Artist: AXEL RUDI PELL
Album: THE BALLADS IV (CD)

Release date: 2011
Media type: CD

Axel Rudi Pell in his own words:

Another 7 years passed by after the release of the “The Ballads III”.  Seven years of writing, recording and collecting even more emotional and melancholic songs. To keep our tradition, we decided to record 3 brand new tracks for this ballad compilation. Here is a short introduction to every new song in the specific running order:

1) WHERE THE WILD WATERS FLOW - My own composition in the true ARP ballad style. This song is not about love, it has a more mysterious content and it captures the long and hopeless journey of human beings trying to get away from some dark mights. One can apply this to many different thoughts and situations nowadays.  I definitely think that this song is one of the strongest ballads Iґve ever written with a hookline that will stick to everyoneґs ears !

2) HOLY DIVER - As everybody knows, my soul mate and friend Ronnie James Dio sadly passed away last year. It was very clear to me using one of his songs to pay him tribute. It had to be a song, which was very easy recognizable as one of his tunes and therefore I picked “Holy Diver”. Of course the original track isnґt a ballad, so I decided to re-arrange the song completely  and we made a Piano version out of it, featuring some Orchestra – strings, a Cello and a clean and melodic guitar solo. Johnny gave his very best vocal performance and after the track was finished, there were  lots of tears in some eyes…

3) HALLELUJAH - At least one of the best ballads around. Originally written and released by Leonard Cohen in 1984, it wasnґt his version giving me the idea to cover this tune. Actually it was all the good and bad performances of some TV casting show participants, who gave me the real kick to create  one of the, hopefully, ultimate versions of this song. We recorded a childrenґs choir for this, which fits  perfectly  to Johnnyґs emotional and soulful voice. There are 2 different versions of this track: the CD album version which features a slightly wilder guitar solo and the “Single” (and downloadable) version which features a calmer guitar solo. 

TRACKLIST:

1)   WHERE THE WILD WATERS FLOW    5:34 (new song)
2)   HOLY DIVER     4:49 (new song)
3)   HALLELUJAH     4:16 (new song)
4)   NORTHERN LIGHTS     6:22
5)   NOBLESSE OBLIGE  (Opus #5 Adagio Contabile)     4:08
6)   LOVE GUN     4:03
7)   GLORY NIGHT     5:44
8)   IN THE AIR TONIGHT     8:37
9)   TOUCHING MY SOUL     6:32
10)   LIKE A CHILD AGAIN     4:47
11)   NO CHANCE TO LIVE     6:17
12)   HAUNTED CASTLE SERENADE (Opus #4 Grazioso E Agresso)     3:51
13)   THE CURSE OF THE DAMNED     9:57

Produced and Arranged by Axel Rudi Pell.
“Where The Wild Waters Flow”, “Holy Diver” and “Hallelujah” were Recorded, Mixed and Co-Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind at Twilight Hall Studios, Grefrath, Germany, in May 2011.
Childrenґs Choir on “Hallelujah” recorded at the Widar School, Bochum – Wattenscheid, conducted by Dietmar Bloch.
Mastered by Ulf Horbelt at DMS Mastering Studios. Marl, Germany.
Cover Illustration by Martin McKenna.

LINE-UP:

Johnny Gioeli - Lead und Backing Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Lead, Rhythm und Acoustic Guitars
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards
Volker Krawczak - Bass
Mike Terrana - Drums