AOR TREASURES - Extended Versions 4 (The Camel's Hump)

Vol. 4 featuring some rare Scandi AOR / classic artists remixes.

Domain used to play a catchy AOR at the beginning of their career. "I Don't Wanna Die" was released as a single only, including this remix version with a lot of punch.
The extended of "Heartbreaker" from de very first album of Dare is breathtaking. In my opinion, better than the album version. Only appeared into the single as b-side, this is rip from 12'' vinyl because it has much more harmonics than the CDs. Killer track.
Another winner is "I'm Alone" by scandi aorsters Skagarack. Awesome mix with big sound and reverb.
I am not completely convinced with the compressed drum / cymbal sound of Fate's "Summerlove", but worth a listen. This maxi-remix is included as bonus in the recent reissue of the band self-titled album, but sounds terrible (I mean; horribly transferred). This is a rip from the rare 12'' vinyl, much better.

Romeo's Daughter "Heaven In The Backseat" is a pleasure to listen, heavily processed into the studio.
The single "South Africa" off Ian Gillian's '82 album 'Magic' is a nice track co-written with Bernie Marsden who also play guitar. This 12'' version is cool and quite unknown.
Thanks to plattenpapst for sent me the extended version of the classic "Playing To Win" by Little River Band. Fantastic remix with percussion at front. Very Rare.
Russ Ballard is a qualified songwriter. "Dream On" is one of my favorite tunes from his pen, and this long & modified version rocks. This song was versioned later by King Kobra with Mark Free on the mic.

"Born To Rock 'N' Roll" isn't appeared into any Cliff Richard album. It was recorded for a musical ('Time') and released as single only. This special extended is rare and unknown. Maybe you're wondering if this is a retro-'50's song. Well, not at all, this is a marvellous AOR-rocker with a killer mid-eighties style. Love it.
Charlie Sexton's classic "Don't Look Back" has a strong dancefloor process in this maxi. But includes tons of guitars reverbered to the maximum. Really good version.
There's 2 official extended versions of John Waite's "These Time Are Hard For Lovers". The 'Jellybean' is more poppy oriented (I like it) but prefer the Extended Rock Mix, which, in fact, rocks more with emphasis on the guitars and a deep fat bass.
"Don't Mean Nothing" by Richard Marx become a FM hit, but this Extended Rock Mix is the less known version of all.
I am a sucker for ZZ Top remixes. Some people argue that they're cold and too synthetic, well, I love those monster drums. The Bill Ham Extended Mix of "Velcro Fly" is pretty hard to find.

Remember, all these tracks are officially released remixes, original material performed during the recording sessions, no third hand adds or DJ work.



FULL TRACKLIST, CLICK HERE:

AOR TREAURES EXTENDED Vol.4

JOHN WAITE - Ignition (1982)

Collector's Edition Remastered & Reloaded 2006


Needless to describe Waite's popularity in the AOR community, as member of the greats THE BABYS, Solo, and supergroup BAD ENGLISH.

His first solo (maybe the less listened and one of his best, upbeat, hard rocking albums) was released in 1982.
Produced by Neil Geraldo (PAT BENATAR's guitarist, producer, mastermind, husband and who knows what else), with hard edged (even if extremely processed) guitars (yeah, TIM PIERCE!), tight rhythm section and commercial mainstream rock '80s style, this recording still sounds fresh and organic today.
To further improve the quality of these songs, this remastered version (a 'real' one) is awesome.
Recommended.



John Waite : vocals
Tim Pierce : guitars
Ivan Kral : guitar, keyboards
Donnie Nossov : bass, vocals
Frankie La Rocka : drums
Produced by Neil Geraldo
Engineered by Bob Clearmountain

CLASSIC & ROCKIN'

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
.