DAVID CARL BAND - Can't Slow Down (1998)

September 26, 2017, 2:12 pm

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What you got when Jim Peterik is involved into your music? Great Melodic Rock.
And that's what we find in DAVID CARL BAND's album "Can't Slow Down".
A US Midwestern-born songwriter, singer and guitar player, David Carl moved to California to make his dreams come true. He met no-other than Survivor's Jim Peterik and both started to write songs together in the early '90s.
Even more, Peterik agreed to co-produce "Can't Slow Down" and play some keyboards.

The classic '80s Survivor feel flying over the entire recording. Just check title track "Can't Slow Down", the anthemic "Insatiable", or the Jimi Jamison sounding ballad "Arms Of Love" that belongs to the '80s soundtrack movie' category.
Carl's vocals are smooth and very melodious with a Eric Martin-like color on some cuts - check "For Jackie" for proof.
There's some REO Speedwagon on the delicious "Love Is Like Heaven" (lovely chorus), a pinch of Extreme on "Crazy Love", and Loverboy on the AORish midtempo "Trapped".



David Carl Band's "Can't Slow Down" is quite unknown outside Melodic Rock circles, and one of the best recordings released in the second half of the '90s - true 'dark ages' for the genre.
It's a trademark Jim Peterik record, full of melodies and smooth choruses.
Very good one.


01 - Innocent Kiss
02 - For Jackie
03 - Trapped
04 - Arms Of Love
05 - Love Is Like Heaven
06 - Crazy Love
07 - Can't Slow Down
08 - Dreamin'
09 - Insatiable
10 - Make Love Shine
11 - Hungry Woman
12 - Cost Of High Livin'

David Carl - lead and backing vocals, guitar
Bill Ozzello - bass, backing vocals
Randy Peterson - drums, percussion
Jim Riley - guitars, backing vocals
Jim Peterik - keyboards on track 1
Barb Unger - keyboards on tracks 4, 7, 12
Lou Depasqua - keyboards on tracks 5, 6, 11
Scott May - keyboards on tracks 8, 9, 10
Mark Zelden - keyboards on tracks 2, 3
Barry Sperdy - sax on track 2




DAVID CARL BAND - Can't Slow Down (1998)
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DAN HILL - Partial Surrender (1981) restored audio

September 28, 2017, 4:10 pm

≫ Next: CAUGHT IN THE ACT - C.I.T.A. [Rare First Recording] (1989)

≪ Previous: DAVID CARL BAND - Can't Slow Down (1998)

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

Canadian singer-songwriter DAN HILL is not a stranger to this blog. Today, here's a request by a reader for one of Hill's hardest to find albums, "Partial Surrender", from 1981.
Never released on CD, it's on this LP where Hill started to flirt with AOR melodies according to the era.

Although it should be filed under 'soft Rock', "Partial Surrender" includes some 'rockier' songs, such as 'Pray That It's Love' with Hill's vocals turning more muscular and featuring a cool guitar solo.
Between my favorites there's 'Class Of '69', the power ballad 'I'm Just A Man' with some Chicago on it, and the almost melodic rock, delicious 'All I Want Is You' (ready for FM radio).
Among the 'big' ballads, the best should be 'Somewhere in the Distance' with its nice acoustic guitars and Hill's impressive vocal dexterity. According to Hill's wife, it was the song that caused her to fall in love with him.



"Partial Surrender" is one of those 'one hell of an album to be restored from a worn vinyl LP', as it has many quieter moments followed by in-crescendo uptempo passages.
My audio restoration resulted pretty fine, I guess the best you can find in the world wide web right now.


01 - I'm Just A Man
02 - All I Want Is You
03 - Don't Give Up On Love
04 - Somewhere In The Distance
05 - Just A Piece Of Your Heart
06 - Pray That It's Love
07 - Pandora's Song
08 - Something's Wrong
09 - Fumiko
10 - Class Of '69

Dan Hill - Lead & Background Vocals, Guitars
Dave Wipper - Guitars
Pail Daiter - Bass
John Sheard - Keyboards, Background Vocals
Michael Botts - Drums
Paul Grupp - Percussion, Background Vocals
Tom Kelly, Patti G. Smith - Background Vocals (8)
Gary Foster - Alto Sax on "Just A Pice Of Your Heart"
Strings Arranged & Conducted by Jimmie Haskell




DAN HILL - Partial Surrender (1981)
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CAUGHT IN THE ACT - C.I.T.A. [Rare First Recording] (1989)

November 2, 2017, 11:09 am

≫ Next: WALTHAM - Waltham (2005)

≪ Previous: DAN HILL - Partial Surrender (1981) restored audio

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Well, finally it's here CAUGHT IN THE ACT's (later C.I.T.A.) first recording, so much sought after by collectors.
Formed in 1988 by a group of Denver, Colorado High School friends, the band was pointed to AXE's guitarist Bobby Barth by his manager Ken Turner who at the time lived in the same city.
Barth saw the band's potential and immediately agreed to assist the production of CAUGHT IN THE ACT demo to tempt labels. It would be six years before the band got the opportunity to actually release their debut (the already posted 'Act 1 Relapse Of Reason').

CAUGHT IN THE ACT - The Demo - includes songs never re-recorded again, because in the 6-year gap the guys wrote a lot of new material and these primal tracks were much more '80s oriented.
Musically the predominant style is American Melodic Hard Rock, but CAUGHT IN THE ACT never was 'another' band of the lot, nor even in their very beginning.
We hear here strong keyboard infusions many times bordering AOR, and a little of progressive Hard Rock throwing in. Lyrics are a bit cheesy, but the musicianship really, really good.
The main attraction in this set of songs is the freshness and effervescence of these young musicians hungry for glory.


