ACMJ International Blog

Janey Clewer "Fallen For Brazil " Official Release finally available soon !

Janey Clewer's new solo effort “Fallen For Brazil” complete version will be finally released in January 2012!  "Fallen For Brazil", Janey's neo-Brazilian styled album will be officially released in the complete shape after 3 years since its limited pre-release version was released on CD-R for the fans and digital downloads in January 2009. ItThis complete version would include 3 new tunes not on the pre-release; "Samba Sky", "Paparazi" and "One At Heart". There is one cover of “This Masquerade” an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s with 9 tunes appeared on the pre-release version as well as revised mixes and fully mastered tracks. Every track is drenched with timeless string arrangements and the incomparable John Patitucci on bass. Also featured is the vocal magic of Marc Jordan on the duet “ Make Her Mine” and Michael Sembello sings haunting Portuguese background vocals on “The Summer Wind”. The album also features the awesome acoustic guitar work of her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, flutes by Dave Boruff, vibes by Alex Poston and trumpet by Nick Newman. The timeless string arrangements of Boh Cooper and Janey brush each song with beautiful strokes of color. The string players are Nashville’s finest led by David Davidson, concertmaster of Orchestra Nashville. Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.

• Release Date: January 25, 2012
• Label: Vivid Sound, Japan (VSCD-3542)
• Producers: Janey Clewer and Bruce Gaitsch
• Janey Clewer: Lead & Background Vocals, Piano and Keyboards
• Musicians:
  • Guitars and Percussion Programming: Bruce Gaitsch
  • John Patitucci: Bass
  • Violin: David Davidson, David Angel
  • Viola: Monisa Angel
  • Cello: John Catchings
  • Flutes: Dave Boruff
  • Vibes: Alex Poston
  • Trumpet: Nick Newman
  • Background Vocals: Michael Sembello
  • Duet Vocal on "Make Her Mine":Marc Jordan
• Tracks:
  1. Samba Sky
  2. Paparazzi
  3. One At Heart
  4. Ooh Ooh
  5. I Should Let Go
  6. The Summer Wind
  7. Too Good To Be Real
  8. Picture This
  9. This Masquerade
  10. Make Her Mine
  11. Shangri‐La
  12. Fallen For Brazil
  13. Coup De Grace

(Remarks)Please note that the track listing shown on the VIVID SOUND official website and/or Amazon.co.jp would be by mistake the pre-release version's one, which should be amended properly in due course.

Peter Mayer Group new live CD "Under Your Spell" available now

On  December  6, 2011,  Little Flock Music, Peter Mayer's production/managment company has  announced the official release of the Peter  Mayer Group's new CD, "Under Your Spell."  The CD will be available at Peter's Stars & Promises concerts, beginning 6th Decmber in  Hopkinsville, KY USA, and will soon be available for purchase in their webstore. And I am pleased to confirm that you may get your copy at Little Flock Music.

 "Under  Your Spell" is a live, double disc collection of songs, covering a broad musical  history, beginning with songs written with the band PM, Peter's solo projects  and the current Peter Mayer Group.  The CD was recorded live at three  venues in July and August:  Freedom Hall/Nathan Manilow Theatre, Park  Forest, IL; The Duck Room, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO; Rams Head on Stage!,  Annapolis, MD.  Musicians featured on this CD are:  Peter Mayer, R.  Scott Bryan, Chris Walters, Marc Torlina, Maggie Estes and special  guest, James Perretta.  "Under Your Spell" was co-produced,  recorded, edited and mixed by the very talented Alan  Schulman.

