MAMMOTH - Mammoth (1989) HQ + bonus

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

British MAMMOTH was a curious band, not only for their name chosen with a great sense of humour by the members due their voluminous body size, but also musically. Founded by vocalist Nicky Moore (Samson, Tiger) and ex-Gillan Band bassist John McCoy, the band released their self-titled debut in 1987, appeared in America in 1989.
Despite Moore / McCoy NWOBHM origins, the intention with "Mammoth" was not only appeal to hard rock related listeners, but also commercial rock&pop audiences. Not strangely the album was released by Jive, a recording label specialized in pop music.
According to the era, there's a strong Melodic Rock sound with AOR touches throughout the record, with a couple of tracks with radio-ready choruses.

Just listen the catchy opener "All The Days", the soaring "30 Pieces Of Silver", the quite AORish "Can't take the Hurt", or the funny single "Fatman". The latter was released with different mixes and maxi versions.
But Mammoth also blends melodic rock with some power-funk bass lines in "Bet You Wish" (including keys all over), while "Long Time Coming" fuse Moore's bluesy classic rock vocals with a rock&pop musical foundation resulting in an original sound. Anyway, sharp, rocking guitar riffs are ever present on all tracks.
Showing even more variation, Mammoth delivers a classic rock sounding track on "Home from the Storm", a mid-tempo with great atmospheres.



With a bright polished production, "Mammoth" is a pretty unknown and underrated album that really deserves a slot in your Melodic Rock collection. It isn't easy to find a HQ version on the blogosphere, so here it is.
As proof of Jive Records commercial faith in Mammoth, there were several singles / remixes from this album, some included here by me as bonuses.
Very enjoyable.


01 - All the Days
02 - Fatman
03 - Can't Take the Hurt
04 - 30 Pieces of Silver
05 - Dark Star
06 - Bet you Wish
07 - Long time Coming
08 - Bad Times
09 - Home from the Storm
10 - Fatman [Admiral Amour Mix] (bonus track)
11 - All The Days [alt. version] (bonus track)
12 - Can't Take The Hurt [alt. version] (bonus track)
13 - Fatman [12'' Mix] (bonus track)

Nicky Moore - vocals, keyboards
John McCoy - bass, guitar, synth guitars
Mac Baker - guitar
Vinnie Reed - drums, percussion
Bernie Torme (Gillian) - add. guitars
Rob Fisher - add. keyboards
Kenny Cox - add. guitars
Dave Lloyd, Mark Williamson - backing vocals




MAMMOTH (1989) HQ + bonus

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CRYSTAL - Collection (2000) + bonus tracks

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

This one was requested by a reader but I was thinking to post it soon because CRYSTAL, a Californian outfit from the Bay Area was one of the bands that defined the indie US Melodic Rock / AOR sound of the mid-Eighties.
Crystal was active between 1982-95 and released three mini-LP, a format used by the unsigned bands of the era.
In 2000, AOR Heaven Records put out this "Collection", comprising material from all Crystal recordings.

Crystal's sound & style is pure pumping AOR, catchy Melodic Rock, blending pompous elements with infectious hooks. Think Prophet, ArcAngel, Hybrid Ice, Honeymoon Suite, BootCamp, Urgent, etc, and a touch of Survivor and Loverboy.
Tracks like the action movie ready "Always Be There", "Point of View", "One Life", the pompy "I'm a Dreamer" or the rocking "The One For You" are must haves for any fan of the genre.
Production, handled by John and Dino Elefante (Kansas, Halo, Mastedon) is punchy and... crystal clear.



The last two songs mentioned are taken from Crystal's first 5-track miniLP: 'The One For You', and it's a shame this "Collection" does not include it in its entirety, because never were released on CD or digitally, and all are great.
Well, I have cleaned the vinyl-rip and all the 3 remaining tracks are featured here as bonus tracks.
You NEED this one in your collection.


