LITTLE YANKEES - All Or Nothing (1997)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Despite their name, LITTLE YANKEES was a Swedish band with a British vocalist... a little messy isn't it? Well, their album "All Or Nothing" is not a mess at all, but an enjoyable slice of European Melodic Rock / AOR.
The cover artwork also disorientate a bit (you may think of a Southern Rock band) but these guys were inspired by the late '80s Scandinavian AOR scene, and due to Paul Dexter's smooth vocals you got a feel of British bands like Overland's FM, Heartland, Dare, etc.

The CD starts with "Go To America", a commercial tune with an obvious radio target, melodic but too cheesy and ends up as the only weak track on the record. But the rest is really good since track 2 "The Power", a pumping melodic rocker where the band show its skills in writing catchy melodies and performing their instruments with taste.

More in this style is heard in "Die For You", the groovy "Give It To Me", title track, and later on "Give It Up" (great chorus!), while Little Yankees go for AOR smoothness in the atmospheric "Can't Live" (reminds me Virginia Wolf) or "Don't Leave Me" with an After Hours feel.
All the aforementioned songs are really good, as are the ballad "I'll Be There" adorned with fine orchestrated synths and in the middle featuring an arrangement akin bagpipes (perhaps Dexter is Scottish?).



As far I know only released in Sweden, Little Yankees "All Or Nothing" is a pretty unknown and good Melodic Rock / AOR album finely produced. The CD appeared in 1997 - obscure years for this genre - and the band split soon after.
Recommended.


01 - Go To America
02 - The Power
03 - Famous
04 - Can't Live
05 - Die For You
06 - I'll Be There
07 - Give It To Me
08 - Burning Feeling
09 - Don't Leave Me
10 - Give It Up
11 - All Or Nothing

Paul Dexter: vocals, guitars, keyboards
Heavy Eddie: bass, backing vocals
Johan 'The Preacher' Rydberg: drums, percussion
Tobias 'Snake' Wernersson: guitars, keyboards, backing vocals




LITTLE YANKEES - All Or Nothing
.

SAND & GOLD - Remember My Name (1997)

Requested several times, this is a re-post from years ago because this wonderful album is really hard to find.

Swedish singer Pete Sandberg is one of my favorite vocalists, and through his career has lent his talents to ALIEN, MADISON, SNAKE CHARMER, MIDNIGHT SUN as well as solo artist. His vocal dexterity allows him to sing in any style, and always greatly.
In the mid-nineties Sandberg meets Jonas Reingold, and the pair eventually became very good friends and wanted to start a band in which to focus their musical appetites: MIDNIGHT SUN.
While the group were put together, they decided to record a handful of songs composed long time ago that would have no place into their new band style.
The duo cleverly baptized this project "SAND & GOLD" (Pete SANDberg & Jonas ReinGOLD).

Indeed, the album entitled "Remember My Name" is far from the edgy hard rock Midnight Sun was preparing, instead you find here lots of acoustic guitars mixed with electric, many Wurlitzer keyboards, relaxed drumming / percussion and where, of course, Sandberg's voice is 'the big star' on the record.
These are songs with great melody and emotion in a typical Scandinavian style, think BAD HABIT unplugged or why not, EUROPE. There's also some American mid-western influences too.

Though "Remember My Name" was almost entirely recorded by themselves, some friends contribute with their talents: Kee Marcello (EUROPE), with a cool electric guitar solo on track 11, Johan Glossner (GRAND ILLUSION) on guitars, and excelent session drummer Rasmus Kihlberg (LA Project feat Bill Champlin, PETER FRIESTEDT, and more).



"Remember My Name" is a very, very good album, solid and organic. It's a melodic collection of songs performed from the heart with an excellent production. Released by a small Danish label back in the day, it has become a really hard to find piece.
Delicious.


01 - Sha Na Na
02 - Remember My Name
03 - Fishermans Creek
04 - When the Hammer Falls
05 - The Place
06 - Brooklyn Town
07 - Never Walk Alone
08 - Patricia
09 - Back on the Road
10 - Searching
11 - Slow it Down
12 - Crossroads

Pete Sandberg - Lead and Backing Vocals
Jonas Reingold - Electric Bass, Contrabass, Keyboards, Programming, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Kee Marcello - Slide (Track 3), Guitar Solo (Track 11)
Johan Glossner - Guitar
Rasmus Khilberg - Drums
Tomas Pettersson - Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Wurlitzer
Inger Ohlén, Tomas Nyberg - Backing Vocals
Produced and arranged by Jonas Reingold




SAND & GOLD - Remember My Name
.

