Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review - Baltimoore

This review need not apply to prog lovers unless you’re a closet classic rock lover like myself. When I first received this album, I had never even heard of the band or it’s music. So it’s my guess that not many Americans have either. This is not meant as a shot against the band, it’s just that I understand how the American record industry delegates and controls the US markets and what they think people should be listening to. So this music is a surprise to me as it will be to many Americans. The review is purely based on the disc at hand and informational resources available to me.

This is a compilation album featuring re-recorded versions of Baltimoore’s past albums. What the original versions sounded like I really couldn’t tell you. Those albums include “There’s No Danger On The Roof “ (1989) - “Freak” (1990) – “Double Destiny” (1992) and “Thought For Food” (1994).

According to the groups lead singer and founder, Bjorn Lodin, he wanted to make this album mainly because he was never happy with how the earlier recordings turned out. So when he had the opportunity to do the songs again, he did it with his favorite players. Among the musicians included are Bjorn Lodin, rhythm guitars & vocals - Ian Haugland, formerly ex Europe, drummer - Thomas Larsson, rhythm & lead guitar, Orjan Ferstrom, organ, and Weine Johansson, bass. Additional musicians; Per Wiberg, organ and Magnus Melander, backing vocals.

To describe Baltimoore’s musical style, they play a late 70’s early 80’s hard driving brand of organ driven bluesy hard rock / European AOR, in the same vein as Deep Purple and the Dan Reed Network.
I was quite impressed by the rich, raspy, bluesy vocals of Bjorn Lodin. His voice reminded me of a cross between Rod Stewart and David Coverdale of Whitesnake fame. The song writing is solid and the production was good. This album has a little bit of everything from bluesy rock like “Kahlua Confusion” and “Take Me To The Top” including hard driving rock tunes like “Full Speed Ahead” and “My Blue Moon” and a standout arena rock tune “Day To Come” and romantic ballads like “Memories Calling” and “Try Change To Better”. Maybe that was just a Freudian slip with the grammar on that one.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album and I recommend it to anyone who likes this style of music. If you are looking to get acquainted with Baltimoore then this album is a good place to get started. Slide yourself over to Lions Music’s website and check out some audio samples that are available for download; this way you can make up your own mind.
www.lionmusic.com

You can purchase this CD at

Rating: 8 keyboards
Reviewer: George Roldan

Reviewed on 02/13/02

MUSICIANS:

Björn Lodin - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Ian Haugland - Drums
Thomas Larsson -Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Örjan Fernström - Organ
Weine Johansson - Bass
Additional musicians:
Per Wiberg - Organ
Magnus Melander - Backing vocals

DISCOGRAPHY:

There's No Danger On the Roof 1989
Freak 1990
Double Density 1992
Thought For Food 1994
Original Sin 2000
Best of Baltimoore 2001