Hard Rock / AOR Heaven

ANGRY ANDERSON - Blood From Stone (1990)

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

Frontman of Aussie hard rockers Rose Tattoo, in the secod half of the '80s ANGRY ANDERSON embarked himself into a solo career. In fact, the great 1986's album Beats From A Single Drum, although released under the Rose Tattoo moniker, was an Anderson own record.
For his second solo album, this "Blood From Stone" appeared in 1990, Anderson hired the services of talented Mike Slamer (Streets, City Boy, Seventh Key) not only to produce, but also play on the record and manage the overall project.

The result was a punchy Melodic Hard Rock album with ballsy AOR moments wrapped by a glossy production and a bright sound. Slamer turned Anderson's usually raspy throat into a clean and polished vocal delivery, and the the album simply rocks but with melodies galore.

There's hooky rockers like ‘Bound For Glory’, ‘Heaven’, and the pretty Americanized ‘Wild Boys’, but also melodic rockers sometimes bordering AOR like in the intense 'Fire And Water' or the groovy 'Bad Days'.
'Born Survivor' is pure melodic rock, and we find a L.A. sounding cover of Steppenwolf's classic 'Born To Be Wild'
You can hear Mike Slamer's master touch on the arrangements, always focused in a main melody although never losing the grip and the rockin' attack.

ANGRY ANDERSON - Blood From Stone (1990) back

There were rumors back in the day that "Blood From Stone" would be released by major label Atlantic in the USA but the deal never crystallized. Hence, despite of being appeared in Europe via Music For Nations this CD is pretty hard to find.
A cool rocking album plenty of melody and hooks.

01 - Bound For Glory
02 - Wild Boys
03 - Heaven
04 - Stone Cold
05 - Fire And Water
06 - Born Survivor
07 - Motorbike Song
08 - Love From Ashes
09 - Born To Be Wild
10 - Bad Days

Angry Anderson: vocals
Mike Slamer: guitar, keyboards, production
Slice Rhammel, Mirke Leams: guitar
Leachim Armsel, Andy Cichon: bass
Tim Gehrt: drums

ANGRY ANDERSON Blood From Stone (1990)
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SLASH PUPPET - No Strings Attached '89 - front

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

SLASH PUPPET were one of those bands arriving too late into the Melodic Hard Rock scene, thus, never made it big. But their musical quality was on par with any major North American '80s band in this genre.
This Canadian 5-piece made a name in the Toronto area with some energetic shows. The band recorded 8 songs and put 'em on cassette only, with the 2,500 copies sold out soon. Titled "No Strings Attached" bust mostly known as "The Demo", it was in fact a vehicle created to get signed by a recording label.

That never happened but Slash Puppet gained better exposure (also helped by a video featured on MuchMusic channel) and secured many gigs in the US. "No Strings Attached" / "The Demo" was a collectors piece until in 2007 Australian label SunCity Records remastered the original tape and released the album for the first time on CD. Despite of being a self-financed recording, the sound quality is pretty good.

By 1993 Slash Puppet released their first 'official' CD via small label Fringe, in fact an EP simply titled "Slash Puppet" quite well produced & recorded. But with the musical climate drastically changing, the band split next year.

And, what's Slash Puppet sound & style?
On both recordings, the band keeps faithful to classic second half of the '80s L.A. fancy Melodic Hard Rock with a touch of glam. Many references come to mind ranging from Britny Fox, Ratt or Autograph to country-fellas Sven Gali (Canada's answer to Skid Row).
There's punchy, energetic but a the same time melodic and polished rockers in 'Slow Down' (also re-done for the EP), the groovy midtempo 'Squeeze It In', the sexy 'Hard On Love' or the hook-filled 'Evil Woman' with a sound akin Autograph's catchiness.

SLASH PUPPET - No Strings Attached '89 - back

'Some Kind O' Lady' is among my favorites, the kind of songs that made this genre so great including clean guitars mixed with distorted, a Dokken-esque riff, lots of harmony vocals and an overall Skid Row sonic vibe. Also power ballad 'Eyes Of A Child' has great atmospheres, and the Tesla-like bluesy 'Hitch A Ride (On A Train)' provide more variation.
All Slash Puppet members contributed banking vocals all over (not only during the choruses) resulting in a highly harmonized material and very melodious.
"No Strings Attached"& "Slash Puppet" are really good albums, quality musicians and quality songs.

No Strings Attached '89
1 - Slow Down
2 - Squeeze It In
3 - Hard On Love
4 - Bad Girls
5 - Turn It On
6 - Evil Woman
7 - Some Kind O' Lady
8 - Overload

Slash Puppet '93
1 - When The Whip Comes Down
2 - Rippin' On A Wishbone
3 - Eyes Of A Child
4 - Stop Tellin' Me Lies
5 - Hitch A Ride (On A Train)
6 - Slowdown

Anthony 'Mif' Mifsud: lead vocals
Frank Bartoletti: guitars, backing vocals
Lou Garscadden: guitars, backing vocals
Pete Dove, Dave Carreiro: bass, backing vocals
Franklin Wyles: drums, percussion, backing vocals

SLASH PUPPET No Strings Attached + 1993 EP
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JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES - Aces (1983) front

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

"Aces", the only official LP by JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES is a delicious album plenty of ditty melodic tunes quite unknown by the Melodic Rock fans out there.
Koslen was part of the original Michael Stanley Band and later formed another interesting group named Breathless, releasing two strong albums which unfortunately went unnoticed. The band broke-up in 1981 and Koslen decided to create his own band, an take the total control song-wise / musically.

