MelodicRock Classics Label

Tue
07
Mar

LaMARCA Remastered Reissue on MRC

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MelodicRock Classics Label
MelodicRock Classics is excited to continue the limited-edition reissue series featuring four acclaimed cult classic AOR albums. CHRIS IRVINE ‘Frozen Rivers’ and 2AM ‘When Every Second Counts’ are both at press currently and will be released August 26.
The second two titles arrive September 30 – LAMARCA ‘LaMarca’ from 1985 and YAYA’s classic 1988 sophomore release ‘II’.
LaMarca is the brainchild of soul singer Abe Lamarca, who began his singing career in the 1970s, before moving to Los Angeles singing demos and working for songwriters before Scottie Bros/CBS Records released his debut album “LaMarca”. It was a solo endeavor that found this soul lover singing some catchy pop songs, a few of which made it to the big screen, most notably, ‘Hold on Blue Eyes’ from the movie ‘The Wraith’ starring Charlie Sheen. He devoted most of the 90’s to raising his kids in Cleveland and singing radio jingles and T.V. commercials.
Abe has continued singing and writing music ever since and most recently in 2018, continuing to flex a little bit of his “Soul Survivor” swag, Abe enjoyed a Top 20 Smooth Jazz hit with Anne Cochran with his bouncy “Who’s Gonna Baby You?” co-written by Mark Avsec (Wild Cherry, Donnie Iris). His latest single, the sultry “Back in My Natural Groove” released March of 2022 and co-written by Rochon Westmoreland, is currently receiving airplay worldwide on various Smooth Jazz platforms.
But for now, it is time for AOR aficionados to enjoy a freshly remastered reissue of the classic LaMarca release, complete with the two extra soundtrack cuts as well as an extended mix of ‘Burn The Bridge’ and a newly unearthed solo demo ‘Voice Of The Young’, which was intended for a second LaMarca release that never happened.
Abe LaMarca comments; “I’m humbled and honored by the tremendous efforts of Andrew McNeice and MRC Records on this re-issue of the LaMarca album! It was a fun and exciting time for me back then and its very cool now to know that so many people still love and appreciate this music! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! God bless…”
Remastered by JK Northrup
Track Listing:
01. Change My Rules                      4:33
02. Dear Diane                                  3:53
03. Second Chance                          3:36
04. You                                                 3:39
05. The Bystander                           4:20
06. Burn The Bridge                         4:21
07. The Boys                                      3:58
08. When You Question Love      5:21
09. Touch And Go                            4:09
10. It’s In Your Eyes                         3:43
Bonus Tracks:
11. Hold On Blue Eyes                                    4:02
12. Bad In Blue                                                  4:20
13. Burn The Bridge (12” Version)             5:46
14. When You Question Love (Single Edit) 4:10
15. Voice Of The Young (Original Demo) 4:24
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Mon
06
Mar

JESSE HARMS 'All Sides' Box Set Released on MRC

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MelodicRock Classics Label
Jesse Harms is an American musician, songwriter and singer, who has spent a lifetime writing and recording songs as well as playing live with some of rock's biggest names.
 
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Berkeley, California, Jesse began playing the piano at 8 years old and studied classical music until he was 15. He lost interest in classical at that time and started playing the Organ with a local group of high schoolers called “The Rubber Band”. After high school Jesse attended the University of California, Berkeley but dropped out to concentrate on music.
 
In the early 70's Jesse formed a band called “Rags” with Pat Thrall (Pat Travers Band, Meatloaf) and Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger). After trying to write original songs the band started playing covers in clubs to earn a living. Pat was unhappy with the decision and left. The band went on to play clubs in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Alaska from 1973 to 1978. Jesse realized that he wasn't getting any closer to his goal of playing on records so, with Pat Thrall's help he met Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report) who was trying to form a progressive rock band for Electra/Asylum Records. After moving to L.A. Jesse spent the next year writing songs with Alphonso, forming a band that included Vinnie Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath) and Joe Turano (Michael Bolton) and making a record. Unfortunately, Electra/Asylum dropped the album before its release. Through his friend Darrel Verdusco (John Hiatt, Mickey Thomas) Jesse met John Hiatt. John was unsigned at the time, but he had a good band and some club dates in L.A. So, Jesse joined his band. Through John, Jesse met Ry Cooder.
 
Ry asked Jesse to play on his 'Borderline' album and then signed John and his band to tour Europe as his backup musicians in the winter of 1980 to promote the record. A U.S. Tour followed in 1981. Hiatt signed with Geffen Records and the rest of 1981 was spent recording the CD 'All of a Sudden' in New York and London with Tony Visconti as producer. The Album was released in 1982 and a tour opening for Graham Parker followed. But the album had poor sales and Hiatt let the band go.
 
Immediately Jesse joined is friend Pat Thrall again to tour in support of Pat's new project The Hughes/Thrall Band with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze) and Tommie Aldridge (Black Oak Arkansas, Ozzy Osborne, Whitesnake). The band toured the U.S. playing arenas as the opening act for Santana. But that album also had poor sales and was dissolved.
 
Soon after Jesse got a call from producer Keith Olsen to do some additional recording on a single from Three Lock Box an album he had made for Sammy Hagar. Sammy had been hiring a studio keyboard player and a studio backup singer to make his last two records and he had nobody in his band to reproduce the parts on tour, so in late 1982 Jesse joined his band. Most of 1983 was spent on the road touring to support Three Lock Box. The album earned a Gold Record and the tour sold out arenas all across the U.S. 1984-85 were spent making Sammy Hagar's platinum album VOA (which included one of Jesse's songs, Don't Make Me Wait and the support tour, which was one of the most successful tours of the year, selling out arenas and stadiums in the U.S. In 1985 Sammy opted to join Van Halen, the last date his old band played was Farm Aid at University of Illinois stadium which featured Eddie Van Halen on guitar.
 
In late 1985 Jesse focused on writing songs and in early 1986 he got a call from Ted Templeman again to work on David Lee Roth's platinum 'Eat 'Em and Smile' album. Jesse turned down Roth's offer to join his band in order to work on his own songwriting. Most of 1986 was spent trying to form his own band under the guidance of John Kolodner at Geffen Records.
 
