Tag Archives: reviews

APRIL WINE – the comeback years (Attitude, Frigate, Back To The Mansion….)

Leave a comment

In 1992 APRIL WINE returned to performing live. I got to see the band at what was then called Route 66 in St Catharines. At the time, my friends and I bought tickets based on the name, and weren’t sure who was even in the band (it was billed as “original members”). The place was packed, the band was energetic and loud, and it was great to see Jim Clench in the band, who hadn’t been in it in ’84 when I first saw the band, featuring Myles Goodwyn, Jerry Mercer, Brian Greenway, and a new guitarist – Steve Segal. From then on I would see April Wine numerous times over the next few decades. 

Soon after this ’92 show, a new album was announced, and eventually a single was being played on the radio in ’93. It was the ballad “If You Believe In Me”, that not only sounded like classic 80s April Wine, but it was a heavy guitar ballad that was easily likable and suited to radio . It was one of two songs credited to (or co-credited) to Canadian songwriters Todd Kennedy & Stewart Gray. Attitude contained 14 songs, And despite being a bit long (like most ’90s albums), it contained plenty of stand-out tracks, in particular rockers “Here’s Lookin At You Kid”, “Givin It, Takin It”, and “That’s Love”, as well as a few more good ballads like “Hour Of Need”, and “Can’t Take Another Night” (written by Brian Greenway & Jeff Nystrom), The album reached #19 on the Canadian charts, with 4 singles in the top 100; “If You Believe In Me” charting highest at #19. With Attitude, the band also made a couple of videos for airing on Canada’s MuchMusic.

Attitude was produced by Goodwyn along with Montreal producer George Lagios (RIP), who’d previously worked on albums by Pagliaro, Walter Rossi, and Teaze. This new album got a lot of Canadian press at the time, and those of us that were fans were please with it. The cover featured Goodwyn’s son. Originally only released on CD (and cassette), Unidisc issued Attitude on vinyl in 2022, but chopped off 4 songs!

The band had been signed to FRE (Flood-Ross Ent), and in 1994 the follow up album Frigate was released. This 2nd album would be a mix of new rock tracks, covers, and experimental cuts. Not as strong as Attitude, but Frigate offered some outstanding songs. The lead off rocker “Look Into The Sun” – one of the heaviest songs the band ever recorded, but as far as the originals here, that is the only real heavy rocker. Overall Frigate is a mix of originals, covers, and experimental cuts. After the outstanding opener comes one of 3 covers, Willie Dixon’s “I Just Wanna Make Love To You”, Traffic’s “I’m A Man”, and the band cover themselves with a new arrangement of “Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love”. Not sure why the band opted to do any of these. Assuming Myles liked his own song, originally from Stand Back, and wanted to re-work it, the fact that the original was a Top 10 hit 18 years earlier . “I’m A Man” isn’t bad; I prefer it to “I Just Wanna Make Love To You”, which although sounds a bit rockier and up to date, I am not as keen on (especially in comparison to the old Foghat version). There’s also a trio of ballads, “Whatever It Takes” (credited to Brian Greenway & Goodwyn), “If I Was A Stranger” (written by members of the band CRUISER), as well as “Hard To Believe”. The ballads are the better ones here, though this album could’ve used another rocker or 2. Frigate ends with 2 very different tracks, the ’50s sounding “Keep On Rockin'” and the experimental “Mind Over Matter”, which features more keyboards…oddly after so many years I find this last song has grown on me a bit. I don’t recall the band playing much from this album at the time, aside from the new arrangement of “Tonite Is A Wonderful Time…” and the cover of “I Just Wanna Make Love To You”, and I don’t think anything stayed in the setlist for very long. A fine album, but (again) I wasn’t so keen on the covers, and lack of rockers. Gotta wonder if this album was a bit hurried, coming out just a year after Attitude. It certainly didn’t seem to get either the push or the press at the time. And I don’t recall any videos from it.(?) Neither the album or the 3 singles charted in Canada.

It would be another seven years before the next April Wine album. During those years in between the band toured regularly, mainly in Canada. The band announced an album they intended to have out in 1999, but that wouldn’t happen until 2001 when Myles Goodwyn put together Civilian Records. This label would serve the next few April Wine albums on CD.

