LEGS DIAMOND ‘S/T’ CANDY340
IF EVER THERE was a band that should have taken their music to the very top of the rock charts and beyond, then Legs Diamond were surely it. Feted by the cognoscenti, yet forever living in a shadow, the band’s influence and reputation has actually increased as the years have flown by. To many, their music has come to represent some of the greatest hard rock to have emerged from North America, with some calling them, quite accurately, the American Deep Purple.
The band’s debut album came to represent the very soul of a movement that was in full swing, led by the likes of Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, BOC and Montrose. There was nothing shallow about the band’s music or message; it was a full on assault of cock sure riffs, sublime vocals, intricate arrangements and a confidence that you only witness in the most talented acts.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION 2CD EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 12 BONUS TRACKS, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: CD 1: 1. IT’S NOT THE MUSIC 2. STAGE FRIGHT 3. SATIN PEACOCK 4. ROCK AND ROLL MAN 5. DEADLY DANCER 6. RAT RACE 7. CAN’T FIND LOVE. CD 2 BONUS TRACKS: 8. COME WITH ME 9. RAT RACE 10. THRIL SEEKER 11. HIGH SCHOOL QUEEN 12. NOT YOURS NOT MINE 13. DEADLY DANCER 14. ONE WAY TICKET 15. AVALANCHE 16. TRACES 17. STREET RUNNER 18. CLOSER 19. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
LEGS DIAMOND ‘A DIAMOND IS A HARD ROCK’ CANDY341
HAVING RECORDED ONE of the best debut hard rock albums of the 1970s, Legs Diamond had set a seriously high standard that attracted the attention of connoisseurs worldwide. Against all odds, the band’s second album was not only a more impressive statement but also one that solidified the group’s reputation for years to come. Produced this time around by Eddie Leonetti (who worked with Angel, Moxy and Rex) the record is an astonishing continuation of their debut, helping the band to fully realise their enormous potential.
Released in the fall of 1977, it showcases the band at the very peak of their powers, unleashing a veritable barrage of rock solid material. Cleverly bridging the gap between balls to the wall hard rock and more constrained content, the album builds on their reputation as a band that could easily combine clever instrumental prowess with hard as nails riffs.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 6 BONUS TRACKS, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. DIAMOND IS A HARD ROCK 2. WAITING 3. LONG SHOT 4. WOMAN 5. JAILBAIT 6. I THINK I GOT IT 7. EVIL 8. LIVE A LITTLE 9. FLYIN’ TOO HIGH. BONUS TRACKS: 10. HIGH SCHOOL QUEEN 11. TEASER 12. IT TAKES MORE SOUL (TO ROCK & ROLL) 13. STUMBLER 14. SHOWTIME IN CHICAGO 15. EVIL
LEGS DIAMOND ‘FIRE POWER’ CANDY342
HAVING RECORDED TWO sensational albums for well heeled Mercury Records, the band were cast adrift when sales figures revealed unexpected and disappointing results. But with deep resolve they opted to carry on and found a new home with independent label, Cream Records. Unfortunately, as things turned out it was not the saving grace they had hoped for but it did provide them with the opportunity to record yet another album that significantly added to their reputation.
Issued in 1979, the record actually received well intentioned promotion and contained arguably one of their greatest tracks, namely ‘Underworld King’, a song that further bolstered their reputation as the American comparison to Deep Purple. Other highlights include ‘Come With Me’ and ‘Man At The Top’. It is an album of light and shade, clearly the result of behind the scenes influences, but at least the band’s heart and soul was still beating loud and clear, letting us know that they were still very much contenders to the throne.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 11 BONUS TRACKS, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. UNDERWORLD KING 2. MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE 3. YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’ 4. REMEMBER MY NAME 5. CHICAGO 6. MIDNIGHT LADY 7. HELP WANTED 8. COME WITH ME 9. TRAGEDY 10. MAN AT THE TOP. BONUS TRACKS: 11. WINDS OF FORTUNE 12. BETWEEN THE LEGS 13. HOUSE ON FIRE 14. SYMPTOMS OF PASSION 15. DANCE HALL GIGOLO 16. FIGHT FOR IT 17. HIDIN’ 18. GAMBLIN’ ON YOU 19. URBAN DESPERADO 20. CARD SHARK 21. SMOTHER ME
MORNINGSTAR ‘S/T’ CANDY300
YOU MAY NEVER have heard of Morningstar, but that’s no reason not to make a space in your life for them now. Formed in Kansas City during the early 70s, their debut album is a fitting period piece, eliciting comparisons to similar sounding mid-west champions such as Roadmaster, Trillion and Head East; all groups with a penchant for melody displaying respect for classy arrangements and impressive musicianship.
