TYKETTO originally formed in New York in 1987, with multi-instrumentalist and singer Danny Vaughn, Brooke St. James on guitar, Jimi Kennedy on bass and Michael Clayton handling the drums and percussion. They released their first album, "Don't Come Easy" in 1991 to mid-major success, touring with WHITESNAKE and earning the respect of worldwide audiences.

The days of Grunge Rock soon caught up with them, holding off their next release, "Strength In Numbers", until 1994. Vaughn left the band, while dealing with some personal issues, soon after, and was replaced by future JOURNEY and UNDERWORLD vocalist Steve Augeri. They held through '97, finally splitting up at that time. There were attempted full reunions to follow, beginning in 2005, and several lineup changes from that point forward.

This album, "Strength In Numbers-Live", features Vaughn and original drummer Michael Clayton (Arbeeny), and is exactly what it promises. Opening with the brilliant "Inherit the Wind", the band sounds fantastic. The additional musicians involved with this recording, Rylands, Green and Childs, are more than capable, as is apparent from this hard hitting opener.

Other highlight tracks include the ballad "The End of Summer Days", with its nicely worked acoustic blend, and the rocker "All Over Me". The latter of these two is an all out blast from the old days of hair and bravado, and is very much appreciated by this writer.

Where I most appreciated Danny Vaughn's vocals, however, were on the heartfelt tribute to his mother, "Standing Alone". An absolutely beautiful song to begin with, when put into this context, has the power to bring a tear if you'll let it. Vaughn's voice sounds incredible throughout this record, and in a day and time where I see bands attempting to retread their careers, it is refreshing to hear a band that can bring it at this level. "Strength In Numbers" closes things out effectively, with some great audience participation serving as evidence to the show they have witnessed.

In my opinion, TYKETTO is one of those bands that suffered from poor timing; coming along on the cusp of the next trend and getting lost in the mix. I believe had they surfaced five years earlier, and had a bit more prolific output, they could have been as big or bigger than many other bands of the era.

Hopefully this record is a sign of things to come.