AOR da avere

Yuri prova a sentire semmai Fabio Vellata, il responsabile dell'AOR su TM: [email protected].

 

Con un po' di ritardo sono riuscito a sentire un po' di Andy Fraser(sui Jakata momentaneamnete soprassiedo,visto che non amo molto l'hi-tech...ma poi un'ascoltatina gliela daro').Molto molto valido,Gio'!Credo che anche aventina dovrebbe dargli una riascoltata(ormai mi sta invecchiando e non si ricorda piu' una mazza,Fabietto).Vado a caccia del cd
Rilancerei con questa

Andy Fraser - Branded By The Fire - YouTube

 

allora ascoltate anche lui se non conoscete
Michael Morales - I Don't Wanna See You - YouTube

 

"Silk & Still" disco stupendo per me, solo la copertina del vinile già faceva sognare e la band era davvero un supergruppo, "Love you forever" e "Lethal lover" sugli scudi! Per me di gran lunga più bello del primo. House of Lords (il primo) invece un capolavoro, la polemica sul fatto che siano A.O.R. o meno mi sembra abbastanza puerile, il primo era un Pomp Rock come usavano negli anni 80 e se "Jealous Heart", "Edge of Your life", "Love don't lie" non sono A.O.R. mi mangio una scarpa. Su "Sahara" sono d'accordo, non erano più A.O.R.
Comunque credo possano stare tranquillamente nel genere, sono estremamente melodici.

 

Eh ma allora nell'AOR bisogna metterci qualsiasi gruppo melodico, metal o non che sia. Sinceramente non sono molto d'accordo, la penso come Jena su questo gruppo.

 

ecco l'ìintervista fatta a david forbes, voce dei mitici Boulevard....
data 15/01/2011

-) First of All, I want to thank You for your availability Mr Forbes. It's a very pleasure for me to have the possibility to interview the Singer of magnificent Boulevard.

-)The Boulevard’s Story begun in 1983 when Mark Holden (the sax player) was invited to work in Thunderhead recording in Calgary where he met the guitarist Randy Gould…and after a few time He Met You..David Forbes, from Seattle…How did it happen your meeting?

I met Mark when the band that I was in recorded a song that I wrote for a World Cup Downhill race. Molson Brewery was the sponsor and was a fan of the band. We were asked to record the song for the promo, so we recorded at Thunderhead studio and Mark Holden was the engineer. He called me about a year later and asked if I would be willing to come up to Calgary Alberta to record some demos for his band Boulevard.

-)Is it true that during the first phase of the band you commuted from Seattle to Calgary?

Yes, but everything moved to Vancouver B.C. after a short time because we were picked up by Bruce Allen Talent (Rock Headquarters) out of Vancouver for our management.

-)When Thunderhead Studios closed you decided to move to Vancouver where music scene had more visibility and offered more chances. Was the line up band completed there with Andrew Johns (keyboards), Randy Burgess (bass) and Jerry Adolph (drums)?

Jerry Adolph was not actually our drummer, Randall Stoll was our drummer who had another booking down in Los Angeles California and could not get out of it, and so Jerry, who is the drummer for the band Chilliwack, recorded the first album with us, but never toured with us.

-)What do you remember about this change of air and about this period of your lives?

What I remember most was the “hype” that the record company had for us. It was a very exciting time.

Had you got many hopes to become BIG since the moment you were great writers and you had your own musical personality?

Yes, we had high hopes but in this business you never know.

-)I know that thanks to the contacts between Mark and CBS in Germany you recorded a demo in 1984 and a video for the first version of the song “Rainy Day in London”. Why the song is sung by Andrew (if is really Him)? Maybe did He join the band before you?

Yes, Andrew was the singer in the band before I joined, but Mark wanted a stronger voice that had a bit more of an edge to it. Andrew has a great voice, and I loved his version of the songs, I just have a different sound.

-)So, We are in Vancouver and MCA starts to show interest in You.But there’s a problem…You are Great musicians but you’ve never played live, in front of people. Why? Was it a choice? Did you prefer improving arrangement?

When I joined BLVD I had just gotten off the road after touring for almost 10 years, but BLVD had never performed live yet, only studio work. After a couple of days together it was very evident that live performing was one of our strong suits. The guys have amazing talents.

-)MCA sent You to make “practice” with Boston and Glass Tiger when You realized the debut Album; what do you remember about those experiences?

