Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...KAREN BLAKE is one of those 'career singers' that has done everything.Since the late seventies she has sung on US national jingles, TV shows and movie soundtracks, wrote songs for publishing companies, arranged and recorded for many major artists like Michael McDonald or Christopher Cross, and also pursued a solo career.Producer Philip Giffin not only fell in love with Karen's gifted voice, he became her husband as well. Giffin got a label contract, the cream of the L.A. session musicians and co-produced Karen's debut "Just One Heart".This is that kind of albums with pristine production and refined arrangements that only could have been crafted during the '80s.You have pop-rockers, lite AOR tunes, westcoast ballads and mid-eighties soundtrack-like songs played by terrific musicians (check personnel), penned by monsters such as Glen Ballard, Clif Magness & Jay Gruska among others, and sung by Karen's velvety vocals."Just One Heart" was originally published in 1984 only in Japan, while the American edition was put on hold until 1986. Both were LP-vinyl releases only.My file is taken from the very rare, first ever CD Japanese editon (year:2000) by the specialized Cool Sound label.It's out of print (around $90 on eBay), so if you like this kind of stuff, get it pronto...01 - I Want You Back02 - I'm Only Here For You03 - Anything At All04 - Just One Heart05 - Come Hell Or Waters High06 - Chain Reaction07 - I'm Not A Loser08 - Someone To Love09 - Time Heals The Wounds10 - I'll Shine My Light On YouKaren Blake: Lead & Backing vocalsPhillip Griffin: Arrangements, Bass & Backing vocalsSteve Lukather, Dann Huff, Michael Landau: GuitarsNathan East, Neil Stubenhaus: BassAlan Pasqua, Shane Keister, Kyle Lehning, Peter Wolf: SynthsRobbie Buchanan: Electric Piano & Rhodes SynthLarrie Londin, Carlos Vega: DrumsPat Mastelotto: Simmons DrumsLenny Castro: PercussionBilly Puet, Ernie Watts: HornsJames Newton Howard: ClavinetKarla Bonoff, Christopher Cross, Kenny Edwards, Andrew Gold, Dave Loggins & Wendy Waldman: Backing vocalsKAREN BLAKE Just One Heart
Now this is a real treat.ROXANNE hails from Riverside, California, founded in the mid-eighties by vocalist Jamie Brown and bass player Joe Infante. Roxanne plays partying American melodic hard rock music at it's finest with cleverly well written songs and excellent musicianship. The difference with other bands in the genre is their sense of fun, adding to their hard rockin' tunes some kind of 'go to the dancefloor' vibe that makes you tap your foot.They played extensively the local club circuit, and in one gig a Scotti Bros executive saw their potential and quickly signed them.The debut was finely produced by Geoff Workman (Journey, Foreigner) in 1986 but the album was not released immediately. First it was published only in Japan at the beginning of 1988 entitled "Burning Through The Night". The first 2 tracks are from a different, early recording session and are exclusive to this Asian edition which has become very rare.
Then several months later the CD was released in the other side of the globe (pressed in Germany as Scotti Bros used to do) simply as "Roxanne", with different artwork, tracklist order and discarding the Asian opening tracks being replaced by "Not The Same" and a rockin' cover of the disco/soul song "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)".The CD back cover presents several print errors such as first track name "Nothing To Loose" instead of "Lose" or stating the release year as 1986. 
