Hard Rock / AOR Heaven

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

WAKEFIELD was one of these US bands that despite its quality never got a recording contract with a major label, but mostly due to their location. Formed in the mid-Seventies in South Dakota, Wakefield was a popular act in the area playing venues from Canada to Kansas, and Colorado to Illinois.
When they recorded this, their self-titled LP released on a small private label, Wakefield were offered to distribute the album nationally with the condition to tour nation-wide to support it. At the time all band members got a family firmly established in South Dakota, so the potential opportunity for major exposure was declined.

"Wakefield" appeared in 1985, and the music packed inside has the typical mid-80s US melodic rock sound with influences ranging from Night Ranger to REO Speedwagon, with some little Pomp on it plus a hard rock touch as well.
Very well composed & arranged, there's variation through the nine songs recorded at Catamount Studio in Iowa, produced by the band & Tom Tatman obtaining a very good, fuller sound.
Wakefield officially disbanded in 1987, but all members, still living in South Dakota, reunite from time to time for some shows.

Over the years, "Wakefield" has become a collectors piece, with original LP's being sold for 3-digit dollar amounts. It's a really nice, melodic album.
I did a little clean-up on this vinyl-rip to obtain the best possible sound quality.
Rare.

01 - Don't Throw Your Heart Away
02 - You're Gonna Find Out
03 - Hard Nights
04 - It's A Beautiful Day
05 - One Of A Kind Lady
06 - I Want You
07 - Animals
08 - Tara
09 - Living Dangerously

Evan Jones - keyboards, vocals
Geoff Gunderson - guitar, vocals
Jeff Koller - drums, vocals
Dave Horan - bass

WAKEFIELD - Wakefiled (1985)
.

EAST COAST - East Coast (1988) [original Dutch CD] front

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Riding the wave of successful Scandi-AOR in Europe during the second half of '80s, Dutch five-piece EAST COAST recorded this self-titled album in 1988.
The immediate reference should be fellow countrymen Zinatra, but East Coast were more influenced by Swedish bands of the era like Dalton (Out Of Control), add a touch of Germans Dominoe ('Tonight') and a bit of British AORsters Outside Edge ('He's Your Lover') and you get the picture.
The quite more vigorous 'Fight' and 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' brings to mind the harder side of Norwegians Da Vinci, while the smooth 'Red Light Lady' and 'Save Our Planet' are fine ballads.

"East Coast" is a keyboard-driven AOR album with pumping bass lines, cool rhythm guitars and sweet lead vocals, with a typical Euro '80s sound pretty well produced.
Out of print for years, the album is fetching ridiculous prices at eBay these days, a true collector's piece.
"East Coast" was reissued in 2007 by a Spanish label - I assume unofficially, as the source is the vinyl LP. So avoid the purchase.

EAST COAST - East Coast (1988) [original Dutch CD] back

There's some mp3's file floating the web but all are taken from vinyl or the aforementioned bootleg.
This is a rip from the original Dutch CD release, rare as hell...
Enjoy.

01 - Out Of Control
02 - Now The Time Is Right
03 - 67-68-69
04 - He's Your Lover
05 - Fight
06 - Save Our Planet
07 - It Doesn't Matter Anymore
08 - Angel Eyes
09 - Tonight
10 - Red Light Lady

H. Thussen - vocals
W. Dassen - guitar
M. Degroot - keyboards
J. Sonneveld - bass
H. Vermellen - drums

EAST COAST (1988) [original Dutch CD]
.

SHARKS & WHALES - Reaped By Man (1988) rare

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

"Reaped By Man" is the only album from Norwegians SHARKS & WHALES, the first known recording by the later celebrated guitar shredder Mads Eriksen. But Sharks & Whales' style was Hi-Tech Lite AOR with the typical sound from European bands from the genre mixed with sweet Westcoast touches.

In many ways Sharks & Whales bring to mind country fellows Drama and I.C. Eyes, with some German touches from bands like Freiheit or Swedes Time Gallery / Fingerprints.
However, with two singers sharing the lead vocals and Eriksen providing great rhythm guitars, Sharks & Whales put a bit more uptempo kick into their melodic sound, as on the festive 'Sound Of Love', the moving 'Shine On Me', 'Republic Of The Night' (nice guitar solo) or the awesome 'Dreamer's Lane'.

SHARKS & WHALES - Reaped By Man (1988) back

Sharks & Whales'"Reaped By Man" was - and still is - one of the most sought after CD's from the '80s Norwegian scene, originally released in limited quantities and never reissued.
I have checked some recent bids at eBay and last month a copy was sold for U$D 260... go figure.
Mega Rare.

01 - Shine On Me
02 - Reaped By Man
03 - Just Goodbye
04 - Old Man Freedom
05 - Softly Call My Name
06 - Dreamer's Lane
07 - Republic Of The Night
08 - Modern Song
09 - You Are The One
10 - Sound Of Love

Vocals, Keyboards – Jon Bertil Myklebust, Ronny Skaar
Guitars – Mads Eriksen
Keyboards – Hans-Petter Isaksen
Bass – Ole Vaksdal
Drums, Percussion – Erik Bergesen
Ole Jakob Hystad, Pål Roseth, Arne Hjortland, Stein Roseth – Horns
Backing Vocals – Inger Johanne Haaland, Tone Kristin Ljøkelsøy
Production, add. Keyboards – Mick Parker

SHARKS & WHALES - Reaped By Man (1988)
.

