JIM PETERIK AND WORLD STAGE
(World Stage International)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Jim Peterik may not be a household name, but many of his songs defined 70's and 80's rock. Remember "Hold On Loosely" or "Caught Up in You" from .38 Special? How about "Vehicle" or "L.A. Goodbye" from the Ides of March? Jim is also a co-founder of Survivor (the band, not the show), and co-wrote the Grammy-winning theme of Rocky III, "Eye of the Tiger" as well as "I Can't Hold Back" and "High On You." In his latest project, Jim Peterik and World Stage, Jim works with many of his long-time songwriting colleagues that have helped shape his 35-year music career. Or, more precisely, friends whose careers he's helped launch with his considerable songwriting and guitar playing talent. The debut Jim Peterik and World Stage CD includes Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Christian artist Margaret Becker, and Henry Paul of the Outlaws and Blackhawk, and many other first class musical guests. While Jim's written some great pop songs, he's no slouch in the blues department: just listen to him trade guitar leads with Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy on an updated version of 1970's "Vehicle" with the original Ides of March horn section. Check out Jim's soulful duet on "Working Blue" with Toronto blues sensation Anthony Gomes. Pop, though, has been Jim Peterik's stock in the musical trade for the past 35 years and "Zig Zag," with Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos and Rick Neilsen, sounds just like the 70's, only better. My other World Stage favorites include the ballad, "Between Two Fires" featuring R.E.O. Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin and both cuts featuring Don Barnes of .38 Special, "Fade to Blue" and "Changed by Love." Jim Peterik and World Stage features over 70 minutes of great music and I can't wait until his second set! For more information on Jim's musical career, which also includes a stint in the great bar band, the Chi-Town Hustlers, click on www.jimpeterik.com.

Track List:

Fade To Blue (with Don Barnes) * Can't Say It Loud Enough (with Johnny Van Zant) * To Miss Somebody (with Dennis De Young) * Diamonds for Stones (with Cathy Richardson) * Vehicle (with Buddy Guy) * Zig Zag (with Tom Keller, Bun E. Carlos and Rick Neilsen) * Changed By Love (with Don Barnes) * We Wish (with David Carl and Jeff Boyle) * Working Blue (with Anthony Gomes) * Antenna (with Margaret Becker) * Eye of the Tiger (with Jeff Boyle) * Between Two Fires (with Kevin Cronin) *'Till It Shines (with Henry Paul) * Long Road Home (with Kelly Keagy) * From Here To Hereafter (with Cathy Richardson)

© 2000 - Eric Steiner