First was Back To The Mansion. It had been originally announced with the title of Deal With It, , but this was seen as negative, so they changed the title, and it came with a fitting cover. The band was now down to a 4-piece, opting to tone down the hard-rock sound, and let go of guitarist Steve Segal. Back To The Mansion featured less covers, and it included a couple of tracks written and sang by Brian Greenway. Barry Stock who is credited with ‘additional guitar’ is also co-credited on 2 tracks with Myles Goodwyn. The album’s lone cover version is the last track, a take of Simon & Garfunkel’s “I Am A Rock”, in which all 4 bandmembers share vocals. This album would be a more laid back and simpler production than Frigate, and to me, it’s the dark horse of the band’s catalogue. No big rockers here, not too many syrupy ballads, but just a lot of really good, enjoyable songs like “Won’t Go There”, “Paradise”, “I’ll Give You That”, “Looking For A Place (We’ve Never Been)”, and “Holiday”.

Following the release of Back To The Mansion, the band were looking for an additional player for live shows, and added Carl Dixon (Coney Hatch) to add guitar and keyboards where needed. The band’s live show would feature classics like “Electric Jewels”, “Victim For Your Love”, “Cum Hear The Band”, and “The Band Has Just Begun”, among the standard hits and concert favorites. These would all be included in the 2003 2CD release Greatest Hits Live 2003 . This featured 21 live tracks, plus 2 new studio tracks – “That’s Who I Am, This Is What I Do”, a rockier song that was performed live, as well as the softer “Strong Silent Type”. I preferred the latter, although both songs would’ve suited the Back To The Mansion album fine.

In late 2006, Roughly Speaking was released, and this would be the last studio album released as April Wine. Roughly Speaking features just 8 songs, 7 written by Myles Goodwyn, plus a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Night Life”. This one was another change of direction. It kinda feels like it might’ve started as a Myles’ solo project, as the band take on a blues rock sound. Recorded on 24-track, 2 inch tape, like they had decades before, and dropping any computerized, digital recording techniques, giving Roughly Speaking a nice vintage feel. This is another one in the catalog that is so different it has taken me years of warming up to it. Again, there’s some excellent tracks here such as “I’ve Had Enough For Now”, “I Am, I Am”, “You Don’t Even Know…”, and “Life Goes On”. A heavier guitar album than the previous 2; love the guitar sound throughout this. This one came out kind of quietly, and is now hard to find and pricy, if you do find it. Roughly Speaking also dropped the band’s signature logo.

The band continued to tour, with Jim Clench leaving the band in 2007, and Jerry Mercer would retire a few years later. Over the next few years April Wine changed drummers and bass players a few times, finally getting some stability with Richard Lanthier (bass, 2011) and Roy Nichol (drums, 2012) Myles Goodwyn would later record 3 solo albums before retiring in 2023. Goodwyn chose his own replacement in Marc Parent.

This post-reunion period is worth checking out, but I wish there was more to it. No new albums for 20 years now, very few archived releases, and no later reissues or vinyl issues of the albums from 1994-2007. Here’s hoping someone takes interest in getting proper reissues (including vinyl – with proper trackilistings), legit archived releases, any (possible?) outtakes….

The current line-up of April Wine has undergone a few major tours, last year opening for Uriah Heep, as well as BTO, and most recently were openers for Triumph’s 50th Anniversary North American tour. It’d be interesting to hear something new or live (official) from the band, as well.

RIP – Steve Segal, Jim Clench, Myles Goodwyn.

LINKS:

https://www.travellersintime.com/uw/index.htm

http://steenjepsen.dk/revelationzmagazine/index.asp?ID=2125

FOREIGNER – Records, Volume 2 ? (What If!?)

Leave a comment

Another list of “volume 2″s. Back when record companies made multiple compilations out of 4, 5, or 6 albums. The first FOREIGNER albums was the band’s golden era, and as a fan of those early albums, for me, their was a big drop off after the band’s first release of ‘hits’, titled Records in 1982. The band had a strong pile of hit singles by that point. But, there was a lot of other lesser hits, live favorites, and fan favorites from those four albums, which I’ve compiled below to make a Records: Volume 2. I think a Volume 3 would be songs from the studio albums that came after 1982, frankly a list that would be a bit harder for me. The band hasn’t released an album of all new songs since 2009, and since then, (continuing on with just Mick Jones (til more recently) it’s been a steady bunch of live albums and compilations. The most worthwhile releases being 2008’s No End In Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner, which covered the band’s entire career up til then, and more so the 2019 DVD/Blue-ray/CD release of Live At The Rainbow ’78. There was also Foreigner 4 Live, released earlier this year (as well as being part of the Foreigner 4 box set). Would be nice to get a few more ‘official’ live recordings from the band’s glory days (Where is the 1979 Atlanta show?)

Anyway, if you have any different choices, please drop them in the comments.

