WAR PIPES - Warpipes (1991-2000)

While playing alongside other artists such as Meat Loaf and Alice Cooper during the late '70s and early '80s, underrated and terrific Scottish guitarist Davey Johnstone is mostly known for being Elton John's main six-string man.
Around 1990, Johnstone started his own band named WARPIPES together with singer & lyricist Billy Trudel (later in Public Domain featured HERE) who went on to sing backup for Elton as well, completing the line up with... two members of Elton John's band too; keyboardist Guy Babylon and bassist Bob Birch.

In 1991, WarPipes released their only album 'Holes In The Heavens' to much critical acclaim on Davey Johnstone's self-owned label Artful Balance Records. But the label folded not so long after, and the disc become almost impossible to find.
Fortunately, this great record was rescued in 2000 by Bridge Records in a revamped re-release simply entitled "War Pipes" (this time separated words). But it was really different from the original.
Three new tracks were added; "Little Persuader", "Dust On My Boots" and "One Love True", while the track "Satellite City" from the original edition was deleted. Also features a re-arranged tracklist and completely new artwork.



'Holes In The Heavens' / 'War Pipes' was the vehicle for Davey Johnstone to rock, and rock intensively. Don't expect Elton-like poppy tunes here, this is a terrific melodic hard rock album with a bluesy foundation in the vein of Walk On Fire, YA YA or Walk The Wire, this meaning: high quality AORish Melodic Rock of the highest order.
Not only Billy Trudel vocals are pure gold in a Steve Perry / Moon Calhoun style (Trudel was booked by Michael Thompson in an earlier version of MTB), also Davey Johnstone's toneful, clean, killer sound & pickin' are to die for.
I can't find a weak song of this superbly produced album, ripped at maximum quality from the reissue but also including the discarded track "Satellite City" as bonus, to treasure WarPipes' complete recordings.
Great One.


01 - Rock & Roll Condition
02 - Little Persuader (reissue only)
03 - Dust On My Boots (reissue only)
04 - Duty To Dance
05 - Mr. 2 U
06 - One Love True (reissue only)
07 - Tear Jerker
08 - Son Of A Loaded Gun
09 - Good-Bye Kemosabe
10 - Holes In The Heavens
11 - Divided Heart
12 - Back A' Ma Buick
13 - Satellite City (original release only)

Billy Trudel: lead vocals
Davey Johnstone: guitars, mandolin, backing vocals
Guy Babylon: keyboards
Bob Birch: bass, sax
Nigel Olsson: drums, backing vocals




WARPIPES full
.

PUBLIC DOMAIN - Radio Nights (1997)

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

PUBLIC DOMAIN was a studio project put together by keyboard player David Young and singer Billy Trudel, who used to be Elton John's backing vocalist and has recorded with Warpipes and Marc Jordan among others.
The album is plenty of laid back, smooth AOR tunes mixed with '80s FM radio rock oriented songs, although the overall production sound is pretty nineties.
There are a tasteful blend of electric & acoustic guitars, traditional keyboards (not synth based) and of course beautiful vocal harmonies constructed by all the band members.

Billy Trudel has a soulful and melodic voice that shines on the slower numbers such as "Saving Grace", "No Shame" or "Confetti".
But the man also can rock on the uptempo tracks, as on the Tyketto-like title track "Radio Nights", the anthemic "Shadow Of Eden", the rocking "Immortal Way" that reminds me Kyle Vincent and the acoustically wrapped "Clues".
"Marching On" is a strong mid-tempo AOR track with a great vibe, sporting a radio ready chorus supported by layers of backing vocals.
The ballad "Crimes Of Passion" was written by Elton John / Bernie Taupin and given to Trudel to use for this album. A typical dramatic Taupin tune very well arranged and performed.

Well produced and recorded, "Radio Nights" is a warm and gentle album rich in good melodies. Maybe it takes a couple of listens to get it in its full depth, but when it does, you'll love it.
Recommended.


01 - Radio Nights
02 - No Shame
03 - If I Were You
04 - Saving Grace
05 - Immortal Way
06 - Clues
07 - China Rain
08 - Child In My Heart
09 - Shadow Of Eden
10 - Silence Of Your Heart
11 - Confetti
12 - Marching On
13 - Crimes Of Passion

Billy Trudel - Lead & backing vocals
David Young - Keyboards, backing vocals
Bruce Watson - Guitars, mandolin, backing vocals
Larry Antonino - Bass, backing vocals
Matt Laug - Drums, percussion

Stuart Mathis - additional backing vocals
Cameron Stone, Roland Hartwell - Strings
Jimmy Haun - additional guitar


PUBLIC DOMAIN - Radio Nights