In 1987 Jesse reunited with Sammy Hagar to make his 'I Never said Goodbye' CD with Eddie Van Halen on Bass. The album included one of Jesse's songs 'Back Into You' and went Gold in the U.S. In 1987 Jesse signed a Publishing contract with Geffen music and spent the rest of the year unsuccessfully trying to put together his own band. In 1988 one of Jesse's songs, 'Walk On Water' was recorded by Eddie Money and went on to reach #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a number one Rock track as well as a number one MTV video. The album 'Nothing to Lose' went Gold, Walk on Water also was on Eddie's Greatest Hits which sold Platinum.
 
In 1989 Jesse toured with Eddie Money as part of his band that included original guitarist Jimmy Lyons. Later in 1989 Jesse began writing songs with Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon). At the time REO was inactive but with the support of management the band was reformed. Jesse's friend Dave Amato (Ted Nugent, Cher) was added on guitar and Brian Hitt (Wang Chung) on drums.
 
1990 was spent writing and touring with REO Speedwagon as well as recording their CD 'The Earth, A Small Man, His Dog And A Chicken', which Jesse co-produced and included Live It Up which reached #6 on the Rock Chart and 5 more of his songs.
During 1990 Jesse also wrote a song with Sammy Hagar, 'Fallen From Grace' that appeared on Heart's Double Platinum CD 'Brigade'.
 
Jesse left REO in 1991 to get married and focus on Songwriting for MCA Music. 1991 through 1995 were spent in L.A. as a staff writer producing songs that appeared on CD's by Patty Smyth (Gold Record), Bad English (European #1), MSG, and Johnny Van Zandt etc.
 
In 1996 Jesse co-wrote a song (Both Sides Now) with Sammy Hagar, which brought them back together. In 1997 Jesse worked on Sammy's 'Marching To Mars' CD, playing keyboards and co-writing 6 songs. Sammy and Jesse then put together a band that would later be called the Waboritas and toured in 1997-1998 to support the Album, which went Gold. In 1998-1999 Jesse was the co-producer and Pro-Tools engineer, as well as playing keys and singing on the Hagar CD 'Red Voodoo' which included 3 of his songs. The band toured in 1998-1999 to support the album which went Gold. The CD included the #1 rock track 'Mas Tequila' which helped launch Sammy's Cabo Wabo tequila brand.
 
In 2000 Jesse co-produced, played keys and sang on Sammy's 'Ten 13' CD which included one of his songs and the band toured into 2001 to support the album. In 2002 Sammy released 'Not 4 Sale' which included Jesse's song 'Things've Changed' which was the only single released from the CD. 2002-2003 also included the “Heavyweights of Rock” tour with David Lee Roth and more touring in support of the ill-fated Not 4 Sale.
 
In 2004 Jesse was the Producer and Pro-Tools engineer on Guitar Shorty's CD 'Watch Your Back' which also included 5 of his songs as well as writing, producing and engineering his own solo CD 'The Best of What I've Got'. Jesse also wrote 3 songs, including the title track, on Guitar Shorty's follow up CD 'We the People' which won the Handy Blues Award. In 2005 Jesse purchased a Marin Music Center in Novato, California which he operated until he sold it in 2019.
 
Jesse continues to write and record new music and a couple of new songs are included as part of his career spanning box set 'All Sides'.
 
DISC 1
 
01. I BELIEVE (Feat. Dave Amato, Dave Lauser, Ricky Phillips)(Recorded by Jimi Jamison & BB Steal)
02. LET IT RAIN (Feat. Dave Amato, Dave Lauser, Ricky Phillips)(Recorded by Ron Keel)
03. NINE ELEVEN (Feat. Dave Amato, Dave Lauser, Ricky Phillips)
04. HOME SWEET HOMICIDE (Feat. Dave Amato, Dave Lauser, Ricky Phillips)
05. AFTER MIDNIGHT
06. ALL HEAVEN BROKE LOOSE (Recorded by REO Speedwagon)
07. WALK ON WATER (Feat. Ricky Phillips)(Recorded by Eddie Money)
08. FEAR OF FLYING (Feat. Ricky Phillips)
09. ALL I WANT IS YOU (Feat Dave Amato)(Recorded by Freddy Curci)
10. GYPSY ROAD
11. LIVE IT UP (Feat. Dave Amato, Ricky Phillips)(Recorded by REO Speedwagon)
12. MAKE A WISH (Recorded by Beau Nasty and Jesse Strange)
13. LOVE TO HATE (Recorded by REO Speedwagon)
14. LET IT COME TO YOU (Feat. Dave Amato)(Written for REO)
15. JUST TO BE LOVED BY YOU (Feat. Tim Pierce)(Produced by Kevin Beamish)
 
 
DISC 2
 
01. CRASH THE PARTY
02. DANCE WITH EMOTION
03. BOTH SIDES NOW (Written by Harms/Hagar)(Recorded by Sammy Hagar)
04. LIFE IS TOO SHORT
05. DON'T LOOK BACK (Written for Meat Loaf)
06. I CAN'T STOP THE RAIN
07. YOU GOT A HOLD ON ME
08. THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
09. LET IT GO
10. THINGS'VE CHANGED (Written by Harms/Hagar)(Recorded by Sammy Hagar)
11. DOWN ON THE BEACH
12. DISCONNECTED
13. BLOOD IN THE WATER
14. UNTIL THE END OF TIME
 
DISC 3
 
01. A GOOD PLACE TO START (Written for Andrew Strong)
02. WAITING ON A MIRACLE
03. WHAT WAS I THINKING
04. SONIC BOOM (Recorded by Guitar Shorty)
05. DUSTY DREAMS
06. ONE MORE TO LOVE
07. FIELD OF STONES
08. TOPLESS WOMEN AND BOTTOMLESS DRINKS
09. NOBODY BUT YOURS
10. DOING TIME
11. CADILLAC RANCH
12. ONE HOUSE
13. VOODOO DOLL
14. MOON (Inst)
15. THE SOUTHERN CROSS (Inst)
16. DON'T PROMISE ME THE MOON
 
DISC 4 (Guest Vocals)
 
