MICHAEL BREEN - ST (1987)

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

Michael Breen is a Canadian session vocalist / guitarist / keyboardist, one of these musicians that got the opportunity to record his own solo album.
Apart from his work as session man, he was part of the local band Concert who released one album in 1982 called 'Vitamin', and later, vocalist of The Sailcats.

Breen soon came to the attention of Alert Records owner Tom Berry who signed him to the label.
Being born in the french side of Canada (Quebec), they wanted songwriting partners to provide english lyrics for his songs to have a universal appeal. The first single, in example, was penned by by the soon-to-be-famous female vocalist Sass Jordan.
With the songs ready, and Michael playing most of the instruments, the album was recorded at the end of 1986 produced by Pierre Bazinet (Luba, Boulevard, Paradox).

Breen's self titled effort is a mix of Rock&Pop / Lite AOR in the typical canadian style and sound, with some Hi-Tech elements.
Songs like "Rain", "SOS Emotion" and "Risky" are keyboard dominated poprockers, the most commercial and radiable tracks on the album.
But with "How Will I Know" things start to become interesting. This is a good semi-ballad with more tough vocals (shared with Sass Jordan) and great keyboards. A song in the Tommy Shaw style.

"So Long" has a very classy sound, a relaxing late-night Lite AOR that reminds me Russ Irwin, with good keys and guitars. One of the best tracks here.
"Face To Face" is an old song written when Breen's was in The Sailcats, placed 2nd in the 1985 Music Express/MuchMusic National Talent Search contest. Another good one, an uptempo poppy AOR with nice orchestration.
"Do It" is the more guitar dominated track of the album. Richard Marx comes to mind, Brian Spence also. Good guitar solo.
"All The Way" is a 'techy' number with a catchy chorus, similar to Robert Tepper stuff. Breen's vocals are rougher and effective.

This album is a good exponent of the 'eighties canadian sound'.
Nothing spectacular or memorable, but a pleasant listen, well composed, played and recorded.
Impossible to find -particularly this CD version- (artwork included).
A collectible item.


01 - Rain
02 - Risky
03 - High And Low
04 - SOS Emotion
05 - How Will I Know
06 - So Long
07 - Face To Face
08 - Do It
09 - All The Way
10 - How Will I Know (Reprise)


Michael Breen: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bkg Vocals
Sass Jordan: Vocals, Bkg Vocals
Rest of Personnel: unlisted



MICHAEL BREEN - ST _ HERE
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0 Day Rock

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Updated October 22, 2019

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THE TURN - Reason With Your Heart (1993)

This THE TURN - there's many bands with this name - hailing from the US MidEast, was founded in the late '80s by guitarist Dave Turner and belonged to the CCM Rock movement.
Their musical style fluctuates between light AOR and poppy Melodic Rock with some Hi-Tech touches.

As far I know, "Reason With Your Heart" was The Turn's only album appeared in 1993.
The overall sound is pretty Eighties with a clean, correct production for an indie, where the lead vocals are shared between Turner, bass player Gary Bedell and keyboardist Dan Fritz resulting in a more varied output.



All are gentle songs like opener "I'll Wait", the catchy "Keep On", the lite AOR "Hearts On Fire" with nice keyboards, midtempo "Follow Me" and the sweet ballad title track among the best.
There's nothing memorable (at least for me) on this CD, although it's a pleasant listen. However, I can see why it was requested; it's impossible to find a copy (very limited release) fetching really high prices at auction sites.
One for collectors.


01 - I'll Wait
02 - Keep On
03 - Reason With Your Heart
04 - You Saved Me
05 - Good Times
06 - Hearts On Fire
07 - H2O
08 - Follow Me
09 - Nobody
10 - Shine Your Light

Gary Bedell: Lead Vocals, Bass
Dave Turner: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dan Fritz: Keyboards, Vocals
Brian Duvall: Drums
Jimmy A: add. Guitar
Steve Griffith: add. Keyboards, Programming, Producer
George Skipper, Paul Bills, Marla Fritz: Backing Vocals


THE TURN - Reason With Your Heart (1993)
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GREG GUIDRY - Private Session (2000)

Requested again by one of you..

St. Louis born GREG GUIDRY signed a deal with CBS Records at the end of the seventies as songwriter artist, providing songs for many acts such as Climax Blues Band, Robbie Dupree, Exile, Reba McEntire, etc.
Greg also did backing vocals as session musician until Columbia offered him the opportunity to record his first own LP entitled Over The Line, featuring David Hungate (Toto), Dan Huff, Bobby LaKind, David Sanborn and other great L.A. recording studio cats.

