Eighteen songs, and approximately one hundred guitar solos…Christian rocker Ken Tamplin has unleashed an incredible guitar album. For those of you who saw Christian and were tempted to stop reading, don’t worry; Tamplin doesn’t come across as preachy, unless you consider delivering great songs a form of preaching!!
Wake The Nations kicks off with the discs best song, “The Story Of Love,” and its irresistible sing-a-long chorus. The album reminds one of the harmonic deliveries of a band such as Harem Scarem, with its near perfect delivery. Its been acknowledged that Tamplin is a perfectionist in the studio, and it shows here, not a single note is out of place.
Other standout tracks include “Wake The Nations”, the slow and meandering “God In Heaven”, the Whitesnake-like “Mystery” and “Livin’ Large” (which sounds like it would feel at home on a Kim Mitchell album). Guitar virtuosos such as Stevie Salas, Reb Beach, Marty Friedman and Doug Aldrich are all allowed to put their own stamp on the songs, but without being distracting. Of course with eighteen songs, some aren’t going to be up to par, but there is enough here to make Wake The Nations a great melodic/harmonic album
Tracklist:
1 The Story Of Love (Tamplin/Van Zen)
2 We’ve Had Enough (Tamplin/Van Zen)
3 Falling Houses (Tamplin/Simon)
4 The Man With The Plan (Tamplin)
5 Hare Kristians (Tamplin)
6 Wake The Nations (Tamplin/Van Zen)
7 God In Heaven (Tamplin)
8 Peace On Earth (Tamplin/Ribbons)
9 Mystery (Tamplin/Simon)
10 Cell Phone Freaks (Tamplin/Van Zen)
11 Livin’ Large (Tamplin)
12 7 Eleven People (Tamplin/Van Zen)
13 Saints And Heroes (Tamplin/Van Zen)
14 Waiting For Your Love (Tamplin/Simon)
15 Every Day Is Precious (Tamplin)
16 Come Together (Tamplin/Ribbons)
17 Sing (Tamplin)
18 Freedom (Tamplin)
Band:
Ken Tamplin – vocals and guitar
Scott Van Zen – guitar
Howie Simon – guitar and background vocals
Daniel Pearson – bass
Glen Sobel – drums
Ed Roth – keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Jeff Scott Soto – guest vocals (1)
Philip Bardowell – guest vocals (1)
Jeff Watson – guitar solo (4)
Pete Lesperance – guitar solo (5)
Stevie Salas – guitar solo (5)
Richie Kotzen – guitar solo (10)
Reb Beach – guitar solo (12)
Marty Friedman – guitar solo (12)
Mattias Eklundh – guitar solo (13)
Doug Aldrich – guitar solo (16)
Kee Marcello – guitar solo (18)
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