RON KEEL – The first solo album from Ron Keel, Alone At Last, was released back in 2006. This is an all acoustic album. For me, Ron Keel displays a sincere and inspiring performance on Alone At Last, with both his voice and acoustic guitar. One of the most renowned Hard Rock vocalists from the 80’s (and back at it again in 2010) with his band Keel, this album showcases a lighter side to Ron’s voice and approach to his music.
I bought Alone At Last on iTunes a few years ago and with 0% regret. This is an album of 12 songs to simmer down to or retool your spirit with. Does Ron Keel come across as sappy on Alone At Last? Nope. If anything, he shares his voice and guitar with eloquence and reverence for the song… his songs. With Ron Keel’s vocals giving a nod towards his affection towards Rock, Hard Rock and Country, Alone At Last has always kept me listening. This isn’t an album to pull out the tissue box for and it isn’t going to light up the keg party either.
I would imagine it takes a ton of guts for any Hard Rock hero to make an acoustic album; the door opens for criticism from Heavy Music loyalists that don’t want their music tempered down. That old mellow is for an aging fellow school of thought can easily creep in, once the “A” word (for acoustic) is uttered. However, with the album closer Die Fighting, Ron Keel reminds any doubters that he still can’t restrain his strong vocals from airing out its natural-born Hard Rock persona (even on an acoustic album).
Revisiting his bands Keel and Steeler on an acoustic welcome mat with (Calm Before The Storm) and (Serenade), respectively, Ron Keel proves that the song never remains the same. Any song can become an acoustic creation, only Ron Keel gives these two songs an acoustic overhaul that makes them shine on with newfound emotion. If I’m to choose my favorite song from Alone At Last, it’s Dreams Are Not Enough. I strongly feel, Ron Keel lets it all pour out from his soul on Dreams Are Not Enough, a captivating vocal performance it is.
Back in February of 2010, I had the opportunity to interview Ron Keel for Hard Rock Hideout. As expressed to me during that interview, here are Ron Keel’s most personal thoughts on Alone At Last:
“It was the biggest and most personal music achievement of my career. I sang the best of my career on Alone At Last. I want my next generation to listen to it and know that grandpa gave this to them, to know that I am at my happiest when by myself with a guitar and song. Alone At Last was the single most demanding project that I have ever done in my life. My fingers literally bled while making that album. Alone At Last is driving at night songs, through the desert.”
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ALONE AT LAST – Track Listing:
Private Lies
The Time Of My Life
Hillbilly Heavy Metal Rock N Roll Soul
Dreams Are Not Enough
Give Me All Your Love Tonight
Serenade
Haunted Saloon
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Calm Before The Storm
Last Call
You Can Have What’s Left Of Me
Die Fighting
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* For more info on RON KEEL, click on the links below!
LONG LIVE RON KEEL.
Stone.