Tramontane **

An instrumental piece on side 2 of Double Vision, written by Greenwood, McDonald, and Jones. A great opener, as used for the band’s intro tape on the Head Games tour. (Was it used on the Double Vision tour?). Used as a B-side to the band’s huge hit “Hot Blooded”.

Headknocker

Hard to believe this wasn’t a single! A great rocker from the band’s 1977 debut, written by Gramm & Jones. Has been a live set regular and fan favorite, appearing on a few live releases and a number of compiations.

Break It Up *

The 4th worldwide single from Foreigner 4, and 4th top 30 hit from the album. Written by Mick Jones. One of my favorites from 4.

Love On The Telephone *

An underrated classic from Head Games. Love the intro and melody of this one. Released as a single in The Netherlands, where it became a top 40 hit. In the US “Women” was chosen as the 3rd single instead. Also written by Jones & Gramm.

The Damage Is Done **

The last track on side one of the first album, written by Jones & Gramm. A classic Foreigner ballad. Great vocal, guitars, synths, and production. This was used as the B-side to the hit single “Long Long Way From Home”. Another one from that album that could’ve been a hit.

Rev On The Red Line **

From 1979’s Head Games. This is my favorite Foreigner album, and I know there was other singles from it that I could have included, but this is just one of the coolest Foreigner tracks, and another that makes one wonder ‘why wasn’t this a single!?’. Written by Gramm and Ian McDonald. One of Lou Gramm’s best performances, and outstanding solo from Mick Jones. Used as a B-side to the hit “Dirty White Boy”.

Blue Morning, Blue Day*

Another cool rocker. This one from Jones & Gramm, and was issued as the 3rd single from 1978’s Double Vision. Imagine that this gem made it to #15 in the US and still didn’t make the cut for Records compilation!

Girl On The Moon **

Another Gramm / Jones song, from 1981’s Foreigner 4. It’s a ballad, which I much prefer to the one that was the big hit from this album! Buried as the 2nd last track on the album, and issued as a single in the Netherlands. Dig the slide guitar here, classic underrated Foreigner track.

I’ll Get Even With You *

A Mick Jones song, from Head Games. Just another great rock tune from this album. Love the chorus and synths. A shame this would be the last with Ian McDonald, who contributed so much to this song and album, even credited as co-producer with Jones and Roy Thomas Baker. Released as a single in the UK, 1980. Honestly had a hard time picking this one or it’s B-side “Blinded By Science”.

Starrider

From the debut album, written by Jones and Al Greenwood. Though not released as a single, this became a highlight of the band’s live show over the years, with Mick Jones taking lead vocals on much of this, and stretching out his guitar solo on occasion. Kind of a throwback to the early 70s, with the mix of acoustic guitars, harmonies, keyboards, and flute. Absolute masterpiece, and would fit perfectly to end such a compilation. There’s an excellent live version of this on the No End In Sight compilation.

Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW – Man On The Silver Mountain: the covers

Leave a comment

Well, with 2 new cover versions of the Rainbow classic “Man On The Silver Mountain” being released, thought I’d compile a list of covers of this Blackmore & Dio classic rocker, originally from 1975. It was the opening track to Ricthie Blackmore’s Rainbow album, his first since leaving Deep Purple. Also released as a single from it, and becoming one of the band’s best known tracks, featured on a number of live albums since then, including singers that came after Dio. I think Graham Bonnet did a great job with it, but this is often seen as Dio’s song. It also featured in Dio ‘s (the band) live show.

*If there’s any versions out there that I’ve missed (or omitted), please leave them in the comments.

JOEY BELLADONNA (2011)

Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna did something different with this song. I’m not overly familiar with Anthrax, but dig this guys vocals as he performed the song acoustically a few times. I’ve only included it here because it’s so different, and the vocal is outstanding. A shame Joey hasn’t included this version on an actual album release.

ROB HALFORD, DOUG ALRICH, ...(2015)

These are the type of ‘tribute’ things I can’t get in to. I bought this CD when it came out, played it once or twice and got rid of it. Like my Judas Priest albums, but I really don’t think this suits Rob Halford. A decent take musically, I guess.

ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY (2006)

Recorded for a 2006 compilation of various artists on Small Stone Records, titled Sucking The 70s. This is a pretty good heavy version of the song. Great band name!

IROCKERS CREW (2016)

Another cover that, although not officially released, I’ve included here. This German band performs this so well; great vocals, guitar, etc…

BONFIRE (2018)

Another German band. Bonfire have been around since the ’70s. This is from their 2 CD set of covers, Legends. I like this one. The vocal is different, the guitar is heavy and modern sounding, and there’s some organ in there. Sounds great!

