Dan Reed Network (1988)Von den 3 bekannten Platten der Band ist das Debüt aus dem Jahre 1988, vorher veröffentlicht wurde noch eine EP auf einem kleinen Indi-Label, das Scheibchen, welches mir ganz besonders gut gefällt. Der Funky/Poppige AOR-Rock von Dan Reed und seiner Band ist in der Tat nichts für nur Hard Rock Freunde. Grenzt es doch schon sehr an Pop-Musik was hier stellenweise aus den Boxen kommt. Doch die geniale Stimme von Dan Reed, gepaart mit den grandiosen Songwriting machen diese Scheibe zum Muss. Die immer wieder feurigen Gitarrensolos und tollen Riffs machen die CD sehr Rock-Kompatibel.
Mit dem Debüt fing Ende der 80ger die kurze Erfolgsspanne von Dan Reed an und das Debüt-Album birgt den feurigen Tanzflächen-Feger-Hit „Ritual“, der seinerzeit in den Diskotheken und Radiostationen rauf und runter genudelt wurde. Doch auch tolle AOR –fast schon Westcoast-Verdächtige Klänge haben sich auf dem Album der Kanadier geschlichen. Probiert mal das bombastisch-fantastische „Tamin´ the wild nights“ an, da dürfte doch das Herz aufgehen. In die Funk-Richtung des Hits „Ritual“ schlägt dann auch „I´m so sorry“ mit Prince-ähnlichen Grooves und slappenden Bass-Läufen. Doch der Song wird mit einem feinen Gitarrenriff im Refrain garniert, dass man ihn einfach mögen muss.
Weitere Highlights auf dieser tollen Scheibe sind „Halfway around the World“, der charmante Groover „Forgot to make her mine“, das schöne „Tatiana“ und das –möglicherweise Hardrockigste Lied „Rock you all night long“. Nicht zu vergessen das geile „Baby don´t fade“ mit seinen lässigen Gesangsparts.


Gab es Anfang der 90ger geradezu eine Welle, mit so genannten Crossover-Bands welche Rap, Funk und Metal verbinden zu suchten und meist dabei furchtbar auf die Nase fielen, gelang Dan Reeds Network eine Gratwanderung die einfach passt. Der Indianisch-Stämmige Sänger hat den Groove und das Feeling einfach im Blut um solch eine Musik authentischer rüber zu bringen, als wie eine ehemalige Thrash-Metal-Bands aus dem tiefsten England. Das war eine kleine Anspielung auf die nachfolgende Funk-Metal-Welle, konnte ich mir hier nicht verkneifen.

Das Debüt von Dan Reed Network wird im Allgemeinen immer ein klein wenig unter Wert gehandelt, da es möglicherweise nur den einen Hit hatte, doch steht es „Slam“ oder „The Heat“ in Nichts nach. Cooler Funk-AOR, der mich begeistern kann.

Vocals: Dan Reed
Keyboards: Blake Sakamoto
Bass: Melvin Brannon
Guitar: Brion James
Drums: Dan Pred

1. World has a heart too
 
2. Get to you
3. Ritual
4. Forgot to make her mine
5. Tamin the wild nights
6. I´m so sorry
7. Resurrect
8. Baby don´t fade
9. Human
10. Halfway around the World
11. Rock you all night long
12. Tatiana

Angel - Helluva Band (1976)

Schillernde Figuren waren es ja schon in dieser Band. Heute würde man Glam Rock dazu sagen, damals gabs gar keine Bezeichnung für die Art von Performance. Dominierend bei Angel war Gregg Giuffria, der dann in späteren Jahren die Band Giuffria gründete und 2 sehr gut Longplayer auf den Markt brachte.

Mit Angel wohl doch eher im Insider Bereich geblieben, zumindest in Europa. In den USA sah es da dann doch schon erfolgreicher aus. Die Platte ist ein stimmiges gesamt Ergebnis, mit allem was der melodische Hard Rock zu bieten hat. Fette Keyboards, Moogs und Hammonds,echt spontan klingende Drums, und den unverwechselbaren Gesang von Frank Dimino.
Die beiden Überflieger meiner Meinung auf der Platte sind The Fortune und Pressure Point. Schon allein wegen dieser Titel ein muss für alle Retro Rock Fans.

As these opening lines pierce through your head, you can rest assured that they'll make their home there for many years to come. Between the high-pitched dynamics of vocalist Frank Dimino, and the ivory tickling expertise of keyboardist extraordinaire Gregg Giuffria, this is one classic album that has sadly been forgotten about.


