PLANET 3 feat JAY GRAYDON - Gems Unearthed [Japan version +3] (2004)

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

For any AOR fan, the name JAY GRAYDON needs no introduction. With twelve Grammy nominations (2 wins) this talented songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, producer, arranger and recording engineer is one of the greats from the legendary LA scene.
Graydon also found time for his own projects, like PLANET 3 (featuring as band mates the cream of the genre in Clif Magness and Glen Ballard) releasing a stupendous album in the early '90s.

With such busy personnel, few would have expected a new Planet 3 album, but that happened in 2004 with this "Gems Unearthed" a follow up CD with many previously unreleased songs as well as re-worked, alternate versions of a few songs from the first Planet 3 album.
You have here superb AOR melodies, uptempo / ballad tunes full of elegance and class.
There's irresistible tracks like the lush "Jenny's Still In Love", the '80s synth gem "Push It In", the stratospheric AOR of "Criminal" alongside classy FM ballads such as "I Don't Want To Say Goodnight" or the beauty of "Tonight You're Mine".
You know, classic '80s stuff in the vein of Toto, Chicago, Keane, etc.



This Japanese release features 3 additional tracks, taken from Graydon's solo work: one is the Grammy awarded monster ballad "After the Love Has Gone" (written by Graydon / David Foster / Bill Champlin) in a new version sung by Champlin.
The others are "Roxann" with the unforgettable Warren Wiebe on lead vocals, and "Holdin' On to Love" featuring Sherwood Ball, both excellent cuts as well.
Needless to say, production, mix, mastering, etc. in "Gems Unearthed" is top notch, pristine and clear.
A must.


01 - After the Love Has Gone *
02 - Holdin' On to Love *
03 - Roxann *
04 - Jenny's Still In Love
05 - Modern Girl
06 - Tonight You're Mine
07 - Push It In
08 - Mondo Rock
09 - Criminal
10 - Comin' Together
11 - I Don't Want To Say Goodnight
12 - Make My Day
13 - I Gotta Have It

* Japanese edition extra tracks

Jay Graydon: guitars, keyboards, programming
Clif Magness: vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming
Glen Ballard: keyboards, programming
with:
David Foster, Mark Portman: keyboards
Bill Cantos: keyboards, backing vocals
Kenji Sano: bass
Jerry Hey: horns
Jay Oliver: synths
Bill Champlin: vocals
Sherwood Ball: vocals
Warren Wiebe: vocals




PLANET 3 feat JAY GRAYDON Gems Unearthed [Japan version +3]
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JACK WAGNER - All I Need [Japanese Edition '99] (1984)

Requested on previous posts comments:

JACK WAGNER recorded four albums during the '80s / '90s period and three were already posted on the blog, why not complete the circle? And with his more AOR album of all, Wagner's debut "All I Need".
Jack Wagner was always underestimated as musician because of his General Hospital TV Show role as actor. But truth is Wagner has played the guitar and sung since his teens and used the show to launch a musical career, his true passion.

And need to be said, he is a terrific vocalist with a smooth vocal color specially designed for this kind of elegant AOR.
Signed by a major label, Jack Wagner recorded his first album "All I Need" with the help of heavy weights in this matter provided by the record company: songwriting contributions by David Foster, Jay Graydon, Tom Keane, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard (these last too also producing and playing) and superb session musicians such as guitar ace Michael Thompson and exquisite drummer Pat Mastelotto.
With this team you can't fail, and indeed "All I Need" was a total success.

Every track on "All I Need" is a potential single, from the synth-driven "Premonition" opener to the last cut "Lady of My Heart", a piano ballad ready for any movie soundtrack.
More pure '80s AOR is displayed on the uptempo and fun "What You Don't Know" (great Michael Thompson solo), the killer "Fighting The Nights" and "Sneak Attack", the soaring "Make Me Believe It", or the smash hit title track "All I Need", a classic.



The request was about the remaster of "All I Need" appeared seven years ago, but I am more than happy with this Japanese 1999 reissue (AOR 名盤 Selection complete with full artwork) which sounds million bucks.
A must for any '80s AOR fan.


01 - Premonition
02 - What You Don't Know
03 - Whenever Hearts Collide
04 - Fighting The Nights
05 - All I Need
06 - Make Me Believe It
07 - Sneak Attack
08 - After The Fact
09 - Tell Him (That You Won't Go)
10 - Lady Of My Heart

Jack Wagner - vocals
Michael Thompson - guitars
Clif Magness - guitar, backing vocals
Bill Elliott, Pat Mastelotto - drums, percussion
Davey Faragher - bass
Tom Keane - synths, backing vocals
Sam Bryant, Bill Elliott, John Van Tongeren, Mark Vieha - synths, keyboards
Jerry Peterson - sax
Rosemary Butler, Siedah Garrett, Edie Lehmann, Debbie Pearl - backing vocals




JACK WAGNER All I Need [Japanese Edition]
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JACK WAGNER - Don't Give Up Your Day Job (1987) remastered

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

When actors become singers... usually close to disaster. However that was not the case with talented JACK WAGNER, from which I already posted here some of his albums. Occurs that the good Jack not only has a smooth voice but he was able (and his manager) to surround him with the best of the best.
For his 3rd LP "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" (1987), we have again the cream of the 'L.A. boys': Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Clif Magness, Robbie Buchanan, Glen Ballard, Nathan East... and the list never ends.

Although at the time of its release "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" was marketed as 'West Coast pop', the album is a pretty uptempo collection of AOR songs.
Of course there's a couple of suave, charming West Coast ballads, but this is a mid-'80s sounding record destined to radio. You can feel Glen Ballard's touch (one of the producers) and his hand for poppy, commercial radio-friendly sounds.
"Don't Give Up Your Day Job" is impeccably recorded and performed, and I like all the songs. Wagner co-penned half of the tracks, with outsider contributions from the likes of Diane Warren, Clif Magness, the mega-talented Billy Steinberg (on my favorite cut "Easy Way Out" also recorded by I-Ten) or Ballard itself.



For years, "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" was really hard to find, and in fact it's a record rarely seen featured into the blogosphere.
Rarer is this 2009 remaster which adds even more splendor to these meticulously recorded & produced songs.


01 - Weatherman Says
02 - Island Fever
03 - Love… Find It
04 - It's What We Don't Say
05 - Easy Way Out
06 - Common Man
07 - Lovers In The Night
08 - Sneakin' Suspicions
09 - It's Been A Long Time
10 - Back Home Again

Vocals, Guitar: Jack Wagner
Guitars: Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Nick Kirgo, Clif Magness, Tony Peluso, Paul Warren
Bass: Nathan East, Joe Chemay, John Farrar, Abe Laboriel
Keyboards; Robbie Buchanan, Randy Kerber, John Farrar, Glen Ballard, John Hobbs, John Van Tongeren, Mike Egizi, Marcel East
Synths: Randy Kerber, John Farrar, Jim Lang, John Van Tongeren
Drums: Vinnie Colauita, Paul Leim, Tony Humecke, David Logeman, Jack Bruno
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Guest Vocals: Siedah Garret (duet Track 4)
Sax: Joel Peskin
Backing Vocals: Joe Pizzulo, Gary Falcone, Roger Freeland, Maxine Waters, Julia & Oren Waters, Edie Lehman, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard, Joe Turano, John FarrarJohn Batdorf, Brie Howard, Paul Warren, Bryan McDonald, Robbie Buchanan




JACK WAGNER Don't Give Up Your Day Job - remastered
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KYLE VINCENT - Trust (1993) bonus tracks

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

This really good album was posted on this blog in 2008 HERE. Go to the original post and read comments by Kyle himself.
The old link is broken, so as requested here it is again with a couple of bonus tracks added by Kyle Vincent on his own release of the CD few years ago.

Unknown to the big audiences but not for AOR lovers and collectors, this is the first Kyle Vincent album, recorded in 1992 and never officially released due to his recording label bankrupt (some sources mention it was released in limited press only in Japan, 1993). Also exists a '99 bootleg edition with different name.



Kyle's subsequent albums turned more into soul/pop territory, but this one is a real gem of melodic rock / light AOR tunes in the vein of Mitch Malloy, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx or even the earlier Bryan Adams.

"Trust" is rich in beautiful melodies sung by Kyle with a sweet and warm tone, including a song co-written with AOR icon Steve Kipner and top class session musicians such as Tim Pierce, Gilby Clarke, Freddie Washington (Kenny Loggins band), Gerry Beckley (America), JR Johnson (M. Jackson band) and more.
Even more, production is terrific, handled by AOR legend Clif Magness alongside Steve Levine and Kyle himself.
GREAT one.


01 - A Night Like This
02 - Never Say Die
03 - Trust
04 - Something To Remember Me By
05 - Maybe It's Better this Way
06 - What Am I Gonna Do
07 - Change the World
08 - For All the Wrong Reasons
09 - Wherever You Are Tonight
10 - Now I Know
11 - One Ticket Home [bonus track]
12 - Never Say Die (feat. G. Clarke) [bonus track]

Kyle Vincent: vocals, keyboards
Tim Pierce, Gerry Beckley, Clif Magness, Gilby Clarke: guitars
Louis Johnson, Freddie Washington: bass
Michael Eqizi, Gerry Beckley: keyboards
Johnathan Moffett, JR Robinson: drums
Produced by Clif Magness, Steve Levine & Kyle Vincent


KYLE VINCENT Trust _ bonus tracks
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CLIF MAGNESS - Solo [Japan release + bonus] (1994)

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

Mr. CLIF MAGNESS is one of the most accomplished songwriters from the last three decades in the rock&pop music business.
This Grammy award winner has been a successful producer as well, cooking hits for Jack Wagner, Sheena Easton, Cheap Trick and countless artists.
In 1994 Clif released his first (and sadly, the only) solo album, aptly entitled "Solo", regarded as one of the top AOR recordings of all time.

But for this timeless sounding AOR / Westcoast / AC gem, Magness wasn't 'solo' at all: co-writing with Clif there's the talents of Martin Page, Steve Kipner, Glen Ballard and Mark Mueller, all of them contibuting backing vocals as well.
And with exquisite musicians such as Jay Graydon and the same Glen Ballard helping tu build these beautiful sounds, we have a winner CD.

Originally released in Sweden, "Solo" was quicky picked up by Japanese label Toshiba to satisfiy the Asian market, avid for this kind of music.
This is a rip from the Japan CD edition, which those years used to deliver a noticeable better, pristine sound than the manufactured in other parts of the world.
Long time out of print, "Solo" was reissued by an European label not so long ago featuring two previously unreleased songs as bonus tracks.
A Must Have.


01 - Footprints in the Rain
02 - It's Only Love
03 - Hold Me Lee Anne
04 - One Way Out
05 - Khalela
06 - Jenny's Still in Love
07 - Only You
08 - If We Can't Do It
09 - Flower Girl
10 - What's a Heart to Do
11 - Solo
12 - Dreams Fade Away
13 - Ready or Not
14 - Black & White (bonus track)
15 - Running Forever (bonus track)

Clif Magness: vocals, guitars, programming, keyboards, synths
Glen Ballard: keyboards, backing vocals
Jay Graydon: guitar solos
Aina Olsen, Martin Page, Mark Mueller: backing vocals

CLIF MAGNESS - Solo + bonus

AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.14

Vol.14 has been delayed more than Def Lepp's Hysteria...
Seriously, it took me about 3 months to get it ready. A difficult restoration job and track edition.
Here we go:


1 - MALICE (feat. Paul Sabu)
Vice Versa from "Vice Versa"
Paul was hired by a studio as composer for various soundtracks, including 'Vice-Versa'.
In association with the band Malice, he composed, performed and produced several songs that ended up being published as an EP, 2 of them were used in this movie.
The title track is a typical Sabu hard rock tune, a good way to begin this compilation.
This soundtrack never was officially released.

2 - JOE LYNN TURNER
On The Run from "Blue de Ville"
TV movie, Turner plays a rock star (only 10 minutes on screen) to which the girl in the story wants to meet.
We can hear a couple of songs performed by Joe, being 'On The Run' the more AOR with some great keyboards.
A really good one.

3 - STAN BUSH
Free And Easy from "Wildbach"
Main theme of the German ARD TV series 'Wildbach' about the adventures of a mountain rescue team peppered with criminal cases providing tension to the plot.
Unknown beautiful midtempo song performed by Stan Bush, exclusive for this OST only released in Germany.
A little gem, yes.

4 - ROBERT TEPPER
Restless World from "Lady Beware"
Upon request, another Lady Beware song, now from the great Tepper, with all the 'action-theme feel' that I like so much.
Track not included in the regular soundtrack edition, to my ears this is little remixed version, different from the original appeared in Robert's debut 'No Easy Way Out'.
An AOR beauty.

5 - CLIF MAGNESS
Top Of The Hill from "Hot Dog... The Movie"
Typical cheesy american comedy, set in a ski resort.
Features two exclusive songs performed by the master Clif Magness, light and unpretentious, but come on, it's Clif, and to my knowledge, both tracks were released only as promo vinyl single, impossible to find.

6 - FIONA
Love Makes You Blind (movie version) from "No Small Affair"
This track would be later re-recorded by Fiona to her debut album. But this version is markedly different and faaar superior in my opinion.
To me, the best performance of her career, heartrending, breathtaking.
My nape hair still bristles when I listen this song.
Magnificent, one of the best tracks ever included in a film.

7 - PIA ZADORA & MARK SPIRO
Little Bit Of Heaven from "Voyage Of The Rock Aliens"
Another request.
Song composed by Spiro, recorded by Pia Zadora for her '84 album 'Let's Dance Tonight'.
In this soundtrack exclusive new version, Spiro sings a duet with Pia, and the result is much, much better and absolutely '80s !

8 - CLIF MAGNESS
Top Of The Hill from "Hot Dog... The Movie"
The other song recorded by Magness for this movie, heard at the open titles.
More AOR, with bombastic drums and sticky refrain.

9 - DIANA DeWITT
You Make Me Nervous from "Malibu Bikini Shop"
Soundtrack never released that includes excellent songs, sadly none available in any format.
Never has been edited on DVD and I couldn't find an original VHS copy.
I've ripped this marvelous song by DeWitt from an avi !
It has taken me a lot of work to eliminate the SFX (dialogues and noises) along the song.
Considering the source, it sounds quite decently, a good opportunity to listen this rarity.

10 - DOUG KAHAN
The Last Stand from "All The Right Moves"
Excellent song with a mystery 'aura' in its sound and production.
I don't know what happened with Kahan's career, since he was a great singer. I like his style very much.
Only appeared in this OST.

11 - MICHAEL LANNING
Kissed By A Hurricane from "Thunder In Paradise"
A great find is this song featured in the TV series starring Hulk Hogan.
The soundtrack was released, but this song wasn't included !?!
Lanning (a stranger to me) sings with fierceness this curious track full of rare percussion. Awesome action movie track.
Ripped from video. Rare.

12 - NICK GILDER
Scream Of Angels from "The Wraith"
'The Wraith' aka 'Interceptor' is a good film (has Sherilyn Fenn in it!), and the soundtrack is still better, well-known by AOR lovers.
Incredibly, this song was left aside off the disc.
Rhythmic and contagious, this is one of the best songs recorded by Gilder.

13 - ERIC MARTIN
I Love The Way You Love Me from "Mad About You"
From the last season of this TV serie, a good ballad by Eric with his classic velvety voice, recorded pretty 'live' without overdubs. Even his breath could be listened between phrases.
Simple and effective melody.

14 - JOHN WETTON
Battle Lines (movie version) from "Chasing The Deer"
Due to his friendship with the filmmaker, Wetton accepted to compose the soundtrack for 'Chasing The Deer', released in limited quantity.
Extraordinary tune, totally AOR!
This is the original (long) movie version, there's another one 'edit'.
You will love this song.

15 - BRIAN ISLAND
Draw The Line from "The Virgin Queen Of St. Francis High"
Brian Island is a canadian musician & producer who has composed several scores for local movies.
To this unknown comedy he wrote part of the incidental music and a pair of songs.
This is the more aorish Rock & Pop, with classic sound made in Canada.
Soundtrack never published. Rarity.

16 - DAN REED NETWORK
Baby Now I from "The Cutting Edge"
Faithful to his songwriting style, Dan Reed contributed this track to the romantic comedy set in the '88 Winter Olympic Games.
Good track with sparkling production and fat rhythm section.

17 - RICHARD MARX
The Power Inside Of Me from "The Mirror Has Two Faces"
Marx's exclusive track for this movie, with light production and plenty of acoustic guitars.
Climatic and calm song, very well performed by Richard as usual.
I love the feeling of this song.

18 - JOHN PARR
St. Elmo's Fire (Acoustic) from "The Brothers Solomon"
Acoustic / gospel recording of this all time classic, appeared as B-side on 'Man In Motion 2CD limited edition', years later included in this movie soundtrack.
This tune is simply fantastic, no matter which version...



+ 70 min, artwork.
Note: most of tracks are vinyl-only release and very rare, all were cleaned, decrackled and declicked to get the best quality possible.



AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.14
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AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.12

The dozen.
Several requested tracks included in this one.
Many readers ask for a compilation containing only AOR tunes, but remember, this place is called 'Hard Rock' too, and I think this mixed bag works better, to pleasant a wide range audiences.
Here we go:


01 - TIFFANY
You And Me [Jetsons, The Movie]
For the first time in my compilations, a song sung by a woman as opener, and well worth it.
TIFFANY hit several pop singles in the charts at the end of the 80's, but this exclusive track for the movie is a portentous rocker, written by Steven McClintock, about whom we will talk later.

02 - ERIC MARTIN
One Way Out [Caddyshack II]
Splendid song composed by the masters MARTIN PAGE and CLIF MAGNESS. Guaranteed. It can't fail.
Exclusive to this OST, perfectly vocalized by Eric.

03 - JOHN FARNHAM
Justice For One [Savage Streets]
Incredibly I've never included this great song in any volume so far. Can't be absent here. A Classic.
Part of the first Farnham's recordings outside his homeland, taken the Australian audience by surprise due the hard edged sound and strong beats, far from his usual pop side.
Ripped from a rare movie promo vinyl single only released in Australia.
Very good sound.

04 - STEVEN McCLINTOCK
The Edge Of A Dream [Space Mutiny]
Song sent to me by a reader (go ahead and submit yours!).
Unfortunately the sound was not very good and various frequencies were missed, but thanks to a friend overseas I got another file in a very good quality, I've added some gain and brillance.
I must admit that I did not know this song / movie. I feel ashamed... how could I miss this magnificent AOR gem?
It turns out that McClintock is a well-known songwriter to Hollywood movies (including mostly the ones of "Jetsons, The Movie" OST).
I love this song. Thanks mhenders for the original file!

05 - TAKEAWAYS
Moon & Stars [Sweet And Sour TV series]
Sweet And Sour was an Australian ABC soap opera which still retains loyal fans.
Chronicled the misadventures of a rock & pop band called TAKEAWAYS, I chose this song because although lacks guitars or skilled songrwiting, it's a great cheesy techie AOR.
Love these compressed 80's sounds ...

06 - PIA ZADORA
Rock It Out [Beavis and Butt-Head TV]
Beavis and Butt-Head was a great TV show (musically speaking) that often rescued from oblivion phenomenal songs from the past.
This is one of them, recorded in 1983, simple songwriting but effective, with scorching guitar riffs.
Original air date: November 3, 1994 - Season 5, Episode 5: 'Safe House'.
Nice forgotten rocker.

07 - RASCAL & Ricky P. Goldin
Ladykiller Theme [Another World TV series]
Ricky P. Goldin was one of the main actors in this cult TV series, he sings only in the intro here.
The real architects of many songs featured in the 90's episodes (including this one) were the female fronted band RASCAL, who curiously never released an official album themselves.
Taken from the band's demo (which contains several songs from the series), this is a very cool tune in the vein of HEART.
Heard in 'Ladykiller Explosion' episode, aired September 23, 1991.

