ZADRA
“Guiding Star”
Album Review by Piers Renfree

8.5/10

August Zadra is best known for being the touring and recording guitarist of ex-Styx vocalist Dennis DeYoung’s band, since 2010. In 2020, the band he formed with vocalist Rudy Cardenas released their debut album, which was very well received. August Zadra’s love and passion for music has gained him fans and admiration of his peers and he has also worked with other much respected artists, including Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick). “Guiding Star” is August’s first solo release.

Things open with “Come Together”, which is not a cover of the Beatles song as I suspected it might be, but a quick introduction for the album. “Nothing More To Say” follows and I am reminded of 80’s – mid 90’s radio friendly AOR. This could easily have been used in a film soundtrack, or been a big hit on the radio back then. “Ship Of Fools” is a rockier prospect which is followed by “Come Back To Me”. August Zadra’s vocals remind me of Jon Bon Jovi.

“Escape The Rain” keeps things flowing, before the piano led ballad “A Matter Of Yesterday”. Alessandro Del Vecchio, who plays bass guitar, keyboards and also sings backing vocals (along with Jeff Scott Soto) has done a sterling job of producing this record – the sound is crisp and clear, no-one overshadows anyone else. Jelly Cardarelli’s drums perfectly compliment the music and Dennis DeYoung turns up to to help out his long-time bandmate with a keyboard solo in seventh song “Take My Hand”.

The eleven songs here go on for a little under forty-seven minutes, and none of this time is wasted.

TRACKLIST

Come Together
Nothing More To Stay
Ship Of Fools
Come Back To Me
Escape The Rain
A Matter Of Yesterday
I’ll Meet You In Heaven
Take My Hand
Dream Of You
Won’t Let Your Love Take Me Down
Rise From The Fire

https://www.facebook.com/augustzadramusic

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