Journeyman vocalist Jeff Scott Soto's hard-rock credits include Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Axel Rudi Pell, Takara, Talisman, Eyes, Human Clay and most recently Soul Sirkus. But he's also released three solo albums that feature plenty of songs highlighting Soto's softer side. It is from those three records – Love Parade, Prism and Lost In the Translation – that most of the remastered 16-track collection Essential Ballads is culled. While many of songs here are pure ballads with a distinctly Eighties vibe, others – "Holding On," "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" and "Till the End of Time" – emerge as a bit heavier. And the acoustic harmony-laden "Sacred Eyes" proves just how much fun Soto can have with a ballad, even if it does sound like Extreme. I could have done without a boring Journey cover ("Send Her My Love") and a Prince clone ("4U"). But Essential Ballads is still a classy collection from a classy front man whose vocal versatility is unmatched in American hard rock. Now, how about a volume of Essential Rockers?
Track Listing:
1) If This Is the End
2) As I Do 2 U
3) Holding On
4) Send Her My Love
5) Lonely Shade of Blue
6) This Ain't The Love
7) Don't Wanna Say Goodbye
8) 4U
9) Still Be Loving U
10) Till the End of Time
11) Sacred Eyes
12) By Your Side
13) Beginning 2 End
14) Through It All (Bonus Track)
15) Last Mistake (Bonus Track)
16) Another Try (Bonus Track)
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