 Peter Mayer says, "For three dates in July and August 2011, we recorded the band of musicians that I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with for the past five years. With the sonic palette and stylistic abilities of Scott, Chris, Marc and Maggie, each night has been a new adventure. From time to time we’d be playing on a porch, in a living room or before a show and several of us would remark, 'this feels really good, we should record this.' We had been releasing our own sound board CDs after shows for several years, but never had put together a complete set of songs that could be recorded well, mixed and released as a full album. "

• Tracks:
  1. The Last Island
  2. Cool Blue Swing
  3. All The Tea In China
  4. Musicbox
  5. Blue Guitar
  6. Heaven
  7. Help Us
  8. Dirty Hands Dirty Feet
  9. Singing In Your Cage
  10. BB's Got The Blues
  11. Romeo's Garage
  12. Under Your Spell
  13. Approaching Caroline
  14. The Onion
  15. Moonlight Over Paris
  16. India / Teach Your Children
  17. The One For Me
  18. Chain Of Love
  19. Piece of Paradise
  20. Suzannah
  21. Faith In Angels / All You Need Is Love

Bill LaBounty "Time Starts Now" The definitive Anthology 75/11

It might be quite natural that  Warner / Rhino Records France has released  Bill LaBounty's Definitive Anthology 4 CD Box set titled "Time Starts Now - The Definitice Anthology 75/11" on October 31st, 2011. Bill LaBounty is also very popular in Japan but he established his firm status in French Westcoast music scene over the years. The box set features remarkable Bill LaBounty's solo albums tracks since 1975, and 2 songs taken from his collaboration with his long-time friend Larry Carlton from the album "Larry Carlton Plays Sound of Philadelphia". Bill's 1975 first solo album "Promised Love" was never reissued on CD till now. The album features 9 tracks, among of which 4 tracks, i.e. "Open Your Eyes", "Lie To Me", "Crazy" and "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" were put again on his 1978 2nd solo album "This Night Wo't Last Forever". When I interviewed him several years ago, Bill stated that Curb Records bought the master rights of "Promised Love" from 20th Century Records and put the same onto his 2nd effort. Therefore, rest of 5 tracks have been wanted to be reissued on CD sometime. Yes, this box set includes these 5; "Always Be Near", "Together", "Pretty Little Girl", "Take A Step (Yesterday's Waltz)" and "Another Drunk". This box set would give us much surprise. 18 previously unreleased demos are included on Disc 4 "Untold Stories" which includes mid 80's precious demos and never-materiallized album project for Warner Bros. This box set is definitely your must-have CDs.

 

Richard Page / Solo Acoustic

It must be great to see that Richard Page is really very active these years to release many music pieces available to us. "Solo Acoustic" captures an intimate LIVE performance by Richard at Kula in Santa Monica performing favorites from his solo albums, Mr. Mister and Pages. Includes never before heard performances of Richard's #1 singles, Broken Wings, Kyrie and I'll Remember.  The two disc set includes Video DVD of the full show (running time 57:54), Audio CD of the songs with 11 Page Booklet with lyrics & images and Beautiful, collectable "Old School" package design, reminiscent of 70's era LPs. Also audio download of the music will be instantly available.

Tracks: Kiss on the Wind, No Tomorrow, Peculiar Life, You Are Mine, Even The Pain, I'll Remember, Kyrie, Midnight Angel, When You Come Around, Shelter Me and Broken Wings.

RIP, Andrew Gold (June 3, 2011) Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter The Music's Over

RIP, Andrew Gold (June 3, 2011) Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

Posted by themusicsover on June 3, 2011

Andrew Gold
August 2, 1951 – June 3, 2011

Andrew Gold was an American Singer-Songwriter who, over a career that spanned nearly four decades, scored hits with “Oh What A Lonely Boy,” “Thank You For Being A Friend,” “Never Let Her Slip Away,” and “Final Frontier.” Born into a show business family – his mother, Marni Nixon provided the singing voices for many actresses in musicals, while his father, Ernest Gold was an Oscar winning composer, Gold joined their ranks by his early 20s. His first band of note, Bryndle, included Kenny Edwards, Karla Bonoff, and Wendy Waldman. During that period, he played a key role in the early popularity of Linda Ronstadt. Gold played on most of her early solo albums, including Heart Like A Wheel. He was also a part of her band for several years.   As a solo artist, Gold released (and wrote for others) numerous singles that helped define the ’70s southern California sound and later found homes on popular television and film soundtracks. “Lonely Boy” can be heard during pivotal scenes in Boogie Nights and Water Boy, while “Thank You For Being A Friend” became the iconic theme song to The Golden Girls.   His “Final Frontier” went on to become the theme to another hit show, Mad About You, and was the wake-up call aboard the Mars Pathfinder in 1996. Over the course of his career, Gold played on countless major hits for a who’s who of popular music. That list includes Art Garfunkel, Eric Carmen, Stephen Bishop, Cher, 10cc, and Jackson Browne. Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011. He was 59.