Catchy rockers like "Satisfaction" (quite Dokken-esque), "Clock Strikes" and "Daddy's Little Girl" are complemented by the melodic numbers "Good Girl Gone Bad" and "Bedroom Eyes", while "Hold On", the ballad "Don't Look Lonely" and "On My Way" brew lovable AOR waves.
Recorded and produced with a high standard for a demo, the sound quality of these tapes is A+. Anyway, I have cleaned some hiss and a couple of noises.
Very nice stuff and quite rare.


1 - Bedroom Eyes
2 - Daddy's Little Girl
3 - Don't Look Lonely
4 - Hold On
5 - Good Girl Gone Bad
6 - Satisfaction
7 - On My Way
8 - Clock Strikes

Danny Martinez: lead vocals, guitar
Anthony Trujillo: guitar, keyboards, vocals
rest of personnel unlisted




CAUGHT IN THE ACT - Rare First Recording

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WALTHAM - Waltham (2005)

November 7, 2017, 2:33 am

≫ Next: TIM FEEHAN - Pray For Rain (1996)

≪ Previous: CAUGHT IN THE ACT - C.I.T.A. [Rare First Recording] (1989)

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Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

Formed in the late nineties, Waltham took their name from the small, working-class factory town in New England, Massachusetts, from which they came.
They won the Boston Best New Band award in 1999 thanks to their indie debut, and after touring the States and another self-released CD, finally got the opportunity with a big label for "Waltham", released in 2005.

Waltham style is rock&pop spiced with intense melodic rock riffs, and although their sound is modern and radiable there's an undeniable '80s influence in the songcraft.
Think Rick Springfield meets Cheap Trick with a 7th Heaven approach.
The good thing about Waltham's is the catchiness, fist-pumping anthem mould delivered in a 3-minute format song.



From the hook laden opener "Cheryl (Come And Take A Ride)" to the last tune "All I Want Is You", you just can't stop to tap your feet. These tunes are simply irresistible, energetic, and damn fine played & produced.
I don't know, but even though this disc is sonically updated, it reminds me track after track those lovable ‘80s teen flick soundtracks.
A catchy, hooky, fun rockin' album.


01 - Cheryl (Come And Take A Ride)
02 - So Lonely
03 - Joanne
04 - Call Me Back
05 - You Gotta Let Me In
06 - Be With Me
07 - Dont Say It's To Late
08 - Back To You
09 - Maria Simeone
10 - Nicole
11 - Hopeless
12 - All I Want Is You

Frank Pino Jr. - Vocals
Tony Monaco - Guitar
Craig Small - Guitar
Peet Golan - Bass
Mikey Rorick - Drums


WALTHAM 2005
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TIM FEEHAN - Pray For Rain (1996)

November 22, 2017, 6:17 am

≫ Next: RAY GILLEN - The Fire Still Burns

≪ Previous: WALTHAM - Waltham (2005)

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

Canadian TIM FEEHAN is considered by the fans one of the greatest AOR / Westcoast artists ever, but also is a highly respected person in the music industry as composer, producer and talent discover. Tim has played with all, from Steve Lukather to David Foster.
As main artist, Feehan released a bunch of mainstream albums during the '80s, but since the beginning of the Nineties concentrated his efforts into the creation of his own recording studio / company.
However, Feehan continued composing and occasionally putting on tape his own songs for a future release.

"Pray For Rain" was the result of these recording sessions which took place between 1990-95.
All along the way, some serious top class musicians were part of it: awesome guitarist Michael Thompson, Jeff Paris and talented Gene Black (Wild Blue, Device) among others.
The album only was released in Sweden in 1996 and never re-issued, becoming a collector's piece.



"Pray For Rain" is top notch in all departments, production, performances and songwriting, starting with the uptempo "Worth a Fight" (co-written by Gregg Fulkerson of Blue Tears) and the AOR gem "If Ever You Need Someone" pretty much in the Stan Bush style.
You can hear Jeff Paris' touch in the great "Lessons Of The Heart", while the atmospheric "You Should Be Mine" features the excellent backing vocals from the superb Chrissy Steele. Feehan was involved in Steele's solo album together with Brian McLeod (Chilliwack) who sadly died in 1992; the terrific ballad "When You Think Of Me" is dedicated to him.



Although not as bombastic (in terms of sound) as his '80s albums, I think this is Tim Feehan's best, mature album. You can't go wrong with Tim Feehan's "Pray For Rain", a must for any AOR fan.
Out Of Print.


01 - Worth A Fight
02 - If Ever You Need Someone
03 - When The Marnier Sails
04 - Yo Te Quiero
05 - When You Think Of Me
06 - Mother Superior
07 - You Should Be Mine
08 - Lessons Of The Heart
09 - I Don't Miss You Too
10 - Pray For Rain
11 - Do It All Over
12 - Magic Hour

Tim Feehan: vocals, keyboards, programming
Gene Black: guitars
Jeff Paris: guitars, background vocals
Michael Thompson: guitars
Louis Sedmak: guitars
Chrissy Steele: additional background vocals


TIM FEEHAN Pray For Rain 1996
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RAY GILLEN - The Fire Still Burns

December 3, 2017, 9:30 pm

≫ Next: RICK SPRINGFIELD - SDAA bonus CD Unreleased Stuff (2004)

≪ Previous: TIM FEEHAN - Pray For Rain (1996)

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This year marks 20 years since the death of RAY GILLEN, one of the greatest singers from the eighties / nineties international Hard Rock scene. The American vocalist had a short but fruitful career which is covered in its entirety in this blog humble tribute.
Every project where Gillen was involved is present here: from his first official recording as part of Bobby Rondinelli's band to his final, posthumous released work with Sun Red Sun. He was featured as guest in a Savatage track, but as he only appears in a vocal duet at the end of the song I chose to leave out this one.