The first album was done and had done very well so we opened up for Glass Tiger (3 month tour) and then Boston (1 month tour). It was a very magical time because I was a huge fan of both bands. Boston was my favorite band of all time and I was a huge fan of Brad Delp, he and I hit it off and became good friends.

Did you like play live?

Loved it! Or was more exciting for you write your own materials? Writing was fun but performing live was where it was at.

-)if I’m not wrong “BLVD” sold 45.000 copies in Canada.…nowadays it would be great numbers, but at time MCA had more expectations…and the 4 singles weren’t able to amplify the sells.
What were the feelings of the band after the coming out of “BLVD”?

It was a wonderful experience that I will always treasure and I have very fond memories of all the guys. I still talk to Mark, Randy Gould, and Andrew every once in a while.
We all wish we had sold more copies but sometimes that’s the way it works out.

-)You had the fortune to work with Bob Rock and Mike Fraser. How was working with them? Did they help you much?

They are both amazing talents and were fun to work with. Mike was the engineer for Bon Jovi’s “Slippery when Wet” album and we had a great time with Bon Jovi when they stopped by to do a live telecast to Australia and Japan. They have both have had amazing careers.

-)Would you like to tell Us something about the videos of “Never give up” and “Far From Over”?

Never Give Up was my very first video and that is the one I have the greatest memories from. It took 3 days and we had a large crew who were great to work with. It was done on the Fox film set outside of Vancouver. It was a wonderful time for all of us to bond and really get to know how we worked together. It was VERY cold and you can see by the snow outside. But it was INCREDABLY frigid when they turned the fans on for effect. I thought I was going to catch frostbite.

-)I know that this last one was filmed in Jericho Beach, Vancouver, and I love seeing this one. In my opinion is very suggestive. What do you remember about these 2 shots and nowadays do you see them sometime?

Yes, Far from Over was done at Jericho Beach and the weather was beautiful that day which was lucky because the entire video was shot in a VERY long single day. The guy who shot the video was amazing and was able to figure out each shot to perfection on timing with the sun and locations.

-)And what do you feel seeing’ them? Very proud!

-)After that Randy Burgess (bass) and Jerry Adolphe (drums) left the band. What were the causes of this departure?

Like I said earlier Jerry left as a very good friend who helped us out on the first album. Randy Burgess left because he really did not like to travel as much as we had to, and he was a nice guy but wanted to stay closer to home.

-)You founded Thom Christiansen on bass and Randall Stoll on drums and you recorded the follow up “Into the streets”. Maybe like it’s suggested by the title, the album is always AOR, but the POP shade vanishes in favour of a much more hard rock approach. Are you agreeing with me?

Yes, we changed producers from the first album and John Punters take on the album gave it more of an edge that we all really loved. It was produced very different than the first and we had more say in the final product. I personally love the sound of the second album and am very proud of the vocals, back up and lead. Andrew and I did almost all of the vocals. It was also the album were Randall played drums through the entire set-up, touring, and recording. He is the best drummer I have ever seen!

-)What were the causes of this?Can I suppose that the reason why it happened was that part of the songs of this album were written “on the road” and because a great part of these were written by Randy Gould?

We all had input on the writing but Randy had a lot more than the first album. All of the first albums songs had been written by the time I joined so it was great to have input for “Into the Street”.

-)Why for the singles “Lead me on” and “Crazy life” were not filmed any videos?

They do have videos; if you don’t have them I will send you a copy (send me your address). I haven’t figured out how to put them on YouTube yet!

-)Which of these 2 albums do you prefer listening them now? Have you any memory or do you feel something special inside of your Own for some of your songs in particular?

“Never Give Up” will always have a very special place in my heart because it was the first song I heard from Mark when he asked me to join. I knew it was a hit from the moment I heard it. I also love “Where are you now”, and “Rainy day in London”.

-)The destiny decided unfairly not to kiss you with the sells, so in 1991 the band dissolved. What were the causes of this drastic choice?

My reason was I wanted to see my kids (2 daughters) grow up and I missed my wife who I have been married to for 30 years. It was a tough decision but in the end I feel it was the right one, I do still miss singing at times.

-)Nowadays for the AOR maniacs like me is always a motive of proud to know and listen Boulevard’s music, because in air there’s like a mark of mystery…After Boulevard what did the group’s members do in your life ? I know you are a firefighter in Washington, isn’t it? Have you continued playing music during these years?

