RICHIE KOTZEN: 'Live In Sao Paulo' To Receive European Release In July
May 12, 2008Frontiers Records has set a July 4 European release date for "Live In Sao Paulo", Richie Kotzen's (ex-POISON, MR. BIG) first-ever live album. With much prompting from fans, Kotzen chose for the purpose a stellar performance from his South American tour in 2007.
According to a press release, "Live In Sao Paulo" is an absorbing collective blend of Kotzen's songs throughout the years. His live performance reflects the guitar style's that has defined his career as a virtuoso. Kotzen reveals to fans live his true diversity with the rhythmic labors of "A Love Divine" to the poignant ballad "Remember". The performance continually travels between moments of classic-rock song "Shapes Of Things" to the uplifting original "Stand".
Kotzen is influenced from such bands as BAD COMPANY, FREE, early VAN HALEN and CREAM. They are the inspiration for his songs, but having deep Philly roots Kotzen tends to combine rock with the Motown influences he heard as a kid.
"Much influence for my songs comes from the likes of the SPINNERS, O-JAYS, and CURTIS MAYFIELD," explains Kotzen. "Growing up outside Philadelphia and listening to those old soul stations I ended up with that sound being a heavy influence in my writing even though the core of what I do is rock".
Kotzen burst onto the heavy metal scene as a teenager with a lightning-fast guitar techniques. With his talents, Kotzen has played with some of the best musicians; securing such major collaboration with the band MR. BIG and renowned jazz great Stanley Clarke as well as his own solo projects.
"I have been lucky, in the sense, that I have been able to play with guys who I could learn from. The biggest musical lesson for me was playing in a band with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Obviously these guys are jazz musicians and I am not, but I learned so much from the time we recorded and toured together. My favourite rock bassist is Billy Sheehan and we were in MR. BIG together for three years which was awesome."
"Live In Sao Paulo" track listing:
01. A Love Divine
02. Fooled Again
03. Faith
04. So Cold
05. Socialite
06. High
07. Remember
08. Shapes of Things
09. Doin' What the Devil Says To Do
10. I'm Losing You
11. Mother Head's Family Reunion
12. Stand
Check out audio samples at this location.
Kotzen's latest studio album, entitled "Return of the Mother Head's Family Reunion", was released in Europe last October via Frontiers Records.
"Return of the Mother Head's Family Reunion" was written, arranged and produced by Richie Kotzen. It was engineered and mixed by Lole Diro.
"Return of the Mother Head's Family Reunion" recording lineup:
Richie Kotzen: Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin
Arlan Schierbaum: Keyboards
Virgil McKoy: Bass Guitar
Franklin Vanderbilt: Drums and Percussion
August Kotzen (Richie's daughter): Additional Background Vocals
Richie Kotzen performing "Stand":
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