Magnet: Worldwide Attraction (1979)

Westcoast music seems to be littered with bands that appeared and disappeared in quick succession having released only one album and maybe only a couple of singles. Magnet are no exception. As a result its tough to find out any information on them. Discogs tells us that they were from New York and that they split up one year after releasing this album.

Its a real shame because this is a good album. With decent management and a couple of good support slots, I can’t help thinking that they good had a pretty good go at climbing the ladder. They were signed to A&M who were pretty decent as a label, which will only have helped. In fairness it does cross into hard rock territory on occasion but there is enough here for the Westcoast fan to get their teeth into.

I’d be interested to know what you think.

Producer: Stephan Galfas

Musicians:

Drums: Jerry Shirley

Bass: Michael Neville

Guitar: Les Nichols

Keyboards: Peter Wood

Percussion: James Maelen

Saxophone: John Zangrando

Vocals: Robert James

Backing vocals: Jim Cuomo, Joel Krantz and Paul Vigrass

Tracklist:

1. Golden Arm
2. Underneath The Moonlight
3. Hold On
4. Night Patrol
5. Lost In Space
6. In Love Again
7. You Got The Power
8. Bones
9. I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love
10. Empty

Support the artists and BUY IT here

Faragher Bros. (1976)

Blue Eyed Soul at its finest. I find that its often the case that an artist’s first album can be one of their best, which I imagine is because they have longer to write and refine the songs. As their career progresses, unless they are exceptional songwriters, they tour and promote their records which affects the quality of their output. I could be wrong of course.

So, this is an exceptional debut which probably pips their later releases by a smidgeon. “The Best Years of My Life”, “Never Get Your Love Behind Me” and “You Touched Me” alone make this a great album that they never really matched later.

The brothers would go on to release a further three albums and become accomplished session musicians as well as release their own music. Where are they now? Who knows?

Producer: Vini Poncia

Musicians:
Drums: John King
Piano: Tommy Faragher
Organ: Danny Faragher
Synthesizer: Tommy Faragher, Danny Faragher, James Newton Howard
Guitars: Johnny Vastano, Pat McClure, David Wolfert, Ted Arighi, David Hines
Bass: Davy Faragher
Percussion: Danny Faragher, John King, Lenny Castro, Vini Poncia, Kirk Bruner
Horns: Danny Faragher, Tom Saviano, Rich Felts
Lead Vocals: Tommy Faragher, Jimmy Faragher
Background Vocals: The Faragher Bros.

Tracklist:
1. The best years of my life
2. Never get your love behind me
3. It’s all right
4. In your time of need
5. Please hurry up
6. Losing cause
7. You touched me
8. Go where we want to
9. Never felt love before
10. Give it up

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China (1981)

China is a group made up of three artists that already had a solo career prior to the formation of the group. In a much later life Chris Kearney turned up in Ian McNabb’s (The Icicle Works) touring band. This album that came out in 1981 an is a minor Westcoast masterpiece, offering a sound somewhere between pop and soul, played by excellent musicians. The real pleasure here is a three part vocals that often recalls the Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers.

The songs are all written by the band themselves, and are of a coinsistently high standard throughout the album, although "Runnin' Around", "Never Gonna Let You Go" and "Roll Me Over" remain highlights. Originals are difficult to find on vinyl but it was reissued on CD in Japan with a different cover, from 2001 onwards.

If you haven’t heard this on already, I would urge you to give it some time.

Producer: Bob Johnston

Musicians:

Drums: Mike Baird, Andy Newmark, Gord Neave

Keyboards: Bill King

Guitars: Danny McBride, Lee Ritenour, Albert Lee, Bernie Labarge, Jeff Baxter

Bass: Abraham Laboriel, Gene Falbo

Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker

Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

All Vocals: China

Tracklist:

1. You can't treat love that way

2. Runnin' around

3. Fast livin'

4. There was a time

5. Shootout in the parking lot

6. Never gonna let you go

7. Roll me over

8. Little dancer

9. Come and take my love

10. Days and nights

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Chris Christian (1981)

I had a break for a week or two, so I thought I would return with a classic.

Chris Christian is a leading light in the world of CCM, as a writer and producer and this album was his pop album, reminiscent of the pop/soul of Michael McDonald or Christopher Cross, who appears here on guitar. It’s a minor Westcoast classic, that includes a diverse array of artists. The songwriting and performances are exemplary, as you’d expect. “Houston”, “I Don’t Believe You” and “What Can There Be” stand out but in truth there isn’t a bad track on it.

If you haven’t heard this before, where have you been? If you have then you have probably already been seduced by it. Either way, let me know what you think.