SAXON (2023)

I really like Saxon, and Biff, but kinda prefer hearing them doing Saxon songs. Like Halford, Biff Byford has a pretty distinctive voice. But again, at least this is different to many others hear, as the band sound like their just having fun, rocking it out. From their Inspirations 2 release.

HAMMERFALL (2019)

Swedish power-metal band covered this, and included it as a bonus track to their 2001 Legacy Of Kings, 20th Anniversary box set edition. Love the guitar sound on this. It seems a bit faster and bit more, err, power to it. Great version.

TEAZE (2026)

Canadian band Teaze included their version of this on their brand new album Rev Your Engines (the band’s first in 46 years!). Absolute awesome take, with a an added intro (giving it something unique), and a great vocal from Brian Danter. One of the best versions here. (IMO)

SEBASTIAN BACH, MICK BOX, etc.. (2026)

From another ‘tribute’ project of performers mixed and matched for various tracks. Not bad. Love the guitar here – Mick Box and Doug Aldrich. Not a big fan of the vocals, but it has grown on me, so am liking this more. What is Jonathan Cain doing here?

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/69711

NIGHT RANGER – announce new ‘Best of’ album

Leave a comment

Hard rock legends NIGHT RANGER are proud to announce their new ‘Best Of’ album, set for release on August 28th via Frontiers Music Srl. The album features newly remixed & remastered versions of classic hits spanning NIGHT RANGER’s illustrious career, alongside some standout tracks from the band’s more recent releases.

To give fans a taste of what’s to come, the band shares a fresh remaster of their 1982 hit, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (2026).” The track arrives alongside an official visualizer video, linked below. This album will be released on both CD and Vinyl. The double LP is available in 3 different colors: black, gold, & orange splatter.

Few bands have defined the sound of American melodic rock quite like NIGHT RANGER. From the soaring anthem of “Sister Christian” to the thunderous riffs of “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and fan favorites like “You Can Still) Rock in America” this album’s ‘Best Of’ collection captures the very essence of their decades-long career — now refreshed for 2026.

Featuring the classic hits alongside standout tracks from their more recent albums, this compilation spans the full spectrum of NIGHT RANGER’s signature sound: anthemic choruses, blazing guitar solos, and unforgettable melodies. Highlights include the power-pop perfection of “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” the heartfelt balladry of “When You Close Your Eyes,” and the cinematic sweep of “Four in the Morning.”

But the ‘Best Of’ is not just a look back. It also celebrates the band’s creative output over the last 20 years, spotlighting tracks like “Time of Our Lives,” “High Road,” “No Time to Lose,” “Somehow Someway,” and “Truth,” proving that NIGHT RANGER’s energy, songwriting, and musicianship have only grown stronger with time. These songs show that the band continues to innovate while staying true to the melodic rock roots that made them legendary.

The band — Jack Blades (bass and vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums and vocals), Brad Gillis (guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (guitars) — delivers every track with the energy and precision that have kept NIGHT RANGER at the forefront of rock for more than four decades.

This ‘Best Of” album also features two bonus tracks that make this collection of songs truly special: a fresh take on “Wasted Time” recorded live off the floor at Sweetwater Studios, also accompanied by an exclusive music video, and a festive live performance of “Feliz Navidad” that showcases the band’s playful side.

Perfectly timed ahead of their summer 2026 tour, this ‘Best Of’ album serves as both a definitive introduction for new fans and a must-have collection for longtime followers. Whether revisiting the classics or discovering the new 2026 remasters, NIGHT RANGER’s ‘Best Of’ is a celebration of enduring melodies, electrifying performances, and the unforgettable spirit of one of rock’s most iconic bands.

Pre-Order HERE

‘Best Of’ Track List:

1. Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (2026)

2. (You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)

3. Sister Christian (2026)

4. When You Close Your Eyes (2026)

5. Four in the Morning (2026)

6. Breakout

7. Tomorrow

8. Growin’ Up in California

9. Time of Our Lives

10. High Road

11. No Time to Lose

12. Somehow Someway

13. Truth

14. Don’t Let Up

15. Only for You Only

16. Wasted Time (Sweetwater Studios) (Bonus Track)

17. Feliz Navidad (Live) (Bonus Track)

18. Hole In The Sun (Bonus Track Japan)

NIGHT RANGER:

