Customer Reviews

Hugo

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's a shame that all of the people who picked up a copy of Journey's less than impressive reunion album Trial by Fire couldn't somehow have been persuaded to grab the self-titled debut by Hugo, because it is exactly the kind of AOR album that would have won over a lot of new fans.

Hugo, of course, is the former vocalist of Valentine and Open Skyz, and has one of the smoothest voices since the great Steve Perry. His 1997 debut is an absolutely first rate pure AOR album, full of the kind of ballads that Journey made so popular in the early 80's. It's got plenty of keyboards and is full of lush melodies. It doesn't rock as much as Valentine (and Valentine really didn't rock too hard to begin with), but it is still a very compelling album. It doesn't hurt that three songs - If You're Ever Lonely, Crazy, and We'll Find a Way - originally intended for a second Valentine album appear on this disc. The fact that Gary Hughes and Vinny Burns of Ten are on board is just the icing on the cake.

If you're a serious AOR fan, you really need to have this great album in your collection. It's also a great album to give to someone who is into Journey, REO Speedwagon and the like to introduce them to the wider world of modern AOR.

The track listing is as follows:

1. Intro
2. We'll Find a Way
3. Walk Away
4. So Many Tears
5. Crazy
6. All That You Wanted
7. All the People You Love
8. If You're Ever Lonely
9. Desire
10. Standing Alone
11. A Tear in L.A.

Incredible singer. Incredible CD.

Hugo is everything Steve Perry used to be. The difference between Hugo and Perry is Hugo can actually write songs and his voice is still top notch.

I recommend this CD for anyone who like good music.

In a word.....Excellent!

"Hugo" is the self titled debut solo album of American AOR/melodic rock singer Hugo Valenti originally released in 1997. Hugo, mostly known for his late 80s melodic rock/glam metal group "Valentine", recorded this debut in Europe, England with the support of "Ten" front-man Gary Hughes who co-produces the album along with Hugo. Unlike the majority of solo AOR artist albums, "Hugo" features a stable line up throughout including Vinny Burns on guitars, Ged Rylands on keyboards/piano, Greg Morgan on drums, Gary Hughes on bass and of course Hugo on lead vocals.

Those familiar with Hugo's other works identify how close his music comes to the sound of legendary AOR/melodic rock band `Journey'; and this album is no exception as it makes direct references to the more subtle and radio-friendly side of `Journey'. Still the album includes a fair amount of rocking moments such as "Crazy", the opener "We'll find a way", "All the people you love" which are also personal favorites on the album.

The essence of this debut is very positive, obviously centered on the lyrical subject of love and at times going beyond that and getting philosophical. In terms of production you will probably be able to make out that the album is a 90's recording, without implying there being production flaws of any kind.

Having been almost 15 years since its release, `Hugo' should rightfully be considered a classic AOR/melodic rock album of the 90's that remained true to the qualities of 80s AOR and potentially laid the basis for the resurgence of AOR/melodic rock in the 00's.

Hugo is great. IF you love AOR music this is a must have. Next best thing to Steve Perry

This solo album by Valentine singer Hugo is highly recommended to fans of Journey. I'm wondering why this guy has never been asked or considered (as far as I know) to join Journey as their lead singer. He not only has Steve Perry's voice, he also resembles Steve. As to the album, this is top notch AOR as we all like it. When I was living in Puerto Rico, the only classic rock station on the island, Alfa Rock, used to play the best song on this album, the ballad "Crazy" heavily. I remember a lot of my friends thinking that was a Journey song and asking me in which Journey album the song was in order to buy it. I had to tell them that it wasn't Journey, that it was Hugo, the ex-Valentine lead singer. There's not a bad track on this album and no filler. All songs rock and are memorable, but the best are the aforementioned "Crazy", "We'll Find a Way" and "If You'll Ever Lonely". If you've been frustrated with Journey recent releases post-Steve Perry, you should get this self-titled album by Hugo. Note: Avoid Hugo's second release 'Time on Earth' as little in that album is memorable and the writing is weaker.

If this album gets released in the 80's, it would easily have been top 20, with two or three of the tracks being top 40 material. Sounds a lot like Journey and The Storm, and the tunes are in the same vein as Toto, Asia, Foreigner, Loverboy, and other great 80's pop-rock bands. Contains a good mixture of lively rock songs and ballads. I would give it 4.5 stars if that were possible. They don't make enough of this type of music anymore.

I first heard about this CD from the Journey mailing list, and ordered the import. Being a big Journey fan, I was taken in by the comparisons to Steve Perry. I couldn't have been more happy! As my husband put it "This is what I wish Journey would have released instead of 'Trial By Fire'". Very Perry-like vocals (you can definitely tell Steve Perry was a major influence) with a bit of John Waite thrown in as well.

Some have said the writing is only so-so, but I have found this a great CD to crank up in the car and cruise to!

If you're a fan of Steve Perry and AOR, you'll definitely like this one!