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]
.

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]
.

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
.

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
.