We have Ray's guest leads in the Atsushi Yokozeki Project and George Lynch's solo album, his wonderful participation in Phenomena as main vocalist and of course his own US band Badlands.
But as this tribute was done in a first place because a reader of this blog requested some Gillen's unreleased material, I offer you some rare stuff as well.
Ray was called by Tony Iommi to record Black Sabbath's album 'The Eternal Idol' in 1986, an although recorded most of the tracks he quit before the album was ever released due to internal troubles never clarified.

Gillen was eventually replaced by Tony Martin (another great singer), but Ray's pre-production takes are really awesome. These sessions finally saw the light of day in the 2-disc expanded set of the album released few years ago. I have chosen "Nightmare", a monster of a song.
Ray toured extensively during his stay in Sabbath and some of these concerts were caught on tape, but never released. Just listen Ray's performance on the classic "War Pigs", it is truly thrilling.

Also featured here is a rare early demo of "Stop" - one of the best tracks from the Phenomena album 'Dream Runner' (1987) - in a more 'aural' version.
There's also a demo, a never released song from the Badlands days, and the only known track recorded by Gillen as part of John Sykes' Blue Murder. He was in the band only few months, leaving the project when Sykes decided to handle vocals himself.
All these unreleased tracks were sonically cleaned by me, and I also did a really nice artwork to accompany this deserved tribute to one of the greatest shouters in Hard Rock history.

Tracklist, CLICK HERE:




RAY GILLEN - The Fire Still Burns - HERE

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RICK SPRINGFIELD - SDAA bonus CD Unreleased Stuff (2004)

December 12, 2017, 8:11 pm

≫ Next: AGENT - Agent [original recording Rick Livingstone vocals] (1986)

≪ Previous: RAY GILLEN - The Fire Still Burns

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Revamped post per request.
3 extra tracks added


As requested, more Springfield rarities.
His 'shock/denial/anger/acceptance' album was also released as a collector's package, including an extra CD with 17 bonus / unreleased tracks spanning Rick's career.

According to the press release back in the day:
"The LIMITED EDITION version of s/d/a/a is limited to 3500 numbered copies and hand signed by Rick!
Once they are gone, they're gone! No more will ever be produced!"

Seems they're gone now, so here it is.
Plus, more bonuses added: the bonus track from the main album limited edition (not present in the regular release), 'The Day After Yesterday' Japanese bonus track, 'Venus In Overdrive' Best Buy exclusive songs, and 'Working Class Dog' reissue bonuses.

A must for Fans & Collectors.
Grab this while it's hot...


1 - Love Screws Me Up (unreleased from Karma)
2 - Revolution Day (unreleased track from Karma)
3 - Rythym Of Love (unreleased '88 song)
4 - Her Body Makes Vows (unreleased track from Karma)
5 - Faithful (different version from the DVD)
6 - When You Dream (original song in EFX)
7 - Rhythm Of The Beat (extra verses)
8 - Forever (EFX version)
9 - Rock Of Life (home demo '86)
10 - Affair Of The Heart (home demo '82)
11 - Souls (home demo '82)
12 - Don't Talk To Strangers (home demo '81)
13 - Poison Pen (unreleased demo SHSMY)
14 - American Girls (live Troubadour '74)
15 - Fire Brigade (unreleased '74)
16 - Sweet Teaser (unreleased '74)
17 - Will I? (AC Radio Mix)

Extras:
18 - Forever (bonus track rerecorded for SDAA sessions)
19 - Love Is The Answer (TDAY Japan bonus)
20 - My Generation (VIO Best Buy exclusive)
21 - Jessie's Girl -Acoustic- (VIO Best Buy exclusive)
Working Class Dog reissue:
22 - Easy To Cry (bonus, prev. unreleased)
23 - Taxi Dancing (bonus, orig. version prev. unrel.)
24 - Jessie's Girl (bonus, demo vers. prev. unreleased)



RICK SPRINGFIELD - SDAA bonus CD
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AGENT - Agent [original recording Rick Livingstone vocals] (1986)

December 31, 2017, 3:56 pm

≫ Next: CHET THOMPSON (Hellion) - Slamnation (1992) + bonus

≪ Previous: RICK SPRINGFIELD - SDAA bonus CD Unreleased Stuff (2004)

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Requested  by a friend....

AGENT was one of the best Canadian AOR bands during the '80s and '90s.
Keyboardist Craig Zurba and bass player Andre Kunkel were songwriting partners and session musicians from the local scene having recorded for various mainstream artists. At the middle Eighties, both contacted talented vocalist Rick Livingstone, ex- September and Broken Hearts, and together with guitarist Bob Smart and drummer Dave Allan, Agent born.

Agent was signed by CBS / Virgin Records Canada and their self-titled debut album appeared in 1986 to good reviews, but sadly, their label's CEO quit during the week the album was released and no recording company leadership was evident during the 9 months following the release.
Agent broke-up the following year, but left us this wonderful piece of work. "Agent" is pure mid-Eighties AOR, curiously more American sounding than Canuck, akin Survivor, Shelter, Preview, Surrender, etc.
In short; classic '80s AOR with hooks, melodies and keyboards aplenty. Just check the monster "Surrender" below.



Ten years after, Agent returned with a new vocalist re-recording the album for an European label. Although resulted really good, AOR fans still prefer this original '86 release.
Never reissued on CD, this is not the best vinyl LP rip of the world, however, it's million times better than the copy floating the web.
Pure '80s AOR.


