38 SPECIAL Milestone (2025)

01. So Much So Right (D. Barnes /J. Peterik)
02. Slightly Controversial (feat. Pat Monahan) (D. Barnes/B. Capps/R. Wilson)
03. All I Haven't Said (C. Barnes/D. Barnes/J. Peterik)
04. The Main Thing (D.Barnes/J. Peterik)
05. Long Long Train (D.Barnes, R. Bachman)
06. Looking For My Life (D. Barnes, J. Peterik)
07. Making Up For Lost Time (D. Barnes, J. Peterik)
08. Windows Of Memories (D. Barnes, J. Peterik)
09. The Look (J. Peterik)

Musicians :

Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
Bobby Capps – keyboards, lead vocals
Gary Moffatt – drums, percussions
Barry Dunaway – bass, backing vocals
Jerry Riggs – guitar, backing vocals

It had been 20 years since 38 Special released an album! Don Barnes & co are (finally) back with this new release, which also marks their 50th anniversary.

Like many others, 38 Special now only has one original member: Don Barnes, the talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. A rather surprising fact: during the band's 50-year history, Don Barnes took a hiatus of 3 to 4 years, and during that time, 38 Special, led at the time by Jeff Carlisi and Max Carl, among others, released two albums, "Rock'n'roll Strategy" and "Bone Against Steel," which consequently have no members in common with this latest release! Well... I thought it was amusing to point out...

But let's get back to the news with the release of "Milestone." Before writing this review, I didn't just skim the album to form an opinion; I listened to it about thirty times. Firstly, because I'm a lifelong, die-hard fan, but also because I wanted to understand and feel the nine tracks on the record… My first impression is… Wow, Don Barnes sings so well! At 73, he has an uncommon vocal ease. He can reach the high notes without ever sounding shrill, push his voice to the point of distortion, all while remaining melodic… And then I discover the songs… All very well-written, nothing is rushed. You can feel a very tight-knit band (some members, even if they aren't original, have been there for over 30 years!).

Don't expect to find the 38 Special of the 80s that wrote hits like "Hold and Loosely," "Caught Up in You," and "Back Where You Belong"... And that's precisely the album's strength. Don Barnes didn't try to simply rehash old songs, which could have been very risky.
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These new tracks are fresh and punchy, and I find myself singing "All I Haven't Said," "Long Long Train" (co-written with Randy Bachman), and "Looking for My Life," which is becoming my favorite, every single day. It might be surprising not to find other members of the band involved in the songwriting, but Don Barnes preferred to compose, with a few exceptions, with his partner Jim Peterik, the man behind many hits, including the timeless "Eye of the Tiger." I might miss a duet with Donnie Van Zant, who was, along with him, the founder and co-vocalist of the band until 2013… But that's how it is… Let's accept that bands evolve!
Listen, listen again, and listen again! With "Milestone," you might find yourself tapping your foot, whistling while you work, or even singing in the shower!

Good job, gentlemen!

Manu Aeschbach