AGE OF FAITH - Heart Of The Young (1992) front

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Smooth. This is the word which better fits AGE OF FAITH's second album "Heart Of The Young".
The band comprising Jimi Ray and Rick Harwell, both sharing lead vocals, playing some instruments and co-writing, was some kind of a CCM answer to Nelson.

The duo had a dream team for the album making, including talented Bill Baumgart (producing and playing) plus the great Dann Huff at charge of most guitars, brother David Huff on drums, Mike Brignardello (Giant) on bass, Bob Carlisle and many more.
Many tracks were co-written by guitarist Michael Hough (who also play on the record) ex- member of underrated melodic rockers The Creek
So expect great quality on all departments.

As noted before, Age Of Faith sounds a lot like Nelson. The joyful 'Change Your World', the uptempo rocker 'Stick To Your Guns' and especially the highly melodious 'I'm Ready (Walk On Water)' are from the same factory of Matthew & Gunnar.
There's very smooth ballads in 'When All Else Fails', 'Will I Find Love' and the acoustically based 'Someday', the latter, again with a strong Nelson feel.
Title track 'Heart Of The Young' is the more anthemic track with some White Heart on it (perhaps due Dann Huff's guitar work), while 'Over You' close the album with energetic crunch.

AGE OF FAITH - Heart Of The Young (1992) back

Age Of Faith is a fine melodic hard rock album from the smoother side of the of genre, really well produced and impeccably produced by Bill Baumgart.
Fans of Nelson, Tyketto, Giant and sweet rocking melodies in general will enjoy "Heart Of The Young" for sure.

01. Change Your World
02. I'm Ready (Walk On Water)
03. Will I Find Love
04. Stick To Your Guns
05. What She Needed Most
06. Heart Of The Young
07. Someday
08. Let The Hammer Fall
09. When All Else Fails
10. Over You

Jimi Ray: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Rick Harwell: Vocals, Keyboards
with
Guitars: Dann Huff, Michael Hough, Glen Pearce, Rick Elias
Bass: John Nicohlson, Mike Brignardello
Drums: David Huff, Julus Drummin, John Harwell
Keyboards: Bill Baumgart, Marc Hugenberger
Background Vocals: Bob Carlisle, Andy Chrisman, Carrie Hodge, Greg Barnhill
Produced by Bill Baumgart

AGE OF FAITH - Heart Of The Young 1992
.

LARRY LEE - Marooned [Japanese Blu-spec CD2 - remastered] (1982) front

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Founder member of Ozark Mountain Daredevils whom ejoyed some success during the Seventies, singer / songwriter LARRY LEE started his solo career at the beginning of the '80s when Ozark Mountain Daredevils disbanded.
Signed by Columbia / CBS, Larry Lee recorded his debut "Marooned" in 1982 featuring the whos' who from the now legendary LA Session scene.
Take note; Toto's David Hungate on bass, Ike Stubblefield, David Sanborn, great drummer Mike Baird and no other than the likes of Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Richard Page and Rosemary Butler (among others) contributing harmony vocals.

As you could imagine, "Marooned" is a breezy slice of classic US West Coast AOR with that lovely sound from the first half of the '80s.
The sweet 'Waiting To Let Go', the AOR waves of 'Don't Talk', the FM radio ready title track, the highly melodic 'Number One Girl' and of course the elegant ballad 'The Best Is Yet To Come' are all impregnated with exquisite instrumentation and the smooth vocals of Lee.

Produced with a pristine atmosphere by skilled John Ryan (Styx, Greg Guidry), "Marooned" is a wonderful album with a sound that defined an era.
The European / American edition featured a different cover artwork with a picture of Larry Lee at front, then the Asian release is much more fun and properly reflects the music inside.
This Japanese remastering on Blu-spec CD2 (Blu-ray technology) is a must.

01 - Waiting To Let Go
02 - Don't Talk
03 - Marooned
04 - The Best Is Yet To Come
05 - Number One Girl
06 - Satisfaction Guaranteed (I Could Give You Love)
07 - Only Seventeen
08 - Hollywood
09 - Just Another Girlfriend
10 - Hang On

Larry Lee: lead vocals
John Goin: guitars
David Hungate: bass
Nicky Hopkins: keyboards
Gabriel Katona, Ike Stubblefield: synths
David Sanborn: saxophone
Lenny Castro: percussion
Mike Baird: drums
David Campbell: orchestrations
Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Rosemary Butler, Vanetta Field, Maxyn Lewis, Richard Page, Rick Danko: backing vocals

LARRY LEE - Marooned [Japanese Blu-spec CD2 - remastered]
.

APRIL WINE - Walking Through Fire [remastered 2009] (1985)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Canadian rockers APRIL WINE never received the recognition they largely deserved. The band released a solid bunch of hard rockin' albums during the seventies. By 1984 April Wine technically already broken up, but they needed one more record to fulfill their record company contract.

So "Walking Through Fire" is essentially a bandleader / lead singer Myles Goodwyn solo album under the April Wine moniker. Still with guitarist Brian Greenway by his side and with three session musicians, the album was recorded in 1985 and released in the US, appearing in their native Canada the next year.
"Walking Through Fire" is a true exponent of the mid-Eighties commercial radio-friendly poppy AOR plenty of keyboards / synths, compressed drums and choruses larger than life.

We have wonderful AOR numbers as the superb "Wanted Dead Or Alive" (my absolute favorite) penned by talented Jeff Cannata, the magical "Hold On" and the Foreigner sounding "Love Has Remembered Me" (which was a minor hit single).
I always loved "Anejo". It does not features a guitar solo, buy a synth solo instead with a mysterious 'alien' feel. It's a great song, and pure '80s.
There's very good melodic rockers as well on the bouncy "Wait Any More", the urgent "Open Soul Surgery" written by Jim Vallance and sonically akin Loverboy, and the broken "All It Will Ever Be".

APRIL WINE - Walking Through Fire [remastered 2009] (1985) back cover

If you are a fan of real '80s AOR, "Walking Through Fire" is a must have in your collection.
This is remastered 2009 version (which sounds wonderful) released in Canada by Unidisc Music, also featured in the British BGO label The April Wine Collection 4 CD box set of the same year.

01 - Rock Myself To Sleep
02 - Wanted Dead Or Alive
03 - Beg For Your Life
04 - Love Has Remembered Me
05 - Anejo
06 - Open Soul Surgery
07 - You Don't Have To Act That Way
08 - Hold On
09 - All It Will Ever Be
10 - Wait Any More

Myles Goodwyn – vocals, guitars
Brian Greenway – guitars, vocals
Jean Pellerin – bass
Daniel Barbe – keyboards
Marty Simon – drums

APRIL WINE Walking Through Fire remastered
.

HERLAND - One Small Step (1995) + bonus full

Requested by a reader

HERLAND, a five-piece band from the U.S. Northeast (not Canadian as some websites say) is made up of the three Herland brothers Frank, Scott & John, all with many years of experience in the music business including radio, television and commercial recordings. They have supported over the years many major acts such as White Lion, LA Guns, Gary Cherone from Extreme, etc.

In the mid-Nineties the bros. released independently their self-produced debut “One Small Step”. Their style has many influences, mostly American Melodic Rock, with a guitar driven sound and pretty good vocal arrangements / harmonies.
“One Small Step” is a really cool album, but I don't understand the ridiculous prices (over $ 100) of this CD at Ebay. Surely because it's a collectors piece and out of print.

HERLAND - One Small Step (1995) + bonus - back

I have featured here on the blog several years ago a promo copy distributed before the official release. Now, as requested, here's the full “One Small Step” album, plus 3 extra tracks recorded by the band later.
Very Rare.

01 - Find Your Way
02 - Why-O-Why
03 - Swept Away
04 - Would You Be Mine Tonight
05 - Totally Used
06 - Sleepin' Beauty
07 - Let Me Know
08 - Take Your Time
09 - Stand In Your Way (bonus)
10 - She Says Lonely (bonus)
11 - Bleed (bonus)

John Herland - Lead & Back up vocals
Frank Herland - Keyboards, Guitar, Back up vocals
Scott Herland - Guitars, Back up vocals
Mike Fazio - Bass
Arthur Mambuca - Drums, Percussion

HERLAND - One Small Step (1995) + bonus
.

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Formed by family members, LITTERER rocked the South Dakota area during the '80s recording this "Rock This City" LP in 1987. It was released on a small label, but the band was truly professional.
Not only they had a great image, wardrobe, stage design, etc, but also (apart from being solid musicians and composing good songs) the production on this album is above the standard for an indie band.

Often compared with the first Danger Danger - perhaps due to Tom Litterer's similar vocal timbre to Ted Poley - to me their brand of melodic hard rock is more edgy (twin guitar attack) and they throw in some lovely Pomp AOR flourishes all over.
Indeed opener 'Ghost Town Park' sounds a bit like Danger Danger, but next title track 'Rock This City' is harder showing Litterer's bite, with some classy pompy keyboards all over.
'Lost In Time' has some Dokken on it, 'No More Lies' is more melodic, then midtempo ballad 'Romancing The Night' has more substance than the typical songs in this vein.

'Rock On Through The Night' delivers more hard rockin' (reminds me a Stryper song), mid-paced 'Broken Hearts' has a very cool guitar interplay, 'High Roller' indeed rolls with a good rhythm, and closer 'City Lights', starting with popmpy keys, develops into another effective Dokken-esque rocker.

Only released on vinyl, Litterer and this "Rock This City" are good examples of the extensive talent and huge amount of solid bands that flooded the US scene during the '80s.
Requested by a reader, I thought this was a fitting post to this blog as we needed some rocking stuff here. This is a 192Kbps vinyl-rip (not mine) but very well done, pretty clean.

01 - Ghost Town Park
02 - Rock This City
03 - Lost In Time
04 - No More Lies
05 - Romancing The Night
06 - Rock On Through The Night
07 - Broken Hearts
08 - High Roller
09 - City Lights

Steve Litterer - guitar, vocals
Dave Litterer - drums
Tom Litterer - bass, lead vocals
Carleen Litterer - keyboards, vocals
Brent Estlund - guitar, vocals

LITTERER - Rock This City (1987)
.

EDIN / ADAHL - Big Talk (1989) [Swedish reissue]

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Comprising a pair of brothers - Bertil & Lasse Edin / Frank & Simon Adahl - Swedish combo EDIN / ADAHL started as band in the late Seventies.
Their first self-titled album appeared in 1980 with Swedish lyrics and a poppy style plus some light progressive touches, but the band developed their sound to a West Coast feel in successive albums influenced by American bands from the genre.
Additionally, they started to record two album versions; in English and their native language.

