Editorial Reviews

With long-MIA guitarist Vito Bratta refusing to partake in a White Lion reunion in the early 21st century (despite seemingly every single '80s-era glam/hair metal band doing so), singer Mike Tramp did the next best thing -- he launched Tramp's White Lion. Tramp may be the only familiar face from such popular White Lion videos as "Wait" and "When the Children Cry," and as a result, the 2005 live release Rocking the USA is essentially Tramp's tribute to...himself. With a more than worthy band backing him (guitarist Jamie Law in particular -- who has no problem replicating Bratta's tricky Eddie Van Halen-esque fretboard work), Tramp also proves to be in fine voice all these years later. All of White Lion's best-known tracks are included here, including the melodic pop/rockers "Wait" and "Little Fighter," as well as the tear-jerking ballad "When the Children Cry" (which is reworked here as a full-band version) and an "extended jam" cover of Golden Earring's "Radar Love." With the original White Lion never managing to issue a live album during their brief existence, Rocking the USA appears to be the closest longtime fans will get to hearing all these '80s-era hair metal favorites performed live. Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

• Listener Rating: