Jimi Jamison – ‘1998 Live Hits’

(Frontiers Records)

There are some voices in Melodic Rock and AOR that don’t just sing songs they define eras. And when it comes to that big-hearted, sky-scraping, instantly recognizable brand of arena rock, Jimi Jamison sits comfortably in the top tier. Whether you discovered him through Survivor, stumbled across his solo work, or simply had your life improved by the sheer power of that voice blasting out of your speakers, one thing is certain: Jamison didn’t just have pipes he had presence.

That’s exactly what makes 1998 Live Hits such a satisfying listen. This isn’t a live album that exists purely to tick off a discography box or squeeze out one more release for the collectors. This one feels like a celebration and a reminder of what made Jamison such a beloved figure in the genre, and why his brand of Melodic Rock still hits harder than most of what passes for “rock” these days.

From the first moments, this album gives you an unmistakable Jamison live sound, warm, loud, enthusiastic and unapologetically built for fans who came to sing along. The production doesn’t try to modernize anything or over-polish the performance into something sterile. Instead, it captures the energy of a room full of people who already know the words and a frontman who knows exactly how to deliver them.

Jamison’s voice here is the real headline and it’s in excellent shape. If you’re expecting some tired, watered-down version of the man behind Survivor’s glory days, think again. This is Jimi in full command, hitting those melodic peaks with confidence and giving every chorus that extra emotional push that separates a good singer from a great one. He doesn’t just glide through the material he lives in it, which is what you want from a live record like this.

Now, the title 1998 Live Hits tells you exactly what you’re getting: this is a setlist designed to please. It’s built around the kind of songs that AOR fans treasure with big hooks, soaring melodies and that uplifting sense of triumph that the genre does better than anyone else. If you came here for deep cuts and obscure B-sides, you might not get your wish. But if you came here to hear Jamison do what he does best and that’s belt out melodic rock anthems like his life depends on it you’re absolutely in the right place.

The best live albums always walk a fine line between tight musicianship and loose, real-world energy and 1998 Live Hits strikes that balance nicely. The band sounds sharp; the guitars have enough bite to keep things rocking and the rhythm section keeps everything driving forward without getting in the way. This is the kind of backing that allows a vocalist like Jamison to shine and the performance benefits from that. Nothing feels like it’s dragging, nothing feels like filler it’s a steady run of crowd-pleasers delivered with professionalism and passion.

There’s a reason fans still chase this sound. Melodic Rock and AOR, at its best, offers something that modern music often forgets, songs that aim for the heart without being ashamed of it. Big choruses aren’t a crime. Emotion isn’t weakness. And a singer throwing everything into a vocal line is the whole point. Jamison was one of the genre’s finest ambassadors because he could take a lyric that might look simple on paper and turn it into something that felt personal, anthemic and larger than life.

That’s the vibe throughout this album. Even when the crowd noise fades back and you’re left focusing on the performance, you can still hear that connection the push and pull between singer and audience, the shared love for songs that have carried people through good times and bad. It’s not just a concert recording; it’s a snapshot of why this music matters to the people who love it.

Of course, any Jamison live release is going to invite the Survivor comparisons, and rightly so. Survivor wasn’t just a band they were an AOR institution, and Jamison’s era in particular brought that polished, radio friendly melodic rock sound to a peak. Listening to 1998 Live Hits you can hear that legacy all over it. The phrasing, the power, the way he lifts a chorus into the rafters – it’s pure Jamison and its pure AOR.

But what’s also impressive is how natural he sounds doing it. Some singers “perform” live like they’re trying to recreate a studio track note-for-note. Jamison doesn’t fall into that trap. He sings like a man who understands the moment. There are little changes in delivery, subtle shifts in emphasis and that extra grit you only get when a song is being sung in front of a room full of fans. It’s authentic and it works.

As a live album experience 1998 Live Hits doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and it doesn’t need to. It’s here to give you a reliable dose of melodic rock adrenaline, and it does that with style. This is the kind of record you throw on when you want to remember what arena rock felt like: fists in the air, choruses shouted back at the stage, and that rush you get when a great vocalist hits a note that makes you grin like an idiot.

Straight out the gates with fire in the lungs. Jamison attacks ‘Burning Heart’ like it’s 1985 all over again – huge chorus, big crowd energy and that unmistakable AOR punch.

‘High On You’ provides pure feel-good Survivor gold. The band keeps it tight and upbeat, while Jimi’s voice sails over the top with effortless melody and that “radio rock” shine.

‘Rebel Son’ is a slightly deeper cut compared to the obvious hits, but it fits the set perfectly. Grittier edges, strong hooks and Jamison proves he can bring attitude as well as polish.

‘I’m Always Here’ the Baywatch anthem is built for a live singalong, and this version delivers the drama and uplift without turning cheesy. Jimi owns it.

‘I See You In Everyone’ is a more emotional moment, with Jamison leaning into the melody and letting the lyrics breathe. Classic melodic rock heartbreak, delivered with class and power.

‘Rock Hard’ is crunchier and more driving, giving the set a needed shot of muscle. The guitars bite, the rhythm section digs in, and Jamison sounds like he’s having a blast.

‘Oceans’ is one of the more atmospheric tracks here and a welcome change of pace. It shows Jamison’s range not just the big belts, but the controlled, expressive phrasing too.

‘The Search Is Over’ is AOR ballad perfection. This is where Jamison’s voice really shines, turning a familiar classic into a goosebump moment with a heartfelt, arena-sized delivery.

‘Is This Love’ is smooth and melodic with a slightly softer touch. It keeps the momentum flowing while adding another shade to the set with it been smooth AOR rather than a fist-pumping rocker.

‘I Can’t Hold Back’ has a chorus that lands exactly how you want it: huge, bright and built for crowd participation. Jamison’s confidence is off the charts here.

‘Riders On The Storm’ is a cool curveball added to the setlist it is of course a cover of The Doors famous classic. The darker tone gives the set some grit and mood and Jamison approaches it with respect while still making it his own.

‘Too Hot To Sleep’ is an underrated rocker that adds some extra drive late in the set. It’s punchy, fun, and keeps the energy high heading into the finale.

‘Eye Of The Tiger’ is of course the inevitable closer and honestly, it’s perfect. Massive singalong, maximum adrenaline and Jamison delivers it like a man who knows he’s holding an anthem in his hands.

In the end, 1998 Live Hits is exactly what it promises to be, a strong live showcase of one of the genre’s most iconic voices, delivering the goods with power, heart, and that unmistakable Jamison glow. For longtime fans, it’s a must-have. For newer listeners, it’s a great entry point into why Jimi Jamison remains such a respected name in the Melodic Rock and AOR world.

So crank it up, let the choruses hit, and enjoy the ride, because this is one of those live albums that reminds you why you fell in love with this music in the first place. A solid, uplifting, hook-filled live set powered by one of AOR’s greatest voices.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘High On You’

Review by Woody