Despite the good sales and a respectable #17 Billboard single, there was not second album. But Guidry continued recording material which remained unreleased for almost twenty years, when in 2000 finally saw the light of day.
"Private Session" is a professionally recorded, mixed and produced bunch of wonderful tunes with all the AOR / Westcoast magic from the '80s.
Some cuts are stylized, smooth L.A. sounding songs akin Chicago, Robbie Dupree, John O'Banion, while the more radio friendly AOR compositions, Brock Walsh, Tommy Funderburk, Tom Keane, etc.



Released by Japanese label Cool Sound but now out of print, Greg Guidry's "Private Session" is a delicious slice of pure '80s spell.


01 - You're Good For Me
02 - I Got This Thing
03 - I Believe
04 - Heart To Heart
05 - Don't Let Go
06 - It Happens Everytime
07 - I Get High
08 - It's Only Love
09 - Say When
10 - First Time
11 - Think About It
12 - Suspicious Heart

Greg Guidry: vocals, keyboards
Dann Huff, Jon Goin, Tom Hemby: guitars
Keith Thomas, Phil Naish: keyboards
Mike Brignardello, Keith Thomas, Gary Lunn: bass
Mark Hammond: drums
Mark Hammond, Keith Thomas: programming
Sam Levine, Mark Douthit: sax
Cathy Guidry, Sandra Guidry, Denny Henson, Joe Hogue: background vocals




GREG GUIDRY Private Session
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THE BRAVE - Battle Cries [CD edition +2] (1992)

THE BRAVE was one of the most complete Melodic Hard Rock bands appeared in the L.A. scene during the late '80s. Perhaps due their Christian origins they weren't more massive, and the band's debut, this superb "Battle Cries", arrived too late.
The Brave recorded ten tracks of pure golden Melodic Hard Rock with Hair Metal and AOR touches, plenty of big hooks, terrific harmonies and memorable choruses mixed by guru Neil Kernon and produced by the talented duo John & Dino Elefante with a crisp, slick sound. The record was released via the brothers own label Pakaderm / Word in 1992.

You can't find a weak song here, all are killers in their own right.
There's outstanding gems in "All Together Now" and "The Waiting", more edgy rockers on the melodic "Tears Of A Broken Heart" or " Little Love", sublime AORish midtempos like "Never Live Without Your Love" and "Running All My Life", and a perfect ballad in "Just A Man".
This CD edition of the album includes two extra tracks as bonus (not present in the LP / cassette) and really worth the addition: a completely different, AOR versions of "All Together Now" and "Running All My Life" without drums, added keyboards / orchestrations and multi-part vocal harmonies galore.



Often compared with the awesome Dann Huff's Giant, I am posting "Battle Cries" because at this point, the first album by The Brave should be considered a Melodic Hard Rock classic. It's that good and consistent in all departments.
You never get tired of listening "Battle Cries", and now, while precisely I am giving it a new spin, decided to share it here because it must be part of hardrockaorheaven.blogspot.com.
A highly recommended addition to your collection.


01 - All Together Now
02 - The Waiting
03 - If That Ain't Love
04 - Running All My Life
05 - Tears Of A Broken Heart
06 - Little Love
07 - Never Live Without Your Love
08 - Big World
09 - Ride With The Rhythm
10 - Just A Man
11 - All Together Now (Studio Mix) [bonus track]
12 - Running All My Life (Studio Mix) [bonus track]

James Salters - lead and harmony vocals
Freddie Tierra - guitars, harmony vocals
Stayce Roberts - guitars, harmony vocals
Malcolm Paris - bass, harmony vocals
Randy Roberts - drums, harmony vocals
John and Dino Elefante - keyboards, orchestrations




THE BRAVE - Battle Cries [CD edition +2] HQ
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THE TRUTH - Weapons Of Love (1987)

The last album (1989) from British rockers THE TRUTH was featured at this blog some years ago, now one of you requested their previous and record, "Weapons Of Love".
This 1987 release was an unexpected success in America, with the title track reaching #7 on the Rock single charts and general Billboard Hot 100. Three songs from the album were also used in the great sci-fi movie 'The Hidden', and other in a Miami Vice episode.