01 - In the Night
02 - Point of View
03 - I'm a Dreamer
04 - Time Keeps Runnin'
05 - Always Be There
06 - Right Before My Eyes
07 - One Life
08 - The One for You
09 - All The Right Girls (bonus track)
10 - Piece Of My Heart (bonus track)
11 - Shadows In The Night (bonus track)

Andy Nossal - Lead Vocals, Bass
Grady McGrew - Guitars, Vocals
Bill Cornish - Keyboards, Vocals
Rick Williams - Drums, Vocals
John Elefante, Ron Gollner, Jeff Gunn - Backing Vocals
Raymond Cameron - Guitars, Vocals (on bonus)
Bill Anderson - Drums, Vocals (on bonus)
Produced by John and Dino Elefante




CRYSTAL Collection (2000) + bonus tracks
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V.A. - Voices (1987) [Japanese CD reissue COOL-089]

Re-posted as requested, impossible to find album

Christian (CCM) albums / artists sometimes overwhelm secular listeners with their religious lyrics. But many of them have released wonderful albums musically speaking, especially in the during the '80s and early '90s.
In the case of this Various Artists compilation called "Voices", the result is excellent.

"Voices" was a charity project that brought together the cream of the CCM AOR scene, performing songs specifically composed for this album released in 1987 via the legendary Christian label Myrrh and conducted & produced by Mike Mierau (Petra, Halo, Mastedon, Guardian, etc.).
Mierau's liner notes words:
"There are certain singers which voices are instantly recognizable. The minutes you hear them, you know they're one of your favorites. Here on this record are ten new songs by ten great singers. It's a collection of amazing talents."

The main focus of this album are, obviously, the voices. We have beautiful performances by the likes of the exquisite Tommy Funderburk, Bob Carlisle, John Elefante, Rick Riso, etc, all highly respected singers from the AOR / WestCoast golden age.
There's smooth arrangements, elegant instrumentation by renowned session musicians and well crafted songs. My favorite is John Elefante's track, penned with his bro Dino, and of course, the mighty Tommy Funderburk, one of the greatest AOR singers of all time, forever in my top five.

Fortunately reissued on CD for the first time some years ago by specialized Japanese label Cool Sounds (but largely out of print), "Voices" is a little gem, nowadays a true rarity.
Grab it while it's hot...


01 - Tata Vega - In Your Light
02 - Bob Carlisle - Heaven Is Waiting
03 - Bryan Duncan - Come as You Are
04 - Matthew Ward - Light of the World
05 - Howard McCrary - In Your Presence
06 - John Elefante & Kim Boyce - Helpless
07 - Rick Riso - Heaven Must Have Sent You
08 - Bob Carlisle - Teach Me How
09 - Benny Hester - Then You Call My Name
10 - Tommy Funderburk - Lift Up My Voice

Guitars: Michael Hodge, Terrance Elliot, Dino Elefante
Bass: John Pierce, Michael Hodg
Keyboards: J. Schreiner, James Raymond, John Elefante
Drums: Rick Thomson
Programming, Overdubs: Rick Thomson, Mike Mierau
Sax: David Hlebo, Warren Ham
Horn Section: The Martin Brothers
Orchestration: Bill Kilpatrick
Produced by Mike Mierau, Rick Thomson & John Elefante


V.A. Voices (1987) [Japanese CD reissue COOL-089]
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GIDEON'S ARMY - Grace (1990)

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

San Francisco Bay Area based rockers GIDEON'S ARMY was one of the first bands from the CCM movement starting its activities in the mid-Seventies. However their discographic debut had to wait until 1982, followed by the now cult classic Warriors Of Love appeared three years after.
This "Grace", Guideon's Army third album, was released in 1990 and as many Rock acts with a religious lyrical background, embraced the glossy Melodic Rock sound of the era.

Plenty of sharp guitar riffs, vintage & modern keyboards (including synths) and elaborated harmony vocals, all the songs in "Grace" bring to mind AOR-rock infused bands from America circa 1985-88.
The lead vocals are shared by bass player Mark Greeves and drummer Jerry Anderson, making you think about Night Ranger... well, there's something of them in "Grace".



Songs like "Knowing You", the really melodious "Lonely Lover", the atmospheric mid-tempo AOR of title track "Grace", the tuneful "Open Arms" (featuring female background vocals) and the retro-AOR of "With The One I Love" are among the best tracks.
There's nice ballads in "Christina" and "Sending You", the latter more up in tempo and featuring different guitarist / drummer as happens in a couple of tracks more.



"Grace" was released through the small independent label Pan-Trax that did not lasted too much, so the CD went out of print soon and never was reissued. Original CD copies of "Grace" are some of the rarest and most sought after collectibles among AOR & CCM rock collectors, right now there's one at eBay for $185 !
This is a direct HQ rip from the original silver-pressed CD (there's bootlegs floating around) including full artwork.


01 - Knowing You
02 - Lonely Lover
03 - Christina
04 - Grace
05 - Make Up Your Mind
06 - Open Arms
07 - Tough Love
08 - With The One I Love
09 - Turn Up The Heat
10 - Sending You

Mark Greeves: bass, lead vocals
Jerry Anderson: drums, lead vocals
Doug Naruo: keyboards, vocals
Darin Warren: guitars
Brenda Perdue: vocals
Melody Lynn: vocals
Ron Davis: vocals
Dave Angeles: guitars on 7, 8, 10
Don Walker: drums on 7, 8, 10




GIDEON'S ARMY - Grace (1990) HQ
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ROBIN GEORGE - Dangerous Music [remastered + bonus]

I still remember listening for the first time "Heartline" on the radio back in 1985, the single from British ROBIN GEORGE, and I was greatly impressed. Taken from his first solo album "Dangerous Music", the LP didn't sold well initially, but after several months the song exploded and become a world-wide hit.
Several tours followed, including legs with REO Speedwagon and Uli Jon Roth, and in-between George recording a second album. But sadly, his record label broke and these tapes remained unreleased until this year (recently appeared as Dangerous Music II).

Despite its typical mid-eighties sound production - which I love - "Dangerous Music" is much more than a commercial rock&pop / AOR album. The songs are elaborated, with a songwriting and musicianship above the standard.
George's imaginative guitar licks (including synth guitar) and the lovely keyboard interplay handled by talented session musicians / arrangers, rise the '80s vibe of the songs into something that still sounds fresh and relevant today.



Talking about the musicians used for the record, we have some real stars here; Thin Lizzy genius Phil Lynott playing bass, as well monster Pino Palladino and Phil Soussan (Ozzy, Steve Lukather), drummers Dave Holland (Judas Priest) and Kex Gorin (Magnum), and keyboard players Mark Stanway (Magnum) / Adrian Lee (Mike + The Mechanics).
Last but not least, the exquisite Chris Thompson adds background vocals & harmonies.

And the songs... all are huge and catchy. Apart from the great "Heartline", just take the punchy pump of "French Kisses" driven by a terrific riff and superb guitar solo, the intriguing "Stolen From My Heart" and its 'oriental' keys, or the sublime AOR of ballad "Don't Turn Away".
"Showdown" is another highlight with a kicking melodic hard feel fueled by sharp guitars and heavenly harmonies, while "Shout" is a FM radio ready gem with synths all over.

As proof of the raising success of the album at the end of 1985, several extended mixes and 12'' LP were made, typical of the era with artists on the verge of commercial break-through.



All these are included here as bonus, plus three very well recorded TV performances, a B-side, two hot live versions of "Showdown" and "Heartline" which aquire another dimension (more 'edgy & metallic' I'd say), and a song discarded at the eleventh hour to be included on the LP entitled "Dangerous Music", curiously, the name chosen for the album.
All these tracks are NOT taken from the official remastered edition, all are ripped from my vinyls and personal rarities vault, 'remastered' by myself.
Great stuff for all '80s AOR aficionados / collectors.


