ALANNAH MYLES ‘S/T’ CANDY354
WHEN CANADIAN CHANTEUSE Alannah Myles issued her debut album few expected it to attain a level of success that would elevate her to international acclaim and see her become one of the biggest selling female artists of the era. Alannah continues to exude an undeniable air of confidence, but the sheer scale of her accomplishment and the ramifications of the exposure are, in many respects, still being felt by her to this very day.
Born and raised in Toronto, Alannah’s rise to fame was initially littered with frustration and slow progress but bolstered by an unshakeable belief in her abilities. It was this faith in her own talent that fuelled her determination to succeed at all costs, eventually winning an impressive deal with Atlantic Records in the US. Her debut album issued in 1989, and produced by fellow Canadian David Tyson, is a record that mined the lucrative space between all out hard rock and considered pop.
On this record, we are left in no doubt as to Alannah’s vocal credentials. Raspy, sultry and uniquely distinctive her voice permeated a work that had immediate appeal, from cock-sure rockers such as ‘Still Got This Thing For You’, ‘Kick Start My Heart’ and ‘Rock This Joint’ to heart rending ballads like ‘Lover Of Mine’ and ‘Who Loves You’. But of course it’s the huge international hit single ‘Black Velvet’ that created her position in the marketplace, helping to propel the album to sales in excess of 6 million units worldwide.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: 1. STILL GOT THIS THING 2. LOVE IS 3. BLACK VELVET 4. ROCK THIS JOINT 5. LOVER OF MINE 6. KICK START MY HEART 7. IF YOU WANT TO 8. JUST ONE KISS 9. WHO LOVES YOU 10. HURRY MAKE LOVE
MICHAEL WHITE ‘S/T’ CANDY350
MICHAEL WHITE’S STORY has always been closely linked to the ghost of Led Zeppelin by virtue of the fact that he fronts one of the world’s preeminent Zeppelin tribute acts, The White. Over the years he has carved out a lucrative career presenting an accurate and entertaining testimonial to an act that redefined the course of rock music.
Interestingly, Michael’s stab at solo success included an unexpectedly successful entrée into the business. Encouraged by Robert Plant himself, he submitted demos to Atlantic Records that were eventually sanctioned by the most important executive at the label, namely label founder, and the man who originally signed Zeppelin, Ahmet Ertegun. Label hopes were high that Michael could cut an impressive solo album and not entirely ape Zeppelin’s sound.
Paired with hot-shot producer Mack (Queen, Billy Squier) he was sent to Munich to record, but problems emerged almost immediately when Mack dismissed Michael’s band (incuding future W.A.S.P. guitarist Randy Piper and former Moxy drummer Danny Bilan) after only a handful of tracks had been taped. Michael suddenly felt that the project slipping away from him when Mack insisted on using session players and utilising electronic programming.
Issued in 1987, the album received positive acclaim for not only its content but also the way it steered clear of immediate Zeppelin comparisons. Indeed, if anything, the record displayed a decided nod to solo era Robert Plant, and it boasted an impressive selection of wide-screen epics such as ‘Matriarch’, ‘One Good Turn’, ‘Fantasy’ and the crowning glory ‘Psychometry’.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: 1. FANTASY 2. I KNOW YOU NEED SOMEONE 3. BRING ON THE NIGHT 4. MATRIARCH 5. ONE GOOD TURN 6. PSYCHOMETRY 7. DÉJÀ VU 8. JUMPIN’ THE FENCE 9. RADIO 10. DIRTY DANCER
JETBOY ‘FEEL THE SHAKE’ CANDY329
WHEN YOU THINK about the LA rock scene from the mid eighties there were a lot of winners (Guns N’Roses, Poison, Motley Crue) and a heck of a lot of losers. However, in a strange alternative universe, many of the also ran’s were more revered than the pantheon of heavy hitters. Take Jet Boy for instance, one of the most revered acts on the scene who, through no fault of their own, were lost to obscurity yet attracted a devoted and passionate fan following.
Formed initially in San Francisco, the band, like so many others, soon gravitated to Los Angeles where they cemented their line up, including former Hanoi Rocks bassist Sam Yaffa, and rubbed shoulders with other hopefuls in a scene that was rapidly exploding. In late 1986 they signed a coveted record deal with Elektra Records and set about recording their debut album with British producer Tom Allom (Judas Priest, Def Leppard and Krokus etc). However once the record was completed disaster struck when Elektra reshaped their roster and cast the band adrift
Fortunately MCA Records snapped up the band issuing ‘Feel The Shake’ in 1988. Informed by the sounds of the Rolling Stones, The CULT, Guns ‘N’ Roses and, most succinctly, Hanoi Rocks, the record won much acclaim but failed to connect commercially. Songs such as ‘Bad Disease’, ‘Fire In My Heart’, ‘Snake Bite’ and the title track, lodge them in the top echelon of low slung guitar mavericks.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: 1. FEEL THE SHAKE 2. MAKE SOME NOISE 3. BAD DISEASE 4. FIRE IN MY HEART 5. HOMETOWN BLUES 6. LOCKED IN A CAGE 7. TALKIN’ 8. HARD CLIMB 9. BLOODSTONE 10. SNAKEBITE
STONE FURY ‘BURNS LIKE A STAR’ CANDY355
WE’VE SAID IT before and, no doubt we’ll be saying it in the future, that some records sink into obscurity with no obvious explanation. Quality and class, it would appear, don’t always lead to success in the music business, leaving omissions from the list of winners that have no obvious reasons. The fate of Stone Fury is one such example; an exemplary band, with great songs and superb musical arrangements, left behind at the starting gate, whilst others with lesser abilities made larger commercial impact.
