Now You Know HAROLD FALTERMEYER - The Ultimate Collection (2007)

Session musician, composer and producer Harold Faltermeyer redefined action film scoring in the '80s.
He is recognized as the man who introduced the typical synth rock&pop sound of the glorious decade into the movies, creating a new niche in the business.

Faltermeyer's career began in 1979, playing synthesizer on Donna Summers' "Bad Girls" album along with executive producer Giorgio Moroder.
Alternating his session work as musician and arranger, he started a parallel career composing incidental music for film studios.
Harold's first big smash hit was the electronic theme for Beverly Hills Cop ('Axel F') - one of the most successful soundtracks ever - followed by 1984 'Thief Of Hearts' and 1985 'Fletch' Original SoundTracks.
But Faltermeyer always will be remembered for his work on the eighties iconic movie 'Top Gun', the best selling soundtrak in history. With 'Top Gun Anthem', won his 2nd Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with guitarist Steve Stevens.

Often imitated but never surpassed in his game, Harold's heavy synthesized style combined with bombastic electronic drums (or subtle programming when needed) become a staple in the genre.
"The Ultimate Collection" comprises his most known eighties works altogether with some pretty rare, unreleased and hard to find material, such as "Didi Der Doppelganger" or "Wake Up Musical" scores, the rare Wimbledon's "The Challenge" instrumental versions, and even the never officially released movie version of "Restless Hearts" ('The Running Man' 1987) performed by John Parr.


Not for sale, this double CD was made for promotional use only.
A collector's item, a must have for any OST fan and any true '80s sound lover.



VOL.1


The Ultimate Collection Vol.1




VOL.2


The Ultimate Collection Vol.2



ENJOY
Sumber https://hardrockaorheaven.blogspot.com

Now You Know DARIN SCHEFF - Demos feat. Warren Wiebe, Tim Feehan & more

The Scheff family is a musical one. Of course the most well known by us is the awesome Jason Scheff of the Chicago fame, but his brother DARIN SCHEFF is also a talented songwriter who has penned some beautiful tunes for many artists (including Chicago).

This is a collection of songs written / co-written and recorded by Darin Scheff during the '80s and '90s on a Fostex 8-track Machine, 'the personal home studio for the eighties' as it was known back in the day. These are some real Westcoast AOR gems never released or recorded by other artists.
We have the late, fantastic Warren Wiebe performing lead vocals on the terrific "Heart To Mend", and also "Safe Back In Your Arms" - song featured in the 1989 movie Under Crystal Lake, but the soundtrack never was released.

The great Tim Feehan sings the poppy "You Don't Know" and the super midtempo AOR "Why Did You Ever Let Me Go" which features as well a superb guitar work by Dawayne Bailey (Bob Seger, Chicago).
More luminaries are presented on lead vocals: John Keane, Sherwood Ball, Bill Cantos and of course bro Jason Scheff among others.
You can hear John Parr playing guitar on couple of cuts, Cantos on piano and strings, Jason on bass, keyboards and even offering a guitar solo on a track. And more...



Very good sound on these lovable demos, additionally enhanced, cleaned and restored by me.
You can find a complete line-up / story of each track inside the tag comments.
AOR suckers; enjoy.


01 - Heart To Mend (Warren Wiebe lead vocals)
02 - Why Did You Ever Let Me Go (Tim Feehan lead vocals)
03 - Looking Up At Heaven (Bill Cantos lead vocals)
04 - Driven (Sherwood Ball lead vocals, John Parr guitar)
05 - Safe Back In Your Arms (Warren Wiebe lead vocals)
06 - Secretly Loving You (Danny Mishkit lead vocals)
07 - Don't Let Love Come Between Us (John Keane lead vocals)
08 - You Don't Know (Tim Feehan lead vocals, John Parr guitar)
09 - Victoria (Jason Scheff lead vocals)
10 - If It Were You [demo version] (Chicago the band)
11 - Life Goes On (Donny Kerr lead vocals)
12 - Slow (unknown lead vocals)
13 - Down 'N Dirty (Mary Knox lead vocals)

Darin Scheff: guitar, background vocals
Tony Smith: keyboards, programming
Donny Kerr: guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
John Keane: keyboards, programming, vocals
Jason Scheff: bass, keyboards, guitar, vocals
Dawayne Bailey: guitar
Bill Cantos: piano, strings, pads, vocals
John Parr: guitar
Danny Mishkit: sax, vocals
Dean Gretch: guitar


DARIN SCHEFF Demos '80s / '90s
.
Sumber https://hardrockaorheaven.blogspot.com

Now You Know SEVEN - Man With A Vision + extras (1990)

Re-post from years ago, because it's very rare, and very good.

Another "Request & Fill Corner" request, John Parr related.
Don't be afraid by the 'boy-band' look of this guys.
Yes, they supposed to be a chart product, but unlike that kind of monstrosity, they wrote their own songs and really play all the instruments.
And what a beautiful AOR songs!
Produced by John Parr ("Man With A Vision" tune was recorded by himself in '92), they released 2 singles on the Polydor label the same year: "Inside Love" in january and "Man With A Vision" in june, 1990.



Seven went on to tour with The Monkees, Richard Marx and Jason Donovan, and the singles sold well, but some label / management problems dissolved the project.
A shame, they were very good. There's rumours that a full album was recorded, but shelved...
If you like Parr's music and style, well done poppy AOR with class, this is for you.
Man With A Vision maxi-single is complete (4 tracks), plus Inside Love 7'' version and 2 demos (supposed to be part of the unreleased album).

01. Man With A Vision [7'' version]
02. Just Close Your Eyes
03. Man With A Vision [extended version]
04. Stranger (In The Night)
05. Inside Love [7'' version]
06. Untill Then (demo)
07. Be That Girl (demo)

Mick Devine: Lead Vocals
Keith MacFarlane: Guitar, Vocals
Pat Davey: Bass, Vocals
Simon Lefevre: Keyboards, Vocals
Austin Lane: Drums
Produced by John Parr




SEVEN - Man With A Vision
.
Sumber https://hardrockaorheaven.blogspot.com

Now You Know JOHN PARR - Walking Out Of The Darkness [single] (2007)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section.

"Out of the Darkness" has been written and recorded specially for the Doncaster Rovers Football Club.
The song is played to herald the entry of the teams onto the pitch at the start of each home match.
The other track, "Dream On", was written by John Parr in tribute to Rovers legend Alick Jeffrey.
Typical Parr signature on both tunes, rare single, not for sale. I love this man's music.


1. Walking Out Of The Darkness (The Rovers Anthem)
2. Dream On (dedicated to Rovers legend Alick Jeffrey)


ENJOY IT HERE
.
Sumber https://hardrockaorheaven.blogspot.com