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
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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]
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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)
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THE JAMES PROJECT - Desert Bloom (1996)

James Lawrence Berk is a gifted songwriter and arranger who has worked for numerous artists and composed music for TV / radio commercials and film soundtracks. This rich background in the music business helped James to locate top-notch musicians to crystallize his ambition: THE JAMES PROJECT, the recording of his original songs under his own musical direction.
Berk is the 'orchestrator' on "Desert Bloom", driving all these talented musicians to his vision: timeless Melodic Rock with AOR and rock&pop elements.

"Desert Bloom" is almost an 'unknown' B.E. Taylor solo album, as Taylor carries most of the lead vocals here. If you don't know B.E. Taylor, the singer and his band has released four albums during the '80s, all considered cult AOR pieces. His vocal style is an amazing cross of Michael Bolton and Steve Perry, a truly excellent voice, clear and smooth.
The personnel in the recording includes ex- members of Beau Coup, Jonah Koslen, Three Dog Night, American Noise, Michael Stanley Band, etc., so quality is guaranteed.
Opener "Love Is Forever" is a cool commercial song, a bit poppy but with a catchy chorus. "I Don't Know How" is a good mid-tempo, followed by the warm "Can You Feel It" with a very good performance by Taylor.
But the real first monster track arrives with "Take Me To The River". It sounds like a song off THE STORM's debut, and B.E. like Steve Perry. Awesome track.

"Sorrow In Disguise" seems -at first glance- out of place on this album, but it's a really, really good tune, performed by Anne Cochran. She has a deep voice, and the song wraps you into a tremendous groove.
"Tell Her I'm Home" is a pretty obvious ballad, but the unknown (to me) Gary Grimes sings quite well sporting a very nice vocal timbre.
"Mend My Broken Heart" is a Benny Mardones' type song, thus I love it. Lead singer John Salamon remembers me AORster BJ Thomas at the mic.



The following tracks are the best part of this recording: "Sooner Or Later" is a great duet, B.E. sounds almost exactly like Michael Bolton circa 1985, while "Matter Of Time" is gracious and sweet (another top vocal performance).
"Everything About You" steals the show, a brilliant AOR track, and one of the highlights here. Then we have another pearl in "Take Good Care Of Her Heart" performed by Beau Coup's leader Frank Amato. It's great to hear him again. A Beau Coup lost song! Excellent.
"Promised Land" is gorgeous, tell me if it doesn't sounds like a Pride Of Lions / Jim Peterik tune.

THE JAMES PROJECT "Desert Bloom" is a criminally unknown album appeared in a time when good music was sunken by the abhorrent 'trend of the moment', but it's one of the best Melodic Rock project albums out there, soulful, cohesive and with terrific songwriting and performances.
Highly Recommended.


01 - Love Is Forever [Long Version] (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
02 - I Don't Know How (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
03 - Can You Feel It (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
04 - Take Me To The River (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
05 - Sorrow In Diguise (lead vocals: Anne Cochran)
06 - Tell Her I'm Home (lead vocals: Gary Grimes)
07 - Mend My Broken Heart (lead vocals: John Salamon)
08 - Sooner Or Later (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor & Sasha)
09 - Matter Of Time (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
10 - Everything About You (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
11 - Take Good Care Of Her Heart (lead vocals: Frank Amato)
12 - Promised Land (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)
13 - Love Is Forever [Single Version] (lead vocals: B.E. Taylor)

B.E. Taylor: Lead and Background Vocals
John Salamon: Lead Vocals
Gary Grimes: Lead Vocals
Kevin Raleigh: Lead and Background Vocals
Anne Cochran: Lead and Background Vocals
Frank Amato (Beau Coup): Lead Vocals
Ed Sarley: Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Robert Fraser: Acoustic Guitars
George Sipl (American Noise): Keyboards and Bass
Andy Kubiszewski: Drums and Percussion
James L. Berk: Programming
John Klayman, Mike Lee: Sax
Oliver Hairston: Background Vocals
Donnie Iris: Background Vocals
Peter Hewlett: Background Vocals
Sasha: Background Vocals

Produced by James L. Berk




THE JAMES PROJECT Desert Bloom
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THE TURN - Reason With Your Heart (1993)

This THE TURN - there's many bands with this name - hailing from the US MidEast, was founded in the late '80s by guitarist Dave Turner and belonged to the CCM Rock movement.
Their musical style fluctuates between light AOR and poppy Melodic Rock with some Hi-Tech touches.

