HENRY LEE SUMMER - Smoke and Mirrors (1998)

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

Henry Lee Summer has released some very classy rock albums in the eighties.
Although I am not a real fan of all his stuff, the man recorded many superb AOR songs and excellent soundtrack titles.

By the nineties his star began to fade out, with a 5 year hiatus between "Slamdunk" ('93) and this one.
Henry decided go back to his roots and make a record at his own pleasure: Midwestern Americana rock.
All the songs here were beautifully written, mixing heaps of acoustic and electric guitar layers and clever lyrics.
Maybe you will miss his AOR/rockier side, but most of the tracks are catchy, rock driven and honest.
If you re-arrange and produce all of them into an '80s slick mood, you'll get your typical H L Summer. But Henry has chosen this sound style, and works great.

This disc is much much deeper than what you might think at first listen, grows on you each time you press play. In fact, this is my favorite H L S album.
He has written and skillfully produced all the tunes himself, a very personal and heartfelt effort.
Hard to find out of print CD, never hit the stores, only was on sale at his website.

Sadly he was recently involved in legal troubles due to his methamphetamine addiction, last year Henry entered the voluntary drug treatment center 'Cumberland Heights' in Nashville TN.
Hope he recovers soon.


01 - Smoke & Mirrors
02 - Crazy One You Need (Psychotic, Neurotic)
03 - Why Don't You Just Stay
04 - Hold On
05 - Queen Of The Rodeo
06 - Earth To Suzi
07 - Follow Me
08 - Put A Little Love
09 - Mississippi One
10 - I Still Remember
11 - The Grande Finale


Personnel : not listed


HARD TO FIND GOODIE

AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.8

I don't know if this is the best of my compilations so far, but sure one that contains more rarities and non album tracks:


01 - LOVERBOY: Nothing's Gonna Stop You Now [Olympic Games '84]
Loverboy at the peak of his career. Very good song only included in the Olympic Games '84 soundtrack.
A hard to find vinyl.


02 - ANDREA ROBINSON: Bad Girl [Riding Bean]
Riding Bean is a japanese animated movie and the OST only went published in his home country. Andrea Robinson was the lead singer of THIEVES, an early 80's canadian AOR - rock band. Mike Landau on guitar (Robin Beck, Tim Feehan, Steve Perry and a thousand more ...)


03 - JOHN PARR: (Restless Heart) Running Away With You [Running Man]
I can't let out from this compilations the soundtrack-man J. Parr. Sorry, the man hasn't a bad song! And most of them remain unreleased. This one, written with H. Faltermeyer. The soundtrack never was released (only the score). This is not the demo version floating the net, here you have the full original version only appeared in "Harold Faltermeyer, the Ultimate Collection 2CD" , track 19, CD2.


04 - VIXEN: Runnin' [Hardbodies]
Before recording their first album, the girls from VIXEN contributed 3 songs to this movie, whose soundtrack was only released in very limited quantity by a canadian bootleg label. This is the best of those songs, and one of the best I've ever heard from this band. Rarity.


05 - DAVID HALLYDAY: Flashback [Lady Beware]
Another impossible to find OST. Published in limited copies only in Japan, I have seen bids on eBay over $500! . Filled with wonderful AOR songs, all exclusive to this soundtrack. Very good track!


06 - MARIETTA: Fire And Ice [Feuer Und Eis]
German film whose soundtrack was only released in Europe on vinyl. This song clearly shows why I love this genre. Superb 80's AOR! - Exclusive to this OST (and as 12'' ext. vers.).


07 - STAN BUSH: Forever [Wimbledon Hits '90]
Wimbledon's silver bowl has its own soundtrack. Every year a commemorative album is published. This great ballad appeared only in this OST (later was included in the Kuschelrock series).


08 - LOUDNESS: Odin [Odin]
Even the fans of the japanese band LOUDNESS are unaware that this band recorded several songs for this obscure oriental movie. It's surprising (and pleasant) to listen to this group including many keyboards in a song.
Rare EP only released in Japan.


09 - SUE SAAD: Radioactive Dreams [Radioactive Dreams]
Sue change her rocker style for this OST, and completely overturns to mid-80's AOR. Very good guitars and gear. Exclusive of this soundtrack.


10 - JOSEPH WILLIAMS: Firepower [Body By Jake]
Body By Jake was a TV fitness show. Later released on VHS and then a soundtrack (vinyl only,1984) to do the gym at home. Joseph contributed two songs that proves why TOTO pick-up his voice for their upcoming albums.
Great song, great performance.


11 - TOMMY NILSSON & TONE NORUM: Allt Som Jag Känner [P.S. Sista Sommaren]
This swedish movie OST was published only in its home country. Tommy Nilsson (Easy Action, solo) and Tone performs a very nice european-style ballad. Rarity.


12 - LAMARCA: Bad In Blue [Lady Beware]
Another track from Lady Beware. Not a great song, but I have already included this track because is one of the most sought after by collectors. LaMarca has recorded only one solo album, and 2 non album tracks, one included in "The Wraith" OST, and the other, here.
Exclusive to this soundtrack.


13 - HENRY LEE SUMMER: No Way Of Knowin' [Twins]
Nice rockin' tune in the H. L. Summer style. Exclusive to this soundtrack.


14 - LOUDLION: Die Tuff [Balls Of Fury]
LoudLion has a curious story. Formed by L.A. Bay Area musicians, as a DEF LEPPARD tribute band. A Hollywood producer went to a show and proposed them to include one of their originals in a film. The song ended up being the main theme from "The Hills Have Eyes II". Due to the good results, they recorded 3 songs for the recent "Balls Of Fury" comedy. I have chosen this ballad, it's amazing how they sound like Def Lepp...


15 - AMEL BENT: Eye Of The Tiger [Asterix Et Les Vikings]
Amel recorded his version of SURVIVOR's classic for this french film. A curiosity (a good one), with a soul touch and interesting arrangements. This song sounds good even performed by The Carmelite's Carol Choir...


16 - ERIC MARTIN: Swing Time [Spider-Man VS. The Kingpin]
Very good rocker with Eric's stamp, his angelic voice never fails. Song structure Mr. Big-alike.
Exclusive Video Game OST track.


17 - ROBIN McAULEY: Teach Me How To Dream [If Looks Could Kill]
Ex - MSG, GRAND PRIX, solo, etc. gorgeous ballad. Very good lyrics and increscendo tempo. Great production.


As usual, + 70 min, vbr, artwork.
Most tracks are vinyl-only release and very rare, all were decrackled and declicked to get the best quality possible.

Do you want more? Leave a comment and request your song.
I'll do my best...


AOR TREASURES - The Soundtracks Vol.8

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