01 - Heartline
02 - Spy
03 - No News Is Good News
04 - French Kisses
05 - Stolen From My Heart
06 - Shout
07 - Showdown
08 - Hit List
09 - Shoot In Sight
10 - Don't Turn Away
BONUS TRACKS:
11 - Space Kadett (b-side)
12 - Heartline (Live at Tommy Vance Show)
13 - Spy (Live at Tommy Vance Show)
14 - No News Is Good News (Live at T. Vance Show)
15 - Heartline (Dangerous Mix)
16 - Don't Turn Away (Dangerous Mix)
17 - Heartline (12'' version)
18 - Dangerous Music (outtake)
19 - Hearline (Live version)
20 - Showdown (Live version)

Robin George: lead & backing vocals, guitar, synths, percussion
Pete Green: synthesizer, backing vocals
Pino Paladino, Phil Soussan, Phil Lynott: bass
Dave Holland: drums
Kex Gorin: percussion
Adrian Lee: keyboards, synthesizer
Mark Stanway: synthesizer
Chris Thompson: backing vocals




ROBIN GEORGE Dangerous Music [remastered + bonus]
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KEANE - Keane (1981) [Japanese remaster]

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

The KEANE brothers Tom & John were prodigious kids, as in the mid-seventies at the age of 11 and 12, both fronted their own musical TV show and signed a major record deal. As 'Keane Brothers' they released two LP's produced by the likes of David Foster, Lamont Dozier and David Paich.

At the beginning of the '80s, the bros. formed their own band simply called KEANE, musically oriented to the AOR / Melodic Rock waves so en vogue with a more than a passing nod to the Toto sound. Indeed Keane was called 'Little Toto' but not only for their musical similarity, but also for the quality in their compositions and performances.
Tom Keane (only 18 years old at the time of the recording) shows a remarkable maturity on his greatly harmonized vocals, while the rest of the band including brother John on drums is impeccable.



Cuts like the dynamic opener "Tryin' To Kill A Saturday Night", the muscular "Bad Little Baby Girl" or the rocking "You Got The Better Of Me" are no-brainers for any Melodic Rock / AOR aficionado.
"Baby I'm Dead" has something of REO Speedwagon, and the highlight "Kill Or Be Killed" somehow reminds me I-Ten, but the rest of the album is clearly impregnated by Lukather & Co: the sweet and melodious "Lorelei", "Anything Less Than Love" or the superb ballad "My Special Way".

Production is top notch and this remaster from the specialized Japanese label Cool Sound, pristine and clear.
Great album - Out of print.


01 - Tryin' To Kill A Saturday Night
02 - Bad Little Baby Girl
03 - You Got The Better Of Me
04 - Kill Or Be Killed
05 - My Special Way
06 - Baby I'm Dead
07 - I Love My Life
08 - Anything Less Than Love
09 - Lorelei
10 - Judy

Tom Keane - Vocals, Keyboards
John Keane - Drums & Percussion
Mike Milwood - Bass & Vocals
Mark Moulin - Guitars & Vocals
David Pearlman - Lapsteel Solo
Michael Zorro Singers - Background Vocals




KEANE 1981 remastered
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SURVIVOR - Ultimate Rarities

Reposting this one by request, some pretty rare tracks inside.

The other day I was messin' with some SURVIVOR demos on my player, and thought: why do not make a rarities compilation? The AOR / Melodic Rock Kings deserve it.

We have here a lot versions of their mega-hit "Eye Of The Tiger" all of them never commercially released, such as Dave Bickler doing it acoustically, the Jimi Jamison version, an instrumental, etc.
Amongst these rarities there's three tracks recorded with Irish shouter Robin McAuley (proposed to be Survivor's lead singer), the only known recorded version of "Velocitized" (later done by Mecca), and various extended mixes (all performed by Survivor).
As movie soundtrack collector, I love the "Burning Heart" & "Eye Of The Tiger" mixes only heard in the film Rocky IV, never released on any format and heavily edited from the DVD as source.
Of course are included here the exclusive songs only present into the Greatest Hits releases 'Ultimate Survivor' (2004) and 'Greatest Hits 2' (1993), and the track recorded for The Karate Kid soundtrack: "The Moment Of Truth".

