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Album Details
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· Produced By: Randy Jackson
· Running Time: 52.23
· Release Date: July 7
· Released: EU
· Genre: Hard Rock / Classic Rock
· WebLink: Zebra
· LabelLink: Frontiers
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Artist Bio
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One of the most exciting musical events of the 80's was the breakout success of Zebra, as they rose from regional popularity to national recognition. Their 1983 debut album sounded more like an experienced mid-career production than a first effort. Generating a groundswell of media and popular support, the LP became one of rock radio's most played albums and remained on the national charts for eight months selling in excess of 1 million copies. Such stand-out tracks as "Who's Behind the Door?" (which went gold) and "Tell Me What You Want" became and has remained video as well as audio favorites.
Zebra's second album, "No Tellin' Lies", found the band tapping their potential in a variety of new areas. The trio sought to encompass a wide range of moods and expanded their sonic array by using state-of-the-art digital keyboard instruments. The songs range from the hard rocking sounds of "Wait Until the Summer's Gone" to the Beatle-esque ballad, "Lullabye." The result was a diverse and ambitious follow up.
With the release of their third Atlantic effort, "3.V", Zebra took their career one step further: for the very first time, the group gained complete control of its creative output. Most characteristic of the band's sound, "3.V" is also Zebra's most cohesive effort to date. A collection of the finest songs they have ever written, the biggest sounding album they had made, "3.V" clearly shows Zebra's lasting power and originality. From the outset, Zebra has created music out of contrast and diversity, from massive walls of electronic sounds to lyrical acoustic moods. With this third album, they made their intentions clearer, their stance stronger and their message more eloquent. Unfortunately, the album sold somewhat better than the second, but not nearly as well as the first. Therefore Atlantic's interest in Zebra waned and the label unceremoniously dropped the band... which would likely end the story for many bands, but not Zebra. The band has continued over the past decade as the undisputed best live rock band in Louisiana and as a premiere attraction in the Long Island area.
Their concert prowess did not go unnoticed by Atlantic. In 1989, after many fan requests, Zebra's old label asked if they'd like to release a live album. A couple of shows were recorded and the excellent Zebra Live album resulted. Released in 1990, the record captures the band's energy and features Zebra's only official recording of a Led Zeppelin song, "The Ocean", a concert favorite for many years.
In the last few years, Randy Jackson spent time in two band projects: China Rain (put together by Atlantic Records and dropped at the very last minute for the sudden change of musical climate, but released independently in the mid nineties) and The Sign (released in 2000 by Frontiers Records with Mark Mangold, Terry Brock, Bobb Rondinelli and Billy Greer), but spent most of his time playing awesome acoustic shows. Same thing did bassist Felix Hanemann, while the drummer Guy Gelso returned in 1998 with a vengeance after a one-year battle with breast cancer.
Busy, talented guys, all three, but still having Zebra as their musical focus, finally in 2003 - 17 years after the release of "3.V" - Zebra is back with its original line-up with a brand new album simply entitled "IV". All the trademarks of the classic Zebra sound are there and the magic of a great band is now finally here to stay !
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