01. FALLEN FROM GRACE - Sammy Hagar (Recorded by Heart)
02. DANGEROUS CURVES - Sammy Hagar (Written for Lita Ford)
03. MAYBE WRONG - Sammy Hagar (Written for 'Marching To Mars')
04. THIS TIME - Sammy Hagar (Written for 'Marching To Mars')
05. DEEP IN THE HEART OF XMAS - Sammy Hagar (Written for 'Jingle All The Way' Movie)
06. SHAKE IT UP - Kevin Cronin
07. HALFWAY - Kevin Cronin (Written by Harms/Cronin/Spiro)(Recorded by REO Speedwagon)
08. I WANT YOU BACK - Kevin Cronin (Written for REO Speedwagon)
09. WHEN IT'S LOVE, YOU KNOW - Kevin Cronin (Written for REO Speedwagon)
10. THE HEART SURVIVES - Kevin Cronin (Feat. Dave Amato)(Recorded by REO Speedwagon)
11. WHEN I'M GONE - Robin McAuley (Written for and recorded by MSG)
12. I'D BE LOST WITHOUT YOU - Robin McAuley
13. HOW FAST CAN WE FALL - Robin McAuley (Written with Sue Shifrin)
14. CHASING DOWN THE WIND - Robin McAuley (Recorded by John Waite & Tom Jones)
15. ALL I WANT IS YOU - Robin McAuley (Recorded by Freddy Curci)
16. LOVE IS STRONG - Robin McAuley
17. DON'T PROMISE ME MOON - Robin McAuley
 
DISC 5 (Guest Vocals)
 
01. MAKE ME A BELIEVER - Patty Smyth & Jesse Harms (Written for Patty Smyth)
02. I WON'T BE HOME TONIGHT - Patty Smyth (Written for Patty Smyth)
03. THE WELL RAN DRY - Teresa James
04. BODY AND SOUL - Teresa James (Feat. Ron Wikso)
05. CAN'T STOP THE FIRE - Der Strasse
06. SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT - Gina Shock
07. HEART OF A STRANGER - Tommy Gervin (Written for Eddie Money)
08. THE MAN Inside - Teresa James
09. SHE NEEDS YOU MORE - Shaun Murphy
10. LET YOUR HEART DECIDE - Richard Black
11. THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT YOU - Kee Marcello
12. THE DAY AFTER FOREVER - Joe Turano
13. I NEVER LET YOU DOWN - Joe Turano (Written with FM)
14. LET MY GUITAR DO THE TALKING - Mike Finnegan (Recorded by Guitar Shorty)
15. DIG A LITTLE DEEPER - Rick Barron
16. ONCE IN A LIFETIME - Bill Champlin
 
DISC 6 (Guest Vocals)
 
01. RUN WILD - Adrian Gurvitz
02. RAIN ON THE ROOFTOPS - Adrian Gurvitz
03. DON'T LOOK DOWN (Original Version) - Don Barnes (Recorded by Don Barnes)
04. CHASING DOWN THE WIND - John Waite (Recorded by John Waite & Tom Jones)
05. SEARCHING FOR A LOVE - Tommy Funderburk
06. LAST NIGHT - Max Merritt
07. MORE BAD THAN GOOD - Greg Sutton
08. WALK IT LIKE YA TALK IT - Greg Sutton
09. MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY - Johnny Van Zant (Written for Johnny Van Zant)
10. LOVE CAN BE CRUEL - Johnny Van Zant (Written for and Recorded by Johnny Van Zant)
11. PRETTY THINGS - Danny Tate
12. MY WILDEST DREAM - Danny Tate
13. LIFE'S TOO SHORT - Billy Valentine
14. TOGETHER - Billy Valentine
15. MONEY CAN'T BUY IT - Jeff Wilson
16. TALKIN' LOUD SAYIN' NOTHING - Jeff Wilson
17. THE FIRST STEP - Jeff Wilson (Written with Steve Plunkett)
 
Mon
06
Mar

GALLEYBOYZ 1990 Album Arrives on MelodicRock Classics

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MelodicRock Classics Label

 

BUY NOW: http://melodicrockclassics.com/galleyboyz.html

MelodicRock Classics is excited to delve back in to rock n roll vaults once more, to deliver another lost classic, this time from Pennsylvania rockers GALLEYBOYZ.

The name may not be familiar, but the pedigree of those involved will be. And like other MRC releases, this will be a Deluxe 2 Disc Edition.

We have expanded upon the original cassette only release to present a fully remastered version of the album (thanks to JK Northrup once again), plus a bonus disc featuring unreleased tracks and demos that came from the album sessions and beyond, plus a set of original Reference Mixes, which give you an alternative look at some of the album’s tracks.

Galleyboyz were formed in early 1990 when Michael Baranski and Steve Schuffert, who were touring with A&M recording artist Glen Burtnik, found themselves out of a job when Glen was given the opportunity to replace Tommy Shaw in Styx.

Baranski and Schuffert were approached by a former manager who wanted to start a new project. John Rongo and Larry Paoletta, who were in a previous band with Baranski, were recruited. Baranski wrote several new songs, and the now named Galleyboyz went into the studio to record them.

The guys were signed to record executive Carl Maduri’s Oceana Records, which had distribution with BMG. Baranski then recruited Glen Burnik to produce the album, recorded at Jerree’s Records in New Brighton, PA., where Donnie Iris had recorded all his albums.

The album was released in Sept 1990 and received a favorable review in Billboard magazine.

Tensions with the band and their manager flared when there was a disagreement over the first song to be released. The band wanted to release either You Get What You Pay For, or Nothing But Love, songs which reflected the sound and direction of the band. The manager wanted to release Tired of Rappin’, which was a novelty song that Baranski had written as a joke!

The manager prevailed, thinking a novelty song would attract attention for a new band. However, rock stations would not play it because the lyrics were rapped, and pop stations wouldn’t play it because it was making fun of rap, a new genre at the time.

The band stayed together for only a few months. Then the band was no more.

Baranski went on to play with James JY Young of Styx, in his other band, the James Young Group. They released an album Raised by Wolves in 1995, with Baranski writing several songs for the album. He also toured with Styx in the 90’s as a support backup singer. Schuffert went on to a successful solo project with his band the Steve Schuffert Band. They played regularly in Europe every year from the late 90s to the late 00’s.

GALLEYBOYZ is out now.

