AOR TREASURES - Demo Projekt Vol.1 (2011)

Got many quality demos in my collection, and some of them should have been ended in official releases by the respective artists.
So, why not start a Demo series?
If you like it, there will be more for sure.
All tracks in this first installment are really good songs in my opinion, mostly with +A audio quality.
I have restored the files (enhance, de-hiss, channel correction, etc) for your listening pleasure.

A brief description on some of them:
House Of Lords' James Christian used to be the leader of Eyes (a group with countless members in its history) during the mid-eighties, recording flashing AOR demos, but sadly, never releasing any official material. The song featured here is awesome.
Greek AORsters Wild Rose will be finally releasing the 1st album soon. This demo is a good tune in the classic style.
The great short-lived UK band Seven only released 2 fantastic maxi-CD at the beginning of the nineties produced by John Parr, "America" is a song that never was released.
Kristina Nichols has one of those unique AOR voices. I never seen this rare demo ('88) surfacing the web. Lyrics by Nancy Krasn and Kristina Nichols. Music by Bettie Ross & Kristina Nichols. (Edwin, this is for you!)

Some years ago Swedish wiz Tommy Denander started a project that sadly never seen the light of day, with many top vocalists as guests. On this demo, the respected Joe Pasquale sings his first AOR / MR in years (he is retired, producing country artists).
Another rarity is hear Robby Valentine performing a cover. "Go Your Own Way" (a Fleetwood Mac original) is professionally recorded but never released. A real rarity from Robby's vault.
"This Is Our Life" by Shining Line was scheduled to be featured into the non-european version of their last year's debut CD, but that's never happen. This track was included into a compilation not so long ago, but this is NOT the same mix.

How about some rare Zinatra? One of my favorite rockin' AOR bands recorded some demos with their last singer Ollie Oldenburg (Frozen Rain) in 1992/3. This track is a mega-rarity.
Another cool tune is "The Law" by Liddle-Rush-Thrall. As the name suggests the band was a collaboration between one-time Strangeways vocalist Tony Liddell, Billy Rush (Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes) and the legendary Pat Thrall (Meatloaf, Asia, Hughes/Thrall). Rockin' track never released.
Is it Fergie Frederiksen at the mic on the Mecca demo? Listen and answer the quiz.
Chicago's Peter Cetera has a songwriter brother, Kenny, who also sings like an angel. Check this mega-rare demo, great quality.
Also included is a great track of Geezer Butler Band from their '86 studio demos feat. Carl Sentance, a fine hi-tech '89 track (demo-only) by Bruce Turgon, and many more.

All these songs never have been released / appeared on official albums.
Good Stuff.


01 - Eyes (James Christian) - Fury Of A Woman
02 - Wild Rose - Another Shot
03 - Maxx - Love In Disguise
04 - Turbulence - Hold On
05 - Seven - America
06 - Kristina Nichols - In The Hands Of The Right Man
07 - Tommy Denander & Joe Pasquale - Run Away
08 - Robby Valentine - Go Your Own Way
09 - Shining Line - This Is Our Life
10 - Summers - Rock You
11 - BlackHeart - My Star
12 - Jacklyn - Straight From The Heart
13 - Zinatra (with Ollie Oldenburg) - Wings Of Gold
14 - Harem Scarem - Born To Be A Rebel
15 - Liddle-Rush-Thrall - The Law
16 - Hayate - Can't Wait On Love
17 - Galaxy - Free To Loose
18 - Geezer Butler Band - Computer God
19 - Bruce Turgon - The First Step
20 - Mecca - I Know
21 - Kenny Cetera - Could It Be You
22 - Warren Wiebe - Safe Back In Your Arms



AOR TREASURES - Demo Projekt Vol.1

JOE PASQUALE - Riccochet [Japan only] (1994)

You can get Joe Pasquale's info in the post of his first solo album HERE.
"Riccochet" is his 2nd solo effort and the last until today (he's recording with swedish guru Tommy Denander right now).
Many of the same top class L.A. session musicians participating on the first album 'Prey' (Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather) play here as well.

"Riccochet" is more westcoast-pop oriented than the terrific first album.
Tracks like "Tell Me...Stay The Night", "Person To Person" or the title track are too much modern R&B to my tastes.
But don't worry, quality is still here.
On "Test My Love", "Time Will Never Know" and the excellent piano-ballad "Sometimes", Pasquale sounds like the good Richard Marx.
"So Let It Be Written" has a sweet feel, it's a calm midtempo with a relaxed rhythm section and good guitar solo. One of my favorites.
"Nikki" is a very good, emotional ballad, with great lyrics to become a potential hit.
"As Long As I Have You" is another favorite, a westcoast tune with pop sensibility and a melodic guitar solo.

Except 3 tracks that I don't like (personal tastes), here's many good, quality songs to enjoy. Joe Pasquale is a very good songwriter and has a sweet, velvety voice.
Dropped by his label after the first disc, Pasquale released "Riccochet" in Japan only, through a local (major) company.
But has become very hard to find a copy, last auction I seen fetched $150.
Rare.


01 - Time Will Never Know
02 - Tell Me...Stay The Night
03 - Test My Love
04 - So Let It Be Written
05 - Tell Me Something Good
06 - Riccochet
07 - Nikki
08 - As Long As I Have You
09 - Sometimes
10 - Person To Person
11 - Someday We'll Be Together


Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboards : Joe Pasquale
Guitars : Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Peter Rafelson, Sheldon Reynolds, Roger Sullins
Bass : Les Pierce, Lance Morrison, Kenny Wilde
Keyboards : Randy Waldman
Drums : Rick Marotta, Les Pierce
Percussion : Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone : Marc Russo
Background vocals : Joe Pasquale, