V.A. - An '80s Metal Tribute To Journey (2006)

Someone asked in a comment for this Journey tribute album; "An '80s Metal Tribute To Journey".
Although the timeless classics from the giant outfit commanded by Neal Schon are impossible to improve, this is a very good recording.
There was a previous tribute including almost the same songs (titled 'A Tribute To Journey' 2002) but NOT the same performers, clearly far inferior.

For this one, talented Billy Sherwood (a specialist in tribute albums) brought to the fore great vocalists such as Mickey Thomas (Starship), Bobby Kimball (TOTO), Kip Winger, Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees) and more, and the result was more than satisfactory.



The album title seems a bit misplaced - there's no 'metal' at all here, but velvety melodies.
Really nice versions.


01 - Don't Stop Believin - Mickey Thomas (STARSHIP)
02 - Who's Crying Now - Bobby Kimball (TOTO)
03 - Send Her My Love - Kip Winger (WINGER)
04 - Open Arms - Tommy Shaw (STYX)
05 - Any Way You Want It - Jack Rusell (GREAT WHITE)
06 - Faithfully - Robin McAuley (MSG)
07 - Wheel In The Sky - Kelly Hansen (FOREIGNER)
08 - Girl Can t Help It - John Corabi (ex-MÖTLEY CRÜE)
09 - Only The Young - Mark Knight (WORRY BEADS)
10 - Lovin Touchin Squeezin - Chaz West (JASON BONHAM)
11 - Be Good To Yourself - Ralph Saenz (METAL SKOOL)
12 - Lights - Stevie Rachelle (TUFF)
13 - Separate Ways - Kelly Hansen (FOREIGNER)


An '80s A Tribute To Journey (2006)
.

AOR TREASURES - Extended Versions 2 (The Camel's Hump)

Another "extended" installment.
I don't own some of these vinyls, so you get them as they are, all above 192Kbps or better, I have restored all tracks, suppressing the cracks and clicks successfully (I think...).

Aerosmith's Love In An Elevator (Elevator Mix) was released as vinyl promo only, not for sale. I really enjoy this funny mix.
Maybe you don't like ZZ Top goes-to-techno stuff, I think their 80's remixes are awesome. Two of them here.
Joal (german female hard rockin' babe) has released a very good album in the late 80's, this is a very rare and great extended version, only 12''.

Another rarity is White Lion's classic 'Wait', looong version, with much more guitars (WTF are you Vitto?) and some effects added. As far I know, only UK release.
Romeo's Daughter was a superb band, you'll love this rare maxi-single version, supermixed.
A hard to find Foreigner extended remix, very well done.
Another FM (UK) classic remixed, maybe better than the original version.

The Noiseworks version is very cool and veryyy extended.
Device has released a critical acclaimed hi-tech / lite-AOR albums in the mid eighties, this song version is pretty rare, maybe too much 'poppy' for your tastes, but after a couple of listens you will love this tune. I have done a little miracle restoring this vinyl.
Heart remix is completely different from original one. Nice.

As 'bonus', not exactly an extended Survivor track.
This is a little gem, Dave Bickler's final vocal trax used in Eye Of The Tiger.
Taken from the original multi-track recording, with all the overdubs ready to the final song mix. Listen carefully, you can hear in some parts, subtle at the bottom, the backing instrumental track, and at the end, the vocal guidance metronome. These artifacts were removed in the mastering process, of course.

Remember, all these tracks are official remixes, original material performed during the recording sessions, not third hand adds or DJ work.
Check the tags of each song, I've added full release info, catalog number, and original artwork.
You can extract all artwork covers with your favourite tag editor.

01 - Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator (Elevator Mix) 6:14

02 - ZZ Top - Velcro Fly (Extended Mix) 6:38

03 - Joal - Rock That City (Extended Version) 4:55

04 - Dominoe - Angel Don't Cry (Rock Mix) 5:15

05 - White Lion - Wait (Extended Version) 6:05

06 - Romeo's Daughter - Don't Break My Heart (Ext. Version) 5:54

07 - Foreigner - That Was Yesterday (Extended Remix) 6:15

08 - FM - Bad Luck (Extended Version) 5:22

09 - Noiseworks - No Lies (Extended Version) 5:25

10 - Device - Hanging On A Heart Attack (Dance Mix) 7:21

11 - ZZ Top - Legs [Metal Mix aka Special Dance Mix] 7:45

12 - Heart - There's The Girl (12'' Remix) 7:20

13 - Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (Dave Bickler vocal trax) 3:20




ENJOY Extended Vol.2

.

AOR TREASURES - The Extended Versions (The Camel's Hump)

In the 80's, when a disc was released, in addition to the singles, the fashion was also launch an extended version, often as "B-side".
AOR / Rock bands were not absent to this trend (which often allowed them to enter the discotheques).

Many people find these versions annoying, detracting the originals beauty.
I think that my selections are really good, the producer's job bring new life to the songs, adding in some items new arrangements / tempo, discarded guitar solos (a very good ones), or simply an alternative mix of what might have been the official album version.
You'll be surprised by strange HEART's song ending, the crazy GARY solos (don't give the man room to play!), the completely 'new' version of WAITE's classic, or the syncopated ZZ TOP mix (I love this version).
But the most successful is the FM track, in my opinion, better than the original.

All these versions contains only original material performed during the recording sessions, not third hand adds or DJ's crap.
Some tracks aren't easy to find, and mostly only have been released on vinyl.
All were decrackled and declicked to get the best quality possible.

FM - Someday (Extended Version) 5:29
Survivor - Burning Heart (Ultraburn Version) 5:07
Gary Moore - Friday On My Mind (Extended Version) 6:10
Dominoe - Here I Am (Maxi Version) 5:16
John Waite - Missing You (12'' Version) 6:15
Heart - What About Love (12'' Long Version) 5:26
Foreigner - Say You Will (Extended Version) 5:24
Brian Spence - Hear It From The Heart (Extended Version) 6:06
Vixen - Edge Of A Broken Heart (Extended Version) 6:36
Judas Priest - Turbo Lover (Hi-Octane Mix) 7:22
ZZ Top - Sleeping Bag (Original Extended 12'' Mix) 6:14
John Parr - Restless Heart (Extended Version) 6:18

+70 min, artwork


Extended Versions Vol.1 - option 1


Extended Versions Vol.1 - option 2
.