Jack Blades: lead vocals, bass guitar

Brad Gillis: lead guitars

Kelly Keagy: lead vocals, drums

Keri Kelly: lead guitars

Eric Levy: keyboards

Home

https://www.facebook.com/nightranger

LOCKHART – Canadian band to release ‘City Pulse’

Leave a comment

If you like your ’80s keyboard/synth heavy pop-rock, you will dig this! LOCKHART’s first full album City Pulse comprises of 9 tracks, 7 easily likeable synth driven rock tunes (most including a cool guitar solo), and 2 ballads (one being just a keyboard instrumental piece). Think Toto, Journey, Survivor, ’80s Heart… If this was released 40 years ago, there’d be a few potential hit singles, and one could easily imagine a few of these tunes in some ’80s movies, such as the final cut “No Chance In Heaven” fitting nicely in a Rocky film!… Best picks would be “Can’t Shake It”, “Together As None”, and “You Wouldn’t Know Love”.

Pre-Order the Album HERE

Lockhart is a new melodic rock/AOR band from Canada, fusing synthesizer-fueled eighties arena rock with classic hard rock. The trio consists of Devon Kerr (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Jason Junop (bass) and Fabio Alessandrini (drums). Jason is best known for his work in Cauldron and Goat Horn. Devon’s main band is Axxion, and Fabio plays or has played in Bonfire, Enforcer, Annihilator, Hardline and many others.

Lockhart issued their debut EP “No Chance” in 2022, followed by the single “City Pulse” in 2025. The band has signed with High Roller Records, and their first full-length album “City Pulse” is now ready to be unleashed to the public.

It’s hard to describe the specific sound of Lockhart in all its details but on “City Pulse” you will certainly hear a lot of Journey, Boston, Toto, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, and maybe even some Starcastle. “The influences are endless,” comments the vocalist, guitarist and keyboard player Devon Kerr, “and they go deep. I appreciate the comparisons. These bands are monumental. Lockhart has a sound of its own though. Bands that existed during the times you mentioned definitely provide influence! However, if you look past the surface (overdriven guitars and old synthesizers), you’ll hear influences from 50s doo wop, legends like Brian Wilson, and straight up choral music, too.”

Compositions such as “The Dose That Made You Poison”, “Under Fire”, “Before The Fall’” or “Together As One” are very well constructed and flawlessly performed. “For me, songwriting is a deliberate process,” explains Kerr. “I set out a time and carve out the songs. Lyrics are written last. Once the song is ready, it undergoes hours of polishing to mold the perfect choir parts, guitar leads, and so on. Everything is very deliberate and carefully selected. Nothing was written by accident.” You can clearly hear that on “City Pulse”.

With their melodic, at times even poppy approach Lockhart may stand out a bit on High Roller Records. Devon Kerr: “Our music has so many elements that traditional metal fans value, but with something very different, too. Something that might be new for some of the High Roller Records fanbase. I mean for those unsure, we’ve got Nick from Municipal Waste shredding guitar leads on ‘You Wouldn’t Know Love’, and Ian from Cauldron on ‘Can’t Shake It’ …”  MATTHIAS MADER

TRACKLISTING:
01 City Pulse
02 Can’t Shake It
03 The Dose That Made You Poison
04 Together as None
05 Under Fire
06 Just Can’t Wait
07 You Wouldn’t Know Love
08 Before the Fall
09 No Chance in Heaven

LINE-UP:
Devon Kerr – lead & backing vocals, guitars, synthesizers, grand piano
Jason Junop – bass, vocals
Fabio Alessandrini – drums, percussion

Guest Musicians:
Imogen Wasse – backing vocals on “City Pulse” & “You Wouldn’t Know Love”
Ian Kilpatrick – guitar solo on “Can’t Shake It”
Nick Poulos – guitar solo on “You Wouldn’t Know Love”

LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Listentolockhart
https://www.instagram.com/listentolockhart
https://listentolockhart.bandcamp.com/
https://www.hrrecords.de/LOCKHART

TRIUMPH – Triumph (1976)

Leave a comment

What started out as me compiling a list of my TRIUMPH ‘top 10’ (or something like that) I quickley got off track, as I went back to revisit the band’s entire catalogue. The band really started taking off with 1979’s Just A Game album, which featured the US breakthrough hits “Hold On” and “Lay It On The Line”. Prior to that, Triumph, who formed in the mid 70s, and signed to Canadian label Attic Records released a single in ’75 with guitarist Fred Keeler, doubt this got much attention at the time, but the band soon changed guitarists, bringing in Rik Emmett. Their debut album was released in ’76, and this is what I’ve been listening to the last few days. Those first 2 Triumph albums may be very overlooked, by myself included, but here I am wondering why I never gave this one much more time, and why I never hear anything from it on radio (we still occasionally hear the band’s cover of “Rocky Mountain Way” from the 2nd album).