Talking about the GH exclusive tracks, in the spring of 1993 Peterik and Sullivan reunited with original lead singer Dave Bickler and started recording new songs, two of them, "Hungry Years" co-written by Bickler, and "You Know Who You Are", were included into the re-vamped 'Greatest Hits' from 1993. Both only appeared there.
And the 2004 compilation 'Ultimate Survivor' featured three interesting new cuts: the previously unreleased "Rebel Girl" (outtake from Survivor's first self-titled album), "Rockin' Into The Night" also originally discarded as the song was given to .38 Special (which made a hit with it), and "Summer Nights [Long Version]" different from the 'Premonition' vinyl LP.



A mammoth 20-track SURVIVOR compilation myself-made for all of you, AOR / Melodic Rock fanatics. Includes artwork.


01 - Eye Of The Tiger 
(Rocky IV Movie Version)

02 - Rebel Girl (prev. unreleased)
(1st album outtake - from Ultimate Survivor 2004)

03 - Summer Nights (Full Length Version) 
(from Ultimate Survivor 2004)

04 - Rockin' Into The Night (prev. unreleased) 
(from Ultimate Survivor 2004)

05 - Eye Of The Tiger
(Jimi Jamison Version)

06 - You Know Who You Are 
(new track GH 2 - 1993)

07 - Hungry Years 
(new track GH 2 - 1993)

08 - The Moment Of Truth 
(Karate Kid soundtrack)

09 - Eye Of The Tiger (Instrumental)

10 - Burning Heart 
(Ultraburn Version)

11 - I Can't Hold Back 
(Live in Tokio 85 - bootleg)

12 - Eye Of The Tiger 
(Dave Bickler Acoustic Version)

13 - One Step Ahead Of A Flame 
(demo - Fire Makes Steel sessions)

14 - Velocitized 
(only version recorded ever - Live)

15 - Reach 
 (demo - Robin McAuley vocals)

16 - Eye Of The Tiger 
(demo - Robin McAuley vocals)

17 - Fire Makes Steel 
(demo - Robin McAuley vocals)

18 - Burning Heart 
(Rocky IV Instrumental Movie Version)

19 - Eye Of The Tiger 
(Ultrasound Long 12 inch version - DJ vinyl only)

20 - Eye Of The Tiger 
(Dave Bickler vocal trax)

Dave Bickler, Jimi Jamison, Robin McAuley - lead vocals
Jim Peterik - keyboards, guitar, vocals
Frankie Sullivan - guitars, vocals
Dennis Johnson, Stephan Ellis, Klem Hayes - bass
Marc Droubay, Gary Smith, Kyle Woodring - drums


SURVIVOR Ultimate Rarities
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BENTWOOD ROCKER - The Works; Taken From The Vaults A / B (2000)

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

As promised on the previous BENTWOOD ROCKER posts, here it is the band's previously unreleased material they created after the recording company dropped them.
The Canadian's second LP "Take Me To Heaven" was quite successful, even released in Europe, and the group spend a complete year on the road with sold-out live performances. But then Quality Records broke up.

However, Bentwood Rocker attracted small indie label Aquarius Records who agreed to release in 1984 the single "Second Wind", produced by super-talented Ian Thomas.
After that, the band decided to stop touring and concentrate on writing and recording by themselves new songs during the rest of the decade.

All these songs never were heard until 2000's when the guys released through their own label a boxset entitled "The Works", including material recorded by Bentwood Rocker through all the phases of their career.
Apart from the first two official albums, the set included 2 CD's called "Taken From the Vaults A/CD and B/CD", featuring these new songs taped during the second half of the '80s.

In 1986 Bentwood Rocker renamed themselves 'The Sands Of Time' (the original name of the band in the Seventies) and released another single, "The Danger Of Remembering", also included into "Taken From the Vaults B/CD".
Most the tracks, despite the demo status, were professionally recorded with a pretty good sound.
So, as you can expect, this is classy mid-Eighties AOR with a melodic rock feel and classic rock touches.