08 - MASTEDON
Wasn't It Love [Caught]
Rarity, both the song and the movie, of course; a Christian plot.
Composed by John & Dino Elefante, leaders of the newly assembled (1987) band MASTEDON.
Never included in any of the 2 great discs recorded by the group in subsequent years.
Very rare.

09 - JOSEPH WILLIAMS
Turn It Up [SpaceCamp]
SpaceCamp music score was in charge of the prolific and multi Oscar winner John Williams, Joseph's father, who gave his son the chance to include some songs in movies.
This track never was released in the official OST nor in any solo record by Joseph.
Unreleased and good.

10 - DREAMS
Castles On Quicksand [California Dreams TV series]
Another TV series that has rabid fans even today.
The story revolved around a rock band: DREAMS.
Most of the cast actually sang the tunes and played all the instruments.
This is my soundtrack favorite, penned by none others than the trio PAUL BLISS / PETER BECKETT / STEVE KIPNER (monster team!), and performed by actress Heidi Lenhart, in the role of "Jenny Garrison".
Great song.

11 - ALICE COOPER
Prince Of Darkness (movie version) [Prince Of Darkness]
The shock-rock master wrote this obscure (lyrically) piece for the a-must-watch horror flick directed by another master; John Carpenter.
A different version that the one appeared in his "Raise Your Fist and Yell" album.
You can hear the unforgettable Donald Pleasence speaking in the middle...

12 - GERMAN ROCK PROJECT
Let Love Conquer The World [Die Railers]
The German Rock Project was a german hard rock musicians' reunion to record a benefit song, like Doro, Michael Voss, Dennis Ward, Joal, Axel Rudi Pell, etc..
The single had considerable success, and was featured in an episode of the TV ZDF-Series "Die Railers", besides the official soundtrack, released in Germany alone.
A torch song.

13 - GAIL LOPATA LENNON
Rock With Me [Mottomo Abunai Deka]
Japanese movie regarded by the public as 'the most dangerous criminal film'.
In the west became known as "Yokohama City Cops Story", directly to home video in a few countries.
The soundtrack has enormous AOR songs, being this one the best in my opinion, beautifully performed by Gail.

14 - WINGER
Out For The Count [The Karate Kid III]
The third part of the "Karate Kid" saga is the least known, as also is its soundtrack, hard to find.
Requested by a reader, WINGER recorded this track exclusively for this film.

15 - SORCERY
Killer On The Loose [Rocktober Blood]
Another request from a reader.
Rather unknown movie following a common plot of that time as "Hard Rock Zombies", "Black Roses" or "Trick or Treat". That is, a hard rock band struggling against Devil's influence.
The soundtrack (by the band SORCERY, David Glen Eisley was their earlier frontman) remains unpublished.
This track is heard in the film during one of the group's live performances, whose lead singer is the murderer ...

16 - MICHAEL BRADLEY
Killer [Savage Streets]
I could not leave out from this compilation series another great song only appeared in the "Savage Streets" soundtrack.
A pump up monster action movie track, a real killer.

17 - HEART
The Heat [Up The Creek]
One of the many 'College Campus' juvenile films of the 80's.
Not the best, but the soundtrack is really good, mostly filled with exclusive songs, as 'The Heat' by HEART, not easy to find.
Requested by a lot of people in these pages.

18 - MICHAEL THOMPSON & VINNIE COLAIUTA
Speedster [Sleepwalkers]
I've watched this movie in time when it was released directly to home video 'round here, and was impressed not only by the CGI morph (one of the first films to use it) but also by the great guitar instrumentals that were heard throughout the movie. Even recorded all parts on tape.
But never labeled the cassette with the performer's name, nor the movie title.
Some time later, listening to the tape, I cursed myself for not taking notes.
A couple of years ago, in a second hand record store, a front CD cover trigger my memory instantly...my missing movie!
Hoping some of these awesome instrumentals were included, turned the jewel case and... Bingo! ...MICHAEL THOMPSON!
Isn't a great song in the songwriting department, just some kind of 'jam', but come on, the man has a unique guitar tone and hot sweepicking, and maestro Colaiuta gives you a drum lesson for free...
Just get a pair of headphones to enjoy this one.


