Exclusive: Listen to 'Heavy Traffic' from Ronnie Montrose’s final album ft. Eric Martin & Dave Meniketti
Ahead of the release of Ronnie Montrose’s final album ‘10X10’ later this month, we have an exclusive premiere of opening track ‘Heavy Traffic’.
Shortly before his death in 2012, the renowned Montrose/Gamma guitarist embarked on an ambitious project alongside bassist Ricky Phillips (Styx, Bad English) and drummer Eric Singer (KISS, Alice Cooper) to record ten songs with ten different singers under the title ‘10x10’.
The record was incomplete at the time of Ronnie’s passing, so, in his honour, Ricky made it his mission to finish the record with the help of Ronnie’s many musician friends.
Reflecting upon the record, Ricky says: “His songs still have the fire and angst of a young rebel, but with some added wisdom and foresight voiced in his own unique language of ‘guitar-speak.’
“On 10X10, we hear Ronnie at the top of his game, from the opening crunch guitar of ‘Heavy Traffic,’ all the way to the closing song, ‘I’m Not Lying,’ which was Ronnie’s tip of the hat to his friend Robin Trower.”
Listen to opening track ‘Heavy Traffic’ featuring Mr. Big’s Eric Martin and Y&T lynchpin Dave Meniketti first on Planet Rock here:
‘10X10’ is released on Friday 29th September via Rhino Records on 180-gram vinyl, CD and digital formats.
As well as the music of Ronnie Montrose, Ricky Phillips and Eric Singer, the record features a variety of inspired musical collaborations including Glenn Hughes and Phil Collen (Still Singin’ With The Band), Sammy Hagar and Steve Lukather (Colour Blind) and Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer (Love Is An Art).
Joe Bonamassa also lends his idiosyncratic guitar playing to the track ‘The Kingdom’s Come Undone’ with Ricky Phillips stepping up on vocals.
Former Montrose vocalist Sammy Hagar comments: “It’s valuable to have 10X10 be seen as Ronnie’s last work, rather than going and digging up some stuff from his past. This was something he truly had a vision for.”
The album track-listing is as follows:
1. ‘Heavy Traffic’ Feat. Eric Martin & Dave Meniketti
2. ‘Love Is An Art’ Feat. Edgar Winter & Rick Derringer
3. ‘Color Blind’ Feat. Sammy Hagar & Steve Lukather
4. ‘Still Singin’ With The Band’ Feat. Glenn Hughes, Phil Collen & Jimmy “Z” Zavala
5. ‘Strong Enough’ Feat. Tommy Shaw
6. ‘Any Minute’ Feat. Mark Farner & Ricky Phillips
7. ‘The Kingdom’s Come Undone’ Feat. Ricky Phillips & Joe Bonamassa
8. ‘One Good Reason’ Feat. Bruce Turgon & Brad Whitford
9. ‘Head On Straight’ Feat. Davey Pattison & Marc Bonilla
10. ‘I’m Not Lying’ Feat. Gregg Rolie, Tom Gimbel & Lawrence Gowan