DUANE EVANS - The Camel's Hump (demos)

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

Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and owner of a recording studio, DUANE EVANS become a highly requested single / commercials maker during the '80s & '90s, but his musical travel started long time before.
After playing in several bands from the US East Coast, one day at the beginning of the Eighties Evans got a call from a friend... - Do you want to play in the band for Benny Mardones, whose 'Into The Night' single it's at the No. 5 on the Billboard charts?

The association with Mardones lasted more than ten years, they wrote together dozens of songs and of course, Evans recorded on all '80s Benny albums including the cult classics 'Unauthorized', 'American Dreams' and the outstanding major label release '89 'Benny Mardones' alongside Jeff Porcaro, Dave Amato and Mark Mangold.
In the meantime, Duane Evans had a publishing contract with Warner Chapel writing songs for other artists and many Hollywood movies. Plus, he played for Johnny Van Zant - even one of Evan's songs is included in the superb 'Van Zant' AOR album (Geffen Records, 1985).

As you see, Duane Evans has an impressive pedigree as Melodic Rock / AOR musician & composer. And every musician wants to record his own songs...
While managing his own recording studio and producing several artists / recording singles, Evans taped dozens of his songs in a highly professional quality.
Around 2009 Evans compiled many of these tracks and put them on sale at some obscure digital stores under the name "Camel's Hump" [not related with me :-)], but I am not sure if still are available.

Well, a reader requested the album here, and I found deeply buried into my archives a folder called "DUANE EVANS - Camel's Hump [demos / Benny Mardones related]". I don't know if the files here are demos or the final versions, but believe me, the sound is excellent.
And the musical style is nothing short than the awesome '80s American AOR / Melodic Rock we all love.



Tracks like the terrific mid-tempo "I Wanna Run To You", the Tim Feehan-like "Send A Message", or the classic melodic rocker "On The Brink of Your Love" are to die for.
"Ride Ride Ride" is pure radio-ready magic circa 1984 which seems designed for a movie soundtrack of the era, then "Only Love" is top class West Coast AOR in the best L.A. Session tradition.
More quality appears in the breezy AOR of "I'll Be Loving You", the heart-breaking "The Lady In White" is like a Mardones missing (and great) track, while "A Night To Remember" bring to mind 1982 Rick Springfield.

"DUANE EVANS - The Camel's Hump (demos)" is pure gold, not only for AOR / Melodic Rock fans but also for collectors of rare, high quality material in this genre. I never seen this stuff posted / shared anywhere, and it's a shame, these terrific songs deserve to be listened by all.
That's why I am here...
This is one of the best posts in the long existence of this blog: AWESOME SONGS!


01 - We Can Make It Work
02 - Ride Ride Ride
03 - I Wanna Run To You
04 - Only Love
05 - Send A Message
06 - On The Brink of Your Love
07 - I'll Be Loving You
08 - The Lady In White
09 - A Night To Remember
10 - You Will Be Forever (Fly Baby Fly)
11 - I'm Just A Kid (In A Rock 'n Roll Band)
12 - You Get What You Get
13 - Party For The Planet
14 - The Red Ribbon Song (There's Also Hope)
15 - Fly Baby Fly [instrumental]






DUANE EVANS - The Camel's Hump (demos) HERE
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BENNY MARDONES and The Hurricanes - American Dreams (1986)

Here you have a little gem.
This unknown vinyl is part of the two "Syracuse only" albums recorded by BENNY MARDONES in the middle of the 80's.
Both records were released and distributed by BT Records (a small local concert promoters label) in New Jersey state only, especially in the Syracuse area, where Benny is the hometown hero (even today), outselling 'big' names like Bruce Springsteen from local charts.

Why a limited and local release only? There's a story to be told.
By '82, Benny was enjoying a great success with his top single 'Into the Night' , 3 LP's on the streets and a juicy deal with Polydor.
But... one day, messin' around in the studio with his friends, the duo ALESSI BROS, between drugs & alcohol, he shown to their mates his new song 'All for a reason', just recorded and ready to be released by his label as Benny's new single.
They say: "...What a great tune! let's do it!" Benny himself helped to arrange the song to fit the duo's style and then recording it.
Two weeks later ALESSI BROS released their own version of 'All for a reason' and become the duo's most successful hit single ever.
Mardones' label, infuriated, fired him immediately and canceled his ready-to-go own single.

Those were hard years to Mardones, fighting to kick his addiction to heroin.
However, both 'Syracuse only' (the other was called "Unauthorized") albums are excellent.
The man has an unique voice, style and feeling.
A true AOR icon, and personally, I think all his discography is essential to any fan of this beloved genre.

I will not explain how this album is, just get it.
Contains wonderful songs including a new version of the classic "Shelia C." (co-written with ROBERT TEPPER).
"The Fire Is Raging (Jam 99)" was recorded with members of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, a minor but cool shuffle song.

Excellent vinyl rip + artwork.


1 - (Love is just a) Heart away
2 - Way of the world
3 - Tonight
4 - Silent gun
5 - Sheila C. (new version)
6 - American dreams
7 - Still falling
8 - Fire is raging (Jam 99)


Benny Mardones: Lead Vocals, producer
Duane Evans: Guitar, producer
Arthur Neilson: Guitar
Mark Bosch: Guitar
Steve Galloway: Keyboards
Rennie Xosa: Bass
Dan Hickey: Drums
Lind Miller: Backing Vocals



BENNY MARDONES AMERICAN DREAMS