EDIN / ADAHL was a band with a religious background, and with the raising popularity of CCM in America most of their albums - the English versions - were released in the USA.
The polished sound of the band plus the pristine record production - similar quality when compared to secular albums - gave EDIN / ADAHL a considerable success among American listeners.

Released in 1989, "Big Talk" is EDIN / ADAHL's more 'American' album, both in sound & songwriting style, and their strongest effort overall.
Here, the band feels focused, straight to a mainstream direction and with a pristine production to appeal US adult radio / charts.
Unfortunately, despite of being released in America by the biggest CCM label at the moment (Refuge), "Big Talk" suffered of poor distribution. Certainly, a pity, as most tracks own the potential to had become hits in the AC charts.

EDIN / ADAHL - Big Talk (1989) [Swedish reissue] back

Songs like the dynamic poppy opener 'Going Back', the catchy 'Wider Than The Ocean', the slightly hi-tech title track or the excellent ballad 'Lonely Without You' have a sound the easily could be compared with Mr. Mister or Chicago finest moments.
Very smooth vocals by Frank Adahl, stylish instrumentation and as said, top class production are the key of "Big Talk", a sure delight for fans of this genre.
This is a rip of the Swedish reissue from some years ago, not sure if remastered, but sounds fabulous.

01 - Going Back
02 - Missin' You
03 - Wider Than The Ocean
04 - Man Of The Street
05 - Big Talk
06 - Mystical Moments
07 - Write It On The Wall
08 - Utopia
09 - Lonely Without You

Frank Adahl - Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Simon Adahl - Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Bertil Edin - Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Lasse Edin - Keyboards, Vocals

EDIN / ADAHL - Big Talk (1989) [Swedish reissue]
.

TIMOTHY LEWIS - Listen To What I Say [unreleased] + The Offering EP

This material was requested some time ago and it's a true rarity. Finally I found it buried in my archives. I'm talking about vocalist TIMOTHY LEWIS' solo material, recorded for promotional use only.
Timothy Lewis started in the middle '80s as session vocalist, recording commercials and working as vocal coach. Meanwhile composed his own songs and was part of several bands.

All tracks on the CD "Listen To What I Say" were recorded during the Nineties, only distributed to management agencies, record labels, etc.
One copy ended in Mike Walsh's hands - founder of Melodic Rock / AOR group Departure - when the band was looking for a new frontman. Timothy Lewis then joined recording lead vocals & contributing songwriting to the really good album Corporate Wheel (2003) .

The songs on "Listen To What I Say" are lovely '80s AOR tunes with a melodic rock feel, very well recorded & produced despite of being promo material.
Lewis owns a terrific set of pipes with a wide range, really smooth, and with a color & style very much in the Steve Perry / Journey style.
One of the tracks ('Who Will Love This Child') is a demo recorded by Lewis around the era, also found in my vault.

As extra I added the EP recorded by Timothy Lewis in 2009 (less hair, same talent) alongside guitarist Andy Lucyshyn, musically more contemporary oriented with a strong CCM sentiment in the lyrics as both are part of a religious ministry.
The EP "The Offering" only was available as digital download.

This "Listen To What I Say" promotional CD was given personally by Lewis to a friend of mine (thanks troynew, where art thou?) and it's extremely rare. Some tracks surfaced on the now mythical & legendary Mp3.com (remember those days?) one of the pioneer websites from the beginning of Internet.
Collectors item.

Listen To What I Say (Promo CD 1999/2000)
01 - Listen To What I Say
02 - Feelin' That Way
03 - Young Dream
04 - Hold U 2 Night
05 - I Surrender
06 - That's How Love Goes
07 - Given So Much
08 - Haley
09 - Who Will Love This Child (bonus track)

The Offering EP (2009)
01 - All I Am
02 - You Are Saved
03 - Never Alone
04 - Let Go
05 - Hold Me Close To You

TIMOTHY LEWIS Listen To What I Say [unreleased]
.

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Guitarist / vocalist JIMI GOARE still performs to this day as solo artist, being a busy session musician during the '80s and fronted the really good band The Affair the next decade releasing strong albums.
In between sessions, Goare recorded many of his own songs and all appeared on this "The Age Of Grace" in 2007, but in fact this material was taped in 1986 / 1988 and some in the early Nineties.

With a quite good production and exquisite arrangements the songs here are plenty of delicate melodies akin Toto, Michael Thompson Band and on the ballads, first era Richard Marx (listen 'My Islands').
Goare's clean guitar licks will remind you Steve Lukather for sure, and vocally, he owns a smooth register. Other singer take the lead vocals on a couple of tracks (like on the '80s AOR of 'Bernadeane') providing more variation to the album.

Despite this is a collection of songs from various periods, all sound quite homogeneous and with a classy '80s AOR feel all over.
Sweet.

