ACE FREHLEY – Origins Vol. 2

The Backstory

Original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley likes to keep himself busy in the studio these days. “Space Ace” has released five albums since returning to his solo career with the release of 2009’s Anomaly. Frehley dropped his first covers album Origins Vol. 1 in 2016. Ace went deep into his record collection for a satisfying assortment of songs from the 60s and 70s. For Frehley’s latest covers collection Origins Vol. 2, Ace goes deeper into his past pulling tracks that he used to play in his younger bar band days. Once again Frehley brings a couple of special guests along for the ride.

The Album

It makes sense that Ace would return to the biggest band in Rock and Roll in the late 60s and 70s. His cover of “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin compliments the appearance of “Bring It on Home” from Vol. 1. Ace doesn’t quite reach Robert Plant vocal heights here, but he still keeps the bluesy soul of the song intact. While Mountain is known mainly for “Mississippi Queen,” the riffs and licks on “Never in My Life” define the Mountain sound. Frehley’s guitar work and cover would make Leslie West proud. Ace brings in former Frehely’s Comet keyboardist Rob Sabino for his version of Deep Purple’s “Space Truckin'” Ace slips in a few ‘Space Ace Truckin’s’ but this version may play better in a live setting.

“I’m Down” by The Beatles is the star of this covers collection. The early Rock meets Rockabilly style really suites Frehley well. He might want to consider a Beatles cover collection next time around. John 5 lays down a sweet guitar solo as well. Lita Ford sang “Wild Thing” on Vol. 1 and returns for The Stones cover “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” It’s all Lita on vocals and she sounds great and really into the song. Ace provides the blazing licks. Frehley’s girlfriend Lara actually backs him up on vocals for The Kinks “Lola.” She helps hit the higher parts Ace can’t quite get to.

Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander is the guest vocalist on Humble Pie’s “30 Days in the Hole.” 50 years in the music business and Robin is still at the top of his game. Bruce Kulick and Ace make “Manic Depression” a little more lively than the original Hendrix version. The two former Kiss guitarists just go to town on their instruments here. Frehley beefs up the guitar work on Paul Revere & The Raiders’ “Kicks.” The bonus track is a cover of Kiss’ “She.” It plays pretty true to the original.

The Verdict

Ace Frehley’s Origins Vol. 2 is certainly a diverse collection of songs. Are they all suited for Ace Frehley? No. Some songs work, others not so much. However it is clear these songs meant a lot to Ace growing up, and who doesn’t enjoy listening or playing along to their favorite songs? You can’t fault him for that.

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Tracklist

1. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin)
2. Never in My Life (Mountain)
3. Space Truckin’ (Deep Purple)
4. I’m Down (The Beatles)
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones)
6. Politician (Eric Clapton)
7. Lola (The Kinks)
8. 30 Days in the Hole (Humble Pie)
9. Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix)
10. Kicks (Paul Revere & The Raiders)
11. We Gotta Get Out of This Place (The Animals)
12. She (Kiss)