I sing every once in a while and still play drums, but not very often anymore. I have been thinking about singing more often but don’t know where and what, so I will probably just sing in church.
I am a Lieutenant for a Fire Department in Northwest Washington State and have 4 grandsons!

-)The music of Boulevard is an important page in the chapter of AOR.In my opinion the most beautifull and remarkable of the Canadian Scene. Do you think that if you had taken different choices at the time, your road would have been different or longer?

Hmmmmmmm, I don’t know if things would have been different or not, I feel blessed that I got to do what I wanted to for so many years and met so many wonderful people along the way. I am happy with my choices but that is the way I feel and I can’t answer for everyone.

-)What is the most beautiful memory of those years?

The first time I heard us on the radio, and all the other firsts, like the first video shoot, first time in the studio, first time on tour, and meeting all of the people that I did.

-)And the Worst?

I don’t really have any bad memories. I guess they are lost in my memory!

-)Are there some demos recorded that haven’t had any space in your albums?

there are some recordings of songs that did not make it, but I am not sure where.

-)Do you follow the music scene of nowadays?what do you listen to?

I still love so many different styles of music. I listen to just about everything, new and old. I listen to Jazz and classical at home and then Def Leppard, AC/DC, and Frank Sinatra when I am skiing. Like I said I have grandsons so I also listen to everything from country to Bruno Mars.

-)Last question….19 years are passed from the last day of Boulevard’s life….is impossible for me thinking that you are never thought to make a reunion….Is there any possibility to see you again make an album?

That would be fun but hard to pull off. You never know....


c'ho lasciato anche i miei errori da inglese dislessico...buona lettura

 

ecco l'ìintervista fatta a david forbes, voce dei mitici Boulevard....
data 15/01/2011

-) First of All, I want to thank You for your availability Mr Forbes. It's a very pleasure for me to have the possibility to interview the Singer of magnificent Boulevard.

-)The Boulevard’s Story begun in 1983 when Mark Holden (the sax player) was invited to work in Thunderhead recording in Calgary where he met the guitarist Randy Gould…and after a few time He Met You..David Forbes, from Seattle…How did it happen your meeting?

I met Mark when the band that I was in recorded a song that I wrote for a World Cup Downhill race. Molson Brewery was the sponsor and was a fan of the band. We were asked to record the song for the promo, so we recorded at Thunderhead studio and Mark Holden was the engineer. He called me about a year later and asked if I would be willing to come up to Calgary Alberta to record some demos for his band Boulevard.

-)Is it true that during the first phase of the band you commuted from Seattle to Calgary?

Yes, but everything moved to Vancouver B.C. after a short time because we were picked up by Bruce Allen Talent (Rock Headquarters) out of Vancouver for our management.

-)When Thunderhead Studios closed you decided to move to Vancouver where music scene had more visibility and offered more chances. Was the line up band completed there with Andrew Johns (keyboards), Randy Burgess (bass) and Jerry Adolph (drums)?

Jerry Adolph was not actually our drummer, Randall Stoll was our drummer who had another booking down in Los Angeles California and could not get out of it, and so Jerry, who is the drummer for the band Chilliwack, recorded the first album with us, but never toured with us.

-)What do you remember about this change of air and about this period of your lives?

What I remember most was the “hype” that the record company had for us. It was a very exciting time.

Had you got many hopes to become BIG since the moment you were great writers and you had your own musical personality?

Yes, we had high hopes but in this business you never know.

-)I know that thanks to the contacts between Mark and CBS in Germany you recorded a demo in 1984 and a video for the first version of the song “Rainy Day in London”. Why the song is sung by Andrew (if is really Him)? Maybe did He join the band before you?

Yes, Andrew was the singer in the band before I joined, but Mark wanted a stronger voice that had a bit more of an edge to it. Andrew has a great voice, and I loved his version of the songs, I just have a different sound.

-)So, We are in Vancouver and MCA starts to show interest in You.But there’s a problem…You are Great musicians but you’ve never played live, in front of people. Why? Was it a choice? Did you prefer improving arrangement?

When I joined BLVD I had just gotten off the road after touring for almost 10 years, but BLVD had never performed live yet, only studio work. After a couple of days together it was very evident that live performing was one of our strong suits. The guys have amazing talents.

-)MCA sent You to make “practice” with Boston and Glass Tiger when You realized the debut Album; what do you remember about those experiences?

The first album was done and had done very well so we opened up for Glass Tiger (3 month tour) and then Boston (1 month tour). It was a very magical time because I was a huge fan of both bands. Boston was my favorite band of all time and I was a huge fan of Brad Delp, he and I hit it off and became good friends.

Did you like play live?

Loved it! Or was more exciting for you write your own materials? Writing was fun but performing live was where it was at.

-)if I’m not wrong “BLVD” sold 45.000 copies in Canada.…nowadays it would be great numbers, but at time MCA had more expectations…and the 4 singles weren’t able to amplify the sells.
What were the feelings of the band after the coming out of “BLVD”?

It was a wonderful experience that I will always treasure and I have very fond memories of all the guys. I still talk to Mark, Randy Gould, and Andrew every once in a while.
We all wish we had sold more copies but sometimes that’s the way it works out.

-)You had the fortune to work with Bob Rock and Mike Fraser. How was working with them? Did they help you much?

They are both amazing talents and were fun to work with. Mike was the engineer for Bon Jovi’s “Slippery when Wet” album and we had a great time with Bon Jovi when they stopped by to do a live telecast to Australia and Japan. They have both have had amazing careers.

-)Would you like to tell Us something about the videos of “Never give up” and “Far From Over”?

Never Give Up was my very first video and that is the one I have the greatest memories from. It took 3 days and we had a large crew who were great to work with. It was done on the Fox film set outside of Vancouver. It was a wonderful time for all of us to bond and really get to know how we worked together. It was VERY cold and you can see by the snow outside. But it was INCREDABLY frigid when they turned the fans on for effect. I thought I was going to catch frostbite.

-)I know that this last one was filmed in Jericho Beach, Vancouver, and I love seeing this one. In my opinion is very suggestive. What do you remember about these 2 shots and nowadays do you see them sometime?

Yes, Far from Over was done at Jericho Beach and the weather was beautiful that day which was lucky because the entire video was shot in a VERY long single day. The guy who shot the video was amazing and was able to figure out each shot to perfection on timing with the sun and locations.

-)And what do you feel seeing’ them? Very proud!

-)After that Randy Burgess (bass) and Jerry Adolphe (drums) left the band. What were the causes of this departure?

Like I said earlier Jerry left as a very good friend who helped us out on the first album. Randy Burgess left because he really did not like to travel as much as we had to, and he was a nice guy but wanted to stay closer to home.

-)You founded Thom Christiansen on bass and Randall Stoll on drums and you recorded the follow up “Into the streets”. Maybe like it’s suggested by the title, the album is always AOR, but the POP shade vanishes in favour of a much more hard rock approach. Are you agreeing with me?

Yes, we changed producers from the first album and John Punters take on the album gave it more of an edge that we all really loved. It was produced very different than the first and we had more say in the final product. I personally love the sound of the second album and am very proud of the vocals, back up and lead. Andrew and I did almost all of the vocals. It was also the album were Randall played drums through the entire set-up, touring, and recording. He is the best drummer I have ever seen!

-)What were the causes of this?Can I suppose that the reason why it happened was that part of the songs of this album were written “on the road” and because a great part of these were written by Randy Gould?

We all had input on the writing but Randy had a lot more than the first album. All of the first albums songs had been written by the time I joined so it was great to have input for “Into the Street”.

-)Why for the singles “Lead me on” and “Crazy life” were not filmed any videos?

They do have videos; if you don’t have them I will send you a copy (send me your address). I haven’t figured out how to put them on YouTube yet!

-)Which of these 2 albums do you prefer listening them now? Have you any memory or do you feel something special inside of your Own for some of your songs in particular?

“Never Give Up” will always have a very special place in my heart because it was the first song I heard from Mark when he asked me to join. I knew it was a hit from the moment I heard it. I also love “Where are you now”, and “Rainy day in London”.

-)The destiny decided unfairly not to kiss you with the sells, so in 1991 the band dissolved. What were the causes of this drastic choice?

My reason was I wanted to see my kids (2 daughters) grow up and I missed my wife who I have been married to for 30 years. It was a tough decision but in the end I feel it was the right one, I do still miss singing at times.

-)Nowadays for the AOR maniacs like me is always a motive of proud to know and listen Boulevard’s music, because in air there’s like a mark of mystery…After Boulevard what did the group’s members do in your life ? I know you are a firefighter in Washington, isn’t it? Have you continued playing music during these years?

I sing every once in a while and still play drums, but not very often anymore. I have been thinking about singing more often but don’t know where and what, so I will probably just sing in church.
I am a Lieutenant for a Fire Department in Northwest Washington State and have 4 grandsons!

-)The music of Boulevard is an important page in the chapter of AOR.In my opinion the most beautifull and remarkable of the Canadian Scene. Do you think that if you had taken different choices at the time, your road would have been different or longer?

Hmmmmmmm, I don’t know if things would have been different or not, I feel blessed that I got to do what I wanted to for so many years and met so many wonderful people along the way. I am happy with my choices but that is the way I feel and I can’t answer for everyone.

-)What is the most beautiful memory of those years?

The first time I heard us on the radio, and all the other firsts, like the first video shoot, first time in the studio, first time on tour, and meeting all of the people that I did.

-)And the Worst?

I don’t really have any bad memories. I guess they are lost in my memory!

-)Are there some demos recorded that haven’t had any space in your albums?

there are some recordings of songs that did not make it, but I am not sure where.

-)Do you follow the music scene of nowadays?what do you listen to?

I still love so many different styles of music. I listen to just about everything, new and old. I listen to Jazz and classical at home and then Def Leppard, AC/DC, and Frank Sinatra when I am skiing. Like I said I have grandsons so I also listen to everything from country to Bruno Mars.

-)Last question….19 years are passed from the last day of Boulevard’s life….is impossible for me thinking that you are never thought to make a reunion….Is there any possibility to see you again make an album?

That would be fun but hard to pull off. You never know....


c'ho lasciato anche i miei errori da inglese dislessico...buona lettura

 

Davvero bella! La cosa belle delle interviste ai membri di questi gruppi cult è che sembrano quasi farti rivivere quei giorni come se fossi insieme a loro
Comunque i Boulevard sono uno dei pochissimi gruppi di quel periodo per i quali non vorrei una reunion. E' chiaro che tirerebbero fuori un capolavoro al 90% delle possibilità, ma si verrebbe quasi a rovinare quella magia che si è creata in tutti questi anni...

 

grazie per il complimento fede.....a me suona strano che la frontiers non si sia mossa per spingere una reunion....

 

Forse è meglio così ripeto

 

Riesumato dopo tempo immemore l'omonimo dei norvegesi STAGE DOLLS anno 1989...che dire...uno dei migliori lavori ScandiAOR di tutti i tempi,sicuramente il migliore della loro discografia.Splendido!!
Parimenti riascoltato l'omonimo dei WINTER ROSE sempre 1989(con il singer dei D.Theater James La Brie),altra perla Hard/AOR poco conosciuta che periodicamente vi consiglio di ascoltare...non ve ne pentirete

 

Molto bello Winter Rose, My Time è un gran pezzo

 

Non credo particolarmente nei gruppi A.O.R. o meno ma credo negli album A.O.R.
nell' 87 avevo ancora nelle orecchie "Asylum" dei Kiss quando all'improvviso è uscito "Crazy night". Questi come li classifichiamo?
"How long" di Michael Thompson è l'album più A.O.R. che mi viene in mente in questo momento, poi è uscito "The world according to..." che era tutta un'altra roba, Michael Thompson come lo cataloghiamo?
I toto degli ultimi 10 anni non si possono definire un gruppo A.O.R. (dal 90 hanno fatto Hard Rock, Fusion...) ma sono decisamente i genitori del genere, come li classifichiamo?

 

ma infatti sopratutto in un genere come questo la catalogazione non è proprio una cosa così semplice da fare, visto i dischi che alle volte stanno a cavallo, per dirti i giant per me possono rientrare esattamente nell'ao.r ,eppure in un libro non uscito da molto dove si parla dei 100 miglior dischi a.o.r di sempre sono stati esclusi, perchè secondo chi l'ha scritto non rientrano nell'a.o.r quindi a fanculo le catalogazioni l'importante che la musica sia buona punto

 

Straquoto, tra l'altro i Giant quando uscirono furono catalogati come gruppo A.O.R. da parte di tutti i recensori di sto mondo, oggi scopriamo che non lo sono più. Viva Dan Huff e viva i Giant!!!