I love this band, having seen them live almost semi-annually for the last decade, but outside of North America, this 12-song collection is pointless. OK, the amazingly talented/soulful, long running German guitarist (30 years and a decade with the current line-up, hence this compilation), who is only eclipsed by the remarkable vocals of American Johnny Gioeli, is deserving of celebration. However, there’s nothing new within the dozen tracks, no liner notes and just one black & white group photo on the back cover. The six inner pages of the CD booklet merely show his SPV catalog. I’m sure Herr Pell is saying ‘Danke,’ but his fans aren’t.

So this serves only as an introduction to Axel Rudi Pell, the man and the band, which is only necessary in territories where he’s unknown (Thirty years of living under a rock? Only in North America!). Even so, it’s rudimentary at best, ignoring the amazing singers who have recorded with Pell (Rob Rock, Jeff Scott Soto and Charlie Huhn) by sticking solely to material since ’98. That includes a pair of covers (‘Beautiful Day’, like U2 needs anymore money, and Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’ ditto) off the lame “Diamonds Unlocked”. And I like this guy!

For the uninitiated, a 8:01 ‘Carousel’, ‘Mystica’, ‘The Masquerade Ball’ (10:40) and a ripping ‘Tear Down The Walls’ are mandatory listening. If you’re truly interested in securing an Axel Rudi Pell disc, track down the ’08 double DVD, “Live Over Europe”, which features everything here and so much more (16 distinct songs, 25 overall, including cover of Kiss’ ‘Love Gun’). You’ll miss (or will you?) ‘Edge Of The World’, the acoustic ballad ‘Forever Angel’, those insipid cover tunes and ‘Ain’t Gonna Win’, which just came out last year. Just add Axel Rudi Pell to your collection, somehow!