What About Love? finds Herman Rarebell, famed former drummer and songwriter for The Scorpions, taking a look back to the eighties with performing some of the greatest music of that powerful decade
Available on Metalville Records on 11th April, under the group name Herman Rarebell & Friends, Rarebell has recorded twelve songs with “good friends and great musicians” as a tribute to the greatest hits of a time that was a golden age for him personally.
The rhythm section is completed by the capable hands of assist Bob Daisley (Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath) playing on the entire album, while lead guitars are played by Dann Huff (Who can be heard as a studio musician on some of the biggest albums in pop history, and was a founding member of Giant) and Howard Leese from the legendary US rockers Heart). Co-producer Michael Voss (Casanova, Mad Max, Michael Schenker) also plays guitars and sings.
Former Prism drummer and famed producer/songwriter Jim Vallance is on board playing keyboards as is former UFO and Gary Moore band member Neil Carter. The lineup is rounded out by backing vocalist Lexus de la Foret and Van de Forst on vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitars and keyboards
Co-produced by Rarebell and Michael Voss at Kidwood Studios in Münstertal, Black Forest, Germany, the choice of covers might surprise some.
Herman Rarebell & Friends’ What About Love? features unique renditions of ‘In The Air Tonight’, ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, ‘Love Is A Battlefield’, ‘What About Love’, ‘Every Breath You Take’, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Addicted To Love’, ‘Passion Rules The Game’, ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’, ‘These Dreams’ and ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’.
“I think that more powerful music has never been created before or since,“ said Rarebell. “It was the golden age for me, I enjoyed it. We traveled the world with The Scorpions, we met people from all cultures. It was one big rush. Anything was possible at any time.
“With this album, I don’t just want to bring back memories of the great hits of the eighties. It’s not just about the melodies and rhythms that I miss today. Above all, it’s about the feeling that these songs convey. The love, the courage, the optimism that is in them. I think a lot of that has been lost.
The groove in ‘Here I Go Again’, the larger-than-life chorus of ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ and the unshakeable power of ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’. The love and longing of ‘I want To Know What Love Is’. It’s no wonder that these songs have held a place in people’s hearts for four decades.
“For me, the power, the special spirit of the eighties is in every chord of these songs, every hit on the bass drum. Every take we recorded for this album was pure pleasure. Friends who play great music. We hope you feel what we’ve put into these new recordings: Love, power, optimism! For me, that’s the power of the eighties! Anyone who was there will remember. And anyone who missed it deserves to relive it, at least in this way. With this in mind: Here I am – Rock you like a hurricane!”