Album Produced by Glen Burtnik
Recorded at Jeree’s Studios summer 1990
All songs written by Michael Baranski except Can’t Live Without Your Love by Steve Schuffert and Standing on the Edge by Michael Baranski / Peter Spero
All songs published by Baran Songs ASCAP

Michael Baranski – Lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals
Steve Schuffert – Lead vocals on Can’t Live Without Your Love, guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals
John Rongo – co-lead vocal on One Step Up, guitar, backing vocals
Larry Paoletta – Drums

Disc 1:
01. You Get What You Pay For 3:36
02. Nothin’ To Lose 3:46
03. One Step Up 4:24
04. Fear For Your Life 3:30
05. Stand Up Fall Down 4:00
06. Rock & Roll Ain’t All So Bad 3:36
07. Desperate Man 3:50
08. I Can’t Live Without Your Love 3:56
09. I’ll Be Alright 3:41
10. Tired of Rappin’ 4:04

Disc 2:
01. You Get What You Pay For (Reference Mix) 3:32
02. Nothing To Lose (Reference Mix) 3:44
03. One Step Up (Reference Mix) 4:24
04. Fear For Your Life (Reference Mix) 3:29
05. Stand Up Fall Down (Reference Mix) 3:58
06. Rock & Roll Ain’t All So Bad (Reference Mix) 3:36
07. Desperate Man (Reference Mix) 3:55
08. I’ll Be Alright (Reference Mix) 3:42
09. Tired Of Rappin’ (Reference Mix) 3:39

10. Fame (Previously Unreleased; Feat. Dennis DeYoung on Keyboards) 4:11
11. Give It What You Got (Previously Unreleased; Feat Jon Brant on Bass) 5:18
12. It’s My Dream (Previously Unreleased) 4:06
13. Hungry (1992 Home Demo)3:24
14. Goodbye, Love (1992 Home Demo)3:53
15. What’s This World Comin’ To (1992 Home Demo) 3:35
16. Out Of The Cage (1992 Home Demo) 3:28
17. Standing On The Edge (1993 Studio Demo) 4:19
18. Without You, Without Me (2003 Unreleased Track) 4:04
19. Let’s Get it Started (2011 Studio Demo) 2:44

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Mon
06
Mar

HEADWAY - The Lost Steven McClintock Album Out Now on MRC

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MelodicRock Classics Label

MelodicRock Classics is excited to announce a partnership with singer/songwriter/producer STEVEN McCLINTOCK to release a pair of phenomenal melodic rock records to feature the acclaimed singer’s voice.

With over 40 years as a successful musician, singer, songwriter, publisher, producer & manager, Steven McClintock is the owner and driving force behind 37 Records and Management. With over 350 cuts and over 25 films and dozens of TV shows to his credit, Steven is also very involved in publishing with Tim James at McJames Music Inc. with writers like Stephen Petree, Chad Petree, Jeremy Dawson from Shiny Toy Guns and Grammy nominee songwriter Pamela Oland.

The first record in the partnership with Steven is the release of another long-lost classic record for fans of early 80s AOR/pomp rock – the band HEADWAY.

Written and recorded in 1979-1980, HEADWAY’s Self-Titled debut is packed with early 80s style classic rock, with a healthy dose of Toto-esque musical twists and turns and Styx-like pomp, all layered in the sweet vocals of McClintock.

Steven discusses the forming of the band:

“I had just finished up with my duo, Fertitta & McClintock after we were released from our Arista Records/Clive Davis contract, and was looking for a new project. I had formed a studio business with my buddy Michael Mikulka and we were cutting different musicians/songwriters commercially in his Garden Grove garage.

Scott Plunkett (keys) was there recording and told me he was playing at El Paso Cantina in Long Beach with another guy name Bruce Boulanger (guitar).

Mike McKinnon (bass) was working there in another room and they had previously talked about putting a band together.  I decided to go see Scott play, he and Bruce brought me upstairs to see Mike, we sat down at a table then and there and decided to put a band together. Just like that.

All we needed was a drummer. Scott was friends with a guy name Chris Stewart and he took the gig as our drummer.  We did a LOT of rehearsals because the material we wanted to play was extremely difficult yet going to be brilliant once we got it down!  No one in our local scene was doing this type of music.  So “Headway” was formed.

That was late 1978. Our first gig was at “The Warehouse” in Newport Beach. The drummer was working a full-time day gig somewhere and wasn’t able to practice, so we hired John “Bones“ McConnell and he became our drummer.  

Fairly soon after that, the “Grrr”, Alex Gutierrez, started sitting in with us on congas and “toys” and became part of the group by default.  This album is dedicated to him.”

The twelve-track record has been rescued from the vaults, with two ‘official bootleg’ live bonus tracks added to complete the HEADWAY picture.

It is truly a lost gem, which MelodicRock Classics is excited to bring to light finally, after all these years.

Some incredibly old master tapes were supplied by Steven, with MRC in-house remastering master JK Northrup taking over to bring the best sound possible to fans.

 
Sun
05
Mar

HOLLYRIDGELAND The Songs Of Robin & Judithe Randall Track Listing

Categories: 
MelodicRock Classics Label
BOX SET SOLD OUT - OUT NOW ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS
 
HOLLYRIDGELAND – The Songs Of Robin & Judithe Randall
 
 
DISC 1 – 'Darker Shades Of Love', Featuring The Vocals Of MARCIE FREE
 
01. Too Late For Love
 
02. Darker Shades Of Love
 
03. One Heartbeat At A Time
 
04. High Life (Original Demo Version)
 
05. When The Heartache Hits You
 
06. Midnight Don't Come Easy
 
07. Hard Heart To Break (2021 Remaster)
 
08. Love Speaks Louder Than Words
 
09. If You Remember Love
 
10. Never Alone
 
11. So Close, Yet So Far
 
12. The Last Time (Alt Mix)
 
13. So Close Yet So Far (Duet - Marcie Free & Diana DeWitt)
 
14. Never Could Call It Love (Duet - Marcie Free & Kristina Nichols)
 
15. State Of Love (Instrumental)
 
 
DISC 2 – LONG WAY FROM LOVE (REIMAGINED)
 