Producer: Bob Gaudio

Musicians:

Drums: Carlos Vega, Nigel Olsson

Bass: Dennis Belfield, David Hungate

Keyboards: Chris Christian, Greg Mathieson, Bob Gaudio

Guitars: Paul Jackson Jr, Christopher Cross, Michael Landau

Synthesizer: Michael Boddicker, Greg Mathieson

Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Sax: Tom Scott

Background Vocals: Cheryl Ladd, Tommy Funderburk, Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Amy Holland, Frankie Valli, Robbie Patton

Tracklist:

1. Don’t give up on us

2. I want, I need you

3. The last goodbye

4. Love’s not one to forget

5. Ain’t nothing like the real thing/You’re all I need to get by

6. Make it last

7. Houston

8. I don’t believe you

9. What can there be

10. Whatever it is

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Sanford & Townsend: Duo-Glide (1977)

Singers and songwriters, Ed Sanford and John Townsend began collaborating with each other in the late 60’s and early 70’s, writing songs for the likes of Nigel Olsson and Loggins & Messina. Given the success of their first album, their record label gave thme the chance to work with the best session players such as Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird, Steve Cropper, David Hungate and David Paich but “Duo-Glide” (1977) is less successful than it’s predecessor and the duo only made one more album before splitting up. Ed Sanford went on to collaborate with Michael McDonald and compose for Amy Hollands second album.

Probably not their best but still a great LP. “Livin’s Easy”, “Starbrite” and “Eye of the Storm” are the highlights for me.

Check it out.

Producer: John Haeny

Musicians:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird

Guitars: Fred Tackett, Otis Hale, Jerry McGee, Paul Barrere, Steve Cropper

Bass: David Hungate

Piano: Bill Payne, Mike Utley

Keyboards: Ed Sanford, Bill Payne, David Paich, Mike Utley

Synthesizer: Ed Sanford

Percussion: Milt Holland, Jeff Porcaro

Sax: Otis Hale

Harmonica: John Townsend

Lead Vocals: John Townsend, Ed Sanford

Background Vocals: John Townsend, Ed Sanford, Richard Torrance, Herb Pedersen

Tracklist:

1. Paradise

2. Ain’t it so, love

3. Cryin’ like a child

4. Livin’s easy

5. Starbrite

6. Voodoo

7. Mississippi sunshine

8. Eights and aces

9. Sometimes when the wind blows

10. Eye of my storm (oh woman)

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Evie Sands: Estate of Mind (1975)

What a great songwriter Evie Sands is. As well as her own back catalogue, she has had her songs performed by Dionne Warwick, Helen Reddy, Jose Feliciano, Frankie Valli,  Barbra Streisand and many, many others.

For me her pinnacle wasn’t until “Suspended Animation” in 1979 but this is a tidy album. The songs “Love in the Afternoon”, “Yesterday Can’t Hurt Me” and “I Love Makin’ Love To You” stand out as a rich mix of pop and soul, a style she would go on to perfect on the aforementioned “Suspended”. A great selection of session players appear but Evie herself continues to contribute both guitar and keyboards with, clearly, no end to her talents.

I meant to add that this is an extended version of the album, so there a few more tracks here.

Producers: Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter

Musicians:

Drums: Ed Greene

Guitars: Dean Parks, Evie Sands

Bass: David Hungate

Keyboards: Michael Omartian, Evie Sands

Synthesizer: Michael Omartian

Percussion: Gary Coleman, Victor Feldman

Sax: Ernie Watts

Horns: John Audino, Bud Brisbois, Jerome Richardson, Dick Hyde, Vince DaRosa

Background Vocals: Ginger Blake, Oren Waters, Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, Dennis Lambert

Tracklist:

1. A woman’s work is never done

2. Love in the afternoon

3. You brought the woman out of me

4. Take it or leave it

5. Call me home again

6. One thing on my mind

7. Yesterday can’t hurt me

8. I love makin’ love to you

9. Early morning sunshine

10. (Am I) Crazy cause I believe

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Richard Stepp: Holiday in Hollywood (1979)

So, it took me a while to work out what was going on with the cover of this one, until I realised it’s a reflection in a swimming pool.

Anyhow, this a good album. Not spectacular until you get to the final track on side two, “Caught In a Whirlwind”, which is a classic. Other highlights are “We Got Tonight” and the title track. The rest of the songs make for pleasant listening, but your socks will remain firmly on your feet. The album features some excellent players, Mike Baird, David Hungate and Ed Greene along with The Waters on backing vocals, so you know the music is going to be great.

Let me know what you think.