The music packed in "Weapons Of Love" is commercial radio-ready rock with clean vocals, precise guitars, fine synths typical from the era, and an overall polished production sound.
Helped by ex-Mr. Mister drummer Pat Mastelotto and keyboardist Paul Fox (XTC), the only stable and founder members Dennis Greaves (Lead Vocals & Guitar) & Mick Lister (Vocals, Guitar) recorded a bunch of highly enjoyable '80s tunes here.



At places on this album The Truth bring to mind Mr. Mister, others the likes of Michael Learns To Rock, the lighter side of Honeymoon Suite, etc.
Good 80s album.


01 - Weapons Of Love
02 - Winterland
03 - Until It Burns
04 - The Edge Of Town
05 - Cover Up My Face
06 - Respect
07 - Come On Back To Me
08 - This Way Forever
09 - Another New Day
10 - Soul Deep Fascination

Dennis Greaves: Lead Vocals & Guitar
Mick Lister: Vocals, Guitar
Dennis Herring: Guitar, Keyboards, Programming
Pat Mastelotto: Drums
John Pierce: Bass
John Van Tongeren, Paul Fox: Keyboards
Pat MacDonald: Harmonica
Davey Faragher: Backing Vocals




THE TRUTH - Weapons Of Love (1987)- HERE
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FROON - Froon (1988)

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

Formed in the first half of the '80s, most the musicians involved into German band FROON had previously played for the Nina Hagen Band, and later formed SPLIFF, a successful rock&pop group that recorded several albums and sold more than 1 million LP's in Europe.

FROON's style can be compared with their comrades CHANNEL 5 (already posted in this blog), PANDANCE or VELVET PARKING: Hi-Tech AOR with high doses of adult stylized European pop/rock.
All these guys are competent players, this debut album "Froon" sports a really good production, and packs some good, ear candy songs.



"Froon" isn't my favorite album from this musical genre, but it was requested by a reader and posted here because it's mega-rare and almost impossible to find.
This is the CD edition, featuring extra tracks originally released only as single b-sides.


01. Missing pieces
02. Mountains
03. 200 Guitars
04. Love like law
05. Overboards again
06. Bobby Mugabe (beatbox mix)
07. Time machine
08. Lie
09. Happy doomsday
10. Black and white and blue
11. Then *
12. The spirit is willing *
13. Booby froons the fan *
* only on the CD edition

Lyndon Connah - Vocals
Reinhold Heil, Lyn Pocker - Keyboards
Bernhard Potschka, Maria Wang - Guitar
Manne Praeker, Marvin Speisebecher - Bass
Gavin Harrison - Drums
Mark Pound III - Percussion
Herwig Mitteregger - Quad cymbals
Randy Rym - Synths


FROON 1988 - HERE
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REQUEST & FILL CORNER 22

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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PIONEERS - In A State Of Rock (1984) restored audio

Signed by major label Mercury, Norwegians PIONEERS released this debut LP "In A State Of Rock" in 1984. The album has become a piece of interest because PIONEERS feature into the line up guitarist Torstein Flanke, future founder / member of STAGE DOLLS.
Their musical style was the incipient Scandinavian Melodic Rock / AOR sound of the mid-Eighties; anthemic poppy choruses ready for the arenas, something that catapulted Europe to stardom two years after.
You can say these guys were 'Pioneers' indeed.

There's songs like the mid-paced 'Walk In The Moonlight' or the commercial melodic rocker 'With A Girl Like You' which are straight pop-rock tunes destined to radio airplay. However "In A State Of Rock" delivers much more than your typical Scandy fluff.
Tracks like 'Pioneers' and 'Number One' offer more rocking guitars, on 'Pictures Of You' experiments with melodic new wave, and 'Pictures Of You' is an atmospheric ballad.

As far I know "In A State Of Rock' made it pretty well in Norway, but the group disbanded pursuing different interests. Flanke founded STAGE DOLLS and got success worldwide. You can hear some of his skills as songwriter / guitarist here.
Never pressed on CD or reissued, this is a clear LP vinyl-rip, cleaned and audio restored by myself.
A rarity.


1. Hi-Energy
2. Annie
3. Walk In The Moonlight
4. Pioneers
5. With A Girl Like You
6. Today
7. Pictures Of You
8. Number One
9. Pictures Of You

Knut J. Dahle - Vocals
Torstein Flanke - Guitars
Bard Svendsen - Keyboards
Morten Skaget - Bass
Steinar Krokstad - Drums




PIONEERS - In A State Of Rock (1984) restored audio
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