01 - Miranda
02 - Weight Of The World
03 - What You Mean To Me
04 - My Islands
05 - Bernadeane
06 - Tonight
07 - The Old Brown Chair
08 - The End Of The Road
09 - Top Of The Hill
10 - Monolith
11 - Suspicious (bonus track)
12 - Rock This Way (bonus track)
13 - Bernadeane (extended version)

Tony Newman: keyboards, bass guitar
Kevin Nevius: keyboards
Steve Edwards: bass guitar
David Breaston: drums
Brett Hardin: keyboards, drums, lead vocals on 2 & 7
Wilbur Strutt: lead vocals on 5 & 6
Infinity: backing vocals on 3
Erica Moening, Shirley Whitt: backing vocals
Jimi Goare: guitars, keyboards, bass, lead vocals on 1, 3, 4, 8 & 10

JIMI GOARE - The Age Of Grace
.

EDEN - Fan The Flame (1994) [remastered]

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

"Fan The Flame" was the debut - and as far I know sole release - by Americans EDEN. Founded by quite solid & melodic vocalist Joe Dokken in the early Nineties, the band play here classic second half of the '80s US Hard Rock.
Although Joe Dokken is not related to the famous Don, the music of Eden has many points in common with Dokken, but also Tesla or WhiteCross, and I mention the latter because all the guitars on "Fan The Flame" were performed by Rex Carroll from WhiteCross.
So expect sharp riffs and some flashy solos in the vein of Ratt's Warren DeMartini, George Lynch or even Van Halen, as Carroll - truly underrated 6-string shredder - comes from the same school.

The album was recorded previously to Eden's definitive line-up, so this is basically Joe Dokken & Carroll with some session musicians, not the one listed in the liner notes (check below for personnel on the recording).
There's very cool rockers with melody such as 'Morning Star', 'Show Me', the great 'Forgotten Child' (some Queensryche on it), 'It’s A Shame', and the bluesy 'Tomorrow’s Yesterday', more straight hard rock on 'Back To The Garden' and closer 'Love Rolls On', and a stunning power ballad in title track 'Fan The Flame'.

EDEN - Fan The Flame (1994) [remastered] back

"Fan The Flame" was originally released in 1994 independently by the band in very limited copies.
Fortunately it was reissued by Retroactive Records in 2003 - the one featured here - digitally remastered with new cover artwork. Also it was re-released in 2008 by a British label under the band's original moniker, Scream In Eden, re-titled Original Sin and again, updated artwork and different song sequence.
Rare

01 - Need Somebody
02 - Show Me
03 - Morning Star
04 - Fan The Flame
05 - Tomorrow's Yesterday
06 - Forgotten Child
07 - Give Me A Reason
08 - It's A Shame
09 - Back To The Garden
10 - Love Rolls On

Joe Dokken - Lead Vocals
Rex Carroll - Guitars
Phil Medeira - Keyboards
Mark Robertson - Bass
Brian Wirt - Drums

EDEN - Fan The Flame (1994) [remastered]
.

Requested by one of you...

20/20 BLIND were an underground band based in Houston, TX, and I said underground mostly because they were playing American Hard Rock in the second half of the '90s, an era when the genre and 'hooks' were almost a bad word.
The band had a CCM background, hence it's not strange that Benson Music Group accepted to distribute their debut album "Never Far" released in 1994.

20/20 BLIND style is US Hard Rock with the trademark sound from bands of this ilk circa 1991/92, especially the guitars, where still retaining the melody and catchiness from the '80s, added more thickness to the riffs.
There's steady tracks here like 'Show Each Other Love', 'Washed', the melodic 'Do I', the acoustically filled title track 'Never Far' and the heavier closer 'Sleepyland'.
They do as well a nice semi-ballad on 'Love Keeps Me Reaching', more melodic hard rock oriented.

"Never Far" is a nice and quite unknown record, nothing ground-breaking but pretty solid and especially very well produced for the genre / era with Brian Garcia (Galactic Cowboys) behind the desk. Throw me a pile of stones but I found 20/20 BLIND sound similar to Blue Murder / John Sykes solo around the same year, and some Extreme also.

01 - Wash
02 - Soul Song
03 - Love Keeps Reaching
04 - I Am Blind
05 - Do I
06 - Easier Way
07 - Never Far
08 - Show Each Other Love
09 - Only Hope
10 - Sleepyland

Wallace Chase: Lead Vocals
Doug Middleton: Guitars, Backing Vocals
Mike McNeely: Guitars, Backing Vocals
Schon Alkire: Bass, Backing Vocals
Chris Laurents: Drums, Backing Vocals
Phil Beck: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Charles Powell: Backing Vocals

20/20 BLIND - Never Far
.

LIGHT MELLOW - AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan] (2000)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

"Light Mellow" is a compilation series assembled by various Japanese labels featuring artists from their back catalog all revolving around smooth AOR / West Coast music.
So there's Light Mellow compilations made by Warner Bros Japan, BMG Japan, Universal Japan, etc, but I think the best of all it's the first appeared in 2000, initiated by specialized AOR label Cool Sound, a little company legendary for their pristine remasters of long forgotten albums.

That first CD was titled "LIGHT MELLOW: AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan version]", including some hard to find true gems for the first time on CD, remastered, plus a couple of previously unreleased tracks.
Among the great artists featured here we have Sneaker, Heat, Paul Bliss, Bruce Gaitsch feat. Jason Scheff, King Of Hearts (Tommy Funderburk), Joseph Williams and Tony Scuito with his classic 'Island Nights' but in its impossible to find Alternate Mix.