via themusicsover.com

We lost one another most-talented westcoast singer-songwriter. RIP.

Williams Friestedt

Willams Friestedt, the Joseph Williams and Peter Friestedt team-up remarkable AOR/Westcoast project album is here now. You must be surprised to hear Joseph's outstanding vocal performances with Friestedt's top notch guitar work and superbly crafted arrangements. In terms of Joseph Williams solo projects after he left the TOTO in 1988, this one must be the best, if you like Joseph's 1982 self-titled masterpiece 1st solo album and did not satisfy with his 2 Vertigo project albums. The album includes brand-new studio recordings for this project also with 3 tunes from Peter Friestedt's two critically acclaimed albums “LA Project” (2002) and “LA Project II” (2008) - "Where To Touch You", "One More Night" and "Gotta Find It". The 2nd track "Say Goodbye" was also released in 2010 as a CD-single (by Zink Music) in a limited edition during the tour of Joseph Williams together with Peter Friestedt. And the track 5 "Going Home" is not instrumental one. Joseph's extraordinary vocals beautifully shine with impeccable background vocals arranged by Joseph, Bill Champlin and Lars Säfsund (Work Of Art). As you know, Joseph once again will tour as lead vocalist with Toto during the summer of 2011, this must be another opportunity for you to experience splendid Joseph Williams' latest vocals. If I would say one complaint to this release, I would like to have more tunes. So, I wish these two guys will team up again soon and make another album featuring 12-14 brand-new songs written only for the project.

• Label: AOR Heaven, Germany (AORH00056)
• Release Date: May 27, 2011
• Producers: Peter Friestedt, Joseph Williams
• Executive Producer: Joey Carbone
• Additional Musicians:
• Guitars: Tommy Denander
• Drums: John Robinson
• Keyboards: Randy Goodrum, Bill Cantos
• Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Lars Säfsund
• Tracks:
  1. Swear Your Love
  2. Say Goodbye
  3. Sometimes You Win
  4. Where To Touch You
  5. Going Home (instrumental)
  6. Stay With Me
  7. One More Night
  8. Gotta Find It
  9. Letter To God

The Best Of Franke & The Knockouts - Sweetheart Anniversary Edition (Original Recording Remastered)

One of the 1980's Soulful Melodic AOR band must be Franke & The Knockouts fronted by Franke Previte with Tico Torres (well-known drummer for Bon Jovi later). Their smash hits like "Sweetheart", "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)" would remind us of TOTO of those days so much. Franke & The Knockouts original recordings have been unavailable for several years... that is until now. Friday Music, USA is about to release "The Best Of Franke & The Knockouts - Sweetheart Anniversary Edition" now. This stunning newly remastered Greatest Hits features 19 hit tracks including all of their classic songs, including two unreleased bonus tracks, the original rockin' version of "Hungry Eyes" and the power ballad "Beat Of A Broken Heart" with new liner notes by Franke Previte, unissued photos, and original artwork elements not seen in years.

