Scherer/Batten - BattleZone

[Stefan]

 

 

From Melodicrock.com:

 

MelodicRock Records is delighted to announce the release of the new SCHERER / BATTENalbum ‘BattleZone’, released worldwide September 22.

 

Scherer/Batten is of course, none other than vocalist MARC SCHERER (Scherer/Peterik) and star guitarist JENNIFER BATTEN (Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson).

Together the pair have teamed up with the same musical talent that featured on the 2015Peterik/Scherer album ‘Risk Everything’ together with some fresh new faces to help craft an absolute melodic rock gem.

‘BattleZone’ features material exclusively from the Jim Peterik (Ides of March, formerly of Survivor, Pride Of Lions) songbook. Featuring 8 rare musical gems from Jim’s songwriting vault, the album also features 3 brand new tracks, written for this project.

That’s 11 new classic songs, produced by Jim Peterik and featuring the impressive lineup of:

All Lead Vocals: Marc Scherer

All Lead Guitars: Jennifer Batten

Backing Vocals: Marc Scherer, Bill Champlin, Bryan Cole, Brian Hemstock, Danette Pahl

Alternate Lead and Rhythm Guitars: Jennifer Batten, Mike Aquino, Dave Carl, Jim Peterik

Bass Guitars: Bill Syniar, Klem Hayes

Keyboards: Jim Peterik, Christian Cullen, Chris Neville, Barb Unger

Drums: Dave Kelly, Ed Breckenfeld

Sax: Mindi Abair

 

Additional credits include:

Executive Producer: Danette Pahl

Engineered by: Larry Millas

Mastered by: Larry Millas at World Stage Studios and JK Northrup at Alien Productions

Mixed by: Jim Peterik and Larry Millas

Keyboard Programming: Larry Millas and Christian Cullen

Art Direction and Cover Art: Nello Dell'Omo

Jim Peterik comments: “As a long time enthusiast of Marc Scherer's vocal chops and the expertise of rock guitar goddess Jennifer Batten, you can imagine how excited I am at the release of Scherer/ Batten ‘BattleZone’ album.

As a song writer and producer, it was a dream come true mining some lost gems from my many years in rock, producing them to a new lustre and even writing three brand new cuts with Marc and Jennifer - Cuts Deep, The Harder I Try and the title track BattleZone.

Andrew McNeice and Danette Pahl of Melodic Rock Records gave me the artistic leeway and financial support to create the album of a lifetime.

Working with one of the best engineers in the business, Larry Millas, and musicians like multiple Grammy Award Winner Bill Champlin of Chicago, bassist Bill Syniar (formerly of Survivor), Mike Aquino (guitarist and singer from World Stage), and two-time Grammy Nominated saxophonist, Mindi Abair, along with Dave Kelly and Bryan Cole, brought depth and texture to the tracks that is palpable.

You can hear our excitement in every song. I guess you can see I'm pumped.

I dare you to crank up BattleZone or Tender Fire or Crazy Love and not rediscover why you fell in love with melodic rock in the first place. I double dare ya!!”

Jennifer Batten: “It was such a pleasure to jump into such a high level inspiring project! Marc’s vocals are out of this world, the grooves are kickin’, and working with Jim Peterik is so joyous and creative. I can’t wait to take this to the stage!”

And finally, the vocalist fronting this extraordinary project, Marc Scherer: “Even something as innocuous as lunch with Jim Peterik can inspire great things…

It was during one such meeting that Jim and I conceived of an album showcasing his lost musical treasures. Thanks to the contributions of long-time Peterik enthusiast and personal friend Danette Pahl of MelodicRock Records, we now have lift-off!

While the brain trust of talent surrounding Jim enhances any idea, this album is extra special because it features a collaboration with one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Jennifer Batten – who played three world tours with Michael Jackson and two with Jeff Beck. They say you know when it’s right in the first 30 seconds, but in this case, you can sense the magic in the first few notes. BattleZone blends the songwriting craftsmanship and storytelling genius of Jim Peterik with the artistry of some of the most amazing musicians in the business. As Jennifer observed, the battle can be internal: the fight to be better, to raise the bar and challenge yourself while stirring the musical cauldron. I truly believe that we have captured lightning in a bottle and I’m so eager for everyone to share in this experience.”

Scherer/Batten ‘BattleZone’ will be released via MelodicRock Records on CD & Digital September 22.

 

[Glen]

You can tell its Peterik. Less cheesey than POL but still too much for me.

[Crazysam]

Not bad, Jennifer's playing enhances the song, but I prefer the vocal harmonies of the 38 Special version

[heavyharmonies]

I still like Scherer's voice.

[Stefan]

[The Rocker]

That's nice!

[Crazysam]

Good tune

[Stefan]

[gener8tr]

Interesting side not regarding Jennifer Batten...

 

For those of you who do not know, she was Michael Jackson's lead guitarist for a decade or so (and she's damn good). Anyway, she now lives in here in Portland, Oregon (my home town). Why does any of this matter and how do I tie the story together? Well, her long-time guitar tech (another female guitarist) recently passed away from cancer and I was able to obtain a bunch of stuff from her estate sale (a lot of which is Jennifer Batten related). Old posters, guitar picks from MJ Tours, etc.

 

I also purchased a LOT of old VHS guitar tutorials and such. Stuff that has been out of print for decades and or never released on DVD. Plus a stack of old late 70's and early 80's Hit Parader and other related industry magazines. Several of her guitars were also for sale, but nothing I was interested in. I did, however, purchase her 1983 Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal in REALLY nice condition.

 

Kind of a somber situation, but at least her stuff wasn't simply trashed.

[Geoff]

Sounds pretty decent. Peterik's influence is obvious, which is never a good thing, but could be pretty good.

[Stefan]

 

[Stefan]

New video. Great song.

 

 

[Tabe]

On 12/4/2017 at 4:30 AM, Stefan said:

New video. Great song.

 

 

This was written by John Wetton and Jim Peterik and originally appeared on Wetton's 1994 album "Battle Lines".  I think I prefer that version but could just be because that's the version I heard first:

 

 

[mrbandwidth]

Wow!

 

[Stefan]