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)
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DONNIE MILLER - One Of The Boys (1989)

DONNIE MILLER is some kind of mystery. This very good singer, guitarist & compser released "One Of The Boys" in 1989 and then disappeared without notice.
Judging the quality of the album, easily he could have been a star in the American melodic rock scene at the end of the eighties / early nineties.
Some big names appear contributing on the recording; Lance Quinn producing (Danger Danger) and playing guitar, former Shooting Star bassist Norm Dahlor, and the great Tommy Shaw co-writing and singing some backing vocals. Even pop-star Cyndi Lauper provides some harmonies.
Talking about Shaw, the overall sound, style and feeling on "One Of The Boys" strongly reminds me his superb solo album "Ambition", so expect a polished and melodic delivery here.



Catchy '80s Melodic Rock rhythms are the motto in such numbers as "Normal Guy [I Want Sex]", the chorus-heaven of "I Can't Stop Flying" and the Tommy Shaw meets John Parr "Blind Man's Bluff". More straight radio friendly / soundtrack-like rockers can be heard on title track "One Of The Boys", "The Man Said No" and the anthemic "You Can't Stop Emotion" (some Damn Yankees feel here).
On the AOR side of things, "Me And You" is a great midtempo-ballad full of '80s magic, "The Devil Wears Lingerie" has that stylized sound typical of the era with that particular beat and mysterious atmosphere, "No Time For Running" offers a steady, lovable synth line, while closer "Welcome Home" is one of the highest points on the album.
Compelling, underrated Melodic Rock / AOR album in the best American tradition.


01. One Of The Boys
02. Normal Guy [I Want Sex]
03. I Can't Stop Flying (feat. Cyndi Lauper)
04. Me And You
05. The Devil Wears Lingerie
06. The Man Said No
07. Blind Man's Bluff
08. No Time For Running
09. You Can't Stop Emotion
10. Welcome Home (feat. Tommy Shaw)

Donnie Miller - vocals, guitar
Lance Quinn (Danger Danger, ArcAngel) - guitar
Kurt Carow - keyboards
Norman Dahlor (Shooting Star) - bass
Tim Kix Kelly - drums
Lane Brock, Vince Kirk - additional guitars
S.M.K. Quinn - additional keyboards
Cyndi Lauper - guest backing vocals
Tommy Shaw - songwriting, guest backing vocals



DONNIE MILLER One Of The Boys HQ
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SHAW-BLADES : High Enough (New-Acoustic Studio Version 2007)

What a classic tune.

Composed by Tommy Shaw & Jack Blades for the first Damn Yankees album.

Fantastic New Version.

Re-recorded acousticly by the duo between the Shaw-Blades "Influence" new 2007 album sessions.

Also appears in the new "Metal Mania Stripped Vol.3".

CLASSIC.

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TOMMY SHAW - Girls With Guns (1984)



Do you remember Miami Vice's episode with the track "Girls with guns" blasting your TV speakers?
I do.
What a great Loverboy style song!
I purchase the record inmediatly, and find a bunch of great stuff in it.
"Lonely school" is an all time classic ballad, maybe you don't remember it, download the album and your memories gonna back to you...
Produced by the monster Mike Stone(Queen, Journey's Raised on Radio, Whitesnake's 1987,etc) this record sounds million bucks.
Also Kenny Loggins co-write some tracks.
This is the first Tommy solo album, out of print as far I know.

1. Girls With Guns 3:11
2. Come In and Explain 4:20
3. Lonely School 5:03
4. Heads Up 4:42
5. Kiss Me Hello extended version 7:47
6. Fading Away 4:03
7. Little Girl World 3:32
8. Outside in the Rain extended version 5:59
9. Free to Love You 4:49
10. The Race Is On 5:27

Tommy Shaw: 6- and 12-string guitars, mandolin, acoustic guitars, lead vocals
Steve Holley: drums, percussion
Brian Stanley: bass
Peter Wood: piano, electric piano, synthesizers
Mike Stone: Additional "stuff", producer


TOMMY SHAW - Girls