Koslen assembled a band - The Heroes - featuring very good musicians including future Michael Stanley Band guitarist Danny Powers, and keyboardist Dennis Lewin who later would create the cult AOR band Beau Coup.
Koslen & The Heroes taped a bunch of songs for a debut release. But in the early '80s ain't was easy to get a record contract in the overcrowded US scene, and the recorded songs were shelved.
All this material was released in 2001 by Koslen himself under the title 'Orange' (featured here as bonus).

JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES Orange (1982-2001) back

But the point of interest here is "Aces", the album recorded in 1983 by Jonah Koslen & The Heroes after a deal with the small indie label Ransom.
There was a slightly line-up change but what remained intact was Koslen's penchant for instant, short melodic songs with the poppy, light AOR / FM Radio oriented sound so typical from the first half of the '80s.

JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES - Aces (1983) back

There's nothing revolutionary here, just fun, melodic tunes ready for the Summer.
None of the two Jonah Koslen & The Heroes albums were released on CD, so this is a vinyl-rip with audio restored by me.

Aces (1983)
01 - Say I'm The One
02 - Wanted
03 - Try Baby Try
04 - Aces
05 - Sundown
06 - Lost Without Her Love
07 - Do It All Again
08 - Worthy Of Your Love
09 - No Way To Know

Jonah Koslen - vocals, guitars
Dennis Lewin - keyboards
Bill March - bass, backing vocals
Don Krueger - drums

Orange (recorded 1982 / released 2001)
01 - Hunting The Dragon
02 - Dreaming My Life Away
03 - Here Comes The Hurt
04 - Here In My Baby's Arms
05 - Radio Heart
06 - Love Made The Difference
07 - Love You For Who You Are
08 - Working The Night Shift
09 - Do It All Again
10 - Face The Morning
11 - Dr. Rock (bonus track)

Jonah Koslen - lead vocals, guitar
Danny Powers - lead guitar, vocals
Eddie Pecchio - bass, vocals
Dennis Lewin - keyboards, vocals
Don Krueger - drums, vocals
Jennifer Lee - additional vocals

JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES - Aces (1983) / Orange (1982-2001)
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PUSH (Denmark) - On The Run [Japanese Edition +2] (2000) front

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

Formed during the mid-Nineties in Copenhagen, Denmark, and cooking an '80s melodic hard rock recipe when all were opting for alternative, dreary grunge sounds, that decade PUSH was one of best exponents from the genre.
Fronted by vocalist and songwriter Martie Peters the aim was to bring back the good 'ol days of feeling-good rock ‘n roll. And Push succeeded.

The band toured all over Europe, and after two solid albums Push recorded this "On The Run" at the end of '99, to me, their best album. Here the band mix their more hard rockin' approach from the previous albums with a strong dose of melody.
'Waitin' In Line' should be one of the best melodic hard rock tunes appeared in the '90s, there's a happy urgency on the title track, the punchy 'Too Late' is one of my favorites, and 'Believe In Love' with its soaring chorus is another winner.

Push sound & style always has been compared with White Lion, and it's true mostly due to Martie Peters' vocal tone very similar to Mike Tramp and their subtle Danish accents.
It's no secret that Tramp has been a big influence as well as a friend to Peters. In fact, Peters even contributed background vocals on the 'Remembering White Lion' album.

But "On The Run" has its own identity, and is plenty of highly enjoyable songs.
This Japanese Edition features not one but two bonus tracks; the extremely melodic 'Just A Man' and the more hard rocking, guitar driven 'Black Candles'.

PUSH (Denmark) - On The Run [Japanese Edition +2] (2000) back

This one was that kind of records that put a smile on everyone's melodic hard rock faces again in an era when people were claiming for fun rock 'n roll again. Push could've been huge if this album would have been released twelve years earlier.
It's catchy, melodic and really well produced. And Rocks.

01 - On The Run
02 - Waitin' In Line
03 - Too Late
04 - Broken Down
05 - One Reason
06 - Believe In Love
07 - Jokerman
08 - Changes
09 - Never Too Loud
10 - Better Late Than Never
11 - Miracles
12 - Just A Man (Japan Bonus Track)
13 - Black Candles (Japan Bonus Track)

Martie Peters: vocals, acoustic guitar
Kasper Sogreen: bass
Martin DaRic: guitars
Tommy Adler: drums, percussion
with:
Martin Slott: additional guitars
Morten Plenge: additional drums
Stevi Tee: backing vocals
Anthony Lledo: strings, synthesizers

PUSH - On The Run [Japanese Edition +2] (2000)
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EARL VALENTINE - Night Blindness (1987) front

Today let's take a listen to this obscure yet quite awesome private LP. Established in Stamford, Connecticut, EARL VALENTINE was founded by Earl M. Valentine at the end of the Seventies with the group releasing their debut in 1980, a really nice Pomp-rock effort.
Earl Valentine (the band) continued active touring the East Coast and after several line-up changes over the years the band started the recording of this "Night Blindness" in 1986.