01 - Heartbeat
02 - Can't Hold Back
03 - This Could Be The Night
04 - She Trusted Me
05 - Turn On The Radio
06 - Can't Stop
07 - Change Of Heart
08 - Surrender
09 - Blame It On Love
10 - Headlines

Rick Livingstone - vocals
Bob Smart - guitars
Craig Zurba - keyboards, piano, synths
Andre Kunkel - bass
Dave Allan - drums, percussion




AGENT Rick Livingstone 1986
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CHET THOMPSON (Hellion) - Slamnation (1992) + bonus

January 5, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: LYNN ALLEN - Lynn Allen (1992)

≪ Previous: AGENT - Agent [original recording Rick Livingstone vocals] (1986)

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It's time for some rock n' roll here...

A guitar student of Randy Rhoads in his teens, CHET THOMPSON is one of the most underrated (and unknown) American axe-man. He shined as main guitarist in Hellion's prime time, and recorded various solo albums.
"Slamnation" was the first under his own moniker, but in fact this is a 'real band' comprising the talents of Dave 'Animal' Spitz (Great White, Paul Sabu) on bass, Stet Howland (W.A.S.P.) and the amazing Neil Thomas at the mic.

Recorded in 1992 but released in 1996 only in Japan, "Slamnation" shows Chet Thompson's mastery on the six-strings via sharp melting riffs and stupendous solos, but this is not a 'flashy guitar man' album.
This sounds like a true, tight Classic American Hard Rock band delivering eight monster stomping rockers. Neil Thomas owns a raspy & powerful set of pipes especially designed for this type of music, and the rhythm section is a blast.

"Sweet Lil' Sister", "Don't Wanna Dance", "Rock-A-Bye Love" or "Heaven's Burnin´" will rock your socks off in the best Skid Row meets Ratt meets W.A.S.P. Californian tradition of the genre. There's no place for ballads here, this is pure hot US Hard Rock.



I have added four tracks as bonus from Chet's second effort for you to check his incredible skills on the electric guitar, from the same school of Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Eddie Van Halen, etc.
Top notch Classic American Hard Rock.


01 - Sweet Lil' Sister
02 - One Shot
03 - Red Hot Lover
04 - Don't Wanna Dance
05 - Time Bomb
06 - Heaven's Burnin'
07 - Fever
08 - Rock-A-Bye Love
09 - Ashes
10 - Happy Feet
11 - Tocatta
12 - Superstitious Sex Queen

Neil Thomas - vocals
Chet Thompson - guitars
Dave Spitz - bass
Stet Howland - drums





CHET THOMPSON Slamnation
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LYNN ALLEN - Lynn Allen (1992)

January 25, 2018, 12:54 pm

≫ Next: JOHN PARR - Walking Out Of The Darkness [single] (2007)

≪ Previous: CHET THOMPSON (Hellion) - Slamnation (1992) + bonus

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Requested again, hard to find

LYNN ALLEN should be one of the most long lasting bands from the American melodic rock scene. Formed in the early '80s, despite the revolving door of group members but carried by singer / songwriter Billy Peiffer at front, the band continues active to this day.
Perhaps the key is that Lynn Allen always stayed independent, managing their gigs and releasing albums by their own. After some years of hiatus Lynn Allen returned in 2007 with a record edited by an European label, but retaining the entire artistic control.

Hailing from Davenport, Lynn Allen was recently inducted to the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. In the mid-Eighties for a brief period the group lived in Los Angeles and opened for Ratt, Great White or Warrant, with a major record deal at front of the door. But never happened and the guys returned to their hometown.

Lynn Allen's third album (self-titled), also known as 'The Pink Album', always has been their more hard to find.
Released through the small private label Red Pump, the CD virtually sold out after its release (they are very popular in US Quad Cities region) and never reissued. A shame, as "Lynn Allen"(1992) is one of their best.

Cuts like 'Surprise, Surprise', 'Drive Me Crazy', 'Once In A Lifetime' (not the Firehouse song but sounding a lot like 'em) and 'Poisoning Of The Rain' are pure American Melodic Rock bliss.
They harden the sound a bit in 'Love Slips' or 'Electric Sister' yet all the time extremely melodic and catchy. 'Pick Up The Pieces' and the strong 'Jesse' are the slow moments, being the latter a tune that easily could have been a hit on par with Poison or Tesla power ballads.



With solid songs, musicianship and a really good production for an indie, "Lynn Allen" is a lovely slice of American Melodic Rock in its true essence.


01 - Surprise, Surprise
02 - Drive Me Crazy
03 - Love Slips
04 - Jesse
05 - Electric Sister
06 - Poisoning Of The Rain
07 - Once In A Lifetime
08 - Daze Gone By
09 - Pick Up The Pieces

Billy Peiffer: vocals, guitars, keyboards
Terry Murphy: guitars
Johnny Williamson: bass, backing vocals
Tommie Guild: drums, backing vocals






LYNN ALLEN - Lynn Allen (1992)
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JOHN PARR - Walking Out Of The Darkness [single] (2007)

February 10, 2018, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: REQUEST & FILL CORNER 22

≪ Previous: LYNN ALLEN - Lynn Allen (1992)

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Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section.

"Out of the Darkness" has been written and recorded specially for the Doncaster Rovers Football Club.
The song is played to herald the entry of the teams onto the pitch at the start of each home match.
The other track, "Dream On", was written by John Parr in tribute to Rovers legend Alick Jeffrey.
Typical Parr signature on both tunes, rare single, not for sale. I love this man's music.