From the opening acoustics of “24 Hours A Day”, which kicks in to a rocker, til the closing near 9 minute epic “Blinding Light Show/ Moonchild”, this album is classic Canadian hard rock. Triumph mixes Emmett’s acoustic guitar, along with borderline metal like “Be My Lover” (w/ talk box solo), “Don’t Take My Life” (reminscent of Hendrix’ version of “All Along The Watchtower”), “Streetfighter”, and it’s mellower Reprise. The second half picks back up the ‘metal’ with “What’s Another Day Of Rock n Roll”, “Easy Life”, and “Let Me Get Next To You”.

Triumph, later reissued as In The Beginning, may be the band’s hardest rocking album. I loved this early direction, and the energy of this album. They’d fine tune it over the years to feature those epics that mixed softer acoustic parts with hard rock from album to album. If you’re not familiar with this debut, I highly recommend checking it out.

TOUR DATES

GOLDEN EARRING – 1970 album to be reissued w/ bonus tracks

Leave a comment

• Expanded edition of the band’s 1970 eponymous album, also known as ‘Wall Of Dolls’
• Including the Golden Earring classic Back Home
• Remastered for the first time from the original first-generation Phonogram Studio master tapes
• Three bonus tracks, including the follow-up single Holy Holy Life and the US single version of Back Home
• Including a 20-page booklet with liner notes, memorabilia, and photos

Founded in 1961 by George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen, Dutch rock band Golden Earring (or Golden Earrings, until 1969) started off as a beat band, experimented as a psychedelic quartet and finally became a heavy rock group. Their ninth album Moontan (1973) – including their classic track “Radar Love” – hit the international album charts and is the band’s most successful album in the United States, being the only Golden Earring album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.

‘Golden Earring‘ is the sixth, self-titled album that is also known as ‘Wall Of Dolls’ because of the cover photo. The record, released in September 1970, marks the debut of drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk with Golden Earring and is the first in a series of progressively oriented records that the group released in the 1970s.

The single “Back Home” from this album – written by George Kooymans during the American tour in 1969 – reached the top position of the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1970, while the single also reached the charts in Germany and France.

This expanded edition contains three bonus tracks: the single “Holy Holy Life” (#5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1971) with B-side “Jessica”, as well as the single version of “Back Home” as released in the United States on Dwarf Records in October 1970.

All tracks have been remastered in 24 bit/192 kHz from the original master tapes. The 16-page booklet contains a story about the creation of the album, written by Golden Earring biographer and archivist Jeroen Ras.

This expanded CD edition of ‘Golden Earring’ (‘Wall Of Dolls’) is the eighth in the series of remastered & expanded albums by Golden Earring, supervised by Red Bullet catalog and band archivist Wouter Bessels.

TRACKLISTING

1.        Yellow And Blue
2.        The Loner
3.        This Is The Time Of The Year
4.        Big Tree Blue Sea
5.        The Wall Of Dolls
6.        Back Home
7.        See See
8.        I’m Going To Send My Pigeons To The Sky
9.        As Long As The Wind Blows
+ BONUS TRACKS
10.      Back Home (US single version)
11.      Holy Holy Life
12.      Jessica

Golden Earring (remastered & expanded) will be released by Red Bullet Productions on 10th April 2026 and is available through all renowned music stores and online shops, plus all known digital channels (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.). The vinyl version released by Music On Vinyl will follow in late 2026.

Top Canadian Albums of 1987

1 Comment

Well, I will say that I think Canadian rock music (and rock in general) peaked a few years before this. So we are at 1987 for top Canadian albums and I am not as enthusiastic….. Good albums, but most of these bands have passed their ’80s peak, and they’re either done (splitting up soon) or changing direction.

Triumph – Surveillance

The last album before the band split, released in November. I actually liked most of this album, a slight improvement over Sport Of Kings with “Never Say Never”, “Carry On The Flame”, “All The Kings Horses”,… Steve Morse (pre Deep Purple) guests on 2 tracks. Surveillance only contains 1 pointless outside track. Out of all these, I probably play this one the most. Another fine cover from Dean Motter.

Loverboy – Wildside

The 5th and last from the original line-up. I thought this one was an improvement over the previous album (no Mutt Lange!), and a bit more hard edged than Keep It Up. Lots of outside writers / co-writers, particularly American writers Todd Cerney and Taylor Rhodes. Lots of good songs, surprised this didn’t do better – “Notorious” (co-written with Bon Jovi guys), “Read My Lips”, “Hometown Hero” (co-written w/ Bryan Adams), and the title track. CD version included extra song (ballad) “Don’t Keep Me In The Dark”.

