While checking out Canadian LPs from 1978, I got to revisiting this favorite, released in the summer of that year, Streetheart’s debut, and best album! Streetheart was originally based in Regina, Saskatchewan, and fronted by Kenny Shileds, and joined by Daryl Gutheil (keys), Matt Frenette (drums), Ken Sinnaeve (bass), and Paul Dean (guitar). Meanwhile Back In Paris‘ LP title was taken from the opening line in the first cut “Action” – the band’s best known classic, and the one Streetheart tune most likely to still be played on Canadian radio. The album though was preceded by a limited edition 12 inch single titled The 12 Incher!!!, and featured 3 tracks from the upcoming album – “Just For You”, “Action”, and “Can You Feel It”. The 12 Incher!!! was released in limited numbers (3500), on red vinyl (I have a white-label promo copy). Meanwhile Back In Paris featured 9 songs, all of which rock, making for a solid album of cool Canadian hard-rock. Aside from the obvious classic “Action”, favorites include “Pressure”, “Street Walker”, “Look At Me” (the single) and “Just For You”. “Action” – I can’t help to draw comparisons to the 1980 Loverboy hit “Turn Me Loose”, both with the longer keyboard in the intro, as well as each singer hitting that big note in similar style – with the word “crazy” on “Action” and “fly my way” on the Loverboy tune, and both featuring stand-out bass lines. Sinnaeve’s bass playing throughout this is a big part of the sound, driving a number of songs, such as “Can You Feel It”.
This album has a much more energy to it, more guitar heavy hard-rock than later Streetheart albums, which went in a more AOR style and production (though the follow-up Under Heaven, Over Hell is a fine album). Streetheart (and Shields) initially drew comparisons to Steve Marriott and The Faces and Meanwhile Back In Paris was hailed as “the greatest debut by a Canadian R&R band”. It would sell over 100 000 copies in Canada, earning a Platinum award, but would not get a US release (tho’ it would be the reason for the band getting a US deal for future albums). It did get released in a number of European countries (Germany, etc..) as well as South Africa! Classic album cover shot by Myron Zabol who would be credited on a few other Streetheart albums, as well as albums by The Dudes and Shania Twain.
Paul Dean, who co-wrote most of the album would leave after this album to form Loverboy, and was joined by Matt Frenette (after another Streetheart LP). Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve would go on to work with numerous Canadian acts, and later joined Loverboy as well. Four songs from Meanwhile Back In Paris would feature on the 1981 compilation LP Action – The Best Of Streetheart, and Paul Dean would include a new version of “Action” on his 1988 solo album – Hard Core. The original Streetheart reunited in August of 1993, and a live recording from this was later released as One Night One Take. Streetheart carried on after the passing of Kenny Shields in 2017 (RIP), with founding members Sinnaeve and Gutheil, along with longtime guitarist Jeff Neil and drummer Chris Sutherland, and singer Paul McNair (Harlequin).
Streetheart With WEA
Gary Muth has announced the signing of Regina -based group Streetheart to WEA Canada for a long-term recording agreement.
In conjunction with the signing, it was announced that Don Valley Music Ltd. will be the sole publisher of all compositions written and recorded by the band, who will enter the studios shortly to record their first
album, with George Semkiw producing. (CashBox, 10, 08, 77)
MEANWHILE BACK IN CALGARY: Streetheart must be one of the
brightest lights to shine here in the north. The act is currently in the midst of a cross country tour to promote their debut album, “Meanwhile Back In Paris.” Their 12″ EP, with slick cover art and even slicker HM licks inside, managed to turn some heads and airplay on this act is a natural. Contained in “Just For You” is the sound of a beer bottle smashing, captured so well that heads invariably turn to spot the clumsy goof who dropped it. Worth hunting for. – (Record World, 07,01,78)
STREETHEART MEANWHILE BACK IN PARIS/Atlantic KCA 92002
A beat set in a drone stresses the bottomy nature of Streetheart. Their tunes are O.K., the best of them being ” Pressure.” Streetheart rocks steadily. A fine instrumental called “Captain Rhythm” graces side two. Merit. (Walrus Magazine, 03,12,79)
HOW DO YOU CALL YOUR LOVER BOY: Paul Dean has been carving an excellent reputation as a guitarist on the prairies with his contributions to both Scrubbalo Caine and Streetheart. Now comes news that he’s teamed up with former Hammersmith and Moxy vocalist Mike Reno for a new hard rock act, Lover Boy. Teaming up to handle management are Bruce Allen (of BTO and Prism fame), who runs a west coast booking agency, and Lou Blair, owner of the Calgary club, The Refinery, where Doucette recorded a live number for his latest album. Blair also handled management for former CBS act Fosterchild. (RecordWorld, 07, 28, 79)
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/streetheartofficial/
http://www.twitter.com/Streetheartband
https://www.kenspidersinnaeve.com/
Outsider Rock 