Frederic Slama Talks About His New Album “The Secrets Of L.A.”

French AOR guru Frederic Slama has been speaking about his new album “The Secrets Of L.A.”.

Once again utilising the incredible talents of guitarist Tommy Denander and a veritable who’s who of the AOR vocalist scene, Frederic returns to the format that spawned the wonderful music of “L.A. Temptation”, but this time with a heavier slant that brings Denander’s talents further to the fore.

Now he’s working on the fans of classic bands like Whitesnake, Foreigner and Survivor. Read the interview here 

“The Secrets Of LA” is already getting some nice reviews Frederic….Where does it sit in the Grand Scheme of things given you’re working on the next one already.

“Well, it’s always great and encouraging to have great reviews. It means that I was right to go in a heavier direction and that’s what evidently really appeals to fans and press alike. The next AOR will be in the same vein, maybe a little harder. But, I’m still far from doing Hard Rock! A music career is a long term vision and each album is like another brick in the wall. It’s already been 13 years with AOR and more people know about my music each and every day so that’s what every musician should be proud of.”

Any more on those plans for shows you’ve been asked about already by journalists?

“I’m setting up things with some cool musicians now but it takes a lot of time to plan all these shows, sometimes almost a year in advance. It’s hard to know what these big names will be up to in several months from now. We’re getting there though, and I have to find festivals or venues that have a decent budget so I can bring some really cool names to the stage.”

Can you just give us a statement about working with Tommy Denander? How you’re friendship has grown over the years and the results as you see them? How important is this to the success of the AOR albums?

“It’s strange really because Tommy and I used to live in the same street in L.A.; at the same time in the early 90’s, though we didn’t knew each other then. I guess we were meant to meet someday in our life. Over the years Tommy has become a close friend and is in part responsible for the success of AOR. We’ve done 10 albums together and he’s always there to help me with his ideas and wonderful guitar solos. He’s a very cool human being who works with the biggest names in the industry and it’s an honor for me that his interest for my project gets stronger and stronger year after year. Hats off to Tommy!!!”

AOR was formed in 2000 by guitarist/ keyboard player Slama using the cream of U.S & European session musicians. In 2000, first album “L.A. Concession” gave just the merest hint of what was to come as Frédéric gained huge respect throughout the Westcoast and AOR music scenes; but during the following years, AOR has released eleven albums with a similar concept featuring many of the greatest talents from the genre including all of Toto, Göran Edman, Michael Landau, Robin Beck, Michael Ruff, Bruce Gaitsch, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Steve Overland (FM), Bruce Gaitsch, Brandon Fields, David Roberts, Dane Donohue, Fergie Frederiksen, Philip Bardowell, Jerry Hludzik (Dakota), Joe Pasquale, Steve Newman, David Foster, Randy Goodrum and many more. And, it’s not over yet.

Now it’s 2013, and Slama’ s AOR project is back for round 12 with a great album called “The Secrets Of L.A.”, featuring an impressive list of guest vocalists and musicians such as Denander (Radioactive, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper), Frederiksen (Toto), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Jim Jidhed (Alien), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn’s Dream), Bob Harris (Axe), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), Robin Beck, Tamara Champlin, Dane Donohue and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline), and it’s once again laying down significant markers in the genre.

Much heavier than before, and far from the Westcoast style of the first 6 AOR CD’s, this album is vastly different. Fans of Survivor, Journey, Giant & Foreigner won’t be disappointed by fantastic melody, incredible vocals & fabulous guitar solos, all topped off by a first class production from Slama and Denander, but “The Secrets Of L.A.” brings other key elements of Slama and Denander’s work to the table and it’s a welcome addition to the family.

Tracks And Vocalists;

1) Deep Whirlpool: with Fergie Frederiksen
2) Stage Struck: with Jeff Scott Soto
3) Secrets In The Shadows; with Jim Jidhed
4) Back To San Francisco: with Bill Champlin
5) Out Of The Past: with Bob Harris
6) The Name Of The Game: with Robin Beck
7) Web Of Lies: with Göran Edman
8) Hollow Triumph: with Mikael Erlandsson
9) The Main Attraction: with Bob Harris
10) Voices In The Wind: with Tamara Champlin

With backing vocals by;

Ken Sandin : Backing Vocals
Dane Donohue : Backing Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio : Backing Vocals
Band Line Up On this album:

Frederic Slama – Guitar, and Keyboards
Pat Thern – Drums & Percussion
Tommy Denander – All Instruments
Colin Rodgers – Guitar, Bass

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