With another CT native producing, engineering & mixing - the then young Earl Cohen now famous for his work with Lady Gaga - "Night Blindness" was released in 1987 via EMV Records (Earl M. Valentine own label).
Since the first bits of opener "These Kids Yesterday / These Kids Today" you can tell EARL VALENTINE not only showcases an impressive musicianship but also a quite original sound.
This is melodic hard rock with a clear American vibe, but Earl & Co. inject a wonderful Pomp AOR dose to the proceedings.

There's some Beau Coup on "Rock And Roll Star", some Bryan Hughes Group "You're The One I'm Dreaming Of" or some Brian McDonald in "Can't Keep A Good Man Down", but overall, EARL VALENTINE remind me of Giuffria.
The strong use of keyboards, that 'harmonic' guitar and Earl's vocal timbre reminiscent of David Glen Eisley makes the band and this album very Giuffria-esque. Just listen "Looking Out My Window"...

Earl Valentine released a final album in 1990 but more Adult Contemporary oriented, however there's various demos / unreleased tracks in an awesome AOR style that perhaps I will present here someday.

A very rare '80s private press, EARL VALENTINE's "Night Blindness" is an AOR collectors piece.
There's a poor sounding file floating the web obviously copied from cassette, but this is a pretty good vinyl-LP rip cleaned / restored by me.
Rarities not always guarantee quality, but this is a little unknown gem that turns better and better with each listen.
You'll love it.

01 - These Kids Yesterday / These Kids Today
02 - Rock And Roll Star
03 - You're The One I'm Dreaming Of
04 - See The Man He's On The Run Again
05 - Night Blindness
06 - Looking Out My Window
07 - Stop
08 - Can't Keep A Good Man Down
09 - Power Surge

EARL VALENTINE - Night Blindness
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DUGAN McNEILL - In The Velvet Night (1989) front

This is a request from a post originally featured here more than 7 years ago

To complement Chameleon's discography here's vocalist & bass player DUGAN McNEILL solo album "In The Velvet Night". The record was gestated four years after Chameleon split, so the musical orientation chosen by McNeill is pretty far removed from early '80s light AOR vein of his former band.

To be clear, "In The Velvet Night" is 'adult rock & pop' material with contemporary AOR traces in a style according to the era. Think 88-92 Canadian sound, like Glass Tiger or Bryan Hughes Group (Beau Geste) then add some English styling and a hi-tech stamp on some songs.

DUGAN McNEILL - In The Velvet Night (1989) back

"Stranger Than Paradise", "There Goes My Heart Again" and specially "Love You Today" are the highlights for me, elegant tunes with a nice atmosphere and McNeill smooth vocals.
A fine, pretty unknown album.

01 - Walls Come Down
02 - Israeltown
03 - Stranger Than Paradise
04 - Eyes Of A Child
05 - Take A Chance
06 - There Goes My Heart Again
07 - Ghost On The Radio
08 - I Will Be There
09 - Love You Today

Dugan McNeill: vocals,bass, guitar, keyboards
Donny Paulson: guitar
Dik Shopteau: bass, guitar
Kurt Barkdull: drums, percussion
Charlie Adams: drums, percussion
Stephanie Eubanks: backing vocals
Yanni: keyboards (uncredited)

DUGAN McNEILL - In The Velvet Night (1989)
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EARL VALENTINE - Danger Zone (The Unreleased Album) front

As promised in the previous EARL VALENTINE post, here's the unreleased stuff the band recorded during the '80s. None of these tracks appeared on any Earl Valentine albums.
Earl Valentine as band released 3 LP: their debut in 1980, the featured on the blog Night Blindness (1987) and the last one, more like a Earl Valentine-solo album and musically oriented to AC / MOR.

EARL VALENTINE - Danger Zone (The Unreleased Album) back

I suspect the material on this "Danger Zone" was recorded between 1984 / 88 judging the mid-Eighties AOR sound & style (check the video-tracks below), all highly enjoyable stuff, that despite the programmed drums and the demo nature all have a pretty good sound.
Edited & compiled by me plus a little home-made artwork.

01 - Danger Zone
02 - Call Me
03 - Thinking Of You
04 - Stay
05 - If We Knew
06 - Thinking It Over
07 - It's Just A Matter Of Time
08 - It's Over
09 - Love Me If You Want
10 - Destiny
11 - All In The Name Of Love
12 - Hold On

EARL VALENTINE - Danger Zone (The Unreleased Album)
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BILL WRAY - Seize The Moment (1983) front

BILL WRAY started as solo artist in the Seventies releasing several albums but since the mid-80s focused his career writing and producing songs for other artists including Loverboy, Eric Martin, Lisa Hartman, Trixter, just to name a few.
He is also known as an active contributor to lovely '80s soundtracks. Wray has penned and / or performed tracks for 'Tilt', 'Private School', 'Navy Seals' or the mythical AOR tune 'No Mercy' included in the 'Lionheart' OST.

His (last?) solo album, "Seize The Moment" is a cool Rock 'N Roll album featuring some really good early Eighties radio-friendly AORish tracks.
Opener "(You're A) Heartbreaker" is a clear proof of that, from the first notes you can hear those magical keyboards to die for. This was the b-side of the first and only single, a melodic and commercial tune hungry for radio airplay.

Follower "She Loves The Radio" has a title that speaks for itself: absolutely catchy and wimpy AOR song with massive synths. A winner.
Then "Goin' Down" (the lead single) is a vintage R'nR with some honky piano and classic rock structure. "After All These Years" is the ballad here, a nice classic soul-bluesy rock slow tune with female buck-up vocals.
The AORish "Someone To Love" including a fine guitar solo ends the 'side A' of this vinyl.

