Richie Zito was, as far as I was aware, a top flight producer who has worked with artists such as White Lion, Tyketto, The Cult and Mr. Big. However before he took on production duties Zito was a much sort after session guitarist and a member of Elton John’s band for many years. Say what you will  but you cannot help but learn how to write good songs whilst spending time working in that sort of company. The idea behind the project was to allow Zito to record a solo album and he saw it as a chance to work with some of favourite singers and hence Avalon was born. Of particular interest to readers of this site will be the inclusion of tracks featuring Hugo, Danny Vaughn, Philip Bardowell, and Eric Martin to name but four of the vocalists involved.

Speaking of Hugo, he happens to open the album in fine style with a track that could be a heavier version of Open Skyz and shows his vocals off to perfection. This is followed by 'Is He Better Than Me' featuring Joe Lynn Turner. Very definitely a Foreigner sounding song, but Foreigner in rocking mode, not the ballad variety. The third featured vocalist is Eddie Money with the song 'Nightmare'. Now I have never been a particular fan of Mr. Money but here he has to cope with a song that sounds like early Iron Maiden, at least in the intro. The track itself is solid if not spectacular. Likewise the Joseph Williams fronted track Oh Samantha is again nothing we haven't heard before. It's a ballad of course and not quite up to the standards set on his Vertigo 2 release but rather more like an outtake from his days in Toto. 

After two less than great tracks things get back in to in gear with the Danny Vaughn performed Avalon. A simple guitar driven track that works real well and one that I hope the new Vaughn album can measure up against. However what's with the title Vaughn has already featured on another song with the same name on Gary Hughes' Once and Future King opus. Confused, I almost was...

Next up is the first of two Eric Martin fronted tracks, 'Life Got In The Way', which showcases Martin's abilities perfectly. However the song itself could easily have been lifted from any 80‘s film soundtrack. It’s time to record a new album or reformed Mr. Big,  Mr. Martin. Hugo then returns for his second song of the set with 'Blue Monday'. This is definitely more like it,  a great up tempo number and if this is anything to judge such matters by Frontiers should get Hugo in the studio with Zito producing a new studio album NOW 

 Forever I Will features one time Mr. Big and Poison Guitarist Ritchie Kotzen on lead vocals and this may surprise many people, if you’ve not heard is latter day solo albums, Kotzen has a great soulful voice. Phillip Bardowell then finally makes an appearance on the tracks 'I Can't Forget You' and  'Good Things Take Time' which are both great tracks that would have fitted on his solo album, the latter especially  being a prime slice of AOR. Sandwiched in between the two Phillip Bardowell songs Eddie Money makes his second appearance and does little do convince me of his talents  yet again. Finally the albums is rounded out by Eric Martin again, this time featured on a piano led track that is reminiscent of the piano version of Just Take My Heart with a hint of Aerosmith's 'I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing'. 

Avalon is without doubt up a great album of AOR tracks but with a production that can best be described as adequate. With Zito's reputation as a knob twiddler I was expecting  more. For a man with his experience it’s not bad, I just feel it could have been better. However if your fan of any of the artists featured you probably need to get this album or alternatively if you're a lover of well played, and in the main, well sung AOR this could also be right up your street So that’ll be an 7/10then!! 

Avalon is released on September 22nd via Frontiers

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Track List

Blue Collar (Hugo)
Is He Better Than Me (Joe Lynn Turner)
Nightmare (Eddie Money)
Oh Samantha (Joseph Williams)
Avalon (Danny Vaughn)
Life Got In The Way (Eric Martin)
Blue Monday (Giorgio Moroder/Hugo)
Forever I Will (Rickie Kotzen)
I Can't Forget You (Philip Bardowell)
I Put My Life In Your Hands (Eddie Money)
Good Things Take Time (Philip Bardowell)
I Don't Want To Want You (Eric Martin)