She (KISS): – Ace saved the best for last with the inclusion of his touring band on a track. Shock me…really cool that Ace handed the microphone over to Ryan, Philip and Jeremy.
I’ve been a fan of Ryan Spencer Cook since 1997 when he fronted and played guitar for Hair Of The Dog, aka HOTD. I came to know of Jeremy Asbrock and Philip Shouse because of Ryan. You will not find three bigger fans of Rock N’ Roll and KISS than these guys! They eat, sleep and breathe it!
“She” is in my Top 10 KISS songs of all time list and this version is my favorite cut on “Origins Vol. 2.” Of all the bands who have covered the song, this rendering and Anthrax’ version are the only ones I’ve liked that I’ve heard.
Ryan, Jeremy and Philip’s vocals are sick not to mention their mastery of all things stringed! What a potent combination Ace, Ryan, Philip, Jeremy and Matt make! Bravo guys, bravo!
In closing, Ace has knocked one into outer space with “Origins Vol. 2” and is playing and singing better than he has in years. The performances by everyone involved is top notch, fantastic production and the mix is just right.
His last two solo albums didn’t resonate with me and “Origins Vol. 1” was hit-and-miss hence why I didn’t review them. I’m not a fan of negative reviews therefore I avoid doing them…with the exception of Lita Ford’s contribution on this album.
I believe the combination of 14 years of sobriety under his belt, an exceptional and hungry touring band backing him, a much needed change of girlfriend & the prospect of possibly a final run with KISS in some capacity has really lit a fire under Ace’s ass! This album ranks right behind of his classic 1978 solo album and “Anomaly” as Ace’s best work and gives me a good feeling about his next album of original tunes. I hope Ace will write and record with Matt, Jeremy, Philip and Ryan for his next album!!!
Order Ace Frehley “Origins Vol. 2” here:
One time only 180G color in color vinyl pressing of Ace Frehley’s “Origins Vol.2” available exclusively from Target (online only) Details: variant artwork exclusive, silver and black vinyl pressing capped at 2000 pcs. Not available in stores!
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Check out Ace Frehley online here….
Category: Reviews
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