EUROPE ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’ CANDY400
“THERE IS NO question that in 1986 Europe, almost out of nowhere, became undoubtedly the biggest hard rock band on the planet. Their all-conquering hit single ‘The Final Countdown’ shot the band not only to the top of the charts worldwide but also earned them a place in the hard rock pantheon as one of the few groups who managed to appeal to not only rock fans but also to the wider public. It was with this tremendous uplift and, by consequence, pressure, that the band set about recording their follow-up album, a record that cemented not only their position but also their reputation.
But, it wasn’t a straightforward process, as immediately after the release of their breakthrough album lead guitarist John Norum quit the band, forcing them to recruit a replacement. The man chosen was fellow Swedish musician Kee Marcello, a hugely talented player who joined the band on their ‘Final Countdown’ world tour and took a leading role in crafting this follow-up album, ‘Out Of This World’. It was a musical match made in heaven, helping the band to further focus their sound, injecting lashing of copious hard rock energy. Indeed, it sounded like the band had moved heaven and earth to secure their definitive stylistic foothold.
Produced by seasoned veteran Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, The Who, UFO), recorded in Olympic Studios London, and released in August 1988, the album thoughtfully condensed their 70s rock influences with catchy and contemporary songs, penned almost exclusively by frontman Joey Tempest. Tracks such as ‘Superstitious’, ‘More Than Meets The Eye’, ‘Ready Or Not’ and the superlative ballad ‘Coast To Coast’ elevated the band to previously un-scaled heights, never once taking their eye off prize.”
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, Fully Remastered Audio, Europe’s classic follow up to ‘The Final Countdown’, 16 page full colour booklet – 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with unpublished photos and new band interview.
TRACK LISTING: 1. SUPERSTITIOUS 2. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROCK 3. OPEN YOUR HEART 4. MORE THEN MEETS THE EYE 5. COAST TO COAST 6. READY OR NOT 7. SIGN OF THE TIMES 8. JUST THE BEGINNING 9. NEVER SAY DIE 10. LIGHTS AND SHADOWS 11. TOWER’S CALLIN’ 12. TOMORROW
STILLWATER ‘S/T’ CANDY 398
“WE HERE at Rock Candy have an abiding respect for Southern Rock bands, and none more so than Stillwater. An impressive seven piece, hailing from Macon Georgia, the band first arrived on our radar back in the seventies when they were filmed by the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test programme playing in a local club as part of Capricorn record’s annual picnic. The track shown was ‘Sam’s Jam’ a masterful guitar-drenched epic that sent a shock wave through the ranks of Southern Rock aficionados. Some of us have yet to recover from that programme.
Formed in the early seventies and featuring a classic three man guitar line up, the band courted much attention eventually signing with the Macon-based Capricorn label, home to The Allman Brothers Band and Wet Willie, amongst many others. It was a fitting pairing, with the band attracting much attention, earning strong praise and delivering one of the finest albums of the period. Paired with Buddy Buie, songwriter and producer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section the band recorded their album at the legendary Studio One facility in Doraville.
Issued in 1977, the record contains a clutch of superb songs, including ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Loser’, ‘Out On A Limb’ and ‘Mindbender’ a single (featuring the use of a Talk Box) that reached the US top 50 chart. Naturally, the album also features the near ten minute centrepiece ‘Sam’s Jam’, showcasing a blazing guitar showdown in the finest Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers tradition. Frankly, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, Fully Remastered Audio, One of the best ‘lost’ Southern Rock albums. Includes ‘Mindbender’ and the guitar blazing ‘Sam’s Jam’, two bonus tracks, 12 page full colour booklet – 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with unpublished photos and new interview.
