PHANTOM'S OPERA: So Long to Broadway

Phantom's Opera

So Long to Broadway

© 2008 Coleman R. Brice (634479715358)

Imagine a campy Broadway theatrical production having a sordid, tawdry affair with a progressive hard rock band. Features incredible guitar work by Karl Cochran and a guest solo from Michael Romeo (Symphony X)

notes

New Jersey theatrical hard rock band Phantom's Opera have an exceedingly rich history. Keyboard player Jack Young having first founded the band with Alec John Such (Bon Jovi) in 1969 at the age of 13! The original line-up of the band featured Alec John Such on bass and Tico Torres (Bon Jovi) on drums. Dean Fasano was a former vocalist with the band before he joined Message (with Richie Sambora) and Prophet (later replaced by Russel Arcara (Arcara).

In 1989, along comes another young rocker from Sayreville named Colie Brice who invites Jack to join Gemini - Colie's first band that was slugging it out on the NJ metal scene in the late 80's. Along with Brice, former Gemini guitarist Eric Walz switched to bass, allowing guitar demon Michael Romeo (Symphony X) room to shred, and NJ drum hero Bob Nelson room to pound on the group's debut album that been released in 36 different countries on four different labels to date. After Mike Romeo left to form Symphony X, guitarist Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley's band, Arcara, Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Singer, Bob Daisley, Corky Lang, and John Corabi. Far Cry) played on the group's sophomore releases entitle "So Long To Broadway". Then Bobby Gilmartin (Mystery Bloom, New Machine) joined Phantom's Opera for the recording of their third album 'Following Dreams' - produced by Steve Evetts & mastered by GRAMMY winner Joe Palmaccio. In 1998 Colie Brice and Bob Nelson left the group.

During March of 2003, after trying to replace Colie Brice for nearly five years Phantom's Operaannounced their new vocalist as being Terry Brock, a singer of high repute citing credits with Kansas, Michael Bolton and Strangeways. A new studio album, 'Act IV', was released in 2003 through Escape Music. Meantime members Bob Gilmartin and Dave Garcia recorded a debut album New Machine on a new label founded by Colie Brice called Aeria Records. Talk about drama...

reviews

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  • For the more cerebrally inclined listener
    author: HARD ROXX

    Review by Matthew Honey Phantom's Opera So Long to Broadway Review If simple songs and basic rhythms are your thing then Phantom's Opera is not for you. Multi-layered harmonies, complicated arrangements and theatre scores are the order of the day all wrapped up in a melodic rock envelope. Most of the material is written by keyboardist Jack Young and he has an obvious liking for Queen but it is the amazing vocal dexterity of Colie Brice that made its mark first. One minute he is Freddie Mercury, then Jon Bon Jovi and then Tommy Shaw. Karl also has his moments and delivers some crunching riffs and the odd searing solo to liven up the dramatics. Ultimately however the album is just a little too complex for its own good, but existing fans of the band will be in heaven when they hear the multi-faceted songs "Raven", "Contraire My Love", and "Chester's Dead" which showcase their obvious talent. More of those and fewer of the softer songs such as the title track and the band would have been looking at a pair of high fives. A must for the more cerebrally inclined listener and Queen fans alike

  • AOR Classic
    author: AOR Classics

    AOR Classics Phantom's Opera So Long to Broadway Review In 1995, Khalil Turk heard a tape of Phantom's Opera which featured Colie Brice, Bob Nelson, Michael Romeo, Eric Walz and Jack Young. Also involved with the band in the early stages were Alec John Such, Richie Sambora and Tico Torres. A self titled album was released in Europe in 1995 on Long Island Records causing quite a stir, not least in the AOR Classics camp. Copies were soon whizzing all over the globe, Japan's Burrn Magazine import chart recorded the album at #4. This lead to interest from Teichiku Records of Japan who offered the band a deal. The band's second album has seen the introduction of guitarist Karl Cochran, from Ace Frehley's band. Cochran has also played with Russell Arcara (Prophet), Ray Gillen (Badlands, Sabbath), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt, Arcade), and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Malmsteen). The new material is written primarily by Jack Young, there are tracks which hark back to the debut album, coupled with some refreshingly original material such as the title track. With the release of this album, Phantom's Opera have definitely moved on, however the sound is still coached in the style of their last album. "So Long to Broadway" is more of a progression rather than a complete change, and after the brilliance of their last album this comes with much relief. The comparison to Queen remains valid in many places, especially during the opening pair of "The Raven" and "I Believed." There is plenty sharp guitar work right from the beginning, however it is pretty low in the mix. It has been said that this album is more dramatic and operatic than the last, this means that it may take more time to appreciate, but the effort is well worth it. There are volumes of guitar, both acoustic and electric, keyboards and vocals which coupled with a mainly fast and frenetic pace means there is always plenty of variety and interest. Colie Brice once again demonstrates an impressive vocal range, never sounding strained or out of his depth. Just to keep you guessing right 'til the end the album closes with three slower tracks, the Brice penned "Father", the cliched but classic "It Ain't Over", and the piano based "Stay." Altogether this is one which steps clear of the orthodox, but how can you resist it? Don't miss the show...

  • fresh look at melodic rock
    author: SwedenRockShop.com

    No doubt about it, this album sees the band coming of age and presenting us all with a fresh look at melodic rock. There is something here for everyone

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