PARBER & KERSTEIN - Stories From The Heart (1991)

Danish songwriters Jan Parber and Jes Kerstein teamed up with Morten Munch (former bassist of cult AOR heroes Skagarack) on the production duties, to release their one and only album "Stories From The Heart" in 1991.

These songs recorded throughout 1990 are heavily inspired and influenced by TOTO with the classic '80s scandi sound in the mix, it could be described as a light version of SKAGARACK combined with TOTO's rhythm / westcoast touches and GLASS TIGER on the hi-tech moments.

Opens with a climatic 'Intro' followed by a TOTOished pumping melodic rocker; "Keep On Waiting", featuring an interesting wall of vocals.

This is a distinctive aspect of this album: unusual background vocals/effects that makes it special.

"You Could Be The Last" is a great '80s flavored midtempo, "I'll Love You Forever" is the first ballad and what a song, I don't know why but remembers me ALIAS / FREDDY CURCI. Again, awesome layered vocals.

"Talk Too Much" seems taken from a 1983-84 american recording: poppy - AOR at its best.

"Love Don't Come Easy" is up next, a killer midtempo AOR that sounds a lot like SKAGARACK with nice keyboards. A really good one.

"Open Up Your Heart" is the 2nd ballad, much more relaxed than the previous, featuring a great power guitar solo.

"The World Keeps On Turning" is like a missing STRANGEWAYS track from the late 80's while "Give It From The Heart" is simple but effective, although I don't like the drum sound here.

"In Your Eyes" is another monster midtempo like DARE '88, great songwriting!

"Angel", another wonderful ballad a la SKAGARACK closes the disc.

This highly sought-after CD was rightly reissued in 2001 with a bonus track; "Once In A Lifetime" the official song for the Trialthon World Championship Games 2001, a bit different to the rest, an anthem-epic style tune, sung by ex Skagarack vocalist Tommy Rasmussen and composed by Parber & Kerstein together with british guitarist Ashly Mulford who had made himself a career with SAD CAFE and Mike & The Mecanics.

But this is a rip from the original 1991 press which sounds much better in my opinion.

I've added "Once In A Lifetime" anyway, and to make it more interesting, the only other song performed and recorded by this band; "Drømmer Om Dig" (Dreamin' Of You), for the 'Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2001' (the danish Eurovision Song Contest). This single was sung by Kenny Lübcke (ex Narita and Zozer Mez).

"Stories From The Heart" is a must for any AOR fan.

The song material is very, very good throughout the album, and it's hard to name favourites. Excellent artistic production / mix as well.

Highly Recommended

01 - Intro

02 - I Keep On Waiting

03 - You Could Be The Last

04 - I'll Love You Forever

05 - Talk Too Much

06 - Love Don't Come Easy

07 - Open Your Heart

08 - The World Keeps On Turning

09 - Give It From The Heart

10 - Moving In Circles

11 - In Your Eyes

12 - Angel

Bonus Tracks:

13 - Once In A Lifetime *

from official '"ITU Triathlon Championship" single

14 - Drømmer Om Dig (Dreams About You) +

from "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2001"

Jan Parber: Vocals, Background Vocals, Keyboards

Jes Kerstein: Guitars, Keyboards

Morten Munch: Keyboards, Bass, Guitars, Bckgr Vocals

Tommy Rasmussen: Keyboards, Lead Vocals*, Bckgr Vocals

Carsten Kolster: Drums

Jan Kaspersen, Jesper Gruschy: Sax

Ole Hansen: Piano
Kenny Lübcke: Vocals +

Stories From The Heart + 1 (external link)

track 14 Drømmer Om Dig HERE