Uli Jon Roth
The Best of

Release date: November 10th 2006
Label: Steamhammer/SPV
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Website: www.ulijonroth.com

Style:
Classic Guitar Rock

Rating: 64/100
Reviewed by: Kenn Jensen
Date: December 3rd 2006

What a pleasant surprise, I have always had some somewhat ambivalent feelings towards Uli Jon Roth and his guitar hero music. But that has surely changed with this Best of double album, which covers his entire solo career.

People, who are familiar with his albums, know he is heavily inspired by classical composers like Puccini, Vivaldi, Mozart, Chopin and Bach, and we get a fair share of his interpretations of some of their pieces. And I must admit I really enjoy them all, because Mr. Roth is a brilliant guitarist, who knows where the fine and delicate balance between inspiration and ripping off is. His versions of songs like Puccini's Bridge to Heaven with Tommy Heart on vocals and Bach's Air have just the right amount of originality and Roth input.

This album has clearly changed my perception of Uli Jon Roth, and has given me a very good insight into his universe. But not everything that shines is gold, and things do wear a bit thin on disc two - the older songs are a tad boring and at best mediocre. But don't let that scare you off if you are looking for an introduction to Uli Jon Roth, because that's exactly what this is - a nice way to learn about Mr. Roth and his guitar playing.