"Tonight" is a fresh commercial rocker with a contagious chorus, followed by the retro-rock "Somethin' I've Gotta Do" that doesn't do much for me.
But "Jealous" has a very nice AOR feel thanks to the keyboard arrangement and the midtempo pace. Very good song. "Young Girls Rule The World" is a cheap 'ol rock while the southern tingled "You And Me Tonight" is a gentle semi-slow classic rocker.

BILL WRAY - Seize The Moment (1983) back

Well produced and recorded with a classy American radio-rock sound, "Seize The Moment" is interesting due the aforementioned AOR tracks
An album not easy to find only released on vinyl LP, restored by myself including artwork.

01 - (You're A) Heartbreaker
02 - She Loves The Radio
03 - Goin' Down
04 - After All These Years
05 - Someone To Love
06 - Tonight
07 - Somethin' I've Gotta Do
08 - Jealous
09 - Young Girls Rule The World
10 - You And Me Tonight

Bill Wray - vocals, guitar
Craig Hull - guitar
Dennis Belfield - bass, guitar
Nicky Hopkins - keyboards
Jeff Silverman - keyboards, synths
Mike Baird - drums
Lenny Castro - percussion

BILL WRAY - Seize The Moment
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THE PAUL GODFREY BAND - More Of The Same Excellence; The Anthology (1988/2008)

Established in the San Fransisco Bay Area, during the '80s there was several incarnations of THE PAUL GODFREY BAND, fronted by guitarist and songwriter Paul Godfrey.
By the middle of the decade, the group turned a female-fronted melodic rock band with the classic American sound from the genre spiced with radio-friendly AOR melodies. At charge of the mic was Celeste Alexander, Paul Godfrey's wife.
After several demos, The Paul Godfrey Band recorded their self-titled 8-track debut LP released via private label Dolphin Productions in 1988. Only few vinyls were pressed resulting sold-out in few months and turning over the years a collector's piece.

However, two years after the album was re-released for the first time on CD re-entitled 'Magic Touch' including two previously unreleased tracks.
Yet again, the reissue went out of print soon becoming another highly-priced, hard to track down artifact that only true connoisseurs of AOR-tistry ever got to hear.

Fortunately, twenty years after the original LP, the album was re-released again including the 2 extra tracks, plus 5 previously unreleased demos recorded by the band in 1987, hence the 'more of the same excellence' title.
While these demos are good and fun, the real pearl here is the main album, a collection of pure US '80s Melodic Rock / AOR of the highest order, at least female-fronted speaking.
This pop-up comparisons to bands / artists in the same style like Scandal or Cindy Valentine but The Paul Godfrey Band at places sound like many well known all-male bands in the genre. Additionally, Paul provides back up / supporting vocals on most tracks, and full leads on 'Wild Ones'.

THE PAUL GODFREY BAND - More Of The Same Excellence; The Anthology (1988/2008) back

There's no weak tracks here, even the two cuts left-off in the original LP release are among the best of the bunch. All are catchy, plenty of keyboards and melodic riffs, plus great guitar (solos) contributions by master Marc Bonilla and John Wedemeyer (Starship).
"More Of The Same Excellence; The Anthology" is a delicious slice of pure mid-80s American Melodic Rock / AOR still unheard by many fans of the genre.
Requested by a friend... request yours!

01 - Magic Touch
02 - Only One
03 - Love Lies Deep
04 - Never Felt This Way Before
05 - Too Many Lonely Nights
06 - Tonight
07 - Can't Get My Mind Off You
08 - Wild Ones
09 - Hold On
10 - Got Lucky (Demo) [bonus track]
11 - Hot Night In The City (Demo) [bonus track]
12 - Jenny (Demo) [bonus track]
13 - Can't Live Without You (Demo) [bonus track]
14 - Tonight (Demo) [bonus track]

Paul Godfrey: lead & back-up vocals, guitar
Celeste Alexander: lead vocals
Paul Fox: bass, vocals
Kirk Gibbs: keyboards, vocals
Norm Plischke: drums
additional musicians:
Marc Bonilla: guitar
Don Frank: drums
David Nowlin: bass
John Wedemeyer: guitar
Doug Caldwell: keyboards

PAUL GODFREY BAND - More Of The Same Excellence
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Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

It's time for some Pomp-AOR for the soul... this LION from Washington state, released this unknown and very good private LP of Pompy AOR in 1982, clearly influenced by Styx. But musically they go forward and some songs are really uptempo, full of analog keyboards (I mean A Lot), and elaborated guitar solos.

There's two vocalists (Kurt Hansen [R.I.P.] would later sing on Head East cult classic album 'Choice Of Weapons') spanning multi-part harmony vocals and layered choruses.
All tunes are goodies, but my pick is last track 'Time Won't Wait' featuring an over a minute flaming guitar solo.

If you're still wondering what is 'Pomp Rock', listen this little gem: you have keyboard / guitar duel galore, hyped up vocals and swirling analog keyboard effects. That's it.
Styx, Roadmaster, Head East, Ziggurat and why not, New England fans, must have this one. And aficionados of early '80s AOR variants will rejoice as well
Very good vinyl rip cleaned by myself.

