Soul SirkUS World Play

For those who think the 70s and its music has gone the way of the dinosaur, one need only hook into the components that still hold true to that era. Neal Schon’s latest project, Soul Sirkus, exhibit all the qualities of that long gone time. Originally destined to be a shared vision as Planet US with the planned inclusion of Sammy Hagar before he answered the call to rejoin Van Halen and Michael Anthony, already with VH, Soul SirkUS now contains a different lineup. To continue the push, Schon enlisted Whitesnake bassist, Marco Mendoza and solo vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto to fill the vacancies.

The original announcement left many in rabid anticipation of what the first lineup would produce. But with the change of plans, one would have suspected the interest to die down. And while there was disappointment, it didn’t stop pre-orders for this disc from coming in at a nice clip, which shows the tenacity of expectant fans wanting to hear something great.

The album contains 11 songs, one of them a collaborative effort between Schon and the absent Hagar. The songs are very reminiscent of the power rock of the late 70s as that era was heading into the 80s. Fans of that time will be hard pressed not to check their calendars just to make sure that we are indeed in a new millennium. The throwback is refreshing and fun. Neal Schon’s guitar is still one of the more inspired instruments being played today. Add to that the strong, and amazingly pliant, vocals of Jeff Scott Soto, and one has to wonder what this band may have done if they were unleashed in the 70s, and where Journey might have ended up.

This album is also a valve for Schon to break away from the restrictive Journey formula and to cut loose. No need to craft songs that guarantee singles. On World Play, Schon and the boys can be as rock n roll as they wanna be.

“Another World” is a standout track with a great Schon guitar line starting and running through the tune. But it is “Soul Goes On” that makes the bid for radio play. It has the elements of Perry-era Journey and with some of the more successful bands of the time. Of course, I’m talking circa 70s here but Soul Sirkus wins the seal of approval. It’s all done right and will definitely satisfy. Great vocals, great rhythm section, and excellent guitar work, Soul Sirkus preserves the essence of the era of the 70s. “Peephole”, the Hagar collaboration, ironically has Hagar’s stamp on it with a foot in the Montrose sound legacy and the other in his early solo work. Soto’s vocals will bring to mind Ian Astbury’s Cult work without relinquishing its great range and timbre. But no matter which song is tracking, you should have no problem finding favourites. This is an excellent debut by a powerful lineup.

A part of me wonders if Sammy Hagar might have made a mistake not continuing with this band. Regardless, Soto’s is a wonderful voice that echoes the past and lends credibility to the project perhaps more than Hagar might have.

In “Soul Goes On”, Soto sings, “Do you see what we’ve created…” to which I can easily add, “Yes, Jeff, we do.” And it is good!