However the real pearls on this release are the 2 previously unreleased tracks: one being 'Heart Don't Change My Mind' by master Robbie Buchanan featuring the awesome lead vocals of the late Warren Wiebe, and Greg Guidry's 'Goin' Down' in a newly re-recorded version of this tune exclusive to this CD.

LIGHT MELLOW - AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan] (2000) back

Of course out of print now, "LIGHT MELLOW: AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan version]" is a much sought after album not only for its quality and collectors item status, but mostly because the CD was strictly prohibited to be sold to foreign customers due legal reasons.
Smooth stuff of the highest quality. Rare.

01 - Heat
Don't You Walk Away
02 - Bruce Hibbard
Never Turnin' Back
03 - Rosie feat. Lynn Pitney
There's a Song In It Somewhere
04 - Robbie Buchannan (feat. Warren Wiebe)
Heart Don't Change My Mind
05 - Greg Guidry
Goin' Down
06 - David Diggs
Lonely Weekend
07 - Paul Bliss
How Do I Survive
08 - Tony Scuito
Island Nights (Alternate Mix)
09 - David Lasley
You Bring Me Joy
10 - Sibling Revelry
Consider the Greatest Love
11 - Kazu Matsui Project
Is That the Way to Your Heart
12 - Bruce Gaitsch feat. Jason Scheff
Letting Go
13 - Michael Gonzales
Love is Forever
14 - Sneaker
Did You Order One
15 - Joseph Williams
I Didn't Do It
16 - King Of Hearts
Lovin' Arms

LIGHT MELLOW AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan]
.

From now, all request & fills goes in this post Comments.
If you need an album or a single track, request it here, if you have it, be kind with other readers, upload the file and post the link here as well.
Access to this page will be placed at the right column ------>
(the "CLICK HERE" neon sign)
It will be opened in a new window.

Check this section regularly.
You'll find many albums uploaded by readers, not present on the main blog ...

Help each other people!

and don't forget to check out ARCHIVES:

ARCHIVES PART 14

ARCHIVES PART 15

ARCHIVES PART 16

ARCHIVES PART 17

ARCHIVES PART 18

take a deep look at the end of each part...

.

Guitarist and vocalist PATRICK SIMMONS has been The Doobie Brothers' only consistent member throughout their career.
In 1983 Pat released his first solo album "Arcade", pretty away in terms of sound from the Doobie's, much more commercial with the typical '80s rhythms.

Co-produced by John Ryan (Styx) and Ted Templeman (Michael McDonald, Van Halen), "Arcade" counted with invaluable contribution of the great Chris Thompson co-writing four tracks and doing more than back-up vocals.
With top session musicians such as Mike Baird, Leland Sklar or John Elefante (just check personnel), "Arcade" includes lovable radio friendly tunes like the uptempo poppy AOR "Out On The Streets" and "Don't Make Me Do It".
Although the top-ten first single "So Wrong" is definitely pop (and a good one) and also had an extended dance version, this is the only track in this style on the album.

The beautiful Doobie Brothers influenced "Why You Givin' Up" is the first song in the tracklist leaning into Westcoast territory, as later the soft "Have You Seen Her" is in a true Michael McDonald style with good orchestrations, while "Sue Sad" has that classic L.A. Session flavor.
The uptempo AOR "Knocking At Your Door" (penned by Andy Fraser) reminds us that Simmons can rock good, and the melodic "Dream About Me" sports a memorable refrain and melody.

I always loved the true '80s "Arcade" sound and style, and this remastered CD reissue really hits home (courtesy of my good friend Nitderock).
Funnily enough, this CD reissue by a US label came to avoid the expensive Japanese-only digital version of this album, but it was pressed in limited quantities and now fetches around $150 on auction sites.
Pure Eighties sound. Guaranteed.

01 - Out On The Streets
02 - So Wrong
03 - Don't Make Me Do It
04 - Why You Givin' Up
05 - Too Long
06 - Knocking At Your Door
07 - If You Want A Little Love
08 - Have You Seen Her?
09 - Sue Sad
10 - Dream About Me

Patrick Simmons: Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitars
Chris Thompson: Lead & Backing Vocals
Michael McDonald: Keyboards, Synths, Backing Vocals
John McFee, Jeff Baxter: Lead Guitar
Alan Pasqua: Keyboards
Patrick Henderson: Organ
Jude Cole: Guitars
Leland "Lee" Sklar, Dennis Belfield: Bass
Bill Payne: Fender Rhodes
David Campbell: Strings Arrangements
Victor Feldman: Percussion
Mike Baird, Rick Shlosser: Drums
John Elefante, David Pack, Jeff Wilson: Backing vocals
and many more...

PATRICK SIMMONS - Arcade [remastered CD reissue]
.

FEE WAYBILL - Read My Lips [remastered] (1984)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Frontman of melodic power-pop wonders The Tubes, FEE WAYBILL recorded in 1984 his first solo album "Read My Lips", much more AOR oriented than his main band.
While The Tubes already flirted with radio-friendly AOR on their excellent '83 album, Waybill definitely turn things in that direction here, spiced with touch of smooth of LA West Coast.

