Now this is curious stuff, I know. Robert Haglund's solo debut album "I Wanna Be Somebody".
Haglund is a Swedish vocalist better known as one of the The Fantastic Four, a popular Swedish vocal quartet which revisit soul, blues, jazz standards and where he plays bass also.
But for his debut Haglund has chosen to cover some hard rock classics in a jazzy mood helped by some well known Rock musicians.
You have Coverdale / Whitesnake staple 'Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City' done in a very slow mood by Haglund crooner vocals helped by Sweden's most famous jazz singer Svante Thuresson in harmony vocals, obtaining an atmosphere proper from a New York intimate jazz club.
Then there's an almost unrecognizable cover of Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' where Bruce Kulick (KISS) provides a great acoustic guitar solo.
Next it's time for a groovy version of 'Don't Believe a Word' (Thin Lizzy) and it's a highlight because Tony Harnell (ex TNT / Skid Row) sings various verses and his vocals are a-we-some. Additionally Kulick delivers another fantastic solo, this time full electric.
It's fun to hear Twisted Sister's 'The Price' done in a ballad form with the presence of Kee Marcello (ex Europe) on guitar, or DIO's 'Holy Diver' going acoustic (!) but it works, believe me.
Other tune is 'You Give Love a Bad Name' (Bon Jovi) as its big-band arrangement fits greatly with the song.
Kulick again and Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot) appear for a very melodic, bluesy take on Kiss' classic 'Love Gun', and for the end Cinderella's drummer Fred Coury collaborate with a rockin' (in this album terms) version of 'Ice Cream Man' (made popular by Van Halen).
It's a lot of fun, and most of these re-arranged classics really work on this format. I'll pass on Motorhead's 'Ace Of Spades', but even with its big-band feeling WASP's 'I Wanna Be Somebody' results enjoyable.
This record turns more and more addictive the more you listen to it...