01. On The Run
02. Over Your Shoulder
03. The Palace
04. Send Up A Rainbow
05. Queen Of The Forest
06. Where You Are
07. Waters Waiting
08. Time Won't Wait

Kurt David Hansen - lead vocals, bass
Kevin Wakefield - lead vocals, keyboards
Gary Hanson - guitars, vocals
Alan Clark - guitars
Rick Wakefield - drums, percussion

LION (USA Pomp) - Lion (1982)
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Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Hailing from Waukegan, IL, IN 3-D was a fleeting band from the mid-Eighties which anyway managed to release two LP's. They were part of the fruitful American CCM movement from the era aiming for non-secular exposure mixing rock&pop melodies with the typical '80s clean Lite-AOR sound.

"Barrage" was their second an final album before split. IN 3-D was often compared in some ways to The Police due the strong bass-guitar presence, but musically on this album there's a lot guitar riffs, keyboard flourishes and song skeletons more in common with Lite AOR.

Songwriting is mature, at places pretty elaborated for a band of this musical ilk still retaining catchiness. Some tracks aren't exactly my cup of tea in style, but overall you can file "Barrage" as a Lite AOR effort.
'Some Other Day', title track 'Barrage' and 'Holding On' are really fine tunes, with compelling arrangements and production.

Very rare CD and quite hard to track down (plus very expensive) this is the European Edition of "Barrage" appeared via a small indie company with a slightly different artwork.

01 - Now You Did It
02 - Barrage
03 - Too Much To Lose
04 - Some Other Day
05 - Anytime
06 - Holdin' On
07 - Love Will Find A Way
08 - Face To Face
09 - Love Is Lost
10 - Dunga Dunk
11 - Final Fire

James Neave - Vocals, Bass
Nail - Keyboards, Guitar
Randy Kerkman - Guitar
David Geer - Drums, Percussion

IN 3-D - Barrage (1987)
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TIM MOORE - Flash Forward [Japanese Ltd Edition remastered] (1984) front

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

Philadelphia-based songwriter, musician and singer TIM MOORE released five solo albums and in-between was part of various bands and worked as session multi-instrumentalist. Several of his penned songs were successful singles for other artists.
Moore's first record was produced by Nick Jameson (which very nice solo album was featured on this blog), then his second effort included what remains his best-known song in the US, 'Rock and Roll Love Letter', a hit for the Bay City Rollers a year later. Moore's guitar work on the song got the attention of Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards, and since then the two became friends and collaborators.

Despite of being signed by L.A. based Asylum Records, Moore didn't record in California until his third album, featuring the likes of Jeff Porcaro, Michael McDonald, David Foster and the Eagles Timothy B. Schmit as session musicians, among others.
All these albums received very good reviews but failed to chart and Moore concentrated in songwriting, achieving success in hands of other performers.

However, in 1984, Tim Moore recorded this "Flash Forward", entirely performed by himself layering guitar, keyboard, bass, keyboards, drums and programming, even the backing vocals alongside the lead.
Produced by Blondie engineer, Rob Freeman, the album scored a moderated single in the US, but for the first time, Moore found success outside North America when the ballad 'Yes' was used in a Brazilian soap opera. The single went straight to #1 for three months and Moore toured all over Brazil.

Musically, this is pure middle-Eighties rock&pop with elaborated arrangements and delicate vocals from Moore. There's a new version of 'Rock and Roll Love Letter' with a true '80s sound, the aforementioned ballad 'Yes', a great midtempo in the AORish 'Body And Soul' with a sound akin Canadian bands of the era, and a very cool keyboard filled tune in the radio-ready 'Surrender'.

TIM MOORE - Flash Forward [Japanese Ltd Edition remastered] (1984) back

"Flash Forward" is a quite unknown and nice '80s product, very well recorded & produced.
This is, as far I know, the only reissue of the album appeared in Japan on a mini-LP replica / Paper Sleeve, remastered. It was a Limited Edition - now out of print - including as bonus track a remixed version of 'Yes'.
Very rare.

01 - Let's Get Activated
02 - Yes
03 - Body And Soul
04 - I'll Find A Way
05 - Anything And Everything
06 - Rock & Roll Love Letter
07 - Surrender
08 - Telepath
09 - Theodora
10 - Get It Outta My System
11 - Yes (Brazilian Machine Version) [Japan bonus]

Tim Moore: all Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys, Synths, Drums, Programming

TIM MOORE Flash Forward (1984)
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ILLUSTRATOR - Somewhere In The World (1989)

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

Part of the American CCM AOR movement, Gaube's bros. band ILLUSTRATOR released two solid albums in the second half of the '80s. This kind of bands developed an interesting performance during the era launching radiable and commercial discs with a very good artistic production.
Illustrator's self-titled debut (posted on the blog) gained considerable success in CCM circles and mainstream radio, but it was their 2nd "Somewhere In The World" which achieved recognition between secular AOR fans, thanks to its catchy melodies and lush harmonies.

With a crisp production by Freddie Piro (Fortress, 707, Ambrosia) the overall sound on "Somewhere In The World" is typically polished '80s AOR with a pumping rock&pop punch, nice riffs, cool synths, and smooth lead vocals by Nathan Gaub helped by great harmony vocals provided by his two brothers and some stellar contributors such as Tim Miner and Cindy Cruse.
Speaking about additional personnel, the one & only Dann Huff (Giant) provides most the guitar solos on the album raising the bar.

Opener 'New Way To Love' is a highlight with its bouncy rhythm, sparkling keys and a killer Huff-trademark guitar solo. 'Dying To Meet You' has some Toto on it, then ballad 'Hold My Heart' brings to mind Illustrator's mates in the CCM, Liaison (a band featured on the blog aeons ago).
The 'mysterious AOR' of 'Cryin' Time' is another fav of mine, with that cadence akin the 'slash flick' soundtracks from the era. Love it.

There's a nice cover of Glenn Shorrock / Little River Band 'Help Is On It's Way', and some Canadian influences on the elegant semi-ballad 'Listen'.
If you need more sumptuous '80s AOR look no more and press play on the delicious 'Shoulda Been Love', a track that always brought to my mind Mickey Thomas' Starship.

ILLUSTRATOR - Somewhere In The World (1989) back

After this record Illustrator taped another album but it was shelved, finally appearing in 2011.
"Somewhere In The World", alongside the self-titled debut were re-released some time ago as 2-on-1 CD, but honestly, I didn't liked the sound transfer.
This is taken from the original 1989 Ocean Records CD release which sounds much better, complete with artwork.

01 - New Way To Love
02 - Dying To Meet You
03 - Hold My Heart
04 - Cryin' Time
05 - I Surrender
06 - Help Is On The Way
07 - Listen
08 - Shoulda Been Love
09 - Feels Like
10 - Carry The Cross

Nathan Gaub - lead vocals, keyboards
Dan Gaub - guitars, vocals
Dawndee Gaub - keyboards, vocals
Mark Matthews - lead vocals, bass, keyboards
Kirk Allen - drums, vocals
additional musicians:
Dann Huff - guitar solos
Don Wallace - keyboards
Randy Lee - saxophone
Tim Miner, Cindy Cruse, Alan Ebensberger, Julie Philpott - backing vocals

ILLUSTRATOR Somewhere In The World (1989)
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EDDIE VAN HALEN - The Wild Life (1984) Unreleased Movie Score & Extras

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

In the middle of the furor for his new 'toys' (read synthesizers), EDDIE VAN HALEN agreed to compose and perform the score for the 1984 comedy movie "The Wild Life".
The Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack LP was released including various songs heard in the film (including tracks by Van Stephenson, Charlie Sexton, etc) and the main theme composed and played by EVH titled 'Donut City'.
The rest of the material, of course, remains unreleased.

Fast forward a couple of decades and thanks to modern digital technology, many of the incidental music from the movie can be separated from DVD or Blu-ray.
Almost the complete "The Wild Life" score performed by Eddie Van Halen is featured here, including the much sought after 'End Titles Song' (also known as 'Back To School') with a very good sound.

EDDIE VAN HALEN - The Wild Life (1984) Unreleased Movie Score & Extras - back

As bonus, I've added some of EVH most celebrated songs in its 'isolated track' versions, only the 'guitar tracks' taken from the original tapes.
RARE stuff.

01 - Open Titles
02 - Good Enough
03 - Donut City
04 - Thinking
05 - Fashion Dynasty
06 - Out The Window
07 - All Fired Up
08 - Peeping Tom
09 - Driving
10 - Love Theme
11 - Top Down
12 - End Titles [Back To School]
Extras:
13 - Jump (Isolated synth & guitar)
14 - Ain't Talkin' Bout Love (Isolated Guitar)
15 - Panama (Guitar Track)
16 - Little Guitars (Isolated Guitar)
17 - Hang Em' High (Isolated Guitar)
18 - Atomic Punk (Isolated Guitar)

Written & Produced by Donn Landee and Edward Van Halen
All instruments performed by Edward Van Halen

EDDIE VAN HALEN The Wild Life (1984) Unreleased Score
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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 16

ARCHIVES PART 17

ARCHIVES PART 18

ARCHIVES PART 19

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

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

SIREN was a short-lived band signed by Mercury Records to be the next answer to Heart. Fronted by goddess Kristin Massey and with a leather/glammy image, the music was in fact commercial rock&pop with a melodic hard rock sonic treatment.
"All Is Forgiven" is their debut appeared in 1989 and it's a solid product from the era. I know few remember Siren simply because that year was over-flooded by excellent releases for the genre, and basically, Mercury lost interest to promote the release. A shame.

But there was a reason; soon after the release of "All Is Forgiven" a lawsuit arrived... other band legally owned the name Siren, so they were forced to change it to 'Red Siren'.
Hence, Mercury had to re-print the LP, CD and cassettes, and label executives don't like that... Siren / Red Siren were put in a black list losing all potential promotion.

But it's music what matters and Siren's "All Is Forgiven" is plenty of good moments.
Title track is a highlight and the more muscular cut on the record, 'Master Of The Land' is another fine uptempo which brings to mind Saraya, and 'One Good Lover' add acoustics to the mix alongside lots of synths, resulting very catchy.
'Stand Up' is perhaps the most poppy track on the record, but one of my favs. It has 'something' that makes it special.
Another of my picks is closer, midtempo ballad 'So Far Away', which obviously was crafted with a Heart / Robin Beck hit-chart styling, a very sweet number with delicate vocals by Kristin, lots of keys and a solid guitar solo.

Siren's (or Red Siren) "All Is Forgiven" is a forgotten but very solid release from the US melodic hard rock 1989 scene.
Needless to say, this first CD pressing sporting the original 'Siren' name on the cover / artwork quickly became a collectors item.

