Stefan Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 (edited) From Melodicrock.com: MelodicRock Records is delighted to announce the release of the new SCHERER / BATTEN album ‘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. Edited June 7 by Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 You can tell its Peterik. Less cheesey than POL but still too much for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysam Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Not bad, Jennifer's playing enhances the song, but I prefer the vocal harmonies of the 38 Special version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyharmonies Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 I still like Scherer's voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rocker Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 That's nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysam Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Good tune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gener8tr Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Sounds pretty decent. Peterik's influence is obvious, which is never a good thing, but could be pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted October 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted December 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 New video. Great song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabe Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbandwidth Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted February 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted June 7 Author Report Share Posted June 7 (edited) Deluxe Edition out July 26th. From MelodicRock Classics: MelodicRock Classics dives back into the original MelodicRock Records catalogue for the fourth time to reissue an album long out of print, but still in high demand. Scherer/Batten – ‘Battlezone’ was one of the most acclaimed releases signed to MRR. The 2017 release featured vocalist MARC SCHERER (Scherer/Peterik) and star guitarist JENNIFER BATTEN (Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson) alongside Jim Peterik and band. For this 2024 re-issue, MRC is offering the Battlezone Deluxe Edition, which gathers the original album plus a selection of rough mixes and demo versions, plus 2 additional unreleased writing demos, ‘Change Everything’ (from MRCD9) and the bonus track ‘Blue Letter’, which previously appeared on the MRR100 compilation release. Thanks to Danette Pahl, Marc Scherer and Jim Peterik for the assistance in getting this reissue going. It will be limited to just 500 units only. Track Listing: CD1: 01. Crazy Love 04:22 02. Rough Diamond 04:05 03. What Do You Really Think 04:14 04. The Sound Of Your Voice 05:14 05. Battle Zone 04:30 06. It Cuts Deep 05:59 07. The Harder I Try 04:58 08. Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open 04:06 09. Space and Time 04:43 10. Tender Fire 05:30 11. All Roads 04:47 CD2: 01. Sound of Your Voice (Rough Mix) 02. Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Demo) 03. Rough Diamond (Rough Mix) 04. What Do You Really Think (Demo) 05. Space And Time (Rough Mix) 06. Harder I Try (Rough Mix) 07. Tender Fire (Rough Mix) 08. Change of Heart (Writing Demo) 09. In My Lifetime (Writing Demo) 10. Change Everything (Writing Demo)(From MRCD9) 11. Blue Letter (‘The Blue Letter Breakdown’)(From MRR100) ‘BattleZone’ features material exclusively from the Jim Peterik (ex-Survivor, Pride Of Lions, The Ides of March) 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 Edited June 7 by Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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