All the tracks featured on my Bentwood Rocker compilation 'The Missing Tapes' are part of "Taken From the Vaults A/CD and B/CD", but the source it isn't the same. Here they are as presented by the band on "The "Works" boxset.
This material is a must have for AOR / Melodic Rock fans and collectors due its rarity status, but essentially, for its musical quality.
Rare & Good.


Taken From The Vaults A/CD
01 - Taleve (Reaching For The Sky)
02 - The Closer We Are
03 - Prisoner Of The Night
04 - Taking It To The End
05 - Lock It Up!
06 - Just Might Take Your Love
07 - Kiss It Goodbye
08 - Never Get Away
09 - Guns
10 - The Children Of Chernobyl
11 - While The Children Sleep
12 - You'll Know When She Comes
13 - Boys Will Be Boys

Taken From The Vaults B/CD
01 - Can't Let Go
02 - Walk Through The Fire
03 - Missing You Tonight
04 - The Danger Of Remembering
05 - Skeletons In The Closet
06 - Love's In The Air
07 - Second Wind
08 - You Married A Music Man
09 - Drift Away
10 - Take The Money And Run
11 - 7 Year Itch
12 - I Would Give Everything
13 - Gonna Last Forever
14 - I've Got A Feeling

Eric Baragar - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Steve Smith - drums, vocals
Dan Thompson - guitar, vocals
Mike Goettler - bass, vocals
Tim Campbell - guitar, vocals
Barry Haggarty - guitar, vocals





BENTWOOD ROCKER Taken From The Vaults A / B
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BENTWOOD ROCKER - The Missing Tapes (1983-86)

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

Let's continue with the BENTWOOD ROCKER saga started on the previous post; after their pretty successful LP Take Me To Heaven, the Canadian band ran out of recording contract when Quality Records ceased its operations.
However, Bentwood Rocker keep on recording demos and performing on the local concert circuit throughout the '80s.

One of these demos attracted small indie label Aquarius Records who agreed to release in 1984 the single "Second Wind", produced by super talented Ian Thomas.
In 1986 Bentwood Rocker renamed themselves 'The Sands Of Time' (the original name of the band in the Seventies) and released another single, "The Danger Of Remembering", on B & C records.
There's a lot more recordings by the band along the decade, all later released by themselves as 'The Works' in 2000 (to be featured here soon).

This "BENTWOOD ROCKER - The Missing Tapes (83-86)" is a compilation (including artwork) made by myself years ago and featured here on the blog. All the songs are present in 'The Works', but the files here come from my personal demo vault collection and were 'remastered' by me.
Most the tracks, despite its demo status, were professionally recorded, as are the aforementioned singles also included in "The Missing Tapes (83-86)".
All tracks are pure mid-80s commercial AOR plenty of catchy choruses and lots of synths.

"Can't Let Go" blends Foreigner with Survivor, the anthemic "Walk Through The Fire" is on par with any Surrender hit, "Missing You Tonight" reminds you of REO Speedwagon, and "I Would Give Everything", Franke & The Knockouts.
"The Danger Of Remembering" is an elegant, polished mid-tempo AOR tune, "Skeletons In The Closet" adds a little of radio friendly pop (and generous keyboards), while "Second Wind" is one of these kind of 'action movie soundtrack' AOR songs, and another personal favorite.



Funny thing; after featuring "BENTWOOD ROCKER - The Missing Tapes (83-86)" here on the blog in 2008, someone downloaded the files, pressed the songs on CD and sold various copies on eBay.
I strongly recommend to all rockin' AOR fans to grab this one as all - I mean ALL - tracks are superb.
A must have.


01 - Can't Let Go
02 - Walk Through The Fire
03 - Missing You Tonight
04 - I Would Give Everything
05 - Gonna Last Forever
06 - The Danger Of Remembering
07 - Skeletons In The Closet
08 - Love's In The Air
09 - Second Wind
10 - While The Children Sleep

Eric Baragar - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Steve Smith - drums, vocals
Dan Thompson - guitar, vocals
Mike Goettler - bass, vocals
Barry Haggarty - guitar, vocals




BENTWOOD ROCKER - The Missing Tapes
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