Jeff Scott Soto is a journeyman rock singer who has been the lead vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen and Journey and has sang background vocals for dozens of hard rock’s elite. While he has never found a large audience in America, Soto has a huge fan base around the world. He has a unique voice that spans many genres from hard rock to pop balladry to funk. Live In Madrid is a double live offering that showcases Soto on stage playing tunes that represent all of his talents.

“Broken Man” is a heart felt ballad as is the piano medley of songs that include “If This is the End,” “Holding On,” “Nobody Said It Was Easy,” “4U” and “Just Between Us.” “21^st Century” is a smoking melodic rocker while Jeff’s most underrated band, Talisman, is represented with killer versions of “I’ll Be Waiting” and “Frozen.”

Soto is stretching out from his comfort zone of melodic rock and getting his Glenn Hughes Funk on throughout the concert. “Mountain,” “Colour My XTC” and “Testify” show the Soto is damn good at this type of music. The crowd accepts the new style of tunes but what the entire fan base will do remains to be seen.

This is a strong album, musically as well as vocally. Soto has vocal chops that make others envious yet, even with his stint in Journey; he has never got the respect he deserves. He can currently be seen performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra throughout the winter of 2010.