The Warrior story starts in 1982 with the Boston based band New England, featuring keyboard player Jimmy Waldo, bassist Gary Shea and drummer Hirsh Gardner, and how their plans to record their fourth album with Todd Rundgren were skippered when their guitarist, John Fannon, unexpectedly quit the group. They put the word out that they required a new singer, and as they shared management with KISS, Gene Simmons recommended an unknown Vinnie Cusano, who was then helping KISS with their "Creatures Of The Night" opus. Although KISS liked Vinnie Cusano, it was felt that his lack of height was a hindrance to joining them as a full-time replacement for Ace Frehley! Vinnie sent New England a tape of his songs, and an audition was set-up. New England liked what they heard on Vinnie's cassette so much that they decided to learn the whole set of songs in preparation for Cusano's audition. The four hit it off, but it was obvious that this was a new band, soon to be christened Warrior, and not just a seamless continuation of New England. It was also agreed that the four would relocate from Massachusetts to Los Angeles, and began recording the songs that had appeared on Vinnie's demo tape. Fergie Henrikson was brought in to allow Vinnie to concentrate more on guitar. Despite making some very good music, Warrior's career came to an abrupt end before it had even started when Vinnie was offered the opportunity to join KISS full-time, and become Vinnie Vincent, before eventually forming Vinnie Vincent's Invasion. Hirsh Gardner returned to Boston to produce, whereas Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea would stay in Los Angeles, forming Alcatrazz with former Rainbow and MSG vocalist Graham Bonnet and a relatively unknown 20 year old guitarist from Sweden called Yngwie Malmsteen. What we have here is a "what might have been" mini-album of previously unheard, original, classic hard rock by four respected musicians at the top of their game. As well as the original six studio tracks, we've been lucky enough to include five instrumental versions, plus a very rare rehearsal tape featuring the aforementioned Fergie Henrikson. Malcolm Dome's informative and detailed liner notes help tell the story, with the input of band members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea.
M**G
In case you love Kiss, and want more from Vinnie Vincent. This is well worth it.
Ok, first let me say I am a huge Kiss fan. I try to get solo projects from all the members, past and present. So Vinnie Vincent, is a very talented man. However, as Gene Simmons says, Vinnie is his own worst enemy. That being said, he has faded away into the realm of forgotten musicians. The man is a recluse now, and that probably won't change in his lifetime. So if you like his music, like I do, (although his image after his time in kiss, was very....how do I put this? He made the band poison look real cool) Not a very good image after Kiss. However, the man can play the guitar, and his voice is awesome. Most people never heard him sing, I say the man's vocal ability is real cool. So what you have here is demos he recorded before his time in Kiss. The first 6 songs feature him on vocals and guitar. (The rest of the band is made up of professional musicians , as this was going to be a real band, until Kiss took him in) the first 6 songs are worth the price of the CD alone. The second set of five songs are instumentals. They sound ok. The last 5 songs were recorded with former one time toto singer, the late Fergie fredrickson. Now the quality of these demos is not the greatest, however the quality is good enough, if you admire Vinnie Vincent, then the CD is a must have, especially the first 6 songs.
B**A
Five Stars
fan of kiss and vinnie vincent
G**S
good for collecting but not quality sound
audio not the best
R**R
Five Stars
Thank you great C.D.
D**P
I love cheesy raw demos
As a musician, to hear where a song begins to where it ends fascinates me. To know that I have songs over 20 years old that just don't seem right sitting around incomplete in my mind tells me how important band chemistry is along with production. Whatever happened between this and the first VV album is remarkable. Although, the first VV album is overproduced and has too much guitar noise the melodies are better along with the hooks flow. Take it for what it is.
M**S
Five Stars
Fantastic amazing
N**E
quality sucks
don't bother. why did I spend the money. horrible
E**N
Not quite what I had hoped it would be
I am a huge fan of Vinnie Vincents songwriting ability and incredible guitar playing. The album he wrote with KISS (Lick it Up) and the first Vinnie Vincent Invasion album were absolutely incredible in showcasing Vinnies talents...I WANTED to like this...but to my ears it sounds like a bad demo tape and it will probably just gather dust on the shelf completing my VV collection. The mix SUCKS with Vinnie being really low in it and its obvious he hadn't felt the freedom to really let it fly like he did on the first VVI album. Two of the songs on this made it on that album and they are much better on that...Unlike certain ex-band members (lol) I like it when Vinnie cuts loose so there's my take...Despite good reviews...this is a letdown to me...and that sucks.
D**G
Five Stars
vinny, can you still shred in 2018?
N**C
Disappointing
I've had the Warrior demos for some years now on tape due to the New England connection, well the first 6 tracks anyway and was expecting them to be freshened up plus I was looking forward to hearing the tracks I hadn't heard before. Are they an improvement sound wise? - no I'm afraid not, the quality is pretty much the same i.e. very ropey. The same goes for the instrumental tracks and the tracks laid down with Fergie Frederiksen, it just sounds like people mucking about at band practise - which I guess it is to an extent. Fair enough record it for your own reference but I'm not sure of the value in releasing this "into the wild" as it does no-ones reputation any favours. HNE are releasing some good stuff from the archives but at times their quality really dips. Definitely one for completists who have to have everything an artist has done.
J**O
NO ENGLAND !!!!
Si New England a été mon groupe AOR favori en 1979 à l'occasion de la sortie de leur premier album officiel (sachant qu'ils avaient fait une démo en 1978) c'est John Fannon avait seul composé le 1er album de New England, on comprend mieux avec ça ce qui va suivre...Ici Waldo, Shea et Gardner ne servent que de backing band à Vinnie Vincent qui signe toutes les compos, le studio recording, les répétitions instrumentales et pour finir les répéts avec le chanteur pour 2 jours c'est encore la partie la moins pire...on entend pas VV super mais on baigne dans un AOR de série Z à la Foreigner (beurk !!!)Pour le titre "Warrior featuring Vinnie Vincent" aurait suffit sans mentionner les 3 New England, même les garages bands amateurs font mieux et plus original dans la cave ou le garage de leurs parents (on les entend même accorder la guitare... c'était vraiment indispensable)Pour les amateurs de New England passez votre chemin et allez écouter leur Live At The Regent Theatre qui vient de sortir
W**A
Five Stars
Awesome cd from Vinnie Vincent
C**G
Its starts so well. But hell the spund on ...
Its starts so well . But hell the spund on the last half off the cd spils it all. But if you Are a fan of Vinny Vincent buy it
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