1. Walking Out Of The Darkness (The Rovers Anthem)
2. Dream On (dedicated to Rovers legend Alick Jeffrey)


ENJOY IT HERE
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REQUEST & FILL CORNER 22

March 2, 2018, 3:10 am

≫ Next: VA - Elektra AOR Collection [Japan only] (1993)

≪ Previous: JOHN PARR - Walking Out Of The Darkness [single] (2007)

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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 18

ARCHIVES PART 19

ARCHIVES PART 20

ARCHIVES PART 21

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VA - Elektra AOR Collection [Japan only] (1993)

March 2, 2018, 3:30 am

≫ Next: MICHAEL FURY - Affairs In Babylon (1984) restored audio

≪ Previous: REQUEST & FILL CORNER 22

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Request fulfilled, hard to find

Some time ago a reader requested some early material from John David Souther, who in very late '70s changed his artistic name to J.D. Souther releasing the stupendous You're Only Lonely LP. His previous albums are not easy to find, but digging deep in my collection something appeared.
And it's this rare compilation only released in Japan (limited quantities) in 1993 by Elektra / Warner Records, including tracks from their AOR / Westcoast artist roster.

"Elektra AOR Collection" is wonderful compilation featuring some of the finest Westcoast artists from the late '70s / early '80s - the golden age of the genre. You can't go wrong with cats of the stature of John O'Banion, Bruce Roberts, Robbie Dupree (tracks from his 1st and 2nd albums) or Bill Champlin.
However, most of them are well known by AOR fans, and the real find here are the songs from J.D. Souther, plus the excellent Rupert Holmes, Andrew Gold and Terence Boylan.



All the albums from where these tracks are taken have been reissued on CD, but today are almost impossible to find. So this is a great chance to have on CD quality these hard-to-get tunes.
"Elektra AOR Collection" is a collectors piece and a stunning set of songs to enjoy.
MEGA RARE.


01 - John O'Banion - Love you like I never loved before
02 - Andrew Gold - Lonely boy
03 - Carole Bayer Sager - It's the falling in love
04 - Bruce Roberts - Cool fool
05 - Robbie Dupree - Steal away
06 - Terence Boylan - Don't hang up those dancing shoes
07 - Rupert Holmes - Full circle
08 - Andrew Gold - That's why I love you
09 - John David Souther - Black rose
10 - Robbie Dupree - Saturday night
11 - Bill Champlin - Sara
12 - Terence Boylan - Shake it
13 - John David Souther - It's the same


VA - Elektra AOR Collection 1993
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MICHAEL FURY - Affairs In Babylon (1984) restored audio

March 7, 2018, 6:58 am

≫ Next: MICHAEL PATTO - Time To Be Right (1991)

≪ Previous: VA - Elektra AOR Collection [Japan only] (1993)

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Myles Hunter (ex Avalon Canada), bassist Martyn Jones and guitarist Rob Kennedy founded MICHAEL FURY (named after a character in James Joyce's short story, "The Dead") in 1979. They did the predictable round of club gigs throughout Canada until split up in 1983.

Hunter met keyboard wiz Howard Helm (ex Zon) one year later and start to play with him the songs he has been written. Together decided to call Kennedy and Jones back, and with the addition of drummer Dave Mihal reform MICHAEL FURY.
An initial demo was picked up by a local small label and the result is "Affairs In Babylon", released in 1984.

MICHAEL FURY toured constantly throughout the country, but they began getting an identity crisis as people mistook the group name 'Michael Fury' for Myles Hunter himself.
To compound matters the label tried to push the band as a solo act. This didn't sit well to the group (Hunter included), then a major US label offers a deal to the band, they brought back the rights to the album and signed a new contract.
The disc was re-mixed and re-recorded for the most part, and modified with new songs, "Affairs In Babylon" was re-issued under the band name REFUGEE, with new drummer Brian Doerner (Helix).

As REFUGEE, Hunter & Co. released another album in 1987; "Burning From The Inside Out". Both REFUGEE releases are considered classic '80s AOR gems by fans of the genre (I totally agree).

But let's talk about this MICHAEL FURY album.
For the re-release of "Affairs In Babylon" under the Refugee moniker, 5 tracks were replaced by 5 new ones, and what a new songs!, the best they ever recorded in my opinion, the Refugee release is far superior, with an updated remix job and the new tracks getting big production. A classic indeed.

However, the exclusive 5 songs on this LP are very good too, and that's why I am posting here the original MICHAEL FURY recording. Besides, this album is really hard to find.
The sound is not so 'big' (self produced and mixed), and more direct than lush and polished. According to Hunter, he still prefer some of the original FURY's versions instead of the later re-recorded as REFUGEE.
As example; 'These Are The Good Times' (later popularized by Eric Martin, but written by Mr. Hunter) features completely different arrangements here.



Maybe not many readers will be interested in this post (Michael who?) because this album version is unknown and rarely mentioned on some specialized rock magazine / website. Big mistake, since "MICHAEL FURY - Affairs In Babylon" is a collector's item, and contains very good '80s Melodic Rock / AOR music.
Ripped from vinyl (never released on CD), de-crackled and de-clicked by myself, including artwork.