FM – Tonight

Released in early ’87, Tonight was the follow up to the reunion album Con-test, which featured the original trio. However, Martin Deller is gone here, and Nash The Slash and Cameron Hawkins are joined by 3 new members for an even more aor sounding album. From what I understand Nash was not a fan of any commercial approach or the new line-up. But hey, for what it was – this was a pretty good album! A few hits and plenty of good tracks like “Magic In Your Eyes”, “Take The Time To Dream”, “Dream Girl”, and “She Does What She Wants”. Also included a cover of The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations”. Album cover art by Robert Vanderhorst who’d done the previous album, as well as a few of Nash’s solo albums.

Rush – Hold Your Fire

Although I eventually got every Rush album, following Power Windows I was in no ‘rush’ to get the next few. I love Rush, but this one, (released in September of ’87) sits near the bottom for me, but it did include the big hit “Time Stand Still” (feat Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday), and favorites like “Force Ten”, “Prime Mover”, and “Lock And Key”.

Bryan Adams – Into The Fire

The follow up to the mega successful Reckless album, released in March. I really preferred this one, but it didn’t live up to it’s predecessor in sales, and got criticized for it , but really – it still went Top 10 in Canada and the US, and had 4 hit singles! Favorites include the hits “Heat Of The Night”, “Victim Of Love”, “Hearts On Fire”, and the title track.

Saga – Wildest Dreams

This was the first album to feature the band as a trio , with session players filling in, notably legendary German drummer Curt Cress (once of Lucifer’s Friend). Coming out late in the year, I remember getting this one in the delete bin, and not being crazy about it initially. A bit of a grower, with good tracks in “Only Time Will Tell”, “Chase The Wind” and the title song.

Helix – Wild In The Streets

The follow up to the band’s commercial sounding Long Way To Heaven. This one being a bit rockier. Includes the excellent title track, as well as the anthem “Never Gonna Stop The Rock” (written by the Overland brothers, of British band ‘FM’), as well as a cover of Nazareth’s “Dream On”. A few interesting guests, notably Don Airey. Went top 30 in Canada, certified Gold, but kinda flopped in the US, and the band were done with Capitol Records. Cool cover too.

Lee Aaron – Lee Aaron

Released in February of that year. This self-titled record features a new ‘less metal’ image, and a cleaner, more radio friendly sound, and included 4 singles, notably “Only Human”, and “Powerline” (co-written w/ Joe Lynn Turner). A great step up for the era.

Gowan – Great Dirty World

The follow up to the 1985’s Strange Animal, released in March. A bit lighter overall, but included the big hit “Moonlight Desires” (feat. Jon Anderson of YES), as well as minor hits “Awake The Giant” and “Living In The Golden Age”.

Anvil – Strength of Steel

The fourth album from Anvil. This one featuring favorites like “Concrete Jungle”, “Cut Loose”, and a cover of The Stampeders’ “Wild Eyes”.

*Other albums from 1987 : David Wilcox, Breakfast At The Circus. Body Electric, Walking Through Walls. Sacrifice, Forward To Termination. Haywire, Don’t Just Stand There

LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Mean Machine (1981)

Leave a comment

A band, and album that just don’t get enough attention! Mean Machine was LUCIFER’S FRIEND’s eighth album, and last for some 13 years. The album was a reunion with singer John Lawton, who’d left the band in 1976 to join Uriah Heep, while Lucifer’s Friend carried on for a pair of albums (and live shows) with Mike Starrs (ex Colosseum II). Lawton had left (fired) from Heep in ’79, and recorded a solo album in 1980, with members of Lucifer’s Friend backing him. But, the band was still promised (owed) Elektra one more album. Now, if you are familiar with Lucifer’s Friend’s catalog, you’ll know that the band changed with every album; not so much the personnel, but the direction. The debut was a heavy album, seen as a proto metal album in 1970, that sat comfortably alongside Deep Purple’s In Rock, Uriah Heep’s debut, and Black Sabbath’s first couple of albums. But nothing following that matched the heaviness of the band’s debut, instead veering off into fusion, and including more brass and orchestrated instruments.