01 - All Is Forgiven
02 - One Good Lover
03 - Don't Let Go
04 - Master Of The Land
05 - Stand Up
06 - Good Kid
07 - How Dare A Woman
08 - Rock-A-Bye
09 - Love Shut Down
10 - So Far Away

Kristin Massey - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Robert Haas - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Jon Brant - bass
Gregg Potter - drums

SIREN - All Is Forgiven (here)
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STONEWALL / WEEKEND - Stonewall / Weekend (1990)

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

Based in Indianapolis, hard rock act STONEWALL / WEEKEND was founded in the late '80s by guitarists Jason Stonewall and Joe Joe Weekend, both veterans from the local Rock scene after sharing countless gigs as part of different bands all over the decade.
The project born from the ashes of Why On Earth, a metallic outfit where both musicians played together. Aiming for a more commercial sound at the time ruling the US Rock charts, they started to write songs and meanwhile completing the line-up.

The self-titled debut "Stonewall / Weekend" was released in 1990 by themselves via their own label named Air Records, and the band toured the area with significant success.
The CD mix melodic hard rock tunes with the typical catchiness from the late '80s / early '90s and a more edgy approach on some tracks.

There's a juicy combination of muscular guitar riffs, a punchy rhythm section and harmony vocals - all spiced with keyboard touches - on effective rockers such as 'Is It Any Wonder', 'Stand It', 'Another Night in Hollywood' or 'Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way'.
Midtempo "Where My Life Leads Me" even adds an AORish feeling, while Jason Stonewall takes the lead vocals on the pumping 'Gotta Have Your Love'.
On 'Waiting For The Axe To Fall, PT.2' Stonewall / Weekend showcase their US metal origins, though the verses are pretty melodic.

STONEWALL / WEEKEND - Stonewall / Weekend (1990) back

"Stonewall / Weekend" is some kind of obscure collectors piece, and has become a rare piece rarely seen at auction sites. The band released another album - not consistent as this one - before disbanding in 1995.
This is a cool slice of US melodic hard rock stuff with an edge, very well executed and produced.

01 - Stand It
02 - Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way
03 - Another Night In Hollywood
04 - Is It Any Wonder
05 - L.A.X.
06 - Heads Will Roll
07 - Your Love Excites Me
08 - Where My Life Leads Me
09 - Turkish Tram Conductor Blues
10 - Gotta Have Your Love
11 - You And Me
12 - Waiting For The Axe To Fall, PT.2

Jason Stonewall - guitar, lead vocals on 10, backing vocals
Joe Joe Weekend - bass, guitar, backing vocals
Dwayne Kendall - lead and backing vocals, guitar
Denny Melman - drums, backing vocals
guests;
Troy Kinnett - keyboards, saxophone
Robert Sisk - lead vocals on 9

STONEWALL / WEEKEND 1990
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JERRY G. HLUDZIK - Just Letting It All Go (2009)

Maybe the name JERRY G. HLUDZIK doesn't ring a bell to you, but the man has created some of the greatest AOR tunes ever wrote. He's one of the founder members of classic AOR outfit Dakota, and as well has been releasing solo albums from time to time via his own, small recording label.

This "Just Letting It All Go", his last solo album, offers many points in common with Dakota, but the overall style is classic American classic rock with a MidWestern AOR flavor.
"Hole In My Pocket" sounds a lot like Dakota, "On A Day Like Today" is like a Nelson song in the 21st century, and "One From The Heart" is a fantastic AOR ballad (and maybe the best song on offer here) much in the vein of Night Ranger's acoustic '80s songs.

"Just Letting It All Go" is a solid piece of music, very well homemade produced & engineered featuring some of finest songwriting heard in a long time. Jerry G. Hludzik is a talented craftsman, and this album oozes quality from every corner.
Thanx rockland for this one, I miss you my frined.

01 - Hole in my pocket
02 - What's in this kiss
03 - What if
04 - Try
05 - On a day like today
06 - One from the heart
07 - Letting it all go
08 - All for the better
09 - These 50 years
10 - Right where I belong
11 - Better man
12 - Wind on my whiskers

Jerry G Hludzik - vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin
Jon Lorrance (Dakota) - guitars
Lenny Mecca - bass
Eli Hludzik (Dakota) - drums
Tom Borthwick - keyboards
Joe Andes - keyboards
Wes Styles - keyboards
Joe Taco - persussion (11)
Bill Kelly - backing vocals (5)

JERRY G. HLUDZIK - Just Letting It All Go
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Requested by one of you...

The only reference I had from TERRY REID years ago was his contribution to the Days Of Thunder soundtrack. But this English gentleman began his career in the late Sixties, shared stages with the likes of Rolling Stones, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and even Jimmy Page wanted Reid for his proposed new group, The New Yardbirds, which was to become Led Zeppelin.
Later, it was offered a slot as lead vocalist of Deep Purple, but again, Reid declined, decided to concentrate in his solo career. Wrong decision indeed...

Anyway, after some moderate success all over the Seventies, at the beginning of the '80s Reid located in the US and worked as session musician recording for Don Henley, Jackson Browne, UFO, and many more.
Then came the opportunity to record a song for the Days Of Thunder movie, a cover version of the Spencer Davis Group classic 'Gimme Some Lovin'. Due to the film & soundtrack success, Reid was offered to record a new solo album, 12 years after his last LP.