01 - Affairs In Babylon
02 - Through The Thunder Of Another Night
03 - Pictures And Prints *
04 - There's Gonna Be A Fire Tonight *
05 - These Are The Good Times
06 - (Janie) Here We Go Again
07 - Hot Words
08 - ... And We All Go Down To The River *
09 - White Wine And Roses *
10 - Love Comes Down *

Tracks marked with*are exclusive to this LP


Myles Hunter : Lead Vocals, Mustang (¿?)
Martyn Jones : Bass, Vocals
Rob Kennedy : Guitars, Vocals
Howard Helm : Keyboards
Greg Bociek : Keyboards on 6
Dave Mihal : Drums
Bear : Percussion, Noises & Effects




MICHAEL FURY - Affairs In Babylon (1984)
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MICHAEL PATTO - Time To Be Right (1991)

March 16, 2018, 10:19 am

≫ Next: REFUGEE - Affairs In Babylon [vinyl rip] (1985)

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Re-posted as requested, quite rare album

MICHAEL PATTO is a British musician, songwriter and producer. Born of Mike Patto Snr. who was a highly respected Rock musician (Spooky Tooth, Patto, Timebox, Boxer), Michael started out on bass but switched to piano in his late teens and soon began to write his own songs.
Patto was signed by a major label aged 20 and released this "Time To Be Right", however soon decided to move on and started his own recording company, being involved with some of the finest talents from the UK music scene.



His one and only album as solo artist, "Time To Be Right" is a soft breeze of genres mixing stylized pop, soul and smooth Westcoast.
There's several pieces of fine Euro-pop on songs like "So Much For The Lovin´", "Few Good Moments" or "What Can I Do". But also a strong Westcoast feeling on "Calling", the smooth "The Very Thought Of You" and "Don't Say A Word". The ballad "Hold On" sounds pretty American L.A. session style.



"Time To Be Right" features some kind of musical waves not usually associated with this this blog, but it was requested by a reader and it's extremely hard to find. Also included as bonus are 2 different versions of the track "So Much For The Lovin` ", taken from the single CDs of the same name.
It's a nice, relaxing piece of music, very well performed, recorded and produced.
CDrip at maximum quality including artwork. RARE.


01. So Much For The Lovin'
02. Calling
03. Few Good Moments
04. Hold On
05. Paradise Has Gone
06. (I've Got) Love Enough For Two
07. Time To Be Right
08. The Very Thought Of You
09. What Can I Do
10. Don't Say A Word
bonus:
11. So Much For The Lovin' (7'' version)
12. So Much For The Lovin' (Radical Mix)

Michael Patto: Vocals, All instruments
Session Musicians: unlisted




MICHAEL PATTO Time To Be Right + bonus
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REFUGEE - Affairs In Babylon [vinyl rip] (1985)

March 18, 2018, 6:19 pm

≫ Next: JIM PETERIK - The Magical Pen (Camelblue's demo compilation)

≪ Previous: MICHAEL PATTO - Time To Be Right (1991)

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Thanks to Rocky Birboa for helping me to recover this original vinyl-rip

REFUGEE, the brainchild of Canadian songwriter / vocalist Myles Hunter (RIP), released this LP "Affairs In Babylon" in 1985 after an initial indie release under the moniker MICHAEL FURY.
You can read the story and get the albumHERE

REFUGEE's "Affairs In Babylon" wasn't released on CD until 2005 by a German label.
Unfortunately, they didn't take as a source the original master tapes, just a wasted & scratched vinyl, and also gently destroyed the original signal harmonics with a cheap processor.
That CD sounds terrible, a classic album like this deserves a better CD reissue.

From a pretty good vinyl rip (courtesy of troynew, thanks my friend), I've tried to get the best audio quality possible, de-crackling, de-clicking and de-noising the whole thing. To my ears, it sounds far better than the aforementioned German CD.
Tracks 1 & 2 are chained in the vinyl, I have left them as a single track to preserve continuity and avoid the typical mp3 gaps. Anyway, included into the file, are both as separated tracks as well: you choose.
320K including re-worked artwork.


01 - Affairs In Babylon
02 - Thunder Of Another Night
03 - Listen To Your Heart
04 - Hot Words *
05 - Dream On Anastasia
06 - Exiles In The Dark
07 - No Survivors, No Way Out
08 - Body To Body
09 - Here We Go Again *
10 - These Are The Good Times


Myles Hunter : Lead Vocals, Guitar
Rob Kennedy : Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Howard Helm : Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Martyn Jones : Bass, Backing Vocals
Brian Doerner : Drums
Greg Bociek : add. Keyboards *



REFUGEE - Affairs In Babylon [restored audio] (1985) HERE
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JIM PETERIK - The Magical Pen (Camelblue's demo compilation)

April 21, 2018, 2:08 pm

≫ Next: AIR RAID - Air Raid (CD Reissue 2006)

≪ Previous: REFUGEE - Affairs In Babylon [vinyl rip] (1985)

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JIM PETERIK is one of the living icons from the American Rock scene: member of AOR Gods Survivor, mastermind of Pride Of Lions and prolific songwriter. With his 'World Stage International Records" Peterik is constantly recording, to offer his own penned songs to other artists, publishing agencies and record companies.

I have compiled many of these unreleased demos (professionally recorded) entitling the pack "The Magical Pen", as indeed Peterik is like a songwriting magician. Jimbo sings lead vocals on a bunch, and there's a lot of talented vocalists and players joining him.
To wrap the whole package I did a nice little artwork, and you'll find a brief description on each file inside-tags, but take a look here as well if you are interested:

01 - Gutters Of Gold (duet with Jeff Boyle)
Demo of a song written for Sammy Hagar, featuring Chicago musician Jeff Boyle on the duet vocal. Sammy loved the song, but never recorded it. Joe Lynn Turner, of Rainbow and Deep Purple fame, did record it though for his 2009 Sunstorm album 'House Of Dreams'.

02 - Love Doesn't Get Any Stronger Than This (feat. Blue Miller)
This song features vocals by Nashville singer / songwriter / artist Blue Miller. Words and Music by Jim Peterik.