• Label: Friday Music, USA
• Release Date: May 24, 2011
• Tracks:
  1. Sweetheart
  2. She'S a Runner
  3. Runnin' Into the Night
  4. Comeback
  5. You'Re My Girl
  6. One For All
  7. Annie Goes Hollywood
  8. Never Had It Better
  9. Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)
  10. Just What I Want
  11. Morning Sun
  12. You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You)
  13. Outrageous
  14. Come Rain or Shine
  15. You're All That Really Matters
  16. One Good Reason
  17. Blame It On My Heart
  18. Hungry Eyes [Original Version/Bonus Track]
  19. Beat of a Broken Heart [Previously Unreleased Bonus Track]

Alan O'Day - Appetizers now available on CD for the first time in the USA

1977 Alan O'Day's classic masterpiece album is now available on CD for the first time in the USA. Alan O'Day wrote Helen Reddy's "Angie Baby", which hit #1 in December of 1974. In 1976, Alan O'Day signed as an artist with Pacific Records. Distributed by Atlantic, his solo album "Appetizers" was released in 1977 including the single "Undercover Angel" which zoomed to the top of the charts in July 1977, selling about two million copies. His next next effort was 1979's album entitled "Oh Johnny!" featuring a single, "Skinny Girls" which became a #1 song in Australia in 1980 but not so sucessful in the States. And Alan became well-known in 1981 by his co-wroting "Your Eyes" with singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita, which became a smash hit for him in Japan. In January 2010, the album became available first time on CDs only for Japan. Almost 1 year later, it is widely available via the artist official website. Needless to say the reissued CD is digitally re-mastered from the original analog tapes.

• Producer: Steve Barri, Michael Omartian
• Alan O'Day: Lead & Background Vocals, Keyboards
• Musicians:
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro
• Bass: Scott Edwards, Lee Sklar
• Keyboards: Michael Omartian
• Guitars: Dean Parks, Jay Graydon
• Percussion: Steve Barri, Victor Feldman
• Background Vocals: Carol Parks, Jim Haas, Michael Omartian
• Horns: Tony Terran, Steve Madaio, Fred Seldon, Jim Horn
• French Horns: David Duke, Barbaea Korn
• String Concert Master: Sid Sharp

Craig Ruhnke 3 albums Reissue !

Craig Ruhnke's early 80 albums reissue has been stranded despite hard efforts done by Japanese labels over the years. Riverman Music, South Korea has done it! In addition to "Just Like The Old Times" (1982, known the different title "True Love" for Japan) and "Keep The Flame" (1984). In addition to those two acclaimed albums of the artist, they succeeded to release the 1979's publisher promotional release "Craig Ruhnke Band" would finally see the light of the day. You should note that Craig Ruhnke released dozens of singles throughout the '70's and '80's before switching to A & M Records where he had his biggest hit "You're A Heartbreaker". Eventually he launched his own Pinnacle Records which made it possible for Ruhnke to continue releasing material on A & M. Whilst I have no exact knowledge but there should be another publisher promotional album "Reach Out" (1981). This album features several same tunes ("You And I", "The First Time", "I Need You To Be There", "It Will Take Time", "Tomorrow") from "the Craig Ruhnke Band". 2 tunes, i.e., "Reach Out", "Heartache" are on the album "Just Like The Old Times". In terms of the CD, Japanese collection album titled "Urban Breeze In Love" was released in 1985 and it has been one of the most mega rare CD due to the number of the copies pressed. And it is not widely known that Craig Ruhnke self-released the CD titled "The Craig Ruhnke Collection Volume 1" in 1991. The reissued CD of 2011 also includes the tunes only featured on this CD as bonus tracks; "Hold Me Now", "A Lighthouse In The Storm" "Good, Good Times (All Summer Long)", " Love's A Celebration", "Summer In The Sun" and "South Sea Island". Thus the reissues would make you possible to get not only the original album on CDs but also with bunch of rare tracks. Do not hesitate to grab the 3 Craig Ruhnke CDs now.Lastly, in case you would like to have Japanese version artworks with "Just Like The Old Times" and "Keep The Flame", it is possible to buy Japanese reissues distributed by VIVID Sound, Japan, but please note that the CDs and the cardboard mini LP style sleeves would be exact same as South Korean version.