Many called this "Read My Lips" as a 'missing Toto album', as the overall sound & style here are in the vein of Isolation or Fahrenheit. Not strange, as Steve Lukather co-wrote most the songs and play here alongside the Toto crew including Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro and Bobby Kimball contributing backing vocals.
But also top 'cats' like David Foster, Mike Landau, Paul Jackson, Jr., Jerry Marotta, Michael Boddicker, Bill Champlin, Tom Keane and Richard Marx (also involved in songwriting)... as you see, an AOR dream-team.
Although the poppy 'Who Said Life Would Be Pretty' is not exactly my cup of tea, the rest of the material is like a delicious cherry pie for '80s suckers.

Just check the punchy, guitar driven numbers such as the title track, the flamboyant and quite heavy 'Thrill Of The Kill', or the killer 'Saved My Life' (my favorite), mixed with the dynamic 'Nobodys Perfect', the slightly funky 'Who Loves You Baby' (very Toto-ish) and the superb power ballad 'I Don't Even Know Your Name', again with a Toto feel.
More in a West Coast trait yet plenty of AOR there's 'Caribbean Sunsets', a terrific tune akin Player / Toto and where you can hear David Foster's touch and Lukather in its full potential, then the elegant 'I Could've Been Somebody' closes this really good album.

FEE WAYBILL - Read My Lips [remastered] (1984) back

Despite its horrible cover artwork, Fee Waybill's "Read My Lips" packs inside some of the finest AOR / musicianship you could find in any '80s record. Great songs co-written by the likes of Lukather, David Foster, Richard Marx, etc provide varied material, you have top notch performances by the who's who in the genre, and production is huge.
This BGO remastered edition sounds million bucks.

01 - You're Still Laughing
02 - Nobody's Perfect
03 - Who Loves You Baby
04 - I Don't Even Know Your Name
05 - Who Said Life Would Be Pretty
06 - Thrill Of The Kill
07 - Saved My Life
08 - Carribean Sunsets
09 - Star Or The Show
10 - I Could've Been Somebody

Fee Waybill - vocals
Steve Lukather, Mike Landau, Paul Jackson, Jr - guitars
David Foster - keyboards, backing vocals
Michael Boddicker, Erich Bulling - keyboards
Steve Porcaro - keyboards, synthesizers
Tom Keane - keyboards, backing vocals
Larry Klein - bass
Jeff Porcaro, Jerry Marotta, Tris Imboden, JR Robinson - drums
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Humberto Gatica - percussion overdub
Larry Williams, Marc Russo, Gary Grant - horns
Richard Marx, Bill Champlin, Bobby Kimball - backing vocals

FEE WAYBILL - Read My Lips [remastered]
.

PETER FRAMPTON - Breaking All The Rules [remastered]

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

"Breaking All The Rules" always has been PETER FRAMPTON's lesser known / heard album in part due to the record company clumsiness to properly promote the record and because Frampton indeed broke some rules here; he decided to make a rocking LP instead a Top 20 hit generator.
Of course there's a brilliant sweet melody in the slow, touching 'Going To L.A.' which should have been a hit in the charts, but most the material here rocks, and pretty hard.

For this matter Frampton enlisted a terrific back-up band including the half of Toto; Steve Lukather & Jeff Porcaro.
Lukather trade some killer licks with Frampton (the title track is awesome) but also contributing with his trademark, distinctive rhythm guitar, while Porcaro provide his unique 'groove-touch' all over the recording.

A proof of the guitar driven nature of this album is opener 'Dig What I Say', starting the record in a rocking mood with solos all over it, something unusual for a Frampton release. Here he also uses guitar synth to good effect.
The cover of 'I Don't Wanna Let You Go' is done in an absolutely classic Frampton vein but even here the guitar swirls like never before. Check Porcaro's hi-hat fills here, a master in this game.

Written by the Alessi Bros 'Rise Up' is another tune with a hit potential, there's an elegant midtempo on 'Wasting The Night Away', a rocky version of the classic 'Friday On My Mind' (also done by Gary Moore), while 'Lost A Part Of You' is the ballad on the album with some hints to Frampton's biggest hit I'm In You.

PETER FRAMPTON - Breaking All The Rules [remastered] (1981) back

For the end we have the aforementioned title track 'Breaking All The Rules', a seven minute tour de force plenty of killer riffs, a melodic verse and a superb Frampton / Lukather duel in an almost hard rocking piece.

This is the 2005 release of the album for the first time on CD, and there's has been some controversy about the 'remastering' statement.
Obviously you need to digitally master the original analog tapes for a digital transfer, but that's not necessarily a re-mastering. I have read in some audiophile forums some people arguing the album was digitized 'as it is', some saying it was indeed re-mastered.
To my ears, this hard-to-find 2005 CD edition of 'Breaking All The Rules' has been re-mastered, with some 'air' added to the sonic atmosphere, but overall preserving the original feel of the LP.
Anyway, this baby rock, and rocks good.

01 - Dig What I Say
02 - I Don't Wanna Let You Go
03 - Rise Up
04 - Wasting The Night Away
05 - Going To L.A.
06 - You Kill Me
07 - Friday On My Mind
08 - Lost A Part Of You
09 - Breaking All The Rules

Peter Frampton - vocals, guitar, keyboards, guitar synthesizer
Steve Lukather - guitar, background vocals
Jeff Porcaro - drums
John Regan - bass guitar
Arthur Stead - keyboards, background vocals
Ed Mantleone - add. guitar

PETER FRAMPTON - Breaking All The Rules [remastered]
.