BEST OF THE BEST soundtrack [CD reissue 2004] (1989)

Requested on the original post, again.

This soundtrack from the cult action movie BEST OF THE BEST was featured on the blog five years ago when a friend of mine ask for it because it's very hard to find.
Well, still it is, although reissued in 2004 by AAO Music, went out of print for the second time.

This is a fresh rip (not the same posted before) from the reissue CD, which by the way features a different artwork.
About the songs; there's great tunes by the late Jim Capaldi, the exclusive version for the movie of Stubblefield & Hall's "Best Of The Best" track, and a 'Medley' from the wonderful score composed to the film by the talented Paul Gilman.
Hard To Find.




1 - Jim Capaldi - Tales Of Power
2 - Stubblefield & Hall - Best Of The Best
3 - Kirsten Nash - American Hotel
4 - Jim Capaldi - Something So Strong
5 - Golden Earring - The Devil Made Me Do It
6 - Golden Earring - Radar Love (Live)
7 - Charlie Major - Backroads
8 - Charlie Major - Someday I'm Gonna Ride In A Cadillac
9 - Paul Gilman - Original Score Medley





BEST OF THE BEST soundtrack [CD reissue 2004]
.

VU : All I Need Is U (1996) / Just As I Am (1999)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Originated in Oregon, USA, VU was a Christian Melodic Rock group founded by singer & composer Bart Hafeman, who still continues in the music business with his own band much modern rock oriented.
But with VU, the aim was to create a bunch of arena-ready, anthemic songs rich in melodies, catchy choruses and pretty elaborated harmony vocals.

VU debuted with "All I Need Is U" in 1996, and were instantly compared with Def Leppard. If you want a reference related to CCM acts, I think Nouveaux, Sure Conviction, and the more commercial mid-Eighties Stryper.
Their Melodic Rock songs are extremely melodious indeed, plenty of big choruses adorned with super-harmonies (all members provide backing vocals) and an overall pristine, clean sound. Of course production is not at the same level of Def Leppard, but VU goes for the same path.



On the second and final CD appeared in 1999, entitled "Just As I Am", VU retains the same Melodic Rock vibe, perhaps this time with more biting guitars (bring to mind the underrated Stun Leer at places) but always in a very melodic environment.
Both albums feature short interludes between songs, so you have around 10 real tracks per disc, and lyrics are not preaching all the time.

VU cd's are almost impossible to find, and although the band is pretty unknown between Melodic Rock circles, you'll be surprised by the catchiness on display here.
Rare and good.


All I Need Is U (1996)
01 - Funky Intro
02 - Rock For The Right Reason
03 - Guitar Student
04 - Thief In The Night
05 - Love Of Jesus
06 - Shelded-
07 - What Will It Take
08 - Newlyweds
09 - All I Need Is You
10 - Balcuilrezsreers
11 - Child Of The King
12 - Who Will It Be
13 - Light Of The World
14 - Dave's Snoring

Just As I Am (1999)
01 - Search
02 - What Are You Gonna Do
03 - Point of View
04 - Just As I Am
05 - Broken Again (Brian's Song)
06 - C# Run
07 - I'm Forgiven
08 - Whenever I Call Your Name
09 - Anonymous
10 - Most Loving Man
11 - My Rock
12 - Holy, Holy, Holy
13 - I Put My Trust in You

Bart Hafeman: lead and backing vocals
David Karn: lead guitars, backing vocals
Jason Looney: rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Joe Swaim: bass, electric guitar
Jason Martinez: drums, percussion, backing vocals




VU : All I Need Is U / Just As I Am
.

THE ALAN BARNES BAND - (I Need) A Little Love Tonight (1993)

Requested again...

ALAN BARNES is the little brother of Aussie legend Jimmy Barnes, and he's musician too. And a good one.
Seems Alan hasn't the luck of his famous bro, as he only recorded and released officially this CD single back in 1993, with the main song included into one episode of the popular Australian TV series 'Neighbours'.

The main track "(I Need) A Little Love Tonight" is a killer Melodic Rock / AOR tune with a terrific refrain and a monster chorus.
Side B, the ballad "I Don't Know What Love Is" has a 'British' flavor to my ears, another excellent track.



Now, to make this re-post more interesting, as added bonus there's the standalone single "Stay", released by Alan few years ago. A tasty classic rocker with a timeless feeling.

Very rare CDsingle, Out-Of-Print.
Highly Recommended


(I Need) A Little Love Tonight (Alan Barnes)
Vocals: Alan Barnes
Guitars: Jeff Neil, Matt Schlammerl
Bass: Jeff Neil
Drums: Alan Jones
Backing Vocals: Alan Barnes, Alan Jones


I Don't Know What Love Is (Alan Barnes/Alan Jones)
Vocals: Alan Barnes
Guitars: Greg Henderson
Keyboards, Percussion: Alan Jones
Backing Vocals : Alan Barnes , Alan Jones

+

Stay (2012 single)






ALAN BARNES BAND - (I Need) A Little Love Tonight
.

ROBBIE PATTON - Orders From Headquarters (1982)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

English singer/songwriter ROBBIE PATTON got his career-break when he toured as a special guest of Fleetwood Mac. The relationship does not ended there, as many members from the Mac's contributed on Patton's debut album, and here, his second LP "Orders From Headquarters" as well.
Recorded in America, the record has the true US radio-friendly melodic sound the ruled the airwaves circa '82/'83.

Opener "Victim Of Your Love" is pumped by deep bass line, filled with catchy candy-floss keyboards and really good sustained guitars. Patton's vocals reminds me Robert Berry here when he used to be the singer of Hush around the same year.
Follower "Louise" is another terrific commercial upbeat AOR tune with swirling keyboards, 'that' rhythm guitars and a melodic, contagious chorus. If you don't like this track you don't like '80s AOR at all.
The midtempo "Lonely Nights" only could have been recorded in the Eighties, the atmosphere, the vibe, it's all there. All the songs on this album are firmly back-boned by an excellent guitar work by Joey Brasler (Cher). On this track and the next, the hot rocker "Feel The Flow", is particularly remarkable.

Title track has interesting twists in the song structure, again fueled by fat bass line, cool keys and a sumptuous guitar solo.
"Tell Me Goodbye" includes some vintage keyboards and a strong rhythm guitar which carries the song somehow reminding me AORsters Balance, while vocally, Rick Springfield.
"Smiling Islands" was the single, co-written and performed together with Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks. Nice and slow melodic song, not exactly the typical ballad.



"Orders From Headquarters" is one of those LP's that marked "the middle of the first half of the '80s sound"; that is radio-friendly, commercial poppy AOR melodies with a crystal clear production.
This is the kind of records that any fan of the decade love at first listen.
Robbie Patton's "Orders From Headquarters" was finally released for the first time on CD few years ago, but I am very happy with this excellent vinyl rip, cleaned and restored by me.


01 - Victim Of Your Love
02 - Louise
03 - It's Your Heart
04 - Lonely Nights
05 - Feel The Flow
06 - Orders From Headquarters
07 - Tell Me Goodbye
08 - Smiling Islands
09 - All Because Of You
10 - Look Away

Robbie Patton - lead vocals
Joey Brasler - guitars
David Adelstein - keyboards
Robin Sylvester - bass
Kirk Arthur - drums
Alex Acuna - percussion
Kurt Howell - keyboards on 5
Christine McVie - lead vocals on 10
Stevie Nicks - lead vocals on 8
Timothy B Schmit - vocals on 6




ROBBIE PATTON - Orders From Headquarters
.

RUBY FAITH & THE WAITING WORLD - Best Of... (2000)

RUBY FAITH & THE WAITING WORLD were one of those bands that criminally never made it big in the American scene. The core of this outfit formed by female singer Ruby Faith, guitarist Tom DaPrato and keyboard player Jay Ahl founded the group at the end of the eighties and seems they were quite popular in the New York State club circuit.
Several major labels were interested in the band's demos but a deal was never signed, and ultimately Ruby Faith & The Waiting World broke up at end of 1993. Anyway, during these years Faith & Co. professionally recorded their songs produced by themselves, and years later were available for purchase at MP3.com on CDr.

It wasn't until the end of the nineties when German label AOR Heaven contacted the band and released "Ruby Faith & The Waiting World : Best Of" in 2000, including a selection of the group's best tracks taped between 1990-93.
Why this awesome band never got signed is beyond me, as the music of Ruby Faith & The Waiting World is pure class radio friendly Melodic Rock / AOR akin Heart, Robin Beck, Witness, Patty Smyth and alikes, not only in sound & style, but also in quality.



You have here a bunch of killer - and no filler in sight - tunes plenty of hooks, melodies and catchy choruses.
Seriously, there's not a weak track on this album very well produced for an indie, and I decided to share it with you all because it's pretty unknown and really, really good material.
Taken from the original CD and ripped by my good friend SebasAOR at maximum quality (thanks mate!), "Ruby Faith & The Waiting World : Best Of" is a joyful listen for any classic late '80s American FF Melodic Rock / AOR fan.


