The editor will no doubt be pleased with this release, coming as it does a short while before Jorn’s appearance at the 2007 Firefest. As usual HRH will be heavily involved and it doesn’t need to be said that it will be a very rare chance to glimpse one of rock’s great vocal talents. 

Ironically this was recorded in the States (yes I know it’s called ‘Live In America’ but do bare with me) this recording being Jorn’s first solo appearance in the USA. Clearly then the bloke doesn’t get about much, which is a bit bizarre when you have the lungs of the Mighty Thor on tap. 

So what you get here is a mixture of recent solo stuff plus some studio tracks at the end. Oh, and quite a lot of cover versions (or should that be David Coverversions’ as there is a Whitesnake medley). It’s something that frustrates me about Jorn as it’s one thing to be influenced by someone and another to actually want to be like them. I’m not saying Jorn is a Coverdale clone exactly, but as witnessed on the brilliant Allen/Lande ‘The Battle’ album, when he’s being himself he really is a major talent. He doesn’t need to copy anyone. 

Not that he’s exactly slouching on ‘Live In America’. Quite honestly the man’s incredible when he gives it some welly. Things get under way with tracks off the underrated (but clearly Coverdale inspired) ‘Duke Of Love’ album. His backing band prove to be more than adequate and the cosy, live atmosphere of the gig comes over very well. In fact it took me back to the halcyon days of live albums at the end of the seventies, early eighties. Those involved have done a great job in avoiding those ‘Live in the studio’ type albums you sometimes get. 

Disc One continues with Thin Lizzy’s ‘Are You ready’ and ‘Cold Sweat’ – great versions but seemingly out of place on this album. Then things genuinely do take a turn for the worse as it’s that hideous bane of every live album: the bloody drum solo. Why, oh why, do we have to put up with it? Neil Peart’s allowed to do one. The late, great Cozy Powell was allowed to do one. Tommy Aldridge used to do one with his bare hands (sorry that sounded a bit rude!). And I suppose Carl bloody Palmer is so good and such a smart arse that he might as well do one too. But surely that’s it? 

Unfortunately before the end of the first CD there is also a guitar solo to endure; of the widdly, widdly type. It’s all a great shame as when Jorn’s actually singing this album rocks a big one. Even on the endless cover versions. Thankfully a spirited ‘Straight Through The Heart’ gets it all back on track to end first half proceedings.  

‘Godless and Wicked’ and ‘Soulburn’ get things off to a flyer on Disc Two; Jorn sounding awesome as he goes for the big notes. A far more tasteful guitar instrumental this time lead’s into a superb version of ‘Perfect Strangers’. ‘Gonna Find The Sun’ then precedes (and it’s actually called this) ‘The Whitesnake Medley’. All five tracks of it! 

The versions are very good, the band excellent, but for me it is almost a little too much. Although it did get me thinking what a bloody good band Whitesnake used to be! Thing is when Coverdale sings “bitch’s on heat” you kinda go: Yeah, Dave, with your track record, I can believe it! When Jorn does it you can’t help but think: ‘He’s such a nice boy really.’

So on to the studio tracks. ‘Out To Every Nation’ the 2007 version of an old original is anthemic and as European as an expense account in a Brussels restaurant. The Sabs ‘Lonely Is The Word/Letters From Earth’ is brilliant. A gobsmacking vocal. And finally there is the slightly bizarre ‘Sacrificial Feelings’ which is as strange lyrically as it sounds but nonetheless a cracking end to what is a superb straight down the line metal album. 

‘Live In America’ for all its niggles is one of the best live albums I’ve heard for a while and a superb showcase for Jorn’s legendary larynx. Fans of the great man will be in raptures but ‘Live In America’ will also be of great appeal to classic rockers, looking at that set list. All that remains to say is that after the Firefest, how about a small British club tour then, Jorn?