TRACK LISTING: 1. ROCK-N-ROLL LOSER 2. OUT ON A LIMB 3. SUNSHINE BLUES 4. SAM’S JAM 5. MIND BENDER 6. UNIVERSAL FOOL 7. APRIL LOVE 8. FANTASY PARK. BONUS TRACKS: 9. OUT ON A LIMB (Live) 10. MIND BENDER (Live)
STILLWATER ‘I RESERVE THE RIGHT’ CANDY 399
“BEING IN A band is a situation fraught with potential problems. If it’s not internal friction, stolen equipment or a clash of musical direction then insurmountable business problems often derail proceedings. For Stillwater their biggest hurdle came in the form of a career-ending incident, when their record label filed for bankruptcy just as this, their second album, was released. It was an impossible situation for them to overcome, despite the quality of this record and the band’s momentum from their acclaimed debut album and impressive live work.
Based in Macon, Georgia, Stillwater had developed a fine reputation before being snapped up by the premiere Southern Rock label Capricorn records, home to a myriad of home-grown talent such as The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, The Marshall Tucker Band and Grinderswitch, amongst many others. The addition of Stillwater to the roster worked well for both the band and the label. Their debut album (also available on Rock Candy) spawned a minor hit single, helping to tee the band up nicely for album #2.
Issued in 1979 and produced once again by Atlanta Rhythm Section producer/writer Buddy Buie, at Studio One in Doraville, this album found the band developing their style and swagger in no uncertain terms. Boasting a number of superb tracks, including ‘Kalifornia Kool‘, ‘Fair Warning’ and the seven minute long title track, featuring some blistering lead guitar work. It also contained a superb duet on the song ‘Ain’t We A Pair’ with fellow Capricorn artist, the legendary Bonnie Bramlett.”
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, Fully Remastered Audio, Second and final album from this classic Southern Rock band, 12 page full colour booklet – 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with unpublished photos and new band interview
TRACK LISTING: 1. I RESERVE THE RIGHT 2. WOMEN (BEAUTIFUL WOMEN) 3. KEEPING MYSELF ALIVE 4. KALIFORNIA KOOL 5. SOMETIMES SUNSHINE 6. FAIR WARNING 7. ALONE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT 8. AIN’T WE A PAIR
BROWNSVILLE ‘AIR SPECIAL’ CANDY 403
“IT’S INEVITABLE THAT Brownsville Station will always be best remembered for their worldwide smash hit single ‘Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room’, a track recorded in 1973, and re-ignited twelve years later in 1985 by Mötley Crüe. It is without question their signature song and an all-time rock classic but it is also one of those creations that, like Golden Earring’s ‘Radar Love’, ham strung the artist to the point where they could never quite recover from or eclipse their main achievement.
By the late 70s Brownsville (having dispensed with the Station part) had reached a new level of confidence. Signing with label giant Epic records, and managed by long-time confidant Al Nalli, the band appeared to have finally put their past behind them and were well placed to make a major offensive. Produced by Tom Werman (Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, Molly Hatchet), and recorded in their native Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the Record Plant mobile studio, the band’s level of confidence was sky high, supported by a brace of well-written tracks, sitting very much in the late seventies hard rock groove pioneered by the likes of Aerosmith, Ted Nugent and Kiss.
‘Air Special’, issued in 1978 in a very distinctive album cover, delivered on all fronts. Their muscular rock was primed, toned and given a period stadium rock makeover, gifting them a new born sense of possibility. Tracks such as the anthemic Kiss-like ‘Taste Of Your Love’, with its massive power chords, the pop rock ‘Love Stealer’ and a crushing rendition of Bo Diddley’s ‘Who Do You Love’ elevate this album to classic status.”
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION, Fully Remastered Audio, One of the best North American mid 70s hard rock albums, bonus track, 12 page full colour booklet – 4,000 word essay, enhanced artwork with rarely seen photos and new interviews.
TRACK LISTING: 1. TASTE OF YOUR LOVE 2. WAITIN’ FOR THE WEEKEND 3. WHO DO YOU LOVE 4. TEARS OF A FOOL 5. COODA CRAWLIN’ 6. AIRMAIL SPECIAL 7. NEVER SAY DIE 8. FEVER 9. LOVE STEALER 10. LET IT ROLL 11. DOWN THE ROAD APIECE. BONUS TRACK: 12. LOVE STEALER (SINGLE VERSION)
