EMERGENCY arrived a bit too late to the European Melodic Hard Rock scene as their rockin' "Boys Will Be Boys" CD saw the light in 1993, but well worth the wait considering the quality on offer here.Things were delayed because the band leaded by guitarist Pierre Bordén didn't found the proper singer until they met talented Spanish-born Jose Antonio Manzano (Banzai, Niagara, Zero), a terrific shouter in the vein of David Coverdale.Though the band come from Basilea, Switzerland, the album was developed, recorded and produced in Germany, so it's not surprise that "Boys Will Be Boys" has a strong Teutonic MHR sound with sharp guitar flurries, a punchy rhythm section, profuse keyboard injections and catchy choruses also akin some Scandinavian acts like Treat.
We have top class Melodic Hard Rock cuts here as "Give It Up", "Tell Me", "Walk In My Shadow" and "Talkin' Bout Love", the Scandi-AOR influenced "Don't Look Back" (a personal favorite), "Movin´", "Tell Me" and the synth driven "Love Shot", a semi-midtempo anthem in title track "Boys Will Be Boys", and of course a fantastic piano-ballad in the form of "Nights Are So Long". Production is excellent, shiny, crystal clear.Long time out of print, "Boys Will Be Boys" was resurrected some years ago in a limited 1000 copies reissue -apparently remixed and remastered- but this is a rip at maximum quality from the original CD edition shared with us by a friend of mine: NitdeRock, so thank you in spades mate.A must have in any serious MHR/AOR collection.01 - Boys Will Be Boys02 - Movin'03 - Don't Look Back04 - Nights Are So Long05 - Give It Up06 - Blackeyed Jennie07 - Tell Me08 - Talkin' Bout Love09 - Never Stop Lovin´ You10 - Love Shot11 - Walk In My ShadowJose Antonio Manzano - lead & backing vocalsPierre Borden - guitarsTommy Patrick - keyboards, backing vocalsAndy C. Vale - bassRonny O'Riot - drumsEMERGENCY Boys Will Be Boys HQ.
Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...Read comments for alternatives"TIME" was an eighties musical developed by English musician, songwriter and record producer Dave Clark, leader and drummer of the group The Dave Clark Five who scored several hits alongside The Beatles.With a massive production and modern stage production including a big steel set with hydraulic lift and filmed holographics, "Time" debuted in april of 1986 at London’s Dominion Theatre with great success.However, "Time" never received an original London Cast Recording with Clark opting instead to release the show’s score as a star-filled, two-LP studio concept album prior to the London opening. The 'who’s who' from the rock&pop field of those years were enlisted; Cliff Richard, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Leo Sayer, Julian Lennon, Chris Thompson and Dionne Warwick among others."Time" tells the story of the Rock Star named Chris Wilder (Cliff Richard) who has been transported with his band from one of their concerts on Earth to the 'High Court of the Universe' in the Andromeda Galaxy. There they face three judges to defend the Earth in the case of the 'Time Lord vs. the people of the planet Earth', to demonstrate why the Earth should be allowed to continue it's existence. But in fact, it's a beautiful, deep philosophical understanding of life told through a Rock fable.Apart from the interesting story, the music and performances are truly great. Ranging from rockers to commercial rock&pop tunes, you'll be surprised by these artists showing a different side from what they are mostly known. There's really good vocal appearances by Richard, Mercury, Julian Lennon but also less famous names as Leo Sayer, Jimmy Helms or John Christie, all delivering a superb output.The tracks are constructed in a 'song format', while some spoken parts in between by actor Sir Laurence Olivier (excellent) carries the concept of the story. Production is top notch, with a typical mid-eighties glossy treatment.
Unfortunately, "Time" never was released on CD. Apparently Dave Clark hates compact disc having refused every offer to bring this monster project to the format over the years. Anyway, celebrating the musical's 25th anniversary last year, he put a reissue in digital format exclusively on iTunes featuring new edits and several alternate mixes.This in NOT that version, this is my own rip from the original analog release which has come out pretty decent.Added as bonuses are Freddie Mercury's main theme "Time" and "In My Defence" (both top 40 in the UK Singles Chart) in two different versions appeared later on CD in 'The Freddie Mercury Album' and 'The Very Best Of Freddie Mercury Solo'. Very close friends, Dave Clark was the only person present aside his bed when Freddie died in 1991."TIME" is a fantastic piece of music suitable for all audiences. I'm sure all the lovers of the good sounds following this blog will enjoy this music with infinite pleasure.ACT I01 - Cliff Richard - Born To Rock 'n' Roll02 - Ashford & Simpson - Time Talkin'03 - Freddie Mercury - Time04 - Laurence Olivier - Music Of The Spheres05 - The Judges - Law Of The Universe06 - John Christie - Time Lord Theme07 - John Christie - The Charge08 - Leo Sayer - One Human Family09 - Dionne Warwick - What On Earth10 - Leo Sayer - I Know, I Know11 - Jimmy Helms - Your Brother In Soul12 - John Christie - Case For The Prosecution13 - Ashford & Simpson - Star Maker14 - Julian Lennon - Time Will Teach Us All (feat. Stevie Wonder)15 - John Christie - I Object16 - Freddie Mercury - In My DefenseTIME - ACT IACT II01 - Dionne Warwick - Within My World02 - Julian Lennon - Because03 - Jimmy Helms - Move The Judge04 - Cliff Richard - She's So Beautiful (feat. Stevie Wonder)05 - Laurence Olivier - Beauty, Truth, Love, Freedom, Peace06 - Julian Lennon - If You Only Knew07 - Murray Head - We're The UFO08 - Laurence Olivier - The Theme From "Time"09 - John Christie - Harmony10 - Freddie Mercury - The Return (Time reprise)11 - Cliff Richard - It's In Every One Of UsEXTRAS:Freddie Mercury - Time (acoustic guitar single version)Freddie Mercury - In My Defence (single version)Freddie Mercury - Time (original single version)Freddie Mercury - In My Defence (2000 Remix)TIME - ACT IIThe Earth Group: Cliff Richard, Freddie Mercury, Julian Lennon, Leo Sayer, Jimmy Helms, Ashford & Simpson Louise: Dionne Warwick Akash, the Ultimate Word in Truth: Laurence Olivier Melchisedic, The Time Lord: John Christie The Judges: Murray Head, Ashford & Simpson, Chris Thompson, Miriam Stockley, Michael Mullins .
