Re-posted per request. Very good and hard to find disc.
Once described as 'one of the greatest unknown gems in UK's AOR scene', IF ONLY was the British answer to American female fronted bands in the genre like Vixen or Heart.
Formed from the ashes of superb rockers Moritz by guitarist Greg Hart and bass player Ian Edwards, the band released their official debut 'No Bed Of Roses' in 1992 - only in Japan - with its subsequent European edition two years after. The singer in this disc was the fiery Tina Egan which joined the band around '91.
But around 1989 / 90, IF ONLY recorded a complete take of these songs with original singer Jackie Bodimead who sang in Girlschool for a while. That version was finally released by a US indie label as "Destiny" in 2004, with the addition of 5 previously unreleased tracks plus two Live Radio Session cuts.
I largely prefer these earlier versions, as Bodimead is one of the best and most underrated female vocalists ever. Her tone, expression and charm fits perfectly to this Melodic Rock / AOR style. Also to note is the excellent lead guitar work by Martin Chaisson.
Both Jackie and Martin left the IF ONLY when this original take of the album was nearly completed. It was a devastating blow to the band when she quit at the eleventh hour. To be fair, Tina Egan was a quality replacement, but she was no Jackie Bodimead.
Alongside Greg Hart, Bodimead forged a songwriting partnership that should have gone far.
Just listen to the likes of "Rock And A Hard Place", the old Moritz song "Hearts On The Line", the AOR bliss of "Hearts On The Line", "If Love Could Last Forever" or the simply perfect "Ghost Of You".
It's almost unbelievable they didn't had their breakthrough in the USA back then, because the music was just so perfect classy '80s Melodic Rock / AOR.
Hard to find limited release, out of print.
01 - Destiny (prev. unreleased)
02 - Voices Of The Heart (prev. unreleased)
03 - Ain't Nobody (prev. unreleased)
04 - Hearts On The Line (prev. unreleased)
05 - Change Of Heart (prev. unreleased)
06 - Rock And A Hard Place
07 - Tumblin' Dice
08 - If Love Could Last Forever
09 - No Bed Of Roses
10 - Forever My Love
11 - Loaded Gun
12 - Ghost Of You
13 - Red Hot Heaven
14 - All Over
15 - Man Against The World
16 - All Over (Live Radio Session)
17 - Ghost Of You (Live Radio Session)
Jackie Bodimead : Vocals
Martin Chaisson : Guitars
Greg Hart : Guitars
Ian Edwards : Bass
Andy Stewarton : Keyboards
Andy Elphick : Drums
IF ONLY (Jackie Bodimead) - Destiny
.
0 comments:
Post a Comment