| Founding KISS guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member Ace Frehley announces the release of Origins Vol. 2, his highly-anticipated second collection of eleven rock n’ roll covers, due out on September 18th. Today (July 28th), he also releases the first single, a flawless cover of Deep Purple’s 1972 hit, Space Truckin’ available now on all streaming platforms, and as an official music video. Listen to the song here. |
| Recorded at The Creation Lab in Turlock, CA, Frehley recorded guitar, bass, and vocals on Space Truckin’ with long-time studio drummer Matt Star and keyboard player Rob Sabino (Peter Frampton, Simon & Garfunkel). |
| Ace offers,”Space Truckin’ was recorded years ago, and then I just re-recorded some parts and changed it a little. We never ended up putting it on a record, so it was just sitting around. It turned out very well. Rob Sabino is a very accomplished studio musician, and we actually grew up in the Bronx together, so we go way back.” |
| Frehley has also re-signed with eOne for more new releases, which extends his original deal signed in 2013. During his tenure, he has released three albums worth of new material, Origins Vol. 2 is the fourth. A new studio album is planned for 2021 with two additional releases to follow |
| eOne’s Scott Givens, SVP, Rock & Metal, Music says, “I am thrilled to extend our partnership with Ace Frehley. He is a core artist for eOne and I look forward to more continued success with him.” |
| eOne’s Ken Gullic, VP, Sales & Acquisitions, Music, offers, “We were warned, before our first meeting with Ace in 2014, that he’d never deliver an album or get on the plane for that very meeting. He showed up with an early version of Steve Miller’s The Joker in hand and then cranked out eleven brand new songs at lightning speed for his first top 10 solo album ever, Space Invader, just in time for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as a KISS member in 2014. With nine albums into his vibrant solo career, one that clearly stands on its own, it’s time for Ace to be considered as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted solo performer too.” |
| Frehley continues his reflections on a lifetime in music with this release of Origins Vol. 2. No stranger to cover versions throughout his musical history — having recorded, rebranded and repossessed such notable nuggets as New York Groove, Do Ya and I Wanna Go Back throughout his eight previous studio efforts — this new collection presents a thoughtful and exciting selection of songs that inspired and helped shape the legendary guitarist. That spirit of fun is carried through with exquisite execution, and guitar aficionados will enjoy Frehley’s fresh interpretations of these classic songs. |
| Origins Vol 2. features some extraordinary guests, including Robin Zander of Cheap Trick on Humble Pie’s 30 Days In The Hole, and former KISS comrade Bruce Kulick on Jimi Hendrix’s Manic Depression. Origins Vol.1 alumnus John5 also returns, playing on Cream’s Politician, and The Beatles’ I’m Down. Finally, the exquisite Lita Ford returns on vocals, this time on The Rolling Stones’ 1968 hit Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Full tracklisting below. |
| Track List: 1. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin) 2. Never In My Life (Mountain) 3. Space Truckin’ (Deep Purple) 4. I’m Down (The Beatles) 5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones) 6. Politician (Cream) 7. Lola (The Kinks) 8. 30 Days In The Hole (Humble Pie) 9. Manic Depression (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) 10. Kicks (Paul Revere & the Raiders) 11. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (The Animals) 12. She (KISS) [Bonus Track] |
| Pre-orders are available today at acefrehleyorigins.com — which includes an exclusive 180g Opaque Gold Double LP variant (limited to 1000 copies + download card). |
| Origins Vol. 2 will be the followup to 2016’s Origins Vol. 1, which hit #23 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and was his second highest-charting solo album and his 4th Top 40 album. |
20 Responses
Not a big fan of covers, especially a legendary band like Deep Purple, but I have to say, I love it! I think it only makes perfect sense for Ace to cover “Space Truckin'” and put his spin on it. Not crazy about the “video” though, not a fan of cartoons/animation. Also think it would’ve been even better if this version wasn’t so short!
doug r.,
i love it too! check out the full album (5 minute) version.
I just found it! Thank you, Elliot! The album version is so good, I Juanna listen to it again! Space Ace Truckin’! I’m ready to go to Jendell! 😉
Cover albums are just filler for an album in my opinion , they`re super stale.
I don’t mind a cover or 2 during encore at a concert but to release an album of your version of redone classics doesn’t appeal to me at all .
I agree, Ray.
I believe in some cases, bands have done it to fulfill contractual obligations, especially if they are trying to get out of one, and do not want to submit new material to the label.
But, as you stated, I also think it is done when one is lacking material and needs to put something out, to keep up the fans’ interest. This is not a personal indictment on Frehley, merely a general observation.
D
Spot on Dana
Thank you, Gene. 🙂
doug r., my pleasure bro. that reminds me of another ace cover…eddie money’s “i juanna go (b)ack” from spaceman.
LOL! Good one, Elliot! Love the Money man, “Can’t Hold Back” is a great album.
That album cover is flippin’ awesome-looking! I think it better when Ace does a cover song on an album of original material. “I Wanna Go Back” is a great cover, but I don’t need an album full of them. Some of the songs listed here I don’t even know, so I hope they’re good.
I love covers but there’re better as xtra tracks. When ever I purchase those albums. I listen for a brief period only 2 collect dust on shelf.
If Tommy Thayer can cover the only true Spaceman, then Ace Frehley can copy other artists’ songs.
In general, I agree with all the comments here critical of cover songs…but I’m so buying Ace’s cover album when this is released.