JOHN FANNON (New England) - Demos '91 restored audio

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

New England was one of the seminal, guitar-driven AOR acts from the US scene, however, to my ears they were heavily influenced by the British invasion, especially lead singer / guitarist John Fannon vocal style.
After the band break-up, Fannon remained in the music industry playing, composing & producing for others, and occasionally releasing solo material (there's a fresh album out, acoustic/Beatles influenced).

But at the beginning of the nineties John Fannon was planning a solo album that never get materialized.
Only two tracks in demo form surfaced from these sessions (1991), but both surely worth a listen; the AOR magic of "The Way To Your Heart" and the sweet melodic rock midtempo ballad "Your Eyes Are My Eyes".
The original tapes sound quite good, but I have enhanced & cleaned the audio, fixed the "The Way To Your Heart" intro, and did a little, tiny artwork.
Quality AOR/MR material.


1 - The Way To Your Heart
2 - Your Eyes Are My Eyes

John Fannon - Vocals, Guitar
Personnel unlisted



JOHN FANNON Demos '91 restored audio
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Updated September 11, 2018

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ADRIAN GURVITZ - No Compromise [recorded 1983 / released 2000] Japan only

Requested, hard to find

Melomaniacs around the globe must known ADRIAN GURVITZ's worldwide number 1 hit single 'Classic'. A classic song indeed and a staple at FM radio.
Gurvitz was part of English bands like THREE MAN ARMY and The BAKER GURVITZ ARMY (with legend Ginger Baker). Then he becomes solo artist at the late '70s, with his earlier LP being Westcoast-pop oriented, supported by monsters like Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, etc.

But in 1983, together with his brother Paul, Adrian Gurvitz recorded this album in London, practically alone, playing all instruments, turning into commercial FM rock / AOR. This material was rejected by his label, expecting more Soft Rock / Westcoast songs.
The tape was shelved, fortunately resurrected and released in 2000 by specialized, prestigious Japanese label Cool Sound some years ago, released under the name "No Compromise".



These 'lost recordings' have a modern sound (seems recorded 3 years after), with strong guitars, and a typically stylized British AOR songwriting from the early '80s, with some American influences as well.
Maybe the Japanese should have done a remastering to enhance the final product, but surely they wanted to preserve the original as it is. And believe me, it sounds very good.
Good album, rarely seen and unknown. Collector's item now out of print.


01 - Ain't It Always The Same
02 - No Compromise
03 - I'm Not Cryin' Over You
04 - The Price You Pay
05 - Punch
06 - No One's In Love
07 - Can't Buy Time
08 - High Point Of Love
09 - The Last Laugh

Adrian Gurvitz: Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Keyboards on all tracks
Paul Gurvitz: Bass, Producer
Recorded at Tower Studios Hampsted, London



ADRIAN GURVITZ - No Compromise
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HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' - Sudden Impact (1989)

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

This one was requested several times, well it's time to be featured here. "Sudden Impact" is the debut album by Philadelphia quintet HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN'. The band and the album holds the title as being the most sought after indie CD at eBay with a copy scoring $1950.52. This is a really cool collection of songs, but not for paying that ridiculous price.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' made an arrangement with a small Canadian recording label, and "Sudden Impact" was released in 1989 in limited quantities. The album is really professionally recorded and mixed, above the average for an indie.
Musically, the band play clean, polished melodic rock, rock&pop and lite AOR here, with the typical sound of the era.
'Magic' has some Loverboy on it, and Blair Ramsey's vocal color reminds me of Kevin Cronin, so the REO Speedwagon comparison is accurate. There's a strong guitar work as on all songs on the CD, including quite imaginative and effective solos.

'Moment To Moment' recalls Starship, 'Slow Motion' some Scandal, and 'Don't You Look Back' has a that pristine Canadian sound from the era. 'Oh No!' is driven by stinging rhythm guitars and has fine harmony vocal arrangements, while the AOR synths of 'An Original' - a favorite - bring to mind Honeymoon Suite.
More poppy, power poppy I'd say is 'Too Late', with a touch of The Outfield, then 'While It Lasted' is a midtempo semi-ballad, again with very good harmony arrangements.



Beyond its status of expensive rarity, "Sudden Impact" is a highly enjoyable '80s AOR product, more in common with the US sound of 1985 than '89. There's strong melodies, fine harmonies, solid guitar work and overall a feel good vibe that put a smile on your face with each song.
Very Recommended. RARE


01 - Magic
02 - Moment To Moment
03 - Slow Motion
04 - Don't You Look Back
05 - Oh No!
06 - An Original
07 - Over & Over
08 - Who's Walking You Home
09 - Too Late
10 - While It Lasted

Blair Ramsey – Lead vocals
Alan Auginnas – Guitar, vocals
Paul Piccaro – Bass, vocals
Jimmy Katone – Drums, vocals
Rob Kay – Keyboards, vocals




HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN' - Sudden Impact
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ONE EYED GYPSY - ST (2000)

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

Quite rare it's this only, self-titled recording by West Virginia quintet ONE EYED GYPSY which existed from 1998 to 2003. Their bio claims to have opened shows for Bad Company, Molly Hatchet, .38 Special, among other major acts.
Despite its year of release (2000), sound & style in "One Eyed Gypsy" is based in late '80s / early '90s US Melodic Hard Rock. The songs are solid and really well arranged / performed.