03 - Tears On The Pages (feat. John Melnick)
Song wrote with Jon Lind, of the Fifth Avenue Band way back when. Vocalist is the awesome John Melnick, formerly of the band Zazu. John sang as well on "Late Night Radio" also posted here. Joe Lynn Turner recorded this song on his Sunstorm project's album 'House Of Dreams'.

04 - Late Night Radio (feat. John Melnick)
The song was pitched to Kansas for their more AOR period back around the 'Drastic Measures' era (1983), but they passed. Words and music by Jim Peterik & John Melnick.

05 - Someone Else's Blues
Peterik performs alone (vocals, guitar, keys) on this demo song dedicated to his sister Janice right before she passed away in 1994. Words and Music by Jim Peterik.

06 - Heart Broker (duet with Cathy Richardson)
Unreleased demo, featuring a duet between Jim and Cathy Richardson, Chicago native female artist, lead singer in The Jefferson Starship.

07 - No Ordinary Miracle (feat. John Wetton)
A track co-written with John Wetton of King Crimson and Asia fame. This is the demo for the song that ended up on Wetton's 2001 'Sinister' album. Words and music by Jim Peterik & John Wetton.

08 - Deep End Of The Ocean (feat. Alice Peacock)
This song was written for the 1999 movie of the same name starring Michelle Pfeiffer, but not used. Vocal by a young Alice Peacock. Words and music by Jim Peterik.

09 - Tender Fire (feat. Jan James)
Lead vocals on this one are by Jan James, former lead singer of Chicago-based band Jewel Fetish. Drums are by the late Kyle Woodring. Words and music by Jim Peterik.

10 - The Day America Cried (feat. Johnny Van Zant)
Peterik wrote this song with Johnny Van Zant (the awesome AOR gem 'Van Zant' 1985) right after the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Johnny called Jimbo in shock, and after talking for a while this song came out of that. It was released shortly thereafter as a benefit.

11 - Armageddon
Jim recorded this for the hit movie starring Bruce Willis but it wasn't taken. Six-string wizzard Dave Uhrich play a lot of the guitars on it as well.

12 - Holley (feat. Jim Ellison)
A song co-written by Jim Peterik and the late Jim Ellison of Material Issue. Beautiful tune with a very classic sound.

13 - Man Against The World (feat. Toby Hitchcock)
Promoter Paul Braun had asked Jim if there was any way to perform the song at an upcoming show as it was one of his favorite Survivor tracks. Jim asked Toby Hitchcock of Pride Of Lions to learn the song, which he did the day before the show.
The result was a powerful, raw performance. Given the fact that this was the first time Toby had ever sung the song with Jim, and he had only learned it the day before, nobody cared that there were a couple of bobbles. The overall soul of the song was what came shining through.

14 - Forever And A Day
Wrote by Jimbo in Miami years ago. Apart from Peterik, the performers on this beautiful ballad are unknown.

15 - Kick The Door Down (feat. Kelly Ferro)
Unreleased demo, written by Jim Peterik. His niece Kelly Ferro sang the vocal.

16 - Just For You (feat. Kelly Ferro)
Peterik wrote this song with his friend Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon. REO did record it and it ended up a bonus track on "The Essential REO Speedwagon" compilation. Vocals on this original demo by Kelly Ferro.

17 - We Wish (feat. Jeff Boyle) [Live]
Recorded during the 2007 'County Stage / World Stage' acoustic show at the Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso, IN. Jim Peterik: guitars, Jeff Boyle: guitars & vocals, Chuck Soumar: percussion, Lisa McClowry: backing vocals.

18 - Christmas Morning
Composed and recorded by Jim Peterik for the fans as Christmas gift, featured at his website some time ago.


That's all folks, enjoy this rare & good material.





JIM PETERIK The Magical Pen
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AIR RAID - Air Raid (CD Reissue 2006)

June 9, 2018, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: STEVIE VANN (Lange) - Stevie Vann + 3-track Single (1995)

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Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, AIR RAID was active in the East area the for almost the entire Seventies, founded by songwriter, singer and keyboard player Arthur Offen. All members worked at a local recording studio while playing the club circuit.
At the end of the decade, Air Raid was signed by the new 20th Century Fox record division, and they secure the famous Eddie Kramer to produce the debut.

Released in 1981, "Air Raid" is definitely Pomp AOR, absolutely influenced by the sound & style of Styx, accented by Arthur Offen's pipes very similar in to Dennis DeYoung. Just check the melodic "Nowhere Without Your Love".
However, Air Raid is more visceral and rocking in many ways, especially due to Rick Hinkle's raw guitar setup sound and of course, Eddie Kramer.
At places they turn remind me Trillion, on others Giuffria's Angel, and even Freddie Mercury's Queen on the pompous "You're Mine" and the wonderful "Ballad Of Anymore".
As occurs with the genre, there's lots of rare keyboards / proto synths here, name it Mini-Moogs, Prophet V, Polymoog. Last track called "Air Raid / Drill" is a festival of those, and in my humble opinion, ranks amongst the 3 best Pomp Rock songs of all time.



The venture of 20th Century Fox into the record business was really brief, and Air Raid found themselves without promotion and management, and soon broke-up.
They delivered this one and only album, but this is as good as it gets when we talk about Pomp Rock / AOR.


