Melodic AOR

Think about some of the big AOR artists you know of. How many of the groups have a brother in the band? Not many. Bands like FM (UK), Giant and Hardline are a few AOR specific bands that I can think of where two brothers share the same studio, stage and band identity together to make great music! Founded by Steve and Rick Worrall in the mid 1980's both musicians had both the talent, record label support (Spy Records /A&M), producer Jim Gaines (Steve Miller, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Journey, Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis and The News, Jimmy Barnes) to reach significant success. Songs like "Heat Of The Night" and "Catch Me" reached the top 2 and 3 spots on the Canadian CANCON charts in 1991, and "Heat Of The Night" peaking at the mid 50's on the Canadian top 100 RPM chart. Fantastic production and musicianship should not be overlooked - but it is evident the label made some small mis-judgement in releasing this album in late-mid 1991 (Entered the studio in 89) and not pushing a third song: a very polished version of Van Stephenson's "Suspicious Heart" to the airwaves. This lack of exposure resulted in the band losing momentum thereafter and the band soon ended after their tour in 1992. This release also featured Jimi Jamison (Survivor, Jami Jamison Solo) on backup vocals. This is a great release for all Melodic AOR fans. Highly Recommended! 

Regatta remains another amazing AOR "Power Trio" band that really did not get to hit their full potential due to the inability of their label to sell and promote the material extensively before the "Grunge Revolution" of 1991. Winners of the Q107 Homegrown Band contest in 1987 with their single "Standing Alone" the band was off to a good start and eventually lead to a signing with BMG records. There first and only full length album made available in 1989; exceptional song writing, musicianship and production are all noteworthy in this release. Standout songs such as "This Is Love" and "Where Ever You Run" made their way to the mid 40's and 50's of the Canadian Top 100 singles charts in 1990, and the album topped at the mid 50's in 1990. Most unrecognized is the song "Where Ever You Run" charted to number 2 on the Canadian Content CANCON charts in April 1990. With so much potential by the time the music videos for both songs came out in 1991, the road for Regatta hit a dead end. Exceptional musicianship from Chris Smith (Chris Smith), Greg Critchey (Partland Brothers, Kim Mitchell, Rik Emmett), Matthew Gerrard (Von Groove, Lee Aaron, Wall Of Silence, Kelly Clarkson) all have an extensive resume of contributions in the music industry. Supported by other well written and produced tracks such as "Devils In Disguise", "Wild Girls" and "Matter Of Time" this album undeniably needs to be in your AOR music collection! A recommended release for any AOR music fan.

Eye Eye is a fantastic Canadian hi-tech AOR, new wave group that should not be an oversight for any AOR fan. The Duo Of Andy Ryan and Bill Wood played an important part in the band's musical direction and song writing. Catchy lyrics you want to dance to, great production, instruments and vocals are shining examples of this amazing release. This band had tremendous initial success with two finals appearances on CBC's Rock Wars and Much Music's Talent Search. Tracks such as "Out On A Limb" and "X-Ray eyes" were successful mid 50's charting tracks placing in the top RPM 100 charts in Canada and garning enough airplay touring with Glass Tiger and Platinum Blonde as an opening act help propel their initial release to number 87 on the RPM charts in 1986. A subsequent album was released in 1988 which the song "Endless Night" charted on the Canadian RPM charts in the mid 50's for several weeks. Eye Eye also has a film credit with the song "Essence Of You" being featured in the film Friday The 13th VII "The New Blood". A fantastic Canadian AOR Group in the likeness of Glass Tiger and Platinum Blonde. Check these guys out! Fantastic release.  

In the first MelodicAOR podcast we analyze and examine the history, musicianship and unrecognized song writing and talent of the Montreal based group Beau Geste as possessed in their 1986 Release, Another Night In The City. Being one of the first English Quebec rock groups; the band garnered a lot of airplay locally and provincially. Assisted by producer Aldo Nova - The incredibly talented Bryan Hughes (Bryan Hughes Group, Devay) drastically made a profound positive impact on the bands overall production and musical direction. The album was released with a unique, well produced hard rock / AOR sound that did not garner the attention it should have with the opening track "Take These Chains" going to number 1 in the Quebec Radio charts in 1986. Supporting tracks such as "Another Night In The City", "Still Of The Night" , "No More Heroes" and "Running From Your Heart" are some of many memorable tracks that should of at least charted on a national scale. Released during the midst of the growing and ever popular AOR music scene it should of been a commercial success. A perceived lack of label support, money and promotion for this group limited the group's exposure mainly to Quebec and the east coast of Canada. With the internet many people globally are quickly discovering how amazing this album is. Give it a listen. You wont be disappointed. Highly recommended album and group!

Currently trending at #86 on Heavy Harmonies Top 100 CD List - December 2020