The band and specially singer Jamie Brown have a story that deserves to be told. Jamie born to be an entertainer.Roxanne played mostly original material, with a few choice dance covers ("Play That Funky Music" amongst them). Then during one gig presenting the album, for a Halloween prank the band donned elastic stretch Afro wigs, platform shoes and polyester pants, dubbed itself the Boogie Knights, and played nothing but KC and the Sunshine Band hits.The disco show was an instant smash, and the prank quickly turned into serious business. The phone does not stop ringing asking for Boogie Knights presentations, dozen times more than Roxanne shows.Soon Jamie dissolved Roxanne and set up an entertainment franchise called Perfect World which started managing the Knights, and nowadays is a successful company of look-alike/sound-alike disco, classic rock and metal tribute acts.Perhaps you have heard about Metal Shop, a kistch Glam Metal band also known as Danger Kitty. Well, Jamie Brown-Perfect World are behind them, with 8 different line-ups spread all throughout the US performing hundreds of shows annually.One of these ended up being the act now known as Steel Panther.Stories aside, after more than twenty years from Roxanne's recording, most of these tracks were remastered by Brown via his Sunnymead Records and available for fans in a short period of time.This was not just 'another remaster', there's a really improvement in sound. I can tell you because I have all 3 editions.So you have here the best "Roxanne" collection available; I have been faithful to the original Asian tracklist, so the album starts with the very good numbers - Japan only - "Burning Through The Night" and "My Way", but the rest of the tracks are taken from the remastered version. They really sound fantastic.Added as well are the two tracks from the Western edition (remastered as well) and some bonuses specially added by Brown, all previously unreleased.Great stuff. Very Recommended.01 - Burning Through The Night [Japan only]02 - My Way [Japan only]03 - Nothin' To Lose (remastered)04 - Over You (remastered)05 - Stay With Me (remastered)06 - Cherry Bay (remastered)07 - Sweet Maria (remastered)08 - Coming For You (remastered)09 - Do It All (remastered)10 - Can't Stop Thinking (remastered)11 - Not The Same (remastered) [America only]12 - Play That Funky Music (remastered) [America only]13 - Can't Stop Thinking (Remix) [prev. unreleased]14 - Looks Like Rain (Live) [prev. unreleased]15 - Man In The Moon (demo) [prev. unreleased]16 - Days Like Today (demo) [prev. unreleased]Jamie Brown - Lead & Backing VocalsJon Butler - Guitar, Backing VocalsJoe Infante - Bass, Backing VocalsDave Landry - Drums & PercussionROXANNE Burning Through The Night
This is a revamped post from years ago, per request. The quality of the music deserves it and fact that it isn't available anywhere into the blogosphere.Get it while it's hot...
This is a beautiful collection of songs & music, different to anything you have listened by now. Quite unknown and self-released, "Someday" was discovered to me by my good friend Troynew, so thanks him.Forget genres and don't miss this graceful album.
Troy himself explains the whole thing in his own words :I was impressed when I first heard the soundbytes and couldn't wait for my copy to arrive. Having heard the genuine article in all its regal splendor, I'm well and truly bowled over by what is clearly one of the latest and greatest in a long line of superb christian melodic pop/rock releases. This is not just the best heretofore unknown outfit I stumbled across while racking up the items for my most recent order, but arguably the finest CD I've ordered this year thus far (and I've purchased quite a few). Frankly I haven't heard this kind of vocal grandstanding from a female duo since VENUS & MARS' acclaimed masterpiece 'New Moon Rising', on this occasion as well combined with an immaculate production job and 10 outstanding tracks that leave little to be desired for the discerning aficionado of divinely inspired piano/keyboard dominated melodies and prodigy level songwriting. Since I have a penchant for AOR, it stands to reason that I would favor those tracks with a heavier rock edge, such as magnificent opener 'The Father will find you' with its STYX-like pomposity and the simply breathtaking semiballad 'Peace be still', which is very much in the same style as the aforementioned VENUS & MARS (a superior version of Canadian sister act HEART). For the past couple of days I've been playing those two to death, which is not taking anything away from the other delightful cuts. I've enjoyed every single song (and note, for that matter) on this awesome album. No impartial listener could fail to recognize how extremely talented these ladies are, though I would hardly call them 'one and the same'. On the contrary, their voices are unique in their own way (obviously), while complementing each other exceedingly well. This disc is for those who value subtle and refined, yet with plenty of bravado, and should appeal to a sizable, diverse audience (Did I hear echoes of Sade in 'Love remains'?). To state I am looking forward to hearing more from ONE AND THE SAME would be putting it mildly. Need I say it? Get this album while the getting's good, or you may live to regret it!Highly Recommended1. The Father Will Find You2. Someday3. Love Remains4. Have Mercy (On Me)5. Peace Be Still6. Eyes of Sorrow7. These Are the Times8. Because of You9. Lord Gives Grace, The (Hannah's Song)10. Captain of My SoulRachel MacKay: Lead & Backing Vocals, pianoMitzi Shetzline: Lead & Backing Vocals, pianoMark Pay: Guitars, Background VocalsRandy Melson: BassShawn Fichter: Drums & PercussionRolin Mains: Synths, keyboardsONE AND THE SAME Someday
Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...Germans MASON started as a band in the mid-eighties but their recording debut arrived in 1992 with this "Big Illusion".Their style is late eighties oriented Euro Melodic Rock infused with AOR sounds and good doses of keyboards.The CD includes some really good uptempo tracks as the pumping opener "Rockin' Round The World" and the marching "The Eagles Cries".Though, my favorites are the definitely AOR numbers "Someday" and the killer "Two Hearts" where they remind me Craaft, or the more stylized "If Looks Could Kill" featuring a nice set of mysterious keys and a fine chorus."Hard Life" is a nice ballad, followed by the melodic "Cool Woman". "Laurel 'N' Hardy" adds some hi-tech stylings to the album, before ending with the quite good midtempo AOR of "Can't Stop Loving You".
