Documents her personal journey of life, love and loss bringing with it strong emotions which have been captured so well.
When you read the promotional blurb that accompanies this release, it's easy to see that this has been a labour of love on Jessie Galante's part, and with a star-studded list of guest musicians to be found here – including bassist Billy Sheehan, guitarists Rob Bailey (Anastacia) and Marc Ribler (Lee Aaron) to name just a few – expectations are high.
The funky riff, akin to Stevie Wonder's 'Superstitious', starts 'Diamond In The Sky' before raising the distortion levels and Galante kicks in with a voice that oozes power, class and emotion with the tonal content of Anastacia. 'Dreamer' is a slow Rocker that pulls in creamy guitar solos and layered sound textures before a re-working of Elton John's 'Border Song' weaves its blend of Blues, Rock and Gospel tones. Next track 'Drown' is an infectious, riffy Rocker which lyrically explores guilt and separation, and is brilliantly executed.
Galante, hailing from Buffalo, NY, has previously fronted Actor and later relocated to LA where she sang in Fire. Music is in the Galante family's blood with Rossano Galante being a film composer/orchestrator ('The Wolverine', 'The Shallows') and Guiseppe Galante working also as a producer. Production on this outing is nothing short of world class, thanks in no small part to Galante's late husband Larry Swist (Spro Gyra, Tina Turner), and is supported by an international team of song-writers, performers, producers and mixers.
'More Like Love Divine' is pure AOR deliciousness as Galante duets with Alessandro Del Vecchio. Soaring, anthemic guitars and melodic choruses make this one of the high points on the album. Title track 'The Show Must Go On' digs deep on many levels and does justice to the original Queen song, whilst the funky, wah-induced 'Remains Of The Day' ebbs and flows between quieter instrumental passages and balls to the wall Rocking out. The final track is a sensitively constructed orchestral version of the Moody Blues' 'Nights In White Satin' and is clearly a personal tribute to Swist as the emotion evoked here is evident in every line sung.
Jessie Galante has succeeded in so many ways here, the music is consistently exciting, enigmatic and at times dramatic. It documents her personal journey of life, love and loss bringing with it strong emotions which have been captured so well. There surely is much more where this came from – roll on her next release!
Paul Sabin