Mean Machine brought the band back to being a guitar driven hard rock band. It fit in time with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and was full of guitar riffs from Peter Hesslein opening a number of well written serious rockers, with John Lawton returning to a more powerful sound, than some of the softer rock he’d sang during Heep’s pop-aimed era. Mean Machine is a solid album of 80s hard rock, well produced, starting with “One Way Street To Heartbreak”, and not really letting up ’til the end. Riffs, melodies, harmonies, memorable choruses, and great songs like “Hey Driver”, “Fire and Rain”, “One Night Sensation”, and “Born To The City”. The more pop anthem “Action” was released as a single, but neither the single or the album did much, as Elektra did very little to promote it; a shame as this is really worth hearing.

The band disbanded again after this, but would reform in the mid 90s for Sumo Grip. But, if you come across Mean Machine, check it out, a great underheard gem of 80s hard rock.

PETER GOALBY – Don’t Think This Is Over (a review)

Leave a comment

The third post-Uriah Heep solo release from Peter Goalby was discovered earlier this in a storage unit. 9 more songs that were thought lost decades ago. With the discovery of these songs, Paul Hodson (keyboards, programming) and Eddy Morton (guitar solos) – who worked on the previous songs released (Easy With The Heartaches and I Will Come Runnin’) were called upon to add overdubs. Former bandmate and longtime friend Mick Box added a brilliant solo to 1 track, and John Sinclair also worked on 1 track. In all, taking these late 80s recordings of demos to being a properly produced album.

I was hesitant to post a lengthy review, figuring I could easily be accused of bias, but oh well. I am excited to see this out (though not a fraction of how excited Peter must be). The finished product of this is probably beyond what fans could expect to still be made available… Don’t Think This Is Over is even more so impressive than the 2 CD released that came before, full of melodies, hooks, and Peter’s passionate vocals. This album is a great mix of different songs, with the easily likeable upbeat aor like the lead off cut “I’ll Be The One”, as well as “It’s Just My Heart Breaking”, “Heart What Heart”(with that keyboard intro being reminiscent of “I Will Come Runnin”), and the title song! Then there are those more unique songs here like “Another Paper Moon”, which begins as a piano ballad and builds into a power ballad, something unlike anything else in Peter’s catalogue; love the string sounds and synths throughout this. “The Sound Of A Nation” is more of an anthemic rock song highlighted by Mick Box’s guitar solo, which gives it a good lift. “Show Some Emotion” is my favorite here; a moving track, that starts softly and builds up, with one of Peter’s standout vocal performances here. The disc closes, fittingly with “I Don’t Wanna Fight”. This song was released as a single back in 1988, to mixed reviews, but the musical arrangement lacked a bit of weight, but this has been completely re-done here, with former Heep bandmate John Sinclair taking Peter’s vocals and putting them in to a completely new arrangement on keyboards, and along with Peter Kent’s guitar work, this one sounds like a brand new song, up to date and lively.

So many potential hits here. As I’ve said before, Peter’s specialty was writing choruses that are easily likeable and memorable, and songs that would be major hits for numerous acts in the 80s and 90s (probably still some now), as he’d intended to make his mark as a songwriter. I think he’s achieved that by now, with these 3 albums. Imagine a few of these either on a Heep album or on the radio back then!? This may not be the last thing we hear from him, but more than we expected still, and in time for Christmas!

*Artwork by Michael Inns, fitting nicely in the series of the previous PG releases.

*Check out the press release (edit) below, as well as links to Don’t Think This Is Over.

Uriah Heep’s Ex-Lead Singer Peter Goalby Announces the Completion and Release of his Long Lost Solo Album Don’t Think This Is Over – OUT NOW!

Peter Goalby was the lead singer of Uriah Heep, Trapeze and Fable but has now retired from the music industry after an illustrious career.

Peter had been living with the knowledge he’d recorded a solo album just after leaving Uriah Heep but it was only when a poorly labelled DAT was spotted, at a storage facility over 30 years later, that the lost album was found.

Peter Goalby explained the background to the release: “In 1987 I was offered a recording and publishing contract with RAK Records just after I’d left Uriah Heep.  I thought these songs would be very commercial in the 1980s and Smokie recorded Fallin’ Apart. I later found out the master tapes had been lost and I silently carried the disappointment that music I’d put my heart and soul into was gone forever.  Never say never!”

The lost album’s release follows the successful release of Easy With The Heartaches and then I Will Come Runnin’.  Don’t Think This Is Over is OUT NOW from all good retailers:

Amazon CD: https://geni.us/DontThinkCD

Apple Music: https://geni.us/PGapplemusic

Spotify: https://geni.us/PGspotify

All Peter Goalby’s solo albums are also available from Cherry Red: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artists/peter-goalby/