Mason released another album after "Big Illusion", but despite being distributed by a major company both become soon out of print and hard to find, specially this one.Good AOR / Melodic Rock in the European style.01 - Rockin' Round The World02 - If Looks Could Kill03 - Two Hearts04 - Hard Life05 - Cool Woman06 - The Eagles Cries07 - Someday08 - Laurel 'N' Hardy09 - Can't Stop Loving YouThomas Zigann: lead & backing vocals, guitarsMarco Alvino: bass, backing vocalsMike Parson: drums, backing vocalsRick Sinoni: keyboards, backing vocalsMASON - Big Illusion
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", sonically pretty away from his main band, much more commercial with the typical eighties 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. Westcoast 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 eighies sound. Guaranteed.01 - Out On The Streets02 - So Wrong03 - Don't Make Me Do It04 - Why You Givin' Up05 - Too Long06 - Knocking At Your Door07 - If You Want A Little Love08 - Have You Seen Her?09 - Sue Sad10 - Dream About MePatrick Simmons: Lead & Backing Vocals, GuitarsChris Thompson: Lead & Backing VocalsMichael McDonald: Keyboards, Synths, Backing VocalsJohn McFee, Jeff Baxter: Lead GuitarAlan Pasqua: KeyboardsPatrick Henderson: OrganJude Cole: GuitarsLeland "Lee" Sklar, Dennis Belfield: BassBill Payne: Fender RhodesDavid Campbell: Strings ArrangementsVictor Feldman: PercussionMike Baird, Rick Shlosser: DrumsJohn Elefante, David Pack, Jeff Wilson: Backing vocalsand many more...PATRICK SIMMONS Arcade CD reissue
Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...Mr. CLIF MAGNESS is one of the most accomplished songwriters from the last three decades in the rock&pop music business.This Grammy award winner has been a successful producer as well, cooking hits for Jack Wagner, Sheena Easton, Cheap Trick and countless artists.In 1994 Clif released his first (and sadly, the only) solo album, aptly entitled "Solo", regarded as one of the top AOR recordings of all time.But for this timeless sounding AOR / Westcoast / AC gem, Magness wasn't 'solo' at all: co-writing with Clif there's the talents of Martin Page, Steve Kipner, Glen Ballard and Mark Mueller, all of them contibuting backing vocals as well.And with exquisite musicians such as Jay Graydon and the same Glen Ballard helping tu build these beautiful sounds, we have a winner CD.
Originally released in Sweden, "Solo" was quicky picked up by Japanese label Toshiba to satisfiy the Asian market, avid for this kind of music.This is a rip from the Japan CD edition, which those years used to deliver a noticeable better, pristine sound than the manufactured in other parts of the world.Long time out of print, "Solo" was reissued by an European label not so long ago featuring two previously unreleased songs as bonus tracks.A Must Have.01 - Footprints in the Rain02 - It's Only Love03 - Hold Me Lee Anne04 - One Way Out05 - Khalela06 - Jenny's Still in Love07 - Only You08 - If We Can't Do It09 - Flower Girl10 - What's a Heart to Do11 - Solo12 - Dreams Fade Away13 - Ready or Not14 - Black & White (bonus track)15 - Running Forever (bonus track)Clif Magness: vocals, guitars, programming, keyboards, synthsGlen Ballard: keyboards, backing vocalsJay Graydon: guitar solosAina Olsen, Martin Page, Mark Mueller: backing vocalsCLIF MAGNESS - Solo + bonus
