Album Review: Axel Rudi Pell – The Ballads VI (Steamhammer / SPV)

On April 21st, 2023 ‘The Ballads VI’ will be released on CD, double vinyl LP and as digital download, as always via Steamhammer/SPV. ‘The Ballads VI’ the latest edition of the popular Axel Rudi Pell ‘The Ballads’ series, but also the direct successor of the studio album ‘Lost XXIII.’

A mix of brand-new tracks, covers, and ballad transformations of recent album tracks, Axel Rudi Pell have something for everyone on this new ‘The Ballads’ entry. One of the legendary guitarist’s most beloved musical series.

Beginning with Revelations, one of the new tracks, the endorphins are released immediately thanks to the dreamy melody and guitar drawl. Before folk icon Joan Baez’s Diamonds and Rust gets the cover treatment. A track many will be quite familiar with even if they don’t listen to Baez’s music. The highlight being Johnny Gioeli’s immense vocals who delivers his own take on the track.

Something also worth mentioning on many of the other covers, including Kanas’ Dust in the Wind, Paul Anka’s She is A Lady, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ I Put A Spell on You. Some of these covers originally appearing on earlier releases but given the ballad treatment by Axel Rudi Pell. Who, of course, is the star of the show with this wide and varied guitar abilities. Something that never fails to impress and turns a hefty ballad-only release like this into something quite charming.

Littered around the album are a number of interesting new tracks. Alongside the aforementioned Revelations, there is also the dynamic Morning Star, and the dreamy melodies and energetic tone shift of Hidden Secrets. Both are laboriously detailed, but don’t feel too much. The shifting guitar tones and backing rhythms always keeping things sounding fresh.

No easy task when a lot of the songs on this album are already popular before being given the ballad treatment. Happily, nothing feels like a replacement and instead, offer up variations that both compliment and extend the life of the original.

That being said, this is fan service and critics of the series won’t find much to enjoy here.

Axel Rudi Pell – The Ballads VI Track Listing:

1. Revelations
2. Diamonds And Rust (Joan Baez Cover)
3. Morning Star
4. Dust In The Wind (Kansas Cover)
5. Hidden Secrets
6. Gone With The Wind
7. She Is A Lady (Paul Anka Cover))
8. Room With A View (Tony Carey Cover)
9. Fly With Me
10. As Blind As A Fool Can Be
11. I Put A Spell On You (Screamin´Jay Hawkins)
12. Beyond The Light
13. Quarantined 1

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