Mr. Big Defying gravity

2017, DEFYING GRAVITY deftly showcases that patented MR. BIG blend of crunch and melody, from the freight-train ride of opening cut ?Open Your Eyes? to the harmony-laden wonderment of ?Damn I?m In Love Again? to the grateful/wistful nostalgia of ?1992? to the barnburning slide-blues closer, ?Be Kind.? Overall, DEFYING GRAVITY is prime evidence that the only thing MR. BIG remains tethered to is their ongoing pursuit of achieving creative excellence. Original members Eric Martin (singer), Paul Gilbert (guitars), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums) reunited with producer Kevin Elson (who was behind the boards for the band?s 1989 self-titled debut, 1991?s LEAN INTO IT and 1993?s BUMP AHEAD) for an intensive six-day recording session in Los Angeles. While Torpey was unable to perform some of the songs on DEFYING GRAVITY due to a recent diagnosis of Parkinson?s disease, Matt Starr has been filling in for him on a majority of the album.