As far I know, "Reason With Your Heart" was The Turn's only album appeared in 1993.
The overall sound is pretty Eighties with a clean, correct production for an indie, where the lead vocals are shared between Turner, bass player Gary Bedell and keyboardist Dan Fritz resulting in a more varied output.



All are gentle songs like opener "I'll Wait", the catchy "Keep On", the lite AOR "Hearts On Fire" with nice keyboards, midtempo "Follow Me" and the sweet ballad title track among the best.
There's nothing memorable (at least for me) on this CD, although it's a pleasant listen. However, I can see why it was requested; it's impossible to find a copy (very limited release) fetching really high prices at auction sites.
One for collectors.


01 - I'll Wait
02 - Keep On
03 - Reason With Your Heart
04 - You Saved Me
05 - Good Times
06 - Hearts On Fire
07 - H2O
08 - Follow Me
09 - Nobody
10 - Shine Your Light

Gary Bedell: Lead Vocals, Bass
Dave Turner: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dan Fritz: Keyboards, Vocals
Brian Duvall: Drums
Jimmy A: add. Guitar
Steve Griffith: add. Keyboards, Programming, Producer
George Skipper, Paul Bills, Marla Fritz: Backing Vocals


THE TURN - Reason With Your Heart (1993)
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JOHN FANNON (New England) - Demos '91 restored audio

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

New England was one of the seminal, guitar-driven AOR acts from the US scene, however, to my ears they were heavily influenced by the British invasion, especially lead singer / guitarist John Fannon vocal style.
After the band break-up, Fannon remained in the music industry playing, composing & producing for others, and occasionally releasing solo material (there's a fresh album out, acoustic/Beatles influenced).

But at the beginning of the nineties John Fannon was planning a solo album that never get materialized.
Only two tracks in demo form surfaced from these sessions (1991), but both surely worth a listen; the AOR magic of "The Way To Your Heart" and the sweet melodic rock midtempo ballad "Your Eyes Are My Eyes".
The original tapes sound quite good, but I have enhanced & cleaned the audio, fixed the "The Way To Your Heart" intro, and did a little, tiny artwork.
Quality AOR/MR material.


1 - The Way To Your Heart
2 - Your Eyes Are My Eyes

John Fannon - Vocals, Guitar
Personnel unlisted



JOHN FANNON Demos '91 restored audio
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ONE EYED GYPSY - ST (2000)

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

Quite rare it's this only, self-titled recording by West Virginia quintet ONE EYED GYPSY which existed from 1998 to 2003. Their bio claims to have opened shows for Bad Company, Molly Hatchet, .38 Special, among other major acts.
Despite its year of release (2000), sound & style in "One Eyed Gypsy" is based in late '80s / early '90s US Melodic Hard Rock. The songs are solid and really well arranged / performed.

Favorites include opener "It Takes No Prisoners", a mid-tempo rocker with sharp riffs and a Dokken atmosphere, follower "Give It Up", a catchy melodic rock tune with a Bon Jovi feel circa 7800º Fahrenheit, and power ballad "Not Gonna Fall In Love Again" akin Warrant / Jani Lane.
Talking about the aforementioned vocalists, grand part of One Eyed Gypsy's charm belongs to Ray Whitlock's smooth vocals, a singer previously trained as member of the pretty successful country group Cry Wolf. He plays nice keyboards too, and together with guitarist Tim Kitchen (also producer) are the core of the band.



Other good cuts are the AORish mid-tempo "Waiting For You", hard rocker "In My America" with interesting lyrics about America's violent society, and "Livin' Like You Choose" blending Dokken / Bon Jovi, this time, into one song.
Released by themselves, "One Eyed Gypsy" was quite well produced by guitarist Tim Kitchen, panning some guitar tracks to one side of the stereo spectrum for good effect. Overall mix could be better to provide more tightness to some songs, but this is minor flaw.
Really nice stuff, private release, out of print.


01 - It Takes No Prisoners
02 - Give It Up
03 - Feel Your Love
04 - Not Gonna Fall In Love Again
05 - Waiting For You
06 - Heart Attack
07 - Fix Daddy Broke
08 - In My America
09 - Livin' Like You Choose
10 - Touch Tomorrow

Ray Whitlock: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Tim Kitchen: Guitar, Backing Vocals, Production
Phillip Osborne: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Randy Morgan: Bass
Bobby Hensley: Drums





ONE EYED GYPSY (here)
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LORIN ROWAN & The Edge - Supply & Demand (1985)

This rare album was requested several months ago; the private 1985 LP release of "Supply & Demand" by LORIN ROWAN & The Edge, a San Francisco Bay Area band.
Rowan and the guys play here that characteristic mid-Eighties American blend of melodic rock with radio friendly poppy melodies and some lite AOR touches.