 01. AirKraft - Someday You'll Come Running
 
02. Diana DeWitt - Stranger Among Us
 
03. Marcie Free - Coming Back For More (No Fade Version)
 
04. Diana DeWitt - The Last Time
 
05. Aina - Hard Heart To Break
 
06. Kristina Nichols - High Life
 
07. After Hours - State Of Love
 
08. James Christian - Slow Down The Night
 
09. Diana DeWitt - Look Love In The Eyes
 
10. Diana DeWitt - Never Be A Next Time
 
11. Aina - Long Way From Love
 
12. Diana DeWitt - In It For The Long Run
 
13. Diana DeWitt - What Happened To Love
 
14. Steve Zell - Never Could Call It Love
 
15. Aina - Smoke And Mirrors
 
16. Diana DeWitt – Dyin' For Your Love
 
17. After Hours – The Last Time (Bonus Track)
 
 
DISC 3 – 'Eyes Of Night', Featuring the Vocals Of JAMES CHRISTIAN
 
01. Where Are You Now
 
02. Breaking Through The Silence (Demo)
 
03. Leave Well Enough Alone (Original Demo)
 
04. Eyes Of Night
 
05. A Love I'd Die For
 
06. Hearts Of Fire
 
07. Mother Night (Original Demo, Rock Mix)
 
08. Know You In The Dark (Original Demo)
 
09. Everything But Love
 
10. Love Forever Story
 
11. Love Look In To My Life (Original Mix)
 
12. Why Don't You Love Me
 
13. The Last Time
 
14. The Last Of Love
 
15. Love For Ever Story (Duet - James Christian & Diana DeWitt)
 
16. State Of Love (Duet - Aina & James Christian)(Live At Studio One Back Lot)
 
17. Mother Night (Alt Mix)
 
 
DISC 4 – 'Hard Heart To Break', Featuring The Vocals Of DIANA DEWITT
 
01. Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight (New 2021 Recording)
 
02. All The Love Your Heart Can Hold
 
03. Hard Heart To Break
 
04. Bless A Brand New Angel (Baywatch)
 
05. Darker Shades Of Love
 
06. Venus & Mars
 
07. Leave Well Enough Alone
 
08. One Heartbeat At A Time
 
09. Slow Down The Night
 
10. Isobel
 
11. Love Forever Story
 
12. Beautiful Is Lonely
 
13. Too Late For Love
 
14. Dirty Dancing
 
15. Other Side Of Rain
 
16. Love Looked Into My Life
 
17. Hearts Of Fire
 
18. Child Inside
 
19. Amnesty
 
 
DISC 5 – 'Look Me Up When You're Falling Down', Vocals From The Men
 
01. Darker Shades Of Love - Curt Cuomo Vocal
 
02. Rated X - Curt Cuomo
 
03. Killer Love - Curt Cuomo
 
04. Tough Boy - Curt Cuomo
 
05. Other Side Of Rain (Duet) Diana DeWitt & Curt Cuomo
 
06. Look Me Up When Your Falling Down - Robert Tepper
 
07. Garden Of Night - Robert Tepper
 
08. Mother Night (Unplugged) - Robert Tepper
 
09. Live Each Day As My Last - Kelly Keagy
 
10. One Heartbeat - Tony Sciuto
 
11. All Rivers Run To The Sea - Ken Stacey
 
12. Don't Hold Your Breath - Ken Stacey
 
13. Moment In The Sun - Leo Unnermark
 
14. Life Is For Living - Edge of The Blade
 
15. Never Be A Next Time – After Hours
 
16. Get It Right – Engelo Charles
 
17. I Still Remember - Tom Synclair
 
18. You Can't Keep The Wind From Blowing (Desert Storm All Star Track)
 
 
DISC 6 – 'If You Dare To Dream', The Ladies Rock!
 
01.Mother Night - Aina
 
02. Never Alone - Aina
 
03. All Rivers They Run To The Sea - Aina
 
04. If You Remember Love - Aina
 
05. If Life Were A Beach - Aina
 
06. Never Could Call It Love - Aina
 
07. If You Dare To Dream – Windy Wagner
 
08. Forever Friends - Windy Wagner (Baywatch)
 
09. Rainbow In The Rain (Duet) - Ronee Martin & Kenny James
 
10. Just Friends - Ronee Martin
 
11. I'll Choose Love - Ronee Martin
 
12. Keep Running - Brooke White
 
13.  Love Has No Mercy - Kristina Nichols
 
14. Know You In The Dark - Kristina Nichols
 
15. It Didn't Have To End This Way- Sarah Olson
 
16. Wasted Love - Donna Hurst
 
17. Can't Get Enough -Viki Childs
 
18. Eyes Of Night - Mara Getz
 
 
DISC 7 – 'Breaking Through The Silence', Featuring The Vocals Of STEVE ZELL
 
01. Breaking Thru The Silence
 
02. Better Believe If I Could Touch You One More Time (Baywatch)
 
03. The Last Time
 
04. Better Believe In Me
 
05. The Best Of Whatever You Are (Baywatch)
 
06. Making Love By The Letter
 
07. Just Friends
 
08. Coin City Launderette
 
09. Learn To Let You Go
 
10. Close My Eyes
 
11. It's Only A Matter Of Time (Baywatch)
 
12. Why Can't I Ever Say No
 
13. Close My Eyes (Duet) Steve Zell & Diana DeWitt
 
14. Two Souls, One Breath (Duet) - Steve Zell & Deborah Rogers
 
15. To The Max (Baywatch)(Duet) - Steve Zell & Deborah Rogers
 
16. Learn To Let You Go (Piano & Vocal)
 
 
DISC 8 – 'Falling To You', The Collaborations Of ROBIN RANDALL & BILL LaFLEUR
 
01. Falling To You - Michelle Staffieri
 
02. In An Instant - Michelle Staffieri
 
03. Did You Forget To Forget Me - Michelle Staffieri
 
04. Still The Same Inside - Michelle Staffieri
 
05. Letting Go - TBA
 
06. My Last Wish - Sopa Whyte
 
07. How Do You Sleep At Night- Sopa Whyte
 
08. Will You Still Love Me - Sopa Whyte
 
09.Gotta get My Own Life Back - Josephine Schaffert
 
10. You Are My Everything - Matt Salmons
 
11. Into The Unknown – Matt Salmons 
 
12. Paper Moon Sky - Emerald
 
13. Miss Misery - Emerald
 
14. Somebody's Baby - Emerald
 
15. Love Comes When You Least Expect It - Sarah Olson
 
16. Anything Less Than Love - Sarah Olson
 
17. No Place I'd Rather Be – Captain Mustard
 
18. Those Days In The 1970s Camilla Gervide

 

 
Sat
04
Mar

CHRIS FARREN ‘In So Many Words’ Unreleased Archives Out Now

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Categories: 
MelodicRock Classics Label

CHRIS FARREN – In So Many Words $30 (2CD Set; Including worldwide shipping)

BUY NOW http://melodicrockclassics.com/chrisfarren.html

MelodicRock Classics is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the acclaimed songwriter CHRIS FARREN for the release of a 2-Disc compilation of his solo demos, all previously unreleased officially.