01 - Rat Trap Town
02 - Beautiful Boy
03 - Wild Child
04 - Cry Alone
05 - Chains
06 - Fire In My Soul
07 - Hard Times
08 - White Heat
09 - The Right Move
10 - Time Flies
11 - All In The Name Of Rock

Ruby Faith: vocals
Tom DaPrato: guitars, bass
Jay Ahl: keyboards
Additional musicians:
Ronnie Fagan, Bill Funcheon: drums
Larry Roofberg, Ray Padavano, Bob Faulhaber: bass
Danny Windram: guitar
Tony Ungaro: percussion, production




RUBY FAITH & THE WAITING WORLD - HQ
.

ESSENCE (NY) - Essence [unreleased] (1980)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

ESSENCE was active in the tri-state area, NY rock scene since the half of the Seventies to 1982. This was the previous band for vocalist / guitarist Bruce "Butch" Papa, also known as "Dartanyan" before founding Cinema, the group previously featured here on the blog.

Essence's music is strongly influenced by classic progressive bands like Kansas and Styx, both at the peak of their popularity around those years. But we can hear as well a hard rock / pomp touch, a fusion that novel bands such as Journey or Roadmaster were developing at the same age.



Essence entered the studio to record their own songs in 1980, and although it is all solid material, a record deal never surfaced. The group continued playing with success but after some line-up changes, Essence split in 1982.
This is an extremely rare material from my vault, never released. The sound quality is really good, including some little artwork myself made.
RARE


1 - Child Of My Own
2 - Holdin' On
3 - Out All Night Again
4 - Pretenders
5 - Hurts From The Last Time
6 - No Warning
7 - Matty
8 - No More Rain

Bruce "Butch" Papa - lead vocals, guitar
Gary Grill - bass, vocals
George Tebbitt - guitar, vocals
Rich Bifulco - keyboards
Rich Lang - drums, vocals




ESSENCE (NY) [unreleased]
.

FX (USA) - In Motion (1987) + In The Sky (1992)

Not to be confused with the Aussie band of the same name, this FX hails from the USA.
The project was founded in the mid-Eighties by keyboard players Douglas Morton and Kevin Monahan while working at E-Mu Systems in Santa Cruz, California, a pioneer Studio in the sampling industry.
Both brought home a lot of new gear - synths, mixing consoles, etc. - to experiment with while producing songs for FX, so the chosen name for the band is not a surprise.

However, their musical style is a mix of poppy Prog / lite AOR with a few Hi-Tech elements focused in an easy listening song format. Morton & Monahan recruited some session musicians and the project morphed into a stable yet 'studio band' christened FX.



The first album "In Motion" appeared in 1987 has a sound reminiscent of UK Synth Rock bands with the addition of stylized pop / new wave touches that bring to mind Canadians New Regime.
There's some sonic experimentation mostly based on rare sounds, but basically these are rock&pop songs with lots of keyboards and synths.



By the early '90s FX turned much more proggy AOR, and palatable for our melodic ears. Saga, '80s Rush, Glass Tiger or the recently featured here The Kite are good examples of FX's sound on their '92 EP "In The Sky".
As you see, the aforementioned are all Canadian acts, and the comparison arrives due the record's pristine playing and production.
This is elegant, delicate stuff with very nice melodies to enjoy.
Both CD's are impossible to find - out of print.




In Motion (1987)
01 - I Disappear
02 - Girl In A Window
03 - Reasons Keep Changing
04 - The Running Man
05 - Quasimodo Sings The Blues (feat. Evan Jiles)
06 - In Motion
07 - Future History
08 - Calling Out On You
09 - Man Or Machine
10 - Solitary Madness
11 - Phoenix Rising (feat. Kevin Monahan)
12 - Phoenix Rising Pt. III (feat. Kevin Monahan)
13 - Phoenix Rising Pt. III (feat. Dave Preshutti)


In The Sky (1992)
01 - I Think It's A Crime
02 - When Will I Sleep Again?
03 - She Loves In Colors
04 - Defenseless
05 - In The Sky

Douglas Morton - vocals, keyboards, sampling
Evan Jiles - bass
Kevin Monahan - keyboards, synths, guitar
Dave Preschutti - guitar
Dave DuCey - drums
Phil Rose - backing vocals




FX (USA) In Motion (1987) / In The Sky (1992)
.