Jeff Scott Soto: 10 Albums That Changed My Life

Feature Photo: courtesy of Jeff Scott Soto

Be it his early years with Yngwie Malmsteen, his cache of records with Talisman, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as a solo artist, or his recent collaboration with Art of Anarchy, Jeff Scott Soto knows what it takes to lay down some seriously heavy and soaring vocals.

As one of the preeminent voices within hard rock and heavy metal genres, Soto has appeared across dozens of iconic records, leading to one success after the next. Lately, he’s plotting his next move, leaving him time to dig in with ClassicRockHistory.com to reveal the ten albums—in no particular order—that changed his life. Can you spot any of your favorites, too?

Dan Reed Network – Dan Reed Network (1988)

It was the late-80s and one of a few times I was flown out to Miami to possibly team up with Yngwie [Malmsteen] again. He picked me up from the airport, and we went to his house, where I was staying that week. At the door was a box of comped CDs his label Polygram sent if he was interested… he was not and directed me to take anything in the box I wanted.

The debut album by this unknown band, Dan Reed Network, was the only one I took to check out, and oh, my God, this band had all the elements of my “dream” album. It sounded like Bon Jovi, and Prince had a soul child… modeled after Sly & The Family Stone in terms of ethnicity and skin tone; the music still resonates with me today!

Sign ‘o the Times – Prince (1987)

I knew I had to choose a Prince album here; to be honest, it would have been easier to do a top-ten on this artist alone! Prince was trifecta in terms of artist/writer/producer. Add musician, singer, dancer and the “fecta’s” extend beyond any word that covers the whole spectrum of what he did! I chose Sign ‘o the Times not only because it’s an album I could not skip ahead from any song but because it was a double album that offered me more!

Fair Warning – Van Halen (1981)

Of course, it’s easy to choose Van Halen or Van Halen II above all Van Halen albums, but for me, Fair Warning was another level for Van Halen. It’s dark, funky, diverse, heavy, and all of the other elements that made us fall in love with this band! “So This Is Love,” “Unchained,” “Mean Street” … come on, this album is stacked fire from start to finish!

Queen II – Queen (1974)

Another group I knew I had to choose just one …huh… how? But yes, I go to Queen II mainly because you could hear the immediate maturity from Queen. But it was also the precursor of things to come. But even more interesting was (I hope I have this fact correct) they were still on 16-track machines.

So, the overdubs and bouncing were probably as mad as when they made A Night at the Opera. Early on in my career, I was more fascinated by backing vocals and harmonies than the lead vocals. I guess this is why I gravitated to bands with multi-layered vocals…. and Queen were kings at it!

Spilt Milk – Jellyfish (1993)

I’ll never forget hearing this album for the first time and feeling like I was transported back to the ‘70s surrounded by characters of H.R. Pufnstuf, singing with the Partridge Family, then Cheap Trick, The Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Queen came in to complete the surroundings. From the acapella “Hush” to the carnival ending of “Brighter Day,” this album destroys me still today!

Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden (1982)

The Number of the Beast (2015 - Remaster)

This album made its impact on me because I was not quite yet into metal until this one kicked me in the head! I do remember my brother listening to Killers all the time, but the voice just didn’t do it for me, so I disregarded them as something that was “not for me.”

From the air siren wailing at the top of the title track, Bruce Dickinson showed me how it was done! I tell the story all the time about how I was not a very confident metal singer, yet when I got the gig with Yngwie for the two songs on his first album [Rising Force], I went in trying to impersonate Bruce and Ronnie James Dio. In my head, I sounded a lot like them; hearing it now, I sounded nothing like them. [laughs]

Isolation by Toto (1984)

As Bobby Kimball is one of my all-time favorite singers, it’s hard yet easy to choose Isolation not only as a “changed my life” album but also as my favorite Toto album. Albums that change one’s life are based on where one was during that time, both emotionally and mentally. I was also a huge fan of Fergie Frederiksen when he was in the band Le Roux.

I got an advanced cassette copy of this album as we were rehearsing for a Yngwie tour in 1985. It was the first Toto album I could listen to from soup to nuts without skipping any songs. It is an absolute gem in my eyes and ears.

Departure by Journey (1980)

I was a massive [Steve] Perry fan on his first few outings with Journey, but it was Departure that made me a bona fide fan of the band and songs! The creativeness behind “People and Places,” along with this being the last with Gregg Rolie.

Greg, to me, added an essence the band lost when [Jonathan] Cain stepped in. That’s not a knock; as they went on to be bigger than ever with even more killer songs, Departure landed on my lap right as I was truly getting into rock, so it has a special place in my heart.

Jackson 5 Christmas Album – The Jackson 5 (1970)

I know it’s strange to choose a Christmas album or even their Christmas album, but this was the first vinyl record I bought with my own (allowance) money. Michael Jackson was my first and biggest influence because he was a kid when I was a kid.

I loved this music, but more importantly, I knew I wanted to do what he was doing as a fellow kid singer. There was a lot of filler (in my opinion) on other Jackson 5 albums besides their hits, but for some reason, I could listen to this album year-round because Michael Jackson just sang his little tail off! To this day, my favorite versions of these classics were done on this record!

Hemispheres – Rush (1978)

Rush was a slow burn for me to dig my teeth into and appreciate the way I do today. Yes, Geddy [Lee]’s voice was a hurdle for me, I must say. But reflecting back now, no other voice could present these songs; God bless Geddy! I got into them during Moving Pictures, and I normally would choose this as a life changer.

But because Moving Pictures was my entry album to Rush, I then discovered the masterpiece Hemispheres. Maybe the long songs sequenced in like a concept album did it for me, or the long instrumental sections—who knows? All I know is that this album is perfection from the opening to the fade out of “La Villa Strangiato.”

Boston by Boston (1976)

This is a no-brainer for anyone into rock, whether it be AOR or metal; this album stands the test of time on so many levels. Songs, performances, vocals, production… it may sound old to someone young in the present, but it still sounds fresh and exciting, innovative, and perfect to me.

Brad Delp was a huge influence, as he had it all: range, feel, and soul. Tom Scholz was a bona fide genius on this album. I think I loved Don’t Look Back just as much, but this was the catalyst that did it for me from the jump.

Three Sides to Every Story – Extreme (1992)

I love diversity, risks, and showing as many colors as possible when it comes to music and influence. Like Queen, Extreme is one of those bands who are not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves musically, and Three Sides is very evident of this. I love the production and songs, but just like my choice of a Prince album, it had more songs (a double album) than others, so there was more to chew on. Another album I could/would not dare skip to the next song!

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