Issued in 1978, their hard driving edge and progressive flourishes made several tracks standout, such as the pounding ‘Turn Out All The Lights’, the epic six minute ‘Through The Night’ - a veritable stylistic cornucopia of heavy but melodious rock - and ‘Sad Lady’, a classy pomp rock prima donna blessed with layers of soaring vocals and impressive keyboards.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 2 BONUS TRACKS, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. SHOTGUN ROMANCE 2. PREMEDITATED RENDEZVOUS 3. SUNSHINE (CHANGIN’ OF THE SEASON) 4. THROUGH THE NIGHT 5. SWEET GEORGIA PEACH 6. SAD LADY 7. ANOTHER ROCK AND ROLL SHOW 8. TURN OUT ALL THE LIGHTS 9. TOO MUCH TO LOSE. BONUS TRACKS: 10. GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE 11. REMEMBER WHEN
MORNINGSTAR ‘VENUS’ CANDY301
‘VENUS’ WAS MORNINGSTAR’S second album, issued in 1979, on the Columbia label and like their debut, it failed spectacularly to bother the charts despite the quality of their music. However, to a select few, the band’s penchant for playing in a style later labelled as pomp rock (think Trillion, Roadmaster, Starcastle) gave them an undeniable edge, creating a small but dedicated following; one that would grow in later years with the Internet helping to tap into a scene ripe for reappraisal.
The album builds on their debut yet demonstrates a slightly more mainstream approach, best exemplified by the epic, Foreigneresque vibe of ‘Never Meant To Be’, the poptastic s groove of ‘Rosie’ and the classical pomp rock of ‘Let Me Dream’, with its majestic finale.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. ANGEL 2. EVERYBODY I LOVE YOU 3. LADY LOVE 4. ROCK & ROLL RODEO 5. NEVER MEANT TO BE 6. ROSIE 7. GIMME SOME LOVIN’ 8. HARD BARGAIN DRIVER 9. LET ME DREAM
NUTZ ‘S/T’ CANDY367
WITH THE RISE of British rock as a major, worldwide, force during the early seventies a slew of up and coming home grown acts also appeared including Nutz. Formed in their home city of Liverpool this four man unit fitted right into the scene and not surprisingly secured an influential deal with the A&M label. Issued in 1974, and housed in a highly controversial sleeve, the album attracted strong reviews and saw the band instigate an intense gigging schedule (including opening for Queen on their 1974 tour). The album is an impressive mixture of powerful hard rock, and more ambitious compositions such as the hard hitting ‘Ain’t No Thanks To You’ (featuring superb slide guitar), ‘As Far As The Eye Can See’ and ‘Poor Man’.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 1 BONUS TRACK, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. POOR MAN 2. AIN’T NO THANKS TO YOU 3. SPOKE IN A WHEEL 4. I CAN’T UNWIND 5. CAN’T TELL HER WHY 6. AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE 7. LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER 8. LIGHT OF DAY 9. ROUND & ROUND 10. JOKE. BONUS TRACKS: 11. JUST FOR THE CRACK 12. JUST FOR THE CRACK (Live) 13. JOKE (Live) 14. I CAN’T UNWIND (Live) 15. AIN’T NO THANKS TO YOU (Live) 16. POOR MAN (Live) 17. ROUND & ROUND (Live) 18. LIGHT OF DAY (Live)
NUTZ ‘TOO’ CANDY368
WITH A POSITIVE reputation established via their debut album, Liverpool based quintet Nutz set about recording their follow-up album in London’s Trident studios utilising, once again, producer John Anthony who had so successfully guided their debut. It wise a wise move as the resultant record showed distinct maturity and a great gift for constructive arrangements. It also continued to showcase the inventive guitar playing of Mick Devonport and the impressive vocals of Dave Lloyd. Issued in 1975 ‘Nutz Too’ contained a brace of intelligent and well constructed tracks veering from on-point mid-seventies hard rock such as ‘Take It From Me’, ‘Cool Me Down’ and the jewel in the crown ‘Sinner’, to more introspective fair like ‘Dear Diary and ‘The Love You Lost’.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED AUDIO, 1 BONUS TRACK, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 4,000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEW AND RARE PHOTOS
TRACK LISTING: 1. NATURE INTENDED 2. I WANT NEVER GETS 3. TAKE IT FROM ME 4. CHANGE’S COMING 5. DEAR DIARY 6. IS IT ALL FOR REAL 7. COOL ME DOWN 8. R.S.D. 9. THE LOVE YOU LOST 10. SINNER 11. KNIFE EDGE BONUS TRACK: 12. LONG SHIPS