For MRC002, MRC teams up with the great Swedish AOR A&R legend Magnus Soderqvist for the first of several projects together.

With plans to start the MRC label, owner Andrew McNeice went to his great mate and highly respected A&R guru Magnus Soderqvist in Sweden for help on contacting some of the names on the label’s ‘hit-list’ of possible releases and for his input on any other ‘lost’ projects that they could work together on bringing to fruition.

One of those names at the top of the list was CHRIS FARREN, an amazing vocalist who seemingly spent a lot of years making other people sound great, without putting out a release under his own name. Magnus tracked Chris down and a discussion began over how we could pay tribute to Chris in the best possible way. The songs of ‘In So Many Words’ is the result.

In the 90s, an album’s worth of Chris’ solo work leaked and because heavily traded between fans of classic AOR and Westcoast pop/rock. It was traded under the guise of an unreleased album called ‘Signs Of Life’. In reality, no such thing ever existed, and no album was ever planned. Until now.

Chris has worked one on one with Andrew and Magnus to catalogue his favourite solo demos of the 80s, with the 14-track album titled ‘In So Many Words’.

So rich were the archives of Chris’ songwriting, that it was agreed a second disc of 11 bonus tracks would be added to the package, ensuring that none of everyone’s favourite picks were excluded.

The 2-Disc set will be released August 13 and will feature 25 songs given the full remastering treatment from master sources by JK Northrup, with direct input from Chris along the way.

Adding extra value for fans, Chris provides detailed track by track liner notes for the accompanying booklet.

Enjoy the first preview track from the set ‘If Trees Could Scream’.

ABOUT CHRIS FARREN:

Chris Farren has directly been involved in over 100 #1 hits, in many different genres, and well over 100 million albums sold as a songwriter, artist, producer and publisher. He has been nominated for 4 Grammy awards, an 11- time ASCAP award winning songwriter, and a CMA award winning producer.  An artist himself in his early years, Farren moved to LA in 1982 to begin his musical journey. He made his living in those early years singing in clubs and in movies, jingles, background vocals, and producing anything he could, all while working on his solo music.

Drawing upon influences from the singer-songwriter era of the late 70’s and combining them with the slicker sound of LA and Ventura Boulevard of the early 80’s, Farren created a sound that was uniquely his own. Dozens of movie themes, jingles and record deals later, Farren settled into a career that was more behind the scenes, writing and producing songs for others.

Luckily for us, he left behind a great body of work of quintessential 80’s pop tunes he recorded as an artist, many of which you will hear in this release. These tunes were all written, recorded and performed by Farren between 1983 and 1988, and you are hearing them in their original form. Many of the tunes have been recorded by others and many of these tracks feature some young guest artists that have gone on to highly successful careers.

Farren’s songs have been recorded by everyone from Greg Allman, Michael McDonald, Air Supply, Rascal Flatts, The Backstreet Boys, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins, 98 degrees, Olivia Newton-John, and many many others.  Chris is currently the owner and driving force behind Combustion Music, one of Nashville’s most dynamic and successful independent publishing and production companies that recently celebrated their 85th #1 single. 

Farren continues to make music to this day, producing and writing hit songs from his office and studio in Nashville.  Combustion has amassed an impressive array of awards including, 6 Grammys, 3 ASCAP Song of the Year awards, and a multitude of hit writers including; 7 time ASCAP Country songwriter of the year, Ashley Gorley, 6 time Christian songwriter of the year Matthew West, and platinum rockers The Kings of Leon.

So take a journey back to Southern California circa 1985 and listen to these great songs and performances by Chris Farren.

‘In So Many Words’ is out via MelodicRock Classics August 13.

 
Sat
04
Mar

CHRIS IRVINE 30th Anniversary Debut Reissue Available via MRC

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MelodicRock Classics Label

MelodicRock Classics is excited to announce the limited-edition reissue of four acclaimed cult classic AOR albums over the next two months. Each album has won fan and critical praise over the years and all four titles have remained on the impossible to find list for many collectors.

The campaign begins August 26 with reissues of two British classics – CHRIS IRVINE and 2AM.

On September 30, two more classics arrive – LAMARCA and YA YA ‘II’.

CHRIS IRVINE is a Belfast born singer/songwriter who released his debut album in 1992. The self-titled album contained the official single ‘Frozen Rivers’, which will become the new title for this 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of ‘Chris Irvine’.

BUY NOW: https://melodicrockclassics.com/chrisirvine.html

With help from the original label and various participants in the release, including the man himself, CHRIS IRVINE ‘Frozen Rivers’ revisits the lost classic, adding a generous selection of bonus tracks, packing this special release with previously unreleased AOR gems.

Chris comments: “I’m delighted to be able to have the opportunity to finally deliver the definitive version of this album, with the artwork I envisaged as the artist when it was recorded. When you’ve spent hours, weeks, and months toiling in the studio, writing and recording your music, it becomes a living, breathing part of you. You nurture it and build up an idea of how it should be presented. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that level of involvement on the album’s initial release. I am truly grateful to Andrew McNeice and MRC for allowing me the opportunity to give fans of the album something really special on the 30th anniversary of its release.”

Producer Phil Radford“Back in the late 1980’s I was working as an in-house writer/ producer at Red Bus music in North London. My partner Pete Yellowstone and I were introduced to Chris as a potential new artist to work with. We were immediately struck by his powerful and soulful vocals, his enthusiasm and obvious talent. Over a few months we worked on studio ‘down time’ which was evenings and nights writing and recording these songs. These late long smoky sessions were very productive and Chris came up with some powerful performances behind the mic!

Very much a product of the times, the big clean 80s pop AOR sound is clearly what we were going for. We mixed it in studio 2 at Red bus studios on an SSL desk with either Graham Bonnet or me engineering. Even though the album wasn’t received as widely as it could have been at the time, I’m glad to see it still has many fans from all around the world.”

MelodicRock Classics presents CHRIS IRVINE ‘Frozen Rivers – 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition’ August 26. Limited Edition 500 Unit CD; all audio remastered from original masters by JK Northrup.

Pre-orders available this week.

Track Listing:

Album:

01. Frozen Rivers                                         4:18

02. Vital Signs                                              3:46

03. Never Listen To Rumours                      3:41

04. Hypnotise                                              3:34

05. In Need Of An Angel                            3:54       

06. Really Need To Know                            4:01

07. You’ve Got The Right                            4:07

08. Kicking Up Dust                                    3:23

09. Can You See Me Now?                           3:39

10. Get A Grip                                              4:00

Bonus Tracks (Unreleased Demos):

11. Room With A View                               4:37

12. Wind In The Wires                                3:32

13. You Got The Right                                 4:09

14. Find Our Way Back Home                     4:20

15. Jody                                                      3:16

16. Am I What (U Really Want)                   5:33

17. Truth                                                      4:20

18. Love Still Hurts                                      4:31

19. Can You See Me Now (Ext. Vers.)       4:27

Run Time 77:28

 
Sat
04
Mar

BIG SHOT Lost Self-Titled 1992 Album Released via MRC

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MelodicRock Classics Label

MelodicRock Classics is pleased to dive back into the past to prove that not everything that came out of the 90s was better off left there. October 28 will see the long overdue release of an album from Orlando, Florida melodic rockers BIG SHOT.

BUY NOW https://melodicrockclassics.com/bigshot.html

BIG SHOT was formed in the early 1990’s under the name of the Deryle Hughes Band. The original members were Deryle Hughes on vocals, David Mikeal on keyboards and guitar, Paul Drennan on bass, Angelo Janotti on guitar and Tommy Scott on drums. The group immediately started performing higher profile live dates. Unfortunately, Tommy left the group early on and Sean Shannon took over on the drums.

All the recordings in this collection were performed with this 2nd lineup (pictured). The group was managed by Pat Armstrong of PARC Records (a CBS affiliate.) They performed mostly their own original material live with a few covers mixed in. They played the clubs and concerts opening for Foreigner, Blackfoot and many others.

After numerous shows Angelo decided to leave the group and Big Shot hired Tony Sams to take his place on guitar. All the members mentioned are still involved in the music business!

MelodicRock Classics will release this collection of songs, sequenced by the label into the free-flowing record you will all hear on October 28 (CD & Digital).

01. Out Of Control

02. Stand Up And Fight

03. Jealousy

04. Step Into My World

05. Wherever You Are

06. Fight Fire With Fire

07. Rollercoaster

08. Rock This Place

09. Stay With You

10. City Limit

11. Love On The Line

12. On The Edge

13. Don’t Destroy Our Future

 
Sat
04
Mar

ANDY QUNTA – Legend In A Loungeroom (Deluxe Edition) Reissue Out Now

Artist: 
Categories: 
MelodicRock Classics Label

MelodicRock Classics is pleased to announce a partnership with English singer, songwriter, composer and musician Andy Qunta to deliver a Deluxe Edition of his one and only solo album ‘Legend In A Loungeroom’, originally recorded in 1989.

BUY NOW - https://melodicrockclassics.com/andyq.html

Andy has one of the most interesting and complex bio’s of any artist. Andy Qunta (pronounced Coonta) is a citizen of the world and an artist with a long list of credits going back to the early 70s. His first band was Factory, then joining the Hazel O’Connor band.

He met Manfred Mann vocalist Chris Thompson in New Zealand in 1982, which lead to a writing partnership that continues today.

That same year Andy become the keyboard player for Australian melodic rock legends Icehouse, helping to propel them through their most popular and critically acclaimed phase, as well as writing the hit ‘Crazy’ from the ‘Man Of Colours’ album, before departing in 1988.

Andy with Chris Thompson, along with singer Maggie Ryder (Eurythmics) and lyricist Keith Reid (Procul Harum/Whiter Shade of Pale) wrote the now iconic song ‘You’re the Voice’, originally made into a mega-hit by John Farnham, but also covered by Heart, Chris Thompson, David Foster and countless others.

Andy’s other songs have also been recorded by mega-artists including John Waite (Take Me Home), Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Tribal Statistics) and John Farnham (Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done).

In 1989, Andy headed to Los Angeles to record a solo album, titled ‘Legend In A Loungeroom’. The album featuring a lineup including Tony Qunta, Jeff Skunk Baxter (Doobie Bros, Steely Dan), Guy Pratt (Icehouse, Pink Floyd), Scott Page (Pink Floyd, Supertramp), Steve Milbacher, Paulinho da Costa (Madonna, Sting), Tim Pierce (Meatloaf, Crowded House), & Denny Fongheiser (Tracy Chapman, Heart).

A video for first single, ‘Thing About You’ was shot in Sydney and Melbourne. The song started getting heavy airplay in Australia before legal wrangles with Executive Producers cause project to be shelved. The album was dead in the water before being released in Europe on German label, without the artist’s knowledge.

Andy would later do an independent self-release of the album with altered artwork, which MelodicRock Classics was a big fan of. Being an even bigger fan of Andy’s co-writes with John Farnham, the idea of a Deluxe Edition re-issue was floated, with the label pitching the idea of using some songwriter demos as bonus tracks.

What wasn’t expected was the number of the demos uncovered by Andy, which lead to this ‘special event’ double CD coming to fruition, with some mega-star performances featured.

So the project quickly expanded to a double disc – with the original album given a refresh remaster by JK Northrup and preserved on Disc One, with the Bonus Demos gathered on Disc Two, featuring the vocals of Andy, Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder and others, plus guest musicians such as Brett Garsed (Nelson, John Farnham), Steve Hogarth (Marillion), Guy Pratt (Icehouse, Pink Floyd, Madonna) and more.