Craig Ruhnke Band

• Label: Riverman Music, South Korea (Original Label: Almo Music, Canada, <not commercially released>)
• Release Date: January 30, 2011 (Original Release Year: 1979)
• Tracks:
• 1. You And I
  2. The First Time
  3. I Need You To Be There
  4. Nobody But You
  5. You Are The Light
  6. Why Don't You Come Up And See Me Sometime
  7. It'll Take Time
  8. Wear My Love
  9. It's Time To Fall In Love
  10. Tomorrow
  11. Sweet Feelings
  12. Summer Girl
  13. Daisy May (bonus track)
  14. Dancin’ At Midnight (bonus track)
  15. Somebody To Love (bonus track)

Just Like The Old Times

• Label: Riverman Music, South Korea (Original Label: Seffel, Canada <SEF-1006>)
• Release Date: January 30, 2011 (Original Release Year: 1982)
• Craig Ruhnke : Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars, Bass
  
• Musicians:
• • Keyboards: Dave Tyson
  • Guitars: Bob Mann, Al Leger
    
  • Drums: Barry Keane
  • Bass: Tom Szczesniak
  • Percussion: Matt Zimbel
  • Sax: John Johnson
  • Background Vocals: Michael Godin, The Girls
  • Tom Szczesniak : Bass
    
• Tracks:
• 1. Baby Blue
     
  2. Reach Out
  3. You're All That I Need
  4. My Heart Belongs To You
  5. Heartache
  6. Just Like Falling In Love Again
  7. Heartbreaker
  8. I Can't Live Without Your Love
  9. I Need You To Be There
  10. You Are My Inspiration
  11. Hold Me Now(bonus track)
  12. A Lighthouse In The Storm (bonus track)
  13. Love's A Celebration (bonus track)
  14. Good, Good Times (All Summer Long) (bonus track)

Keep The Flame

• Label: Riverman Music, South Korea (Original Label: A&M Records, Canada <SP-9102>)
• Release Date: January 30, 2011 (Original Release Year: 1984)
• Craig Ruhnke : Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars, Bass
  
• Musicians:
• • Guitars: Bob Mann, Al Leger
  • Drums: Barry Keane
  • Bass: Tom Szczesniak
  • Percussion: Matt Zimbel
  • Sax: John Johnson
  • Lead Vocal (track 6): Debbie Fleming
  • Background Vocals: Colina Phillips, Shawn Jackson & Sharon Lee Williams
• Tracks:
• 1. Keep The Flame
  2. True Love
  3. Ooo Baby (You're Drivin' Me Crazy)
  4. Nancy Jane
  5. It’s Been Such A Long Time
  6. Two Hearts
  7. You're So Beautiful
  8. Give Me The Nighttime
  9. Baby Blue
  10. You're All That I Need
  11. One Love
  12. You Are My Inspiration
  13. Time For Christmas (bonus track)
  14. Summer In The Sun (bonus track)
  15. South Sea Island (bonus track)
  16. Good, Good Times (All Summer Long) (bonus track)

<for South Korean version>

Michael Franks new album "Time Together" soon available

Michael Franks new album "Time Together" will be released soon. Here is taken from Michael's official website;

May 5, 2011 Hi Everyone,I'm in the studio as I write this, putting the finishing touches on "Time Together". On this project, I've had the pleasure of reconnecting with many old friends: Chuck Loeb, Gil Goldstein, Mark Egan, Charles Blenzig, Scott Petito, Veronica Nunn, Billy Kilson, Mike Manieri, David Spinozza, Romero Lubambo, Till Brönner and Eric Marienthal to name a few. It's been a wonderful 6 months and I can't wait for you to hear it all. More later. As always, Wishing you Peace, Health and Happiness, Michael "Time Together" should be available within a few weeks. The CD will be available online from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, and in local record stores, with digital downloads from most major services including iTunes.

(via www.michaelfranks.com)