by This is really an amazing collaboration between Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley, and it’s honestly a huge surprise after all the two-faced backtalk. I never thought these two would ever do anything musical together again, and here they are. Of course it’s not KISS, but I think fans will take what they can get. And this, although a cover, is just plain good rock ‘n’ roll that seems to echo what KISS should be sounding like these days, which goes on to emphasize that Ace was and always will be an essential member of KISS. I mean, Christ, he’s not ever in the band and he sounds more like KISS than KISS does.
“Fire and Water,” originally by Free, is the new track (watch the video in the player above) from Ace’s new album Origins Vol. 1, which is an album of covers. About the collaboration with his former band mate, Ace said to Rolling Stone:
I thought Paul did a fabulous vocal on it. He jumped at the chance to do this because it’s something that’s outside of KISS and his character in KISS, and it gave him a chance to, y’know, sing. With Paul, you usually think of him singing in a slightly higher register and on ‘Fire and Water’ he’s singing deep from his diaphragm, and it’s a real cool vocal. Everyone’s who heard it just thinks it’s the shit.
The video marks the first time Paul and Ace have been on stage together in 14 years, the last time was at 2002’s Winter Olympic Games, and Ace’s first video since 1989. Could it spell reunion? Probably not, but you never know. More likely, however, it could hint at a full album collaboration between the two. We’ll have to wait to see.
In addition to Stanley’s guest appearance on Origins Vol. 1, there are some other big names on the upcoming release. Guest stars on the album include Slash, Lita Ford, Mike McCready, and John 5. Along with “Free,” Ace and his guests take on major classic rock hits by Cream, Steppenwolf, Led Zepplin, Thin Lizzy, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks — and of course, KISS.
“Origins Vol. 1” track listing:
01. White Room (CREAM)
02. Street Fighting Man (ROLLING STONES)
03. Spanish Castle Magic (JIMI HENDRIX) (feat. John 5)
04. Fire And Water (FREE) (feat. Paul Stanley)
05. Emerald (THIN LIZZY) (feat. Slash)
06. Bring It On Home (LED ZEPPELIN)
07. Wild Thing (THE TROGGS) (feat. Lita Ford)
08. Parasite (KISS) (feat. John 5)
09. Magic Carpet Ride (STEPPENWOLF)
10. Cold Gin (KISS) (feat. Mike McCready)
11. Till The End Of The Day (THE KINKS)
12. Rock And Roll Hell (KISS)
Rock Hard \m/
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