FollowFollowing on from 2011’s very well received debut album, Stefano Lionetti 
returns with the highly anticipated follow up album “II”. Seeing many of the musicians from the first Lionville album return the second time around, what does this second album have to offer?
Well I’d say by now that everyone in the melodic rock/AOR world is probably aware of vocalist Lars Säfsund due to the quality of his work on the first Lionville album, Work Of Art, and his very well reviewed Firefest appearances. Back on Lionville “II” he shows us why we’re going to be hearing from him for a long time to come, with great vocals showing us a versatility and a range that any singer would welcome. This is surely talent to watch over the next few years.
Stefano Lionetti himself gives a good performance on lead vocals here, seeming almost as comfortable with a microphone as he is with a guitar in his hand. Along with Stefano Lionetti and Lars Säfsund, we’re also treated to an appearance by Bill Champlin (Chicago) and his wife Tamara Champlin (who’s album “You Won’t Get To Heaven Alive” still gets a regular airing in my house – I highly recommend it).
As good as the first Lionville album was, “II” is a real step forward. We see a much more polished, mature, and dare I say experienced performance by all concerned. The writing is well thought out, the vocal harmonies are beautifully arranged and performed, the guitar work is spot on, and the rhythm section of the band create a great vibe throughout.
My personal favourites here are “Higher” (featuring Bill and Tamara Champlin), the soaring “Another Day”, “One In A Million”, “Shining Over Me”, and “All This Time” – but the quality of the album makes it difficult to choose a few songs of the others.
Verdict: 9/10. This is one the best AOR albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to this year, and has been on in the CD player in the car for about 4 weeks now, and you know what? I still havn’t listened to it enough yet. Stefano Lionetti has created an album that will stand the test of time and be regarded as a classic. Someone give that boy a biscuit.
LIONVILLE is:
Stefano Lionetti: Lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards
With:
Lars Säfsund: Lead & backing vocals
Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Issa, Shining Line, Mitch Malloy) guitars
Anna Portalupi (Hardline, Mitch Malloy, Issa, Steve Lukather) bass
Alessandro Mori (Mitch Malloy, Moonstone Project) drums & percussion
Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Issa, Mitch Malloy) on keyboards and backing vocals
On the album they are joined by guitarist Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx, Chicago) on seven songs, as well as guest guitar players Robert Säll (Work Of Art, W.E.T.), Sven Larsson (Street Talk) and Peter Friestedt (Williams Friestedt, L.A. Project)
Bill Champlin: Lead & backing vocals on “Higher”
Tamara Champlin: Backing vocals on “Higher”
Robert Säll: Guitars & keyboards on “All This Time”
Sven Larsson: Guitars on “One In A Million”
Peter Friestedt: Guitars on “Another Day”
Tracklisting:
1) All We Need 4:41 (Music: Stefano Lionetti / Lyrics: Robert Säll)
2) The Only Way Is Up 4:15 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Miqael Persson)
3) Another Day 4:43 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Robert Säll)
4) Higher 5:07 (M: Stefano Lionetti & Alessandro Del Vecchio / L: A. Del Vecchio)
5) No Turning Back 5:08 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Pierpaolo “Zorro11” Monti &
Lars Säfsund)
6) All This Time 4:30 (M: Stefano Lionetti & Robert Säll / L: Robert Säll)
7) Next To Me 4:27 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Pierpaolo “Zorro11” Monti)
8) Waiting For A Star To Fall 4:54 (M & L: George Merrill & Shannon Rubicam)
9) Don’t Walk Away 4:17 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Pierpaolo “Zorro11” Monti)
10) One In A Million 4:07 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Lars Säfsund & Alessandro Del Vecchio)
11) Shining Over Me 4:53 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Lars Säfsund & Alessandro
Del Vecchio)
12) Open Your Heart 4:44 (M: Stefano Lionetti / L: Alessandro Del Vecchio)
Produced, mixed and mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio at Ivorytears Music Works Studio – Somma Lombardo, Italy