The voice of angel

The voice of Angel… Frank Dimino has re-surfaced with a strong stripped down slice of rock in “Old Habits Die Hard”!  That distinctive voice is still intact, however hovering around a lower register than when he fronted the symphonic American iconic group Angel.  The rhythms and inflections are also still there, and as you get deeper into this album, Frank’s vocal style becomes more recognisable. 

Frank has gathered some heavy weights to help him with “Old Habits…”, including Oz Fox of “Stryper”, Eddie Ojeda of “Twisted Sister” and former bandmate Punky Meadows.  Midway through this excellent effort, Frank opens up his voice for “Even Now”, an emotional ballad that only he could have written and performed.  Actually, he co-wrote this song with another of his former bandmates…Barry Brandt!  “Old Habits Die Hard” displays that vast talent of this underrated musician…one that never really left the scene, but in recent years was overshadowed by the legacy of “Angel”.  This album marks his coming out of the shadows and back, hopefully, in the limelight.

  This album is now on the streets, what with an early July release and is worthy of looking out for.  Although that symphonic trademark sound of “Angel” stays with “Angel”, this effort shows Frank exploring a harder approach.  There is some serious rock on this album!  Some, of course, will be quite surprised as what they will hear, however—a pleasant surprise at that!  Now, Frank hasn’t just released a ‘one-off’…he is going on the road with “Dimino”, to showcase this music plus some even newer pieces!  Of course, he is going to concentrate on North America first—but there are plans for International dates as well.  We can also expect some newer versions of “Angel” material—but the focus is on the new material—as well it should be.  “Old Habits Die Hard” is such a strong musical statement, from a veteran that has found renewed energy, and enough of it that Frank Dimino is back—and here to stay!  It is very good to see that the wings of this “Angel” have spread but once again and who knows, may even touch down in the Kelowna area—and if he does be prepared for an awesome performance!

---

The Blue Gator:    Jimmy LeGuilloux Band:  July 17^th & 18^th  Linus:  July 23^rd                                                    Zamboni Brothers:  July 24^th & 25^th

Barley Mill Brew Pub & Bistro (Penticton): -Every Sunday-Blues/Rock Jam & Showcase hosted by TR2 (7pm-10pm)   TR-2 Band:  July 18^th   Our Sons:  July 25^th

Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub:  Devon Coyote:  July 17^th

Fernando’s Pub:  Floyd Meets Brown:  July 17^th   Karate Kids:  July 23^rd

The Green (Vernon):  The Goods:  July 17^th & July 18^th

The Naked Pig (Vernon):  Local talent highlighted every Sunday Afternoon!!

Memphis Blues:   Poppa Dawg:   July 23^rd

 Music In The Park (Riverside Park)   Highlighted Events— Cod Gone Wild: July 22^nd  Sherman Doucette: July 25^th (complete line-up under Castanet Events: Concerts)

O’Flannigan’s Pub:   Linus:  July 18^th   Colt 45:  July 24^th & 25^th

Notable Concerts:   

Cedar Creek Estate Winery:  Tom Cochrane:  August 26^th & 27^th

Prospera  Place:  Dean Brody/Paul Brandt:  September 26^th  Bare Naked Ladies:  October 25^th  Shania Twain:  October 27^th   Three Days Grace:  November 24^th

South Okanagan Events Centre:   Brit Floyd:  (it is the closet to the real thing)   August 12^th    “Weird Al” Yankovic:  September 9^th    Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band-(featuring Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie plus others!!)   October 10^th  

Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre:  The Tea Party:   September 29^th

   …if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  [email protected]  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....

 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.