Scottish Alex Ligertwood recorded twelve albums as lead vocalist in the Santana band, but the man has been involved in many groups like Average White Band, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express or Jeff Beck Group, also recording for other artists (Glenn Hughes, Jeff Lorber, Steve Morse, etc.).However, his solo discography is quite short, and one of them is "METRO" a project assembled together with teacher & session guitar player Carl Verheyen and keyboardist Richard Baker, also ex Santana but who has recently provided ivory to hard rock bands such as Warrant, Skin or Lynch Mob.But "Metro" does not go for the rockin' sounds, this is smooth Westcoast AOR oriented stuff with a strong soul influence. The musical style here isn't so easy to classify anyway, as these musicians blend many flavors into their delivery. Perhaps the closest description to "Metro" is the Narada Michael Walden Band (with whom Ligertwood has worked in the past).The midtempo "Feel The Spirit" features a nice vocal line and recalling musically some '80s British acts, while in "Whenever You're Ready" the early '80s US westcoast emerges, especially through these 'classic Rhodes' keys and the soulful chorus."All The Way" is a good, atmospheric croon-like ballad, then "A'kwa'gala (I Love You)", as the title suggests, adds more tribal percussions to the proceedings with a hint to Ligertwood's Santana years.Last track "One & Only Love" is another slow tune dominated by smooth vocals, nice pianos and subtle synths in the background. A good one that reminds me a soundtrack tune of the '80s featured in the movie The Falcon and the Snowman.Alex Ligertwood's Metro was very well produced by legend Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Foreigner) and although is not essential, provides an enjoyable easy listening.Not my favorite stuff, but it was so insistently requested here that I decided to post it for all of you. Released in limited quantities, it's impossible to find a copy of "Metro" nowadays.Rare and out of print.01 - Feel The Spirit02 - Whenever You're Ready03 - All The Way04 - A'kwa'gala (I Love You)05 - One & Only LoveAlex Ligertwood: Vocals, Percussion, ProgrammingRichard Baker: Synths, PianoCarl Verheyen: GuitarsALEX LIGERTWOOD METROpass:camelblue.
DONNIE MILLER is some kind of mystery. This very good singer, guitarist & compser released "One Of The Boys" in 1989 and then disappeared without notice.Judging the quality of the album, easily he could have been a star in the American melodic rock scene at the end of the eighties / early nineties.Some big names appear contributing on the recording; Lance Quinn producing (Danger Danger) and playing guitar, former Shooting Star bassist Norm Dahlor, and the great Tommy Shaw co-writing and singing some backing vocals. Even pop-star Cyndi Lauper provides some harmonies.Talking about Shaw, the overall sound, style and feeling on "One Of The Boys" strongly reminds me his superb solo album "Ambition", so expect a polished and melodic delivery here.
Catchy '80s Melodic Rock rhythms are the motto in such numbers as "Normal Guy [I Want Sex]", the chorus-heaven of "I Can't Stop Flying" and the Tommy Shaw meets John Parr "Blind Man's Bluff". More straight radio friendly / soundtrack-like rockers can be heard on title track "One Of The Boys", "The Man Said No" and the anthemic "You Can't Stop Emotion" (some Damn Yankees feel here).On the AOR side of things, "Me And You" is a great midtempo-ballad full of '80s magic, "The Devil Wears Lingerie" has that stylized sound typical of the era with that particular beat and mysterious atmosphere, "No Time For Running" offers a steady, lovable synth line, while closer "Welcome Home" is one of the highest points on the album.Compelling, underrated Melodic Rock / AOR album in the best American tradition.01. One Of The Boys02. Normal Guy [I Want Sex]03. I Can't Stop Flying (feat. Cyndi Lauper)04. Me And You05. The Devil Wears Lingerie06. The Man Said No07. Blind Man's Bluff08. No Time For Running09. You Can't Stop Emotion10. Welcome Home (feat. Tommy Shaw)Donnie Miller - vocals, guitarLance Quinn (Danger Danger, ArcAngel) - guitarKurt Carow - keyboardsNorman Dahlor (Shooting Star) - bassTim Kix Kelly - drumsLane Brock, Vince Kirk - additional guitarsS.M.K. Quinn - additional keyboardsCyndi Lauper - guest backing vocalsTommy Shaw - songwriting, guest backing vocalsDONNIE MILLER One Of The Boys HQ.
