There are releases that leave no room for criticism whatsoever. These are albums that are released to honor the memory of a great artist, and as such, emotion prevails over any positive or negative assessment. “1998 Live Hits” is one such album. And Jimi Jamison was not just a great artist but a legend who left an indelible mark on music as a whole with his unique voice. I will never forget that three days before his untimely death, we had an interview and he revealed to us that he had agreed with Frankie Sullivan to return to Survivor, but fate had other plans for him…
“1998 Live Hits” is essentially a time capsule of a golden era for Jimi. Yes, that era didn’t include Survivor, but it found the iconic singer in great form, and the three shows that form the backbone of this release are the most striking proof of that. With an excellent band behind him and a production that perfectly captures the live feeling, all fans of AOR/melodic rock will relive great moments through a set that contains Survivor’s best-known hits, solo hits, some deep cuts, and a cover version of The Doors’ classic “Riders of the storm”. No special mentions are needed, as the album sounds seamless from start to finish, and time flies by without you even noticing. I won’t hide the fact that at some points, the emotion evoked by Jimi’s performance, combined with the fact that he is no longer alive, is overwhelming and not easy to handle.
Reality is relentless. Jimi Jamison’s absence is huge, and the void he has left behind is not irreplaceable but a harsh reality, since no one and nothing can fill Jimi’s void. For this reason alone, you should buy or at least check out this release.
Highlight: As I write these lines, “Vital Signs” is playing on my stereo, and I wonder why albums like this are no longer being released. The answer is both easy and difficult at the same time…
