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Player / Danger Zone
After the sensational debut with smash hit single“Baby Come Back”, Player released a second album also on RSO, called Danger Zone in the following year of 1978. However, the band’s music direction was very different from their mellow first album, that is to say, aiming heavier and progressive. It was said that the label wanted Player to harden up their image. Beckett was quoted later as saying that "this could have probably been their biggest mistake, and that Player may have still been around today if not for that." This album produced the hit singles “Prisoner Of Your Love'” and “Silverlining”. Speaking of “Prisoner Of Your Love'”, the album version over 6 min. is much better than the edited single version into 3 min. And, “Silverlining” sounds like the hit songs by Boston or Styx of that era, particularly from its guitar arrangement. The album went gold and peaked at number 37 on 11 November, 1978. Release: August, 1978 Label: RSO Records, USA (RS-1-3036) First Reissued CD Release: 28 August, 2001 (2 on 1 CD with “Danger Zone”, One Way Records, USA,314589290-2) First Reissued CD Release as an album: 9 December , 2020 (Polydor - Universal Music, Japan, UICY-79302) Tracks: 1. Love In The Danger Zone 2. Silver Lining 3. I Just Wanna Be With You 4. Forever 5. I've Been Thinkin' 6. Prisoner Of Your Love 7. Join In The Dance 8. Wait Until Tomorrow 9. Let Me Down Easy Producers:Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter Player: Peter Beckett: Guitars, Lead Vocals Ronn Moss: Bass J.C. Crowley: Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals John Friesn: Drums - Musicians - Keyboards: Wayne Cook, Bill Cuomo, Bob Carpenter Percussion: Steve Forman #Player
AOR One Way Records, USA RSO Records, USA Universal Music JapanTakeito
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Player
Peter Beckett moved to Los Angeles from England to pursue further his music career, then reunited with Steve Kipner, his old bandmate to form Skyband with Lane Caudell. Skyband recorded an album in London and released as self-titled debut album for RCA in 1975 but was not successful enough. In 1977 finally Peter Beckett came across J.C. Crowley when both attended party in Hollywood and they got together and jam, began working on their new material in Crowley's garage, they recorded a single record “Jukebox Saturday Night” under the name of Bandana, c/w “Love Is Where You Find It", later to be re-recorded for Player’s first album. The two were introduced to Ronn Moss. Then Moss brought in his old friend John Friesen. Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter liked their materials and took the guys into the studio to record a few songs. Thus, they got a deal with RSO label. The band also added keyboard player Wayne Cook,former band member of Steppenwolf, Cook was not pictured on the album cover, joining after the publicity photo was taken. The band finally released the lead single "Baby Come Back” that broke on the radio in October of 1977 and their self-titled debut album followed. They first performed live as the opening act for Gino Vanelli November of 1977, then later with Boz Scaggs. “Baby Come Back” reached number 1 on US single chart early January 1978. The second single “This Time I'm in It for Love" also reached number 10. The album peaked number 26 on Billboard 200. Release: September, 1977 Label, RSO Records, USA (RS-1-3026) First Reissued CD Release: 28 August, 2001 (2 on 1 CD with “Danger Zone”, One Way Records, USA, 314589290-2) First Reissued CD Release as an album: 27 July, 2011 (A&M Records - Universal Music, Japan, UICY-75089) Tracks: 1. Come On Out 2. Baby Come Back 3. Goodbye (That's All I Ever Heard) 4. Melanie 5. Every Which Way 6. This Time I'm In It For Love 7. Love Is Where You Find It 8. Movin' Up 9. Cancellation 10. Tryin' To Write A Hit Song Producers:Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter Player: Peter Beckett: Guitars, Vocals Ronn Moss: Bass, Vocals J.C. Crowley: Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals John Friesn: Drums Wayne Cook: Keyboards - Musicians - Keyboards: Michael Omartian Guitars: Reed Kailing, Jay Lewis Drums, Percussion: Jack White Percussion, Vibraphone: Gary Coleman Sax: Jim Horn Flute: Jim Horn #Player
AOR One Way Records, USA RSO Records, USA Universal Music JapanTakeito
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Michael Johnson / The Michael Johnson Album + Dialogue
Michael Johnson was recognised widely when he started to sing with John Denver and David Boise as Denver, Boise & Johnson in 1968. Shortly after the group disbanded in 1969, Johnson started his successful solo career. In 1971, Johnson signed with Atco Records to release his first album “There Is A Breeze”, which was released in 1973, then Johnson released two albums for Sanskrit Records; theself-produced second album For All You Mad Musicians” in 1975, followed by “Ain't Dis Da Life” in 1977. In terms of commercial sales, these first three albums were not successful. Time had come in 1978. Johnson’s fourth solo effort "The Michael Johnson Album" released in 1978 under EMI America changed his status in the U.S. music scene. The first single "Bluer Than Blue" written by Randy Goodrum ranked number 12 on U.S. Pop Chart. Other contributed songwriters were such as Bill Labounty, Tom Snow and Eric Kaz, who made the album full of romantic ballads. In 1979, Johnson returned with another set of romantic mellow fifth solo album "Dialogue" featuring “This Night Won't Last Forever" also known for Bill LaBounty's version. This song ranked number 19 on the U.S. pop chart. Other songs on the album was written again by great songwriters including Tom Snow, Randy Goodrum, Eric Kaz, and Parker McGee. Michael passed away at his home in Minneapolis, MN on 25 July, 2017 following a long battle with chronic heart and lung disease. "The Michael Johnson Album" Release:15 June 1978 Label: EMI America, USA (SW-17002) Tracks: 1. Sailing Without A Sail 2. Foolish 3. Dancin' Tonight 4. Two In Love 5. Ridin' In The Sky 6. Bluer Than Blue 7. Almost Like Being In Love 8. 25 Words Or Less 9. Gypsy Woman 10. When You Come Home Producers: Steve Gibson, Brent Maher Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Keyboards: Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin Piano: Bill LaBounty Bass: Jack Williams, Mike Leech, Norbert Putnam Drums: Kenny Malone Percussion: Farrell Morris Guitars: Jon Goin, Steve Gibson Violin: Shelly Kurland Horns: Buddy Skipper, Don Scheffeild, Roger Bissell, Roger Williams Background Vocals: Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Daine Tidwell ============================ “Dialogue" Release: 1979 Label: EMI America, USA (SW-17010) Tracks: 1. This Night Won't Last Forever 2. Let This Be A Lesson To You 3. The Very First Time 4. Drops Of Water 5. I'll Always Love You 6. Doors 7. Blackmail 8. She Put The Sad In All His Songs 9. I Just Can't Say No To You 10. Dialogue Producers: Steve Gibson Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Piano: Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin, Randy Goodrum, Tom Snow Wurlizer: Randy Goodrum Rhodes: Bobby Keister, Shane Keister, Randy Goodrum Bass: Jack Williams, Mike Leech Drums: Kenny Malone Percussion: Farrell Morris Guitars: Steve Gibson, Jon Goin Sax: Billy Puett, Norm Ray, Buddy Skipper, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker Trombone: Dennis Good, Tom Malone Trumpet: Don Sheffield, John Gatchell, Danny Cahn Oboe: Bob Taylor Background Vocals: Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Greg Gordon, Bergen White, Randy Goodrum - 2 on 1 Reissued CD - Release: 15 May, 1999 Label: Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-576) - “The Michael Johnson Album” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79323) - “Dialogue” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79324) #MichaelJohnson
AOR EMI America, USA Universal Music Japan Vivid Sound Corporation, JapanTakeito