Favorites include opener "It Takes No Prisoners", a mid-tempo rocker with sharp riffs and a Dokken atmosphere, follower "Give It Up", a catchy melodic rock tune with a Bon Jovi feel circa 7800º Fahrenheit, and power ballad "Not Gonna Fall In Love Again" akin Warrant / Jani Lane.
Talking about the aforementioned vocalists, grand part of One Eyed Gypsy's charm belongs to Ray Whitlock's smooth vocals, a singer previously trained as member of the pretty successful country group Cry Wolf. He plays nice keyboards too, and together with guitarist Tim Kitchen (also producer) are the core of the band.



Other good cuts are the AORish mid-tempo "Waiting For You", hard rocker "In My America" with interesting lyrics about America's violent society, and "Livin' Like You Choose" blending Dokken / Bon Jovi, this time, into one song.
Released by themselves, "One Eyed Gypsy" was quite well produced by guitarist Tim Kitchen, panning some guitar tracks to one side of the stereo spectrum for good effect. Overall mix could be better to provide more tightness to some songs, but this is minor flaw.
Really nice stuff, private release, out of print.


01 - It Takes No Prisoners
02 - Give It Up
03 - Feel Your Love
04 - Not Gonna Fall In Love Again
05 - Waiting For You
06 - Heart Attack
07 - Fix Daddy Broke
08 - In My America
09 - Livin' Like You Choose
10 - Touch Tomorrow

Ray Whitlock: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Tim Kitchen: Guitar, Backing Vocals, Production
Phillip Osborne: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Randy Morgan: Bass
Bobby Hensley: Drums





ONE EYED GYPSY (here)
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LORIN ROWAN & The Edge - Supply & Demand (1985)

This rare album was requested several months ago; the private 1985 LP release of "Supply & Demand" by LORIN ROWAN & The Edge, a San Francisco Bay Area band.
Rowan and the guys play here that characteristic mid-Eighties American blend of melodic rock with radio friendly poppy melodies and some lite AOR touches.

Despite its indie origin, "Supply & Demand" was recorded with a high production standard, featuring a layered multi-track technique.
Opener 'Waited Too Long' includes a varied kind of guitar sounds, synths, regular plus Simmons drums, and lots of singers performing harmony vocals in the chorus accompanying Rowan's sweet vocals.

'Whatever I Got To Say' has more 'clean' and atmospheric guitar work and a lullaby melody akin Franke & The Knockouts, 'War Games' is not far from Rick Springfield circa 1983, then 'I Spy' could have been recorded by Preview.
'Oh Girl' is poppy little ditty without major pretension, but things get back on track with 'Tell Her You Love Her' with its strong guitars, 'mysterious' synth background and AORish vocals.



I'd said the LP is so scarce that I couldn't find a better Lp-rip than this one, there's some clicks here and there, and even last track 'Golden Boy' is cut at the end. But I think it's enough to enjoy this really nice slice of mid 80s American rock music.
RARE


01 - Waited Too Long
02 - Whatever I Got To Say
03 - War Games
04 - I Spy
05 - Oh Girl
06 - Tell Her You Love Her
07 - Firin' Line
08 - Golden Boy

Lorin Rowan: lead vocals, guitar
Rick Wilson: lead guitar, lead vocals on 1
Mark Stein: bass
Ozzie Ahlers: keyboards, synths
Jeff Myer: drums
add. musicians:
Sterling Crew: synths, guitar
Billy Lewis: drums, backing vocals
Mike Mann: synths, programming
Stephen Fontano: drums





LORIN ROWAN & The Edge - Supply & Demand (1985)


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

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section.

Formed by the cream of the Scandinavian Melodic Hard Rock scene from the late '80s / early '90s, GREAT KING RAT included into the lineup vocalist Leif Sundin (later Michael Schenker Group, Treat), guitarist Pontus Norgren (Jeff Scott Soto, The Poodles), drummer Tomas Broman (Humanimal) and Mikael Hoglund (Thunder) on bass, and on this, their self-titled debut featuring guest contributions from talented keyboardist Mats Olausson (Glory, Yngwie Malmsteen, Radioactive et all).

This is the kind of band - and album - where the sound & style is perfectly defined: Great King Rat play the brand of Melodic Hard Rock developed between 1990-1992, that meaning bright, clean production, pristine vocals, melodious yet powerful riffs, subtle keyboard touches and catchy choruses.
Think Hardline, Fate, Gotthard, Jeff Scott Soto's Eyes, TNT, and at places, Mr. Big.

Among the highlights 'Good Times' is a superb slice of catchy melodic rock, the funky 'Woman in Love', 'Ball & Chain', and terrific midtempo 'Take Me Back' with its AORish waves. For a bluesy hard rocker with some Thunder on it, check 'Dirty Old Man Stomp'.



You can hear why Michael Schenker later used Sundin for three albums, and Norgren created such good records with The Poodles, Humanimal, and more.
Top class production sound for this really good slice of early '90s Melodic Hard Rock.


01 - Bright Lights
02 - Good Times
03 - Woman In Love
04 - Ball & Chain
05 - Take Me Back
06 - Follow The Rains
07 - One By One
08 - Dirty Old Man Stomp
09 - Calling For My Angel
10 - Top Of The World
11 - Bad Woman (Japanese Bonus Track)

Leif Sundin (Michael Schenker, Treat): vocals, acoustic guitars
Pontus Norgren (Jeff Scott Soto, The Poodles): guitars
Tomas Broman (Humanimal): drums
Mikael Hoglund (Thunder): bass
Anders Nilsson: keyboards
Mikael Andersson lap steel (on track 6)
Rolf Alex: percussion
Backa-Hans Eriksson: cello (1)
Frans Lugmair: harmonica (7)
Mats Olausson (Glory, Yngwie Malmsteen): keyboards (1, 6)




GREAT KING RAT - ST [Japan Edition +1] (1992)


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TRIGGER - Trigger (1978)

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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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.
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(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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