The result was this "The Driver", mostly produced by renowned producer Trevor Horn with a pristine, bright late '80s sound. Also some serious musicians were part of the sessions (check below).
It opens with the beautiful midtempo light AOR 'Fifth Of July', followed by my favorite 'There's Nothing Wrong' which seems recorded in 1986, and still send chills down my spine with each listen. What a killer tune.

Then there's the exquisite ballad 'Right To The End' composed and produced by talented Gerard McMann, charming and very atmospheric.
Another highlight is the closing song: 'The Driver', which is no-other than the original version (written by Reid with film composer Hans Zimmer) of 'Last Note Of Freedom' performed by David Coverdale on Days Of Thunder OST. Lyrics were changed (and title song) to conform what happens in the movie story.

"The Driver" is a true piece of '80s (despite of being released in 1991) with that classy clinical production taking advantage of Reid's slightly raspy, unique smooth vocals.
This is taken from the original edition CD long time out of print. A couple years ago appeared an Original Album Series box featuring 5 Terry Reid career albums including "The Driver", but not remastered. And if you ask me (I've listened to it) this one sounds much better.
Recommended

01 - Fifth Of July
02 - There's Nothing Wrong
03 - Right To The End
04 - The Whole Of The Moon
05 - Hand Of Dimes
06 - The Driver (Part I)
07 - If You Let Her
08 - Turn Around
09 - Gimme Some Lovin'
10 - Laugh At Life
11 - The Driver (Part II)

Terry Reid - vocals, guitar
Jackie Lomax - guitars
Brian Auger - keyboards, programming
Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) - bass
Alan White (Yes) - drums
Stewart Copeland (The Police) - drums
Jack Lancaster - sax
Joe Walsh (The Eagles) - guest guitar solo
Howard Jones - keyboards, programming
Enya - backing vocals

TERRY REID - The Driver (1991)
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TOM DE LUCA - Down To The Wire (1986) + bonus

TOM DE LUCA started his career basically as songwriter, established in Nashville at the end of the Seventies. He co-wrote the Jennifer Rush hit 'Heart Over Mind', songs for Aldo Nova, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and most of the tracks in Molly Hatchet's 1984 album 'Deed Is Done'.
This successful work with the Hatchet attracted Epic / CBS Records to sign Tom as solo artist, and send him to England to record his debut with James Guthrie (Pink Floyd, Judas Priest).

After a year and a half of hard work, "Down To The Wire" was ready to be out at the beginning of 1986. Unfortunately, the same week of the release there was an unexpected executive staff change at Epic, and the new crew decided to not promote De Luca's album.
Few cassette and vinyl LP copies (already pressed) reached selected stores, and the album become a collectors item instantly.

Much sought after for years, fans had to wait more than twenty years to see "Down To The Wire" released for the first time on CD.
This album is a lovable slab of Midwest American AOR / Melodic Rock with a sharp guitar sound and catchy choruses akin John Waite, Stan Bush, Kane Roberts early solo works, Aldo Nova, Jeff Paris and Steve Plunkett's projects - check the Autograph-like (minus the bombast) "Chasing Shadows".

TOM DE LUCA - Down To The Wire (1986) + bonus remastered

TOM DE LUCA - Down To The Wire (1986) + bonus remastered

Finally available with a superb sound, this "Down To The Wire" reissue includes three bonus tracks, two of them co-penned with the mighty Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane, Seventh Key) composed in the late '80s and much more Melodic Rock oriented.
A must have for any '80s American AOR / Melodic Rock fan.

01 - 57 Chevy
02 - Runaway Hearts
03 - Chasing Shadows
04 - Dirty Fingers
05 - Fire In The Night
06 - Down To The Wire
07 - Going The Distance
08 - Stone In Your Heart
09 - Betrayed
10 - Reunion
11 - Don't Need Your Kind Of Love (bonus track)
12 - Can't Stop Love Can't Stop Money (bonus track)
13 - Love Train (bonus track)

Tom De Luca - Vocals, Guitar
Derek O'Neil - Guitar
Mickey Feat - Bass, Backing Vocals
Jamie Lane - Drums
Danny Schogger - Keyboards
Taylor Rhodes - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gary Barnacle - Sax
Martin Ditcham - Percussion

TOM DE LUCA Down To The Wire
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ANGRY ANDERSON - Blood From Stone (1990)

SLASH PUPPET - No Strings Attached '89 + Slash Puppet '93

JONAH KOSLEN & THE HEROES - Aces (1983) / Orange (1982-2001)

PUSH (Denmark) - On The Run [Japanese Edition +2] (2000)

EARL VALENTINE - Night Blindness (1987)

DUGAN McNEILL - In The Velvet Night (1989)

EARL VALENTINE - Danger Zone (The Unreleased Album)

BILL WRAY - Seize The Moment (1983)

THE PAUL GODFREY BAND - More Of The Same Excellence; The Anthology (1988/2008)

LION (USA Pomp) - Lion (1982)

IN 3-D - Barrage (1987)

TIM MOORE - Flash Forward [Japanese Ltd Edition remastered] (1984)

ILLUSTRATOR - Somewhere In The World (1989)

EDDIE VAN HALEN - The Wild Life (1984) Unreleased Movie Score & Extras

REQUEST & FILL CORNER 20

SIREN - All Is Forgiven (1989)

STONEWALL / WEEKEND - Stonewall / Weekend (1990)

JERRY G. HLUDZIK - Just Letting It All Go (2009)

TERRY REID - The Driver (1991)

TOM DE LUCA - Down To The Wire (1986) + bonus