Producer: Andy Di Martino

Musicians:
Drums: Ralph Humprey, Ed Greene, Mike Baird
Bass: Dennis Belfield, David Hungate, Ray Pohlman
Guitars: Thom Rotella, Ben Benay
Keyboards: Bill Cuomo
Synthesizer: Bill Cuomo
Sax: Pete Chrislieb
Background Vocals: Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Oren Waters

Tracks:
1. We got tonight
2. There’s always another day
3. Holiday in Hollywood
4. Hold on
5. Feel the inspiration
6. When we meet again
7. If I could write a song
8. Get funky
9. Caught in a whirlwind

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Dwayne Ford: Needless Freaking (1981)

I’ll be honest this album has taken a while to grow on me. Aside from the classic “Lovin’ and Losin’ You”, I found the songs a bit formulaic and, dare I say, bland. However, I’ve become a convert over the last few months as I relistened to the album with an open ear.

The aforementioned track is still a highlight for me, but “Stranger In Paradise” and “Midnight Ride” have become go-to tracks in their own right making this album a pleasurable listen. Whilst it is in no way perfect it is a well written, well performed album, with the usual array of session players as well as Dwayne’s then wife, Patsy Gallant on backing vocals.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. Cheers.

Producers: David Foster, Ken Friesen, Dwayne Ford

Musicians:
Guitars: Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon, David Bendeth, Mike Francis
Drums: Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird, Barry Keane
Bass: Mike Porcaro, Neil Stubenhaus, Dennis Pendeth
Keyboards: David Foster, Dwayne Ford
Sax: Earl Seymour
Background Vocals: Patricia Gallant, Dwayne Ford

Tracks:
1. Lovin’ and Losin’ You
2. Am I Ever Gonna Find Your Love
3. Stranger in Paradise
4. The Hurricane
5. Midnight Ride
6. There’s a Life in Me
7. The American Blues
8. The Best Will Survive

Support the artist and Buy It here

Nielsen/Pearson (1980)

If you know anything about Westcoast AOR or Yacht Rock then you will know about this duo already. Imho this album was their zenith, their pinnacle or put another way their best album. The album that preceded it and the one one that followed were both great albums but this one eclipses them both. It’s home to some of their greatest tracks and a certified Yacht gem in “If You Should Sail”. For me, one of the top five yacht rock tracks ever.

They have gather the usual cream of the LA session players. Jai Winding, Neil Stubenhaus, David Foster, Paulinho Da Costa, Tom Scott, Peter Wolf and Maxine Willard amongst others. Between them they guarantee that the music is going to be top notch, but it’s the songs that really capture the imagination here. Apart from the aforementioned “If You…”, “Two Lonely Nights”, “Don’t Let Me Go”, “Annie”, “It Could Be Trouble” and “Givin’ Your Love To Me” are all highlights. That’s not to say that the remaining three songs are bad, they are excellent.

Anyway, if you haven’t heard these guys before I urge you to now. Enjoy.

Producer: Richard Landis

Musicians:

Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta

Guitars: Reed Nielsen, Mark Pearson, Charles Johnson, Tim May

Bass: Neil Stubenhaus

Keyboards: John Scott Bowen, Peter Wolf, David Foster

Piano: Jai Winding

Synthesizer: John Scott Bowen

Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Horns: Tom Scott, Chuck Findley, Gene Goe, Jackie Kelso, Bill Perkins, Dick Hyde

Background Vocals: Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters, Stephanie Spruill

Tracklist:

1. Two lonely nights

2. Don’t let me go

3. Love me tonight

4. Annie

5. If you should sail

6. It could be trouble

7. Givin’ your love to me

8. Don’t forget

9. Hurt no more

Support the artist and BUY IT here.

Hi-Tech AOR pt.2

Back by popular demand. Well… one person anyway! Here’s part 2 of the Hi-Tech AOR mix that I re-posted last week. This one has fewer obscurities in it as there are only so many of any quality and I used quite a few last time round. I’ve also done three covers so you get to choose which one you prefer. Anyway, here it is.

Tracklist:

1. Animotion: Obsession
2. Planet 3: Criminal
3. Outfield: Voices of Babylon
4. Body Electric: Stop The Music
5. Scarlett & Black: You Don’t Know
6. One Nation: Inspiration
7. Toys of Joy: Bring On The Night
8. A=440: Flair For The Dramatic
9. Glass Tiger: Someday
10. Mr Mister: Black/White
11. Cutting Crew: Fear of Falling
12. Peter Cetera: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To
13. Climie Fisher Keeping The Mystery Alive
14. Metro: Feel The Spirit
15. The Kazu Matsui Project: Head Above Water