Graphic Artist Nello Dell’Omo has been commissioned to create a brand new cover art package for this release, which will be revealed closer to the release date.

The full track listing for ‘Legend In A Loungeroom’ and ‘The Songwriter Demos’ is as follows:

Disc One – ‘Legend In A Loungeroom’ (2021 Remaster)

01. Take Me Home

02. Come Back Baby

03. Thing About You

04. Waiting For The Storm

05. Tightrope

06. Sooner Or Later

07. Empty Words

08. Free The Bird

09. Take This Heart

10. Legend In A Loungeroom

11. These Are The Days

12. Midnight

Disc Two – ‘The Songwriter Demos’

01. You’re The Voice (Featuring Chris Thompson)

02. Time Flies (Featuring Vince Ruby)

03. Good Love (Featuring Maggie Ryder)

04. You’re Strong (Featuring Chris Thompson)

05. Someone Is Missing (Andy Qunta)

06. Don’t Tell Me (It Can’t Be Done) (Featuring Chris Thompson)

07. Won’t Let It Rain (Featuring Angie Giles)

08. Win Or Lose (Featuring Vince Ruby)

09. On A Distant Shore (Andy Qunta)

10. Better Way (Featuring Chris Thompson)

11. Ghost Of Your Love (Featuring Fergus Harper)

12. The Wanting (Is Too Strong) (Featuring Maggie Ryder)

13. Wheel Of Fortune (Andy Qunta)

14. Don’t Turn Away (Featuring Chris Thompson)

15. How Come You Don’t Understand Me (Featuring Maggie Ryder)

‘Legend In A Loungeroom – Deluxe Edition’ will be released via MelodicRock Classics October 8 with pre-sales available this week, alongside the label’s other October 8 release Mark Edwards ‘Land Of The Living’.

These days Andy continues to perform regularly in his adopted home of Los Angeles in the Foreigner Tribute Band Double Vision and guest appearances with Journey Tribute Band Open Arms.

 
Sat
04
Mar

ALL I KNOW ‘Vanity Kills’ Deluxe Edition Out Now

Artist: 
Categories: 
MelodicRock Classics Label
ALL I KNOW are back!
Before the band move onto new recordings and new music, due at the end of the year, they will first revisit their acclaimed and long out of print debut album ‘Vanity Kills’, presenting it to fans once again in a Deluxe Edition CD, limited to 1000 units worldwide plus for the first time ever – 100 coloured LPs available directly from the band.
‘Vanity Kills’ made a huge splash when released via MRR in 2010, with the 1000 unit pressing selling out quickly.
Just who are ALL I KNOW?
What happens when 4 young guns go through their parents’ record collection ? There are those with bad luck who end up with LP’s by Jean-Michel Jarre, Samantha Fox or Nana Mouskouri. The more fortunate ones strike gold and discover classic albums by Def Leppard, Billy Idol, Van Halen or Poison. Back in the eighties these bands were all part of the hard rock wave coming over from the United States. All I Know pick up where these classic bands left off. On their first full length album “Vanity Kills” they wear their influences on their sleeves. Let yourself be swept away by blistering guitar-attacks, thundering drums and big choruses!
All I Know, from Kortrijk, Belgium, have been playing and writing since 2005 and worked during that time on their debut album, which was pressed independently by the band in 2009 and sold online or at their live shows. In early 2010 the band were selected out of 1000 bands for the final round of Belgium’s most important rock contest, Humo’s Rock Rally 2010, organized by one of Belgium’s biggest magazines, ‘Humo’.
A huge percentage of all successful Belgian rock bands have made their name through this contest. AIK did not reach the semi-finals, because according to the jury, no one is waiting for the next Bon Jovi! But All I Know proud to be the only band representing the genre and is sticking to its guns!
Despite approaching a number of well-known and smaller labels, the band could not secure a deal for a wider release of their album. Something which shocked MelodicRock Classics owner Andrew McNeice: “I was stunned the band had an album of this quality sitting on the shelf. I couldn’t believe that here was something I knew would have huge appeal to my own site audience and no one would take a chance on it. I took it up myself to shop the album to the labels I knew and when I couldn’t get them a deal either! I knew at that point it was time to do things myself. And from that point I knew All I Know would be one of the first bands to be released on my label.” The MRR label was subsequently sold and the new reissue label MRC formed.
The band took a break for a few years, regrouping now with a renewed focus on delivering quality melodic rock and reaffirming their commitment to play live, having already booked new gigs for the year ahead.
All I Know’s sound sees them mix up the best influences of Bryan Adams, Van Stephenson, REO Speedwagon and Bon Jovi.
All I Know ‘Vanity Kills’ Line-Up was: Ward Dufraimont (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Michaël Neyt (Guitar/Vocals), Amély Mondy (Bass).
The Deluxe Edition CD sees all material from the debut album recording and demo sessions wrapped up into one package, closing the chapter of this band’s history.
The CD track Listing is:
2008/2010 ORIGINAL ALBUM
01.  All Night Long
02.  Bad Boy
03.  Asphyxia
04.  Rain (2010 Beau Hill Remix)
05.  Turn Back Time
06.  I Need You
07.  Into Your Heart
08.  I Wanna Rock You
09.  Sweet 17
10. Teenage Queen
11. All The Way
12. Hope And Dreams
2022 DELUXE EDITION BONUS TRACKS
13. Only You (Compilation Track)
14. Consume Me (Compilation Track)
15. Running Away (Compilation Track)
16. My Time (2008 Outtake)
17. All Night Long (2007 Demo)
18. I Need You (2007 Demo)
19. Sweet 17 (Summer 2007 Demo)
20. Asphyxia (Summer 2007 Demo)
21. Make Belief (June 2007 Demo)
22. And Nothing But The Truth (June 2007 Demo)
23. Rain (2008 Original Mix)
As mentioned, the band are also pressing 100 hand numbered LPs in pink coloured vinyl for this special occasion. Released by the band themselves, under the Juvenile Records moniker, the masters have been sent for manufacturing, but due to worldwide delays, the exact delivery date is still TBC.
To pre-order a copy, contact the band at in_the_eye_of_the_storm@hotmail.com and via their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/alliknowofficial
Vanity Kills (Deluxe Edition) CD will be released via MelodicRock Classics April 29.
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