Based in Los Angeles, and formed by the talented duo of German born singer Lenny Wolf (who would later taste success as the leader of Kingdom Come) and American guitarist Bruce Gowdy, Stone Fury concocted an immediately identifiable sound that led to much industry interest. The band’s demo eventually secured them a coveted deal with the giant MCA Corporation. Utilising the services of top British producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Free, Hughes/Thrall), their album was recorded in Los Angeles and issued in 1984, to strong critical reaction but, surprisingly, precious few sales.
Very much a heavy yet melodic outfit, their sound appeared to lean towards the 70s but Wolf’s near falsetto vocal style gave the songs a contemporary edge, bolstered by Gowdy’s impressive guitar work and adventurous, sometimes progressive, musicianship. Not to put too fine a point on it, songs such as ‘Break Down The Walls’, ‘I Hate To Sleep Alone’ and ‘Hold It’ show the band to be superior composers, with the ballad ‘Life Is Too Lonely’ easily demonstrating an ability to take the music to more emotional heights. Certainly an album that requires a lot more recognition.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: 1. BREAK DOWN THE WALLS 2. I HATE TO SLEEP ALONE 3. LIFE IS TOO LONELY 4. DON’T TELL ME WHY 5. MAMAS LOVE 6. BURNS LIKE A STAR 7. TEASE 8. HOLD IT 9. SHANNON YOU LOSE
BAD ENGLISH ‘S/T’ CANDY320
THERE WERE MANY attempts at piecing together supergroups during the late 80s but few were as successful as Bad English, a project born from the mash-up of two hugely influential outfits, namely the Babys (John Waite, Ricky Philips) and Journey (Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon and, later, Deen Costronovo). Both groups had featured talent to die for so anticipation was extremely high for this noble alliance, Fortunately, unlike similar collaborations, the results were spectacular, leaving no one in any doubt that Bad English had delivered a cornerstone record, one that is still revered to this day.
Fronted by the stunning and instantly identifiable voice of John Waite, and ably supported by guitar firebrand Neal Schon, the album contains a brace of superior tracks that elevated the record to platinum status and beyond. Signed to the Epic Records label and produced by Richie Zito (Eddie Money, Cheap Trick, Heart) it boasted no less than five hit singles, including ‘Price Of Love’ and the chart topping #1 power ballad ‘When I See You Smile’. It was a record constructed with pin point accuracy crushing the competition by a country mile.
Issued in June 1989, their commercial accomplishments belies the band’s true depth, a powerhouse rock band laying down the law with grit and determination, as demonstrated on tracks like ‘Possession’, ‘Best Of What I Got’, ‘Forget Me Not’ and ‘Rockin’ Horse’; all scorching examples of a style and sound that has not diminished one jot over time. No wonder the album sold Platinum and beyond.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 20 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: 1. BEST OF WHAT I GOT 2. HEAVEN IS A 4 LETTER WORD 3. POSSESSION 4. FORGET ME NOT 5. WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE 6. TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST 7. GHOST IN YOUR HEART 8. PRICE OF LOVE 9. READY WHEN YOU ARE 10. LAY DOWN 11. THE RESTLESS ONES 12. ROCKIN’ HORSE 13. DON’T WALK AWAY BONUS TRACKS: 14. PRICE OF LOVE (REMIX) 15. FORGET ME NOT (REMIX)
DOKKEN ‘BEAST FROM THE EAST’ CANDY345
THE IMPRESSIVE THING about Dokken was that they not only crafted great songs, looking and sounding very much like the archetypical eighties LA rock band, but that they were also an extremely musically gifted unit. Each member was at the cutting edge of their craft, delivering maximum impact in both the studio and on stage. This combined talent produced several big selling albums and paved the way for the recording of this their career-defining double live album.
However, all was not well within the ranks of the band. Leader and vocalist Don Dokken and guitarist extraordinaire George Lynch were involved in a long running feud, one that was played out in public, but one which also added colour to the project, giving the band an edge that provided a palpable frisson to their appeal. In many respects ‘Beast From The East’ benefits from this tension, giving the music a sense of purpose and energy that easily eclipsed the studio recordings.
Taped in Tokyo in early 1988, during an eight date Japanese tour, and released later that year, the record received tremendous reviews and featured seriously impressive versions of Dokken classics such as ‘Dream Warriors’, ‘Unchain The Night’, ‘In My Dreams and ‘Just Got Lucky’. George Lynch’s guitar playing is off the hook, while the rest of the band lay down the law like men possessed. Look out too for a new studio track ‘Walk Away’, giving some indication of where the band might have gone had they remained together.”
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, 2CD SET RESTORING THE ORIGINAL VINYL 17 TRACKS, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK
TRACK LISTING: DISC ONE: 1. UNCHAIN THE NIGHT 2. TOOTH AND NAIL 3. STANDING IN THE SHADOWS 4. SLEEPLESS NIGHT 5. DREAM WARRIORS 6. KISS OF DEATH 7. WHEN HEAVEN COMES DOWN 8. INTO THE FIRE 9. MR. SCARY. DISC TWO: 1. HEAVEN SENT 2. IT’S NOT LOVE 3. ALONE AGAIN 4. JUST GOT LUCKY 5. BREAKING THE CHAINS 6. IN MY DREAMS 7. TURN ON THE ACTION 8. WALK AWAY