That's all folks, closing credits... THE END.

+ 70 min, artwork.
Note: most of tracks are vinyl-only release and very rare, all were cleaned, decrackled and declicked to get the best quality possible.


AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.12
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JACK WAGNER - Alone In A Crowd (1993)

Wagner has always been a commercial artist, following the trend of the moment.
This is his first 90's album, and seems he and his producer decided that 'the big deal' was George Michael.
I have nothing against George (great voice), just except some of his 80's work, I don't like his musical style.
Tracks 1 & 2 are in that genre, I can't dig them.

But after song #3 things turns great.
Nice westcoast tunes, soulful and deep.
Then track 7 "Stay Where You Are" arrives...WOW.
Simply one of the best songs ever recorded by Wagner, penned & produced by Glen Ballard / Clif Magness, wonderful track to die for.
This song alone worth the album. Excellent.
Another gem: "Keeper Of Your Name". Intense, charming melody.

Except initial songs, this is a very good album, Jack's voice sounds better than never, and as usual, inmaculate production and impressive session musicians.
You like it ? ... BUY IT.

1 - Love Is On Your Mind
2 - Krystal Blu Persuasion
3 - It's My Baby Too
4 - Heart On The Line
5 - (You're The) Only One Who Knows
6 - Love Don't Come Easy
7 - Stay Where You Are
8 - Part Of Me
9 - To Be Mine
10 - Keeper Of Your Name

Vocals, Guitars: Jack Wagner
Guitars: Paul Warren (Phil Christian, Richard Marx)
Guitars: Basil Fung (Fake I.D., Big Mouth)
Guitars: Josh Sklar (Robert Tepper, Desmond Child)
Guitars: Tim Pierce (thousands, just a monster)
Bass: Randy Waldman (Joe Pasquale, M. Sembello)
Bass: John Pierce (John O'Banion, B. Mardones, Dan Lucas)
Keyboards: Kevin Savigar (John Parr, Freddy Curci)
Keyboards: Tim Heintz (Michael McDonald)
Sax: Dave Koz (Richard Marx, Rod Stewart)
Drums: Michael Baird (Journey, R.Marx)
Drums: Tal Bergman (Billy Idol, Simple Minds)
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa (1000 artists)
Backing Vocals : Warren Wiebe, Theresa James, Jeff Pescetto
Songwriting: Jay Graydon, J. Pescetto, G. Ballard, C. Magness, J. Wagner


JACK WAGNER - Alone In A Crowd
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JACK WAGNER - Lighting Up The Night (1985)

Soap opera star turned AOR singer. Another cash-in mainstream project?
No way.
Jack Wagner's vocal abilities are excellent, reaching high notes, with colorful tones, a real pleasure to listen. Add first class songwriting (Jay Graydon, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard, David Foster, Steve Kipner, Quincy Jones) and top notch session monsters (Nathan East, Dan Huff to name a few) and you got a gold pot.

This is the 2nd Wagner album, and in my humble opinion, the best. Awesome hi-tech AOR & WestCoast, remarkable in all aspects.
Pristine production by masters Clif Magness / Glen Ballard.

Note: I've seen this album posted in many places with track 10 missing.
Here it is in full lengh (10 tracks).
Highly Recommended


01 - Keep Holdin' On
02 - Lighting Up The Night
03 - I'll Be There
04 - Just Tell Her
05 - Too Young
06 - Lets Start All Over
07 - If She Loves Like She Looks
08 - I Never Said Goodbye
09 - With Your Eyes
10 - Love Can Take Us All The Way (with V. Carter)

Jack Wagner : Lead & Background Vocals
Keyboards: David Foster, Greg Phillinganes
Guitars: Dan Huff, Dennis Herring, Michael Landau
Drums: Hercules Dinwiddie, Mike Baird
Bass: Davey Faragher, Nathan East
Horns: Joel Peskin, Larry Williams, Gary Grant
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals: Clif Magness, Edie Lehmann
Guest Vocals: Valerie Carter
and many more...

Produced by Clif Magness & Glen Ballard


JACK WAGNER - Lighting Up The Night
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