01 - Nowhere Without Your Love
02 - You're Mine
03 - Anything-Anytime
04 - Love The Way You Look To-Nite
05 - Longships
06 - Lovewave
07 - Mystery Man
08 - Soldiers Of Fortune
09 - Ballad Of Anymore
10 - Air Raid / Drill

Rick Hinkle (guitars)
Tom "Tommy" Walker (bass)
Rick Brown (drums)
Arthur Offen (vocals, grand piano, multi-keyboards,12 string guitar)






AIR RAID - CD Reissue 2006 HQ
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STEVIE VANN (Lange) - Stevie Vann + 3-track Single (1995)

June 24, 2018, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: TRIGGER - Trigger (1978)

≪ Previous: AIR RAID - Air Raid (CD Reissue 2006)

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STEVIE VANN (aka Stevie Lange) born as Stevie Van Kerken in Mufulira, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). Married to record producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, in the late '70s Stevie met Chris Thompson while performing backing vocals for a Manfred Mann's Earth Band album.
Thompson approached Vann to form the Melodic Rock band 'Night', releasing two really good albums.
Stevie Vann is a well known vocal coach, including services to Joe Elliot, Atomic Kitten, Robbie Williams, etc. and sung live with Byan Adams, Elton John, Joe Cocker and Brian May just to name few. She also did backing vocals on "When Love And Hate Collide" (Vault version) for Def Leppard.
Additionally, Vann has recorded backup vocals for Manfred Mann, Sweet, Colin Blunstone, Jim Capaldi, Trevor Rabin, UFO, Rick Wakeman and many many more.

Seriously established in the music business, Stevie Vann finally had the opportunity to record her own album as solo artist, co-written and produced by her ex-husband 'Mutt' Lange (Def Leppard, AC/DC), who also sang background vocals. Although their marriage had broken up they still today remain the best of friends.


"Stevie Vann - ST" is a real good collection of classic sounding songs, where Stevie's singing is the star. Powerful, colorful vocals, from straight rockers to emotional ballads.
Production is top notch as you could imagine, with 'Mutt' Lange involved and Mike Shipley (Def Leppard, Winger, Foreigner) engineering. Session musicians are awesome too: Dann Huff, Bryan Adams dueting, Max Carl, Bob Carlisle, and the list continues.

Released through a small label, this CD is very hard to find and a collectors piece. I also included as bonus the CDsingle "I'll Take Your Heart", featuring an edit version of the title cut plus two tracks not present in the main album.

"Stevie Vann - ST"
01. What Would You Say?
02. Prove It [duet with Bryan Adams]
03. The Bigger The Better
04. (Let That) River Roll
05. What In The World?
06. Without Your Love (I Can't Live)
07. Will The Last One To Leave
08. I Thought I'd Seen Everything
09. I'll Take Your Heart
10. If Walls Could Talk

"I'll Take Your Heart" CDsingle:

01 - I'll Take Your Heart [single version]
02 - Mysterious [non album track]
03 - He Won't Let Me Be [non album track]


Personnel :
* Dann Huff - electric & acoustic guitars, bass
* Glenn Worf - bass
* Reggie Young - rhythm guitar
* Lonnie Wilson - drums
* Bosco De Olivera - percussion
* Wayne Stalling - keyboards
* John Jarvis - piano
* Steve Nathan - B3 organ and synths
* Philip Nicholas - keyboards, programming
* Richie Buckley - tenor and soprano sax
* Bryan Adams - vocals on "Prove It" (duet)
* Max Carl - backing vocals
* Bob Carlisle - backing vocals
Mike Shipley - engineer, mixing
Robert John "Mutt" Lange - producer, background vocals

STEVIE VANN Lange ST + 3-track Single
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TRIGGER - Trigger (1978)

June 26, 2018, 2:00 am

≫ Next: GREAT KING RAT - Great King Rat [Japan Edition +1] (1992)

≪ Previous: STEVIE VANN (Lange) - Stevie Vann + 3-track Single (1995)

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TRIGGER was a four-piece act that rocked the New Jersey / New York circuit during the Seventies. The band recorded a private vinyl at the middle of the decade, but their great opportunity arrived when Gene Simmons presented Trigger to Kiss' recording label, Casablanca.
The deal was done and Trigger's self-titled album released in 1978.

If you take a look at the cover you can see that the image suggested to Trigger by the label has pretty much in common with other Casablanca artist: Giuffria's Angel.
But musically, Trigger is timeless catchy rock 'n roll with high doses of radio friendly melodies. They could be compared with Starz, Legs Diamond, Moxy and John Waite's The Babys.



Despite the year of recording, "Trigger" sounds crisp and commercially close to the refined early Eighties. The album was co-arranged & produced by Corky Stasiak (who worked with Kiss at the time) and together with Jay Messina (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick) and Dennis Ferrante (Alice Cooper) engineered the whole thing. So you know what to expect here.
Most tracks are sung by drummer Derek Remington with his slightly raspy throat, but guitarists Jimmy Duggan (RIP) and Richie House also did lead vocals on a couple of tracks each.
With three well trained lead singers plus bassist doing backgrounds, Trigger develops here as well very nice multi-part harmony vocals.



Apparently Trigger recorded a second album but they fell into oblivion with Casablanca's bankrupt.
Their album - only released on LP - become a collectors hard to find piece for many years, until a British specialized label reissued the disc on CD some years ago.
But this is a rip (not mine) from the original LP which sounds warm 'n nice. I did a scratch cleaning from the original .wav files, but kept some 'typical vinyl little noises' because it adds a special charm to the listening experience.
Quite rare album, packed with lovable, melodic American late seventies rock music.


01 - Somebody Like You
02 - Gimme Your Love
03 - Baby, Don't Cry
04 - Shake It Up
05 - Rockin 'Cross The U.S.A.
06 - Deadly Weapon
07 - I've Heard That Line Before
08 - Beware Of Strangers
09 - I Think I'm Ready
10 - Don't Stop Your Love
11 - We're Gonna Make It

Jimmy Duggan - guitars, vocals
Richie House - guitars, vocals
Tom Nigra - bass, backing vocals
Derek Remington - drums, vocals






TRIGGER 1978
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