After the passing away of singer/guitarist Al Fritsch about a year after the release of Drive, She Said album ‘Pedal ToThe Metal’ (2016) I never thought that Al’s partner in crime veteran Mark Mangold was going to continue with the project that he and Al started somewhere in 1986 and that brought us some excellent albums such as the self-titled debut, ‘Drivin’ Wheel’ and ‘Excelerator’ (just to name a few). Especially because Mark was after that responsible forthe instrumental project Keys, was involved in the reunion of the legendary pomp rock band Touch (that Mark started in the late seventies) and also participated heavily on the last two studio-albums of the mighty House Of Lords.
A PHONE CALL
But then a phone call from the office from Frontiers Records in Italy changed things. Mark was asked if he was interested in re-starting Drive, She Said and if he had any material. Well, being the songwriter Mark is, he surely had some songs ready to go. His problem was that he had to look for a singer who would be a worthy replacement for Al Fritsch. Someone that could fill the gap and at the same time add his own personality to the songs. It had to be in the vein of the old material but should not become a carbon copy.
After an intensivesearch a new man entered the scene: Derrick LeFevre. An experienced singer who fronted the top-notch formation Lillian Axe for a number of years, appearing on several on their albums. Derrick was and is also active in the tribute band Contraflow, based in New Orleans. With him on board a new chapter of Drive, She Said was ready to be opened. With the help of seven guitarists (including Mitch Perry, Aldo Lonobile and Touch-guitarist Craig Brooks) plus two drummers and some background singers the new album was recorded.
PASS THE TORCH
When you hear the album and you are familiar with the past of Drive,She Said at certain times you will get an ‘aha’ feeling. But Mark has also added new elements to the sound. Instead of (only) revisiting his own past Mark and Derrick have made an album that can be seen as a transition album. Leaning on the past but in certain songs a firm look ahead to the future, passing the torch from Al Fritsch to Derrick LeFevre. And that has been done in style with album-closer ,,As I Lay Dying’’ perhaps being the song that shapes the musical future of this outfit lasting almost twelve minutes. It takes you all over the place!
BIG
In the past I described everything about Drive, She Said as big. A big sound, big choruses, big guitars, big and luscious keyboards, big songs and big vocals. All of that is still valid for “Pass The Torch”. Also, thanks to a razor-sharp mix by Denis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Magnum) and a thunderous production by Mark this record is a dream for any lover of AOR and melodic heavy rock with its catchy melodies and solid song structures. It is from top to bottom a masterful album that pays tribute to the past with Al but also stands with firm feet in the current scene with Derrick. All arranged and orchestrated by the seventy-eight year old magician: Mark Mangold.
Report by Michel van de Moosdijk
