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Ronnie Romero: Raised On Radio (Covers)
Ronnie Romero - Raised On Radio Album Art

Ronnie Romero: Raised On Radio

Melodic Heavy Rock (Covers)
4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.04.2022 | Released: 15.04.2022

So, here we have another "covers" album. Taking a cue from a Journey album, modern heavy rock and metal vocalist Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, The Ferrymen, et al) gives us his Raised On Radio. The album explores significant songs from his youth that have inspired him and influenced his vocal style.

Ronnie Romero Click For Larger Image

Ronnie Romero

Some initial observations to begin. First, Romero's song selection is rather eclectic, even bordering on obscure and lesser known songs with some occuring before he was even born (or very, very young). The latter would include choices from Grand Funk Railroad, Elf, and Uriah Heep. Romero also intentionally revisits songs likely least known; maybe not B-sides but perhaps in the category. Like Bad Company's Smoke Without A Fire or Survivor's Backstreet Love Affair.

Second, then there's the more familiar songs: Kansas' Play The Game Tonight, All Along The Watchtower, and Zep's Since I've Been Loving You. Somewhere in between the odd and obscure is something like Freddie Mercury's I Was Born To Love You off his only solo album, Mr. Bad Guy (which, in the press release is wrongly credited to Queen). Third, while the songs follow the melody and general arrangements, they get a more heavy rock treatment much like something Jorn Lande would do. This is notable with the aforementioned Kansas song, but also Gypsy by Uriah Heep, or I Was Born To Love You.

Of the many songs, my favorites were the more familiar ones, especially Since I've Been Loving You (very heavy, very bluesy), Play The Game Tonight, and All Along The Watchtower. But how many times that last song has been covered by somebody is too numerous to count. Romero makes it hard and heavy. Perhaps the greatest surprise was the cover of Elf's Carolina County Ball. Of course Elf features a very young Ronnie James Dio and the song is, essentially, a bluesy southern rock tune which Romero makes heavy, but also more vibrant, without losing the original's musical motif. Maybe Ronnie should supplement his income with a side hustle as a blues vocalist. That would be interesting.

In the end, any musician's "covers" album is always a personal thing even while gifted to listeners for public consumption. Yet, even with his unusual song choices, Ronnie Romero fans should probably enjoy it, perhaps even finding some new musical inspiration of their own. Recommended if you're a die hard cover album fan, also.




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The Take Away

In the end, any musician's "covers" album is always a personal thing even while gifted to listeners for public consumption. Yet, even with his unusual song choices, Ronnie Romero fans should probably enjoy it, perhaps even finding soon new musical inspiration of their own.

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