Canadian singer-songwriter, session musician and record producer, MARC JORDAN won the '94 'Best Producer Juno Award' (equivalent to Grammy), and has worked with the likes of Jay Graydon, Rod Stewart, Cher, Stan Bush, etc.
So as you could imagine, he's a sound perfectionist, and this "Talking Through Pictures" released in the second halg of the '80s is not an exception, immaculately produced and recorded.

"Talking Through Pictures" isn't strictly an AOR album, nor Westcoast or rock&pop, but all at the same time. How is that? The man has rounded a heterogeneous set of songs/styles, ranging from Hi-Tech, Lite AOR and WestCoast, but none in the traditional mood.
Atypical songwriting and concept, varied, and sometimes complex to keep you interested.

To give you an idea, this recording reminds me of Trevor Rabin's '80s works, solo and alongside with YES Big Genereator era - not strange 'cos Trevor plays guitars, keyboards and who knows what else here. Listen 'Seek And You Shall Find' and then tell me.
You have also other great session cats like guitar master Michael Landau, Tony Berg, super pump bass-man Stu Hamm, Stan Bush, Timothy B. Schmit, etc.
Does not 'Inside The Glass Bead' sounds a bit like an Alan Parsons mid-Eighties song? Oh yes. But all this is crafted with an elegant 'lite Aorish feel' and all kind of keyboards here and there (again; not in the traditional way).

Marc Jordan's "Talking Through Pictures" is a quite unknown album, at least from his discography, a pretty different from the usual hyped material posted here, something to refresh your ears.
There has been a recent digital reissue by a so-called Legacy Recordings, but it's poorly transferred from a dubious source. This Japanese edition appeared in 1991 it's the real deal.

01 - This Independance
02 - Kensington Garden
03 - Catch the Moon
04 - I Ching
05 - Talking Through Pictures
06 - Soldier of Fortune
07 - Seek And You Shall Find
08 - Inside The Glass Bead
09 - Human Race
10 - I Was Your Fool

Marc Jordan: Vocals, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Trevor Rabin: Guitar, Keyboards
Michael Landau, Tony Berg : Guitar
Stu Hamm: Bass
Tony Braunagel: Drums
Stan Bush, Timothy B. Schmit, Graham Nash: Backing Vocals
and many more...

MARC JORDAN Talking Through Pictures [Japan edition '91] (1987)
.

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Hailing from an unusual US state for rock music, the Livingston, Montana based trio THE MAX was founded by brothers Kyle & John Brenner in the mid-Eighties.
The group is still active playing basically covers in clubs and weddings, but between '88/'92 they faced crowds as large as 80,000 opening for major acts such as Styx, REO Speedwagon or The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

In 1989 The Max released their first album "Shadows In The Shade" via a small Canadian label.
There's not much info in the CD booklet (in fact; zero) but the band managed to obtain a superb sound from their own written tracks. Seriously, the production is on par with any of the big-budget from the era.
The Max plays here a very nice collection of lovely AOR / Melodic Rock tunes with a radio commercial approach, sometimes poppy, sometimes rockier, including a couple of ballads.
The best track for me is the pure AOR title track "Shadows In The Shade", complete with lots of synths, a strong guitar riff and a cool chorus.
But the rest of the songs offer high quality melodies in the vein of The Outfield, 8084, Glass Tiger or Fahrenheit, with really good vocals and musicianship.

THE MAX - Shadows In The Shade (1989) back cover

THE MAX - Shadows In The Shade (1989) back cover

"Shadows In The Shade" is a pleasant listen from start to finish, with fine songs and excellent production.
The album was re-issued not so long ago by a retro label but on a cheap CD-R. This a high quality rip done by my friend totalaor (I miss you man) from the original CD press, including artwork.
Very Rare. Recommended music.

01 - You're Sorry
02 - Western World
03 - Shadows In The Shade
04 - Hardly Walking
05 - Got What I Wanted
06 - The Only Thing
07 - Shake The Chill
08 - Where Pride Runs Deep
09 - Hand In Hand

Kyle Brenner Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Eddie White Bass, Vocals
John Brenner Drums, Keyboards, Vocals

THE MAX - Shadows In The Shade HERE
.

WAKEFIELD - Wakefiled (1985)

EAST COAST - East Coast (1988) [original Dutch CD]

SHARKS & WHALES - Reaped By Man (1988)

AGE OF FAITH - Heart Of The Young (1992)

LARRY LEE - Marooned [Japanese Blu-spec CD2 - remastered] (1982)

APRIL WINE - Walking Through Fire [remastered 2009] (1985)

HERLAND - One Small Step (1995) + bonus

LITTERER - Rock This City (1987)

EDIN / ADAHL - Big Talk (1989) [Swedish reissue]

TIMOTHY LEWIS - Listen To What I Say [unreleased] + The Offering EP

JIMI GOARE - The Age Of Grace (2007)

EDEN - Fan The Flame (1994) [remastered]

20/20 BLIND - Never Far (1994)

LIGHT MELLOW - AOR Groovin'& Breezin' [Cool Sound Japan] (2000)

REQUEST & FILL CORNER 19

PATRICK SIMMONS - Arcade [remastered CD reissue] (1983)

FEE WAYBILL - Read My Lips [remastered] (1984)

PETER FRAMPTON - Breaking All The Rules [remastered] (1981)

MARC JORDAN - Talking Through Pictures [Japan edition '91] (1987)

THE MAX - Shadows In The Shade (1989)