German guitarist Christian Tolle not only is a renowned session musician, he’s a respected songwriter / producer. Tolle is ready to release a new album soon, meanwhile he is reissuing his CHRISTIAN TOLLE PROJECT first albums, long time out of print.
If Tolle’s name is new to you, he was part of many celebrated AOR / Melodic Rock records as session musician including Chasing Violets, Reece, AOR, Universe, Tango Down, Cooper Inc., etc, and for his C.T.P. albums he always get collaborating some of the best cats in the business. Tolle has complete control of C.T.P., from songwriting to production & mix.
“Better Than Dreams” is C.T.P. first album, and what a debut CD. Among the players we find the guitars from unique Steve Lukather (Toto), Michael Thompson, Tim Pierce, Mathias Dieth (ex-UDO, ex-Sinner), etc.
As you guess, this is classic melodic Rock / AOR plenty of smooth melodies reminscent of the glorious ’80s, a wide variety of timeless tunes from uptempo rocking tracks to catchy AOR anthems and Westcoast influences.
The uptempo rockers bring to mind the AOR project and Scarem Harem just to mention some references, such as “One Night Alone”, “I Know”, “Changed”, while the midtempo tunes like “Taking A Risk” have that Eighties LA session feeling. “87 99” is the instrumental with a great guitar duet between Michael Thompson and Tim Pierce, and a highlight.
1. Changed
2. She Doesn’t Know
3. Taking A Risk
4. One Night Alone
5. Angel
6. Monkey Park
7. Back To You
8. I Know
9. 87 99
10. Out In The Night
Stephen Scheuss Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Thomas Heinen Vocals
Christian Tolle Guitar, Bass, Drums
Steve Lukather Guitar Tracks 1 & 9
Tim Pierce Guitar Track 1
Michael Thompson Guitar Track 2
Mathias Dieth Guitar Track 3
Markus Mengen Guitar, Keyboards
Klaus Spangenberg Acoustic Guitar
Lauren Scheff Bass
Dieter Heinshon Bass
Jens Hartmann Organ, Keyboards
Eddy F. Mueller Keyboards
Guido Lehmann Mandolin
Klaus Opree Backing Vocals
Steve Barnes Backing Vocals