Christine Sixteen 2 – Another High School Tribute To KISS (2007)

Christine Sixteen 2 – Another High School Tribute To KISS (2007)

Jungle
Baby Driver
Got Love For Sale
War Machine
Shock Me
Deuce
God Of Thunder
Watchin’ You
Master & Slave
Creatures Of The Night
Larger Than Life
100,000 Years
Dirty Livin’
Charisma
Into The Night
Black Diamond
An interview with Gene Simmons by Mitch LaFon (6/9/80)

The Singers (L-R): Nicolas Maurais (Track 15), Cassandra Markey (Tracks 3, 5, & 12), Cassandra Goudreau (Tracks 1, 10, & 16), Nadia Goudreau (6 & 11), Jessica Dionne (Tracks 8 & 14), Jessica Scalabrini (2, 4, 7, & 13), & Carolyne Bedard (Track 11).

Not Pictured: Jessika Groleau (Track 9)

The Band (L-R): David Berube, Francis Riendeau, & Pascal Madore

Angelo Coppola – Drums on tracks 6, 7, & 8

Produced by: Patrice Beaudette

Total Time – 1:18:30

Christine Sixteen 2 website
Christine Sixteen @ MySpace
KISS Museum

I really enjoyed the first Christine Sixteen Tribute To KISS and I’m happy to say that the second tribute is as good, if not better, than the first. For those unfamiliar with the project, Patrice Beaudette (Teacher/Producer) decided to start a class project with teens from the Quebec high school he teaches at. The result? One of the most original, and professional, tribute albums to date.

First, let me say that these young men and women perform like seasoned professionals. The music is top notch and the vocals very well done. This is a truly unique concept: using high school students to record an album. Just the effort alone is enough to grab my attention. Second, the production is flawless. This is an album that everyone involved in should be proud of.

Like the first album, the setlist is very diverse, representing multiple eras of KISS. There are some real deep tracks from the KISS Katalog: ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Got Love For Sale’, ‘Larger Than Life’, ‘Charisma’, ‘Dirty Livin’, and ‘Into The Night’ (from the Frehley’s Comet debut). As a KISS fan, I get tired of hearing the concert staples the band performs, I enjoy the more obscure songs. To hear ‘Jungle’ or ‘Baby Driver’ done so well by students makes me appreciate the original music, and the band, that much more.

As a bonus, the album concludes with an audio interview with Gene Simmons from June 1980 by Mitch LaFon (at age 11) and his mother, Dr. Marianne Stenbaek. What is interesting here is that Gene answers many questions invovlving the recording of UNMASKED, the idea of KISS World, Peter Criss’ departure, etc. What I found most interesting is when Gene answers young Mitch’s questions. How refreshing to here Mr. Gene $immons answering questions from an 11 year old. A very intelligent and informative interview.

Bottom Line:
It’s a KISS tribute album with a concept so original and unique that makes it a great album. I’m not usually a fan of cover songs on band’s albums but I do enjoy good tribute albums. Favorite songs: ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Dirty Livin’, ‘Charisma’, & ‘Black Diamond’. Actually, I like every song on the record. Christine Sixteen 2 builds on the strong foundation of the first record, showcasing the talents of the young men and women who perform admirably. If you are a KISS fan, this is essential. If you support the younger generation in their musical aspirations, this is a must.

Special thanks to my friend Patrice Beaudette for thanking me in the liner notes and also posting a banner and link for Heavy Metal Addiction. When a project this special comes around, it is an honor to help spread the word.

Only 600 copies were pressed, so this is a limited edition release. Copies are available exclusively at the KISS Museum.