Coming up to prominence in 1975 with their self-titled debut, Angel was a new sensation that was poised to follow in the footsteps of Casablanca Records labelmates, Kiss. Placing well on reader opinion polls in rock rags like Circus and Hit Parader was common practice for Angel when this, their second release, appeared on shelves. Winning Best New Group, and Gregg Giuffria dominating the Best Keyboardist polls, started to become a given. So, what happened? Why doesn't Angel music live on in the classic rock genre today? These are questions that will always remain a mystery. Angel went on to make 5 studio records in the 70's; the first three, chock full of hearty songs with great musicianship and charisma, and the last two records were nothing short of abysmal. Why the decline in quality for the last two records? Another mystery. Angel did go on to cut a live record in that time also, entitled "Live Without A Net", but this second record was their finest moment.

"Feelin' Right" is the straight forward rocker that kicks off the record; and it's a song that utilizes the simple classic rock formula, while incorporating a sharp and resounding vocal track to do the driving. The swirling artistry of Giuffria's keyboards was really what Angel's existence was based on though. Even on a simple straight forward rocker like this opening track, Giuffria's presence is a constant. If it's not trading licks with guitarist Punky Meadows on "Feelin' Right", it's mesmerizing us with a four minute intro on "The Fortune". Every song contains a large dose of over-the-top keyboards from an amazing player. Speaking of "The Fortune".....it just happens to be the second track on the lp. A personal favorite of mine, "The Fortune" is a progressive masterpiece. A song that transmits emotion at every twist and turn. An ominous keyboard intro leads to a delicate acoustic guitar and voice moment, which ultimately culminates in a menacing jam where we hear from every member of the band. As the album progresses, we see the classic verse-chorus-verse formula put into dramatic effect. With songs like "Anyway You Want It", "Mirrors", and "Chicken Soup" Angel utilizes every element at their disposal to make simple classic rock songs sound like something special. The spark in these songs is usually Giuffria's keys, and when it's not..... you can count on Dimino's vocals to keep you entranced. The combination of these two entities is best heard on the eloquent ballad "Feelings". A soaring and passionate joining of a tremendous vocal effort, underscored by a classical inspired piano piece. Still, in my opinion, one of the most emotional and beautiful rock ballads ever.


All of this talk about the singer and keyboard player leads one to believe that the band may be in need of a decent guitar player, right? Nah. Guitarist Punky Meadows leaves his mark on these songs also. Tracks such as "Angel Theme", which is for the most part a guitar solo, "Dr. Ice" and "Feelings" all contain excellent guitar parts. This is a rare case of a very good guitar player, sharing time with a literal genius on keyboards. Angel made this situation work unlike anyone else. And, finally, let's mention the rhythm section of drummer Barry Brandt and bassist Mickey Jones. Putting a solid backbone on all these tracks we lose sight of their important role here. With so much going on in front of them, they need to lay a thick foundation for all of these other elements to stand upon, and they do exactly that. Bassist Jones stays simple and steady, while Brandt bangs the skins with an intensity that stays consistent and solid. This record was an all around effort by a band that had reached their peak. Milestone:******(6)

Greg Giuffria (keyboards)
Frank DiMino (vocals)
Barry Brandt (drums)
Punky Meadows (guitar)
Mickey Jones (bass)

1 Feelin' Right 4:42
  2 The Fortune 8:40
3 Anyway You Want It 2:31
4 Dr. Ice 5:23
5 Mirrors 4:28
6 Feelings 5:42
7 Pressure Point 5:26
8 Chicken Soup 4:46
9 Angel Theme 2:32

Van Halen - The album "1984" made the band into mainstream. I remember when I listened to that songs that climbed up the chart with amazing leap. Girls danced when they heard the song. It marked their dynamic music shift from previous guitar featured rock to Synth featured rock but this one still retains good-ol' rockin' style as shown in TOP JIMMY and HOT FOR TEACHER.

PANAMA is still one of my #1 favorite Van Halen song. Guitar solo of I'LL WAIT still rings in my ears. Two styles clash. Everyone knows the classic "Jump", which was number 1 on the pop charts for 5 weeks. Clearly the use of synthesizer in that song--including along with Eddie's guitar solo--showed that this was something a little different from past VH efforts. But for sure, it still rocks!
The band opted for Keyboard fetured rock and Dave chose the straight ahead rock the band had been searching. So the eventual breakup was inevitable. Dave became solo and the band survived with the new amazing singer SAMMY HAGAR. Yep another golden years for VAN HALEN has not yet to come.
Overall, despite a brief running time of 33 minutes--and a couple of bumps along the road--"1984" is solid from start to finish. It's a must-buy for any VH fan and any fan of 1980s popular culture.

Wertung:******(6)
http://www.van-halen.com/


Gesang: David Lee Roth
Gitarre und Keyboard: Eddie Van Halen
Bass: Michael Anthony
Schlagzeug: Alex Van Halen

1. 1984 (Intro)
2. Jump
3. Panama
4. Top Jimmy
5. Drop dead legs
6. Hot für a teacher
 7. I’ll wait
8. Girl gone bad
9. House of pain