Despite its indie origin, "Supply & Demand" was recorded with a high production standard, featuring a layered multi-track technique.
Opener 'Waited Too Long' includes a varied kind of guitar sounds, synths, regular plus Simmons drums, and lots of singers performing harmony vocals in the chorus accompanying Rowan's sweet vocals.

'Whatever I Got To Say' has more 'clean' and atmospheric guitar work and a lullaby melody akin Franke & The Knockouts, 'War Games' is not far from Rick Springfield circa 1983, then 'I Spy' could have been recorded by Preview.
'Oh Girl' is poppy little ditty without major pretension, but things get back on track with 'Tell Her You Love Her' with its strong guitars, 'mysterious' synth background and AORish vocals.



I'd said the LP is so scarce that I couldn't find a better Lp-rip than this one, there's some clicks here and there, and even last track 'Golden Boy' is cut at the end. But I think it's enough to enjoy this really nice slice of mid 80s American rock music.
RARE


01 - Waited Too Long
02 - Whatever I Got To Say
03 - War Games
04 - I Spy
05 - Oh Girl
06 - Tell Her You Love Her
07 - Firin' Line
08 - Golden Boy

Lorin Rowan: lead vocals, guitar
Rick Wilson: lead guitar, lead vocals on 1
Mark Stein: bass
Ozzie Ahlers: keyboards, synths
Jeff Myer: drums
add. musicians:
Sterling Crew: synths, guitar
Billy Lewis: drums, backing vocals
Mike Mann: synths, programming
Stephen Fontano: drums





LORIN ROWAN & The Edge - Supply & Demand (1985)


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GREAT KING RAT - Great King Rat [Japan Edition +1] (1992)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section.

Formed by the cream of the Scandinavian Melodic Hard Rock scene from the late '80s / early '90s, GREAT KING RAT included into the lineup vocalist Leif Sundin (later Michael Schenker Group, Treat), guitarist Pontus Norgren (Jeff Scott Soto, The Poodles), drummer Tomas Broman (Humanimal) and Mikael Hoglund (Thunder) on bass, and on this, their self-titled debut featuring guest contributions from talented keyboardist Mats Olausson (Glory, Yngwie Malmsteen, Radioactive et all).

This is the kind of band - and album - where the sound & style is perfectly defined: Great King Rat play the brand of Melodic Hard Rock developed between 1990-1992, that meaning bright, clean production, pristine vocals, melodious yet powerful riffs, subtle keyboard touches and catchy choruses.
Think Hardline, Fate, Gotthard, Jeff Scott Soto's Eyes, TNT, and at places, Mr. Big.

Among the highlights 'Good Times' is a superb slice of catchy melodic rock, the funky 'Woman in Love', 'Ball & Chain', and terrific midtempo 'Take Me Back' with its AORish waves. For a bluesy hard rocker with some Thunder on it, check 'Dirty Old Man Stomp'.



You can hear why Michael Schenker later used Sundin for three albums, and Norgren created such good records with The Poodles, Humanimal, and more.
Top class production sound for this really good slice of early '90s Melodic Hard Rock.


01 - Bright Lights
02 - Good Times
03 - Woman In Love
04 - Ball & Chain
05 - Take Me Back
06 - Follow The Rains
07 - One By One
08 - Dirty Old Man Stomp
09 - Calling For My Angel
10 - Top Of The World
11 - Bad Woman (Japanese Bonus Track)

Leif Sundin (Michael Schenker, Treat): vocals, acoustic guitars
Pontus Norgren (Jeff Scott Soto, The Poodles): guitars
Tomas Broman (Humanimal): drums
Mikael Hoglund (Thunder): bass
Anders Nilsson: keyboards
Mikael Andersson lap steel (on track 6)
Rolf Alex: percussion
Backa-Hans Eriksson: cello (1)
Frans Lugmair: harmonica (7)
Mats Olausson (Glory, Yngwie Malmsteen): keyboards (1, 6)




GREAT KING RAT - ST [Japan Edition +1] (1992)


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