Year : 2011 (Expanded Special Edition 2017)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 149 mb
Bio :
LIONVILLE is a brand new high profile project dedicated to pure AOR with a touch of Westcoast and Melodic Rock. The well crafted tunes and the detailed arrangements are drawing inspiration from acts like Toto, Richard Marx, Giant, Bad English, Survivor and Boulevard.The project was initiated by Stefano Lionetti, a song writer, singer and guitarist based in Genova, Italy and his brother Alessandro. After years of playing the local club circuit of Genova and the beautiful Ligurian coast, Stefano started LIONVILLE with the encouragement and help of Pierpaolo “Zorro” Monti (Shining Line) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Eden's Curse, Glenn Hughes), who produced the record and also plays keyboards and sings backing vocals. The two well connected musicians impressed Gregor Klee, Avenue Of Allies’ label manager, with a handful of Lionetti’s demos and starting from Stefano’s idea to enlist Lars Säfsund (Work Of Art, Enbound) as the lead vocalist, LIONVILLE quickly began to take shape and became a matter close to the heart of everyone involved.The recordings started in the fall of 2010 and were completed in the early spring of 2011 with a cast of top flight musicians and song writers participating in the sessions. Lars Säfsund (Work Of Art, Enbound) is handling the lead vocals, musicians include Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx, Chicago, Peter Cetera), Tommy Denander (Radioactive, Houston, Spin Gallery), Eric Mårtensson (W.E.T., Eclipse), Sven Larsson (Street Talk), Arabella Vitanc (Alyson Avenue), Pierpaolo “Zorro” Monti & Amos Monti of the Shining Line team, Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Shining Line) as well as the in demand Italian players Anna Portalupi (Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, Skill In Veins) and Andrea Maddalone (Jon Anderson (Yes), Mick Fleetwood, Zucchero). Stefano Lionetti also takes over the lead vocals on three songs, including two duets with Lars, while he also introduces himself throughout the album as a gifted musician on lead and rhythm guitar.The core of the songs on the album were written by Stefano Lionetti, his song writing partners include Pierpaolo “Zorro” Monti, Robert Säll (Work Of Art), Lars Säfsund, Alessandro Del Vecchio and Tommy Denander. An exclusive track for the album comes from Bruce Gaitsch, who co-wrote the power ballad “World Without Your Love” with Richard Marx and Amy Sky (Robin Beck, Marc Jordan). The second outside contribution is the stormy “Thunder In Your Heart”, a track originally performed by John Farnham for the soundtrack of the 80s bike movie “RAD” and previously not available on Compact Disc or in digital format.The original compositions range from rockin’ AOR tunes like the opener “Here By My Side”, “Power Of My Dreams”, “Dreamhunter” and the forceful “The Chosen Ones”, a duet between Lars and Swedish female compatriot Arabella Vitanc, the new lady fronting Scandinavian Melodic Rockers Alyson Avenue, whose brand new third album “Changes” will hit the streets on the same date as the LIONVILLE debut. Lovers of the classic Westcoast AOR sound will certainly fall in love with “Centre Of My Universe” and “Over And Over Again” and dream away with the emotional acoustic based album closer “Say Goodbye”.LIONVILLE is the winning combination of very strong song wrting, stellar musical performances crowned by impressive lead vocals and an album mix giving space to all the significant little details, recorded by the gifted cast of experienced studio cats and upcoming talents.The LIONVILLE team has high hopes that a lot of people will embrace their vision of a reinvigorated musical genre and everyone is looking forward to continue the LIONVILLE story with another humble contribution to the musical passion we all share, AOR. (Words: Gregor Klee).
Album:
Capitalizing the recent, new LIONVILLE album, their previous record label are re-releasing the band's two first CD's in an Expanded Edition. "Lionville", the group's first self-titled release, in this 2017 "Lionville Special Edition" includes 3 must have bonus tracks.Founded by guitarist Stefano Lionetti, LIONVILLE was created to bring back the pure AOR from the '80s to the new generation. With the help of such prominent musicians as Pierpaolo "Zorro" Monti (Shining Line) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of forever, Eden's Curse) onboard, they went in the search of a lead vocalist to fit the band's style.The inclusion of one of the best new singers in the scene - Lars Säflund of Work Of Art - was the best choice they could have done.Some of the other notables guests are Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx, Chicago, Peter Cetera), Tommy Denander, Eric Martensson (W.E.T., Eclipse), Sven Larsson (Street Talk), Arabella Vitanc (Alyson Avenue) and more.The tunes on Lionsville's self-titled debut are all lead unwavering with a bouncing oomph featuring great vocals and lead guitars from all the special guests.Where to start... if you’re a Melodic rock / AOR fan you will have much to enjoy on this fantastic, very well done record.Opener "Here By My Side" is a melodic rock dream from star to finish, featuring a radio-ready friendly hook and killer harmonies."With You" is a terrific melodic mid-tempo with some Bad English-like keyboards but definitely European, while "Center Of The Universe" is a lovely AOR throwback to the '80s TOTO with some nice guitar leads.And now comes one of the gems (in fact all are bright gems!); "Thunder In Your Heart", a cover of the marvelous AOR song performed by John Farnham for the Eighties movie RAD. Lionville's version is harder, guitar fueled but extremely melodic. A track to die for.Another homage or tribute to the classic '80s AOR sound comes on the Richard Marx ballad "World Without Your Love". Superb vocals and arrangements here."Power Of My Dreams" rocks again, with a more predominant presence of keys and a passionate vocal performance. "Chosen Ones" is just a brilliant intricate duet between Lars and new Alyson Avenue's Arabella Vitanc vocalist, a fast and upbeat modern melodic rocker with all the magic of Tommy Denander through it. Awesome.Dreamhunter" is more relaxed, very Swedish, reminding you Thomas Vikström / Talk Of The Town stuff.The bonuses o this 2017 Special Edition are true collectibles: 'No End in Sight (AOR Remix)' resulting more midtempo and radio friendly, 'World Without Your Love (Modern AOR Remix)' adds subtle synths to the background, while 'Say Goodbye (Acoustic Remix)' is pretty different in this stripped version."Lionville" is remarkable debut, essential for all fans of classy Melodic Rock / AOR with that special '80s touch. All songs are fully equipped with the essential attributes for this type of music; melody, hooks galore, terrific harmonies and great musicianship / production.Lionetti wrote most of the material but also received help from master Tommy Denander and Robert Sall from Work Of Art. Lars Säfsund shines on vocals and all the super guests give this recording a top notch plus.
Line-Up:
Lars Säfsund - Lead Vocals
Stefano Lionetti - Lead & backing Vocals, Guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Pierpaolo "Zorro11" Monti - Drums
guests:
Bruce Gaitsch
Tommy Denander
Eric Martensson (W.E.T., Eclipse)
Sven Larsson (Street Talk)
Arabella Vitanc (Alyson Avenue)
Mario Percudani
Andrea Maddalone
Anna Portalupi
Amos Monti
Tracklist:
01. Here by My Side
02. With You
03. Centre of My Universe
04. Thunder in My Heart
05. World Without Your Love
06. Power of My Dreams
07. No End in Sight
08. The Chosen Ones
09. Over and over Again
10. Dreamhunter
11. Say Goodbye
12. No End in Sight (AOR Remix) (Bonus Track)
13. World Without Your Love (Modern AOR Remix) (Bonus Track)
14. Say Goodbye (Acoustic Remix) (Bonus Track)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
