Graham Bonnet is known as one of the many singers to have sung for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow where his vocals shined on “Since You Been Gone” and “All Night Long“. As well as periods, with Alcatrazz and Impelliteri. On his latest offering, the two disc set, “The Book”, Graham Bonnet has, in my opinion, put forth his best work to date. Sounding better than ever.  The band that is backing Graham up here are a group of talented musicians, Conrado Pesinato on guitars, Jimmy Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England) and Angelo Vafeiadis on keyboards Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, Mark Zonder (Fates Warning /Slavior/Warlord) on drums. The songs on ‘The Book’ remind me a lot of Graham’s work on Alcatrazz’s “Disturbing The Peace” and if you like that album, I can guarantee you’ll find pleasure in this effort. It sure seems as if Graham put a lot of energy into the song writing.  As is evident on tracks like, “Into The Night“, “Welcome To My Home“, “Rider“,  “Dead Man Walking“, the Rainbow-ish vibe of the title track and the energetic mover “California Air“.  Graham Bonnet really shines on this recording; as does the band.

I have to mention guitarist, Conrado Pesinato, this guy shreds it up in spectacular fashion on this recording and he doesn’t miss a beat! I am blown away by his abilities! As a bonus, for his fans, Graham has included a second disc featuring a 16 tracks of re-recorded classic tracks from Graham’s career. That features, “All Night Long“, “Lost In Hollywood“, “Since You Been Gone“, “Assault Attack“, “Desert Song“, “Island In The Sun” and “God Blessed Video“. What can I say? Inspiring would be the way to explain him. Some people when they have a career as long as him start to show their slowing down and the product is not their best, but with Graham Bonnet is like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going and is top notch. If you are a fan of Graham’s previous solo work as well as with, Rainbow, MSG and Alcatrazz, it’s a no brainer, “The Book”, is a must own.

 

Graham Bonnet is:

Graham Bonnet (Vocals)
Conrado Pesinato (Guitar)
Jimmy Waldo (Keys)

Angelo Vafeiadis (Keyboards)

Mark Zonder (Drums)
Beth-Ami Heavenstone (Bass)

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF “THE BOOK”

The Book Disc 1 Track listing:

1. Into the Night
2. Welcome to my Home
3. Earth’s Child
4. Rider
5. Dead Man Walking
6. Strangest Day
7. The Dance
8. Where were you
9. The Book
10. Everybody has to go There
11. California Air

The Book Disc 2 Track listing:

1. Eyes of the world
2. All Night Long
3. Lost in Hollywood
4. Since you’ve been gone
5. Night games
6. O.S.
7. Assault Attack
8. Dancer
9. Desert Song
10. Island in the Sun
11. Hiroshima Mon Amour
12. God Bless Video
13. Will you be Home Tonight
14. Witchworld
15. Stand in Line
16. Here comes the Night

Reviewed by: Storm@backstage360.com

Album: The Book

Band: Graham Bonnet Band