It’s New Release Friday and we have 3 new titles out today! Check them out below to find out more…
The Warrior story goes back to 1982 when New England members Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, bassist Gary Shea and drummer Hirsch Gardner were searching for a replacement for recently departed guitarist, John Fannon. A then unknown guitarist Vinnie Cusano was recommended by KISS’s Gene Simmons (both bands were represented at the time by manager Bill Aucoin). Cusano was a prolific songwriter, and sent some of his song ideas to the Boston based New Englanders for consideration. So impressed was the trio with Cusano’s song-writing abilities that they agreed to relocate to Los Angeles where the guitarist was based, and the band Warrior was born.
Recording began at the famed Record Plant with serious interest from CBS Records, but the band were also diligent enough to record demos and rough ideas on a more modest set-up, capturing the fledgling band on cassette.
Unfortunately for Warrior, Vincent Cusano’s talents meant that the guitarist was snapped up by KISS in 1982 to replace Ace Frehley for their “Creatures Of The Night” LP, their last in make-up, where he’d be rechristened Vinnie Vincent.
Those precious recordings gathered dust until HNE released a collection of them in 2017. Subsequently, more tapes, some of significantly better quality, have been unearthed from Gary Shea’s personal archive. Also included are a number of the demos transferred from the above mentioned cassettes.
Shea and Waldo would remain in Los Angeles, soon joining up with Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet to form Alcatrazz with Yngwie J. Malmsteen.
This 2CD set is a treasure trove for all those who loved the power, quality and sheer momentum of the first “Warrior” album, “Warrior II” adds to the band’s legacy and legend.
FOR FANS OF: ALCATRAZZ / KISS / VINNIE VINCENT
Under Fire’s sole release is something of a lost AOR classic, and the making of what might have been a minor super-group. The band was originally put together when New England and Alcatrazz keyboard player Jimmy Waldo met Billy Squier guitarist Cary Sharaf, and quickly formed a strong writing partnership, way back in 1988.
They were joined by vocalist Moki Demarco, settling on Steve Schwartz and Greg Wise for drums and bass. With a modest budget the band recorded this eponymous album and played only one show, at The Roxy in Los Angeles. At the time, Jimmy Waldo had also been writing and recording with Quiet Riot for their “QR” album, and as the latter retained a major label deal, Waldo decided to throw his lot in with Quiet Riot, and “Under Fire” sadly languished on the shelf.
In 1997 the “Under Fire” album finally found an official release; on Point Music/AOR Heaven in Germany, GB Music in the States and Avalon in Japan, though it failed to make much impact at the time.
Finally, this album can get a proper release, and now features a second CD featuring eight bonus tracks. Also featured is newly commissioned liner-notes by Classic Rock’s Malcolm Dome based on recent interviews with Jimmy Waldo.
FOR FANS OF: ALCATRAZZ / NEW ENGLAND / BILLY SQUIER
30 track 2CD round up of everything ever re- leased by 70’s Glam Rock legends Chicory Tip
Includes – of course – the International million selling smash ‘Son Of My Father’. Written by Giorgio Moroder the song hit No.1 in the UK and also topped the charts in Argentina, Belgium and Spain as well as making the Top 10 in charts across the globe.
Also features follow up hit singles ‘What’s Your Name’ (UK No.13 / Germany No.32) and ‘Good Grief Christina’ (UK No.17 / Germany No.49)
Includes all of the band’s sole studio album – also titled “Son Of My Father” – plus early singles such as ‘Monday After Sunday’, ‘My Girl Sunday’, ‘Excuse Me Baby’ and ‘I Love Onions’.
The booklet contains a detailed history of the band by official web master Stuart Cameron who has interviewed guitarist Rick Foster especially for this release.
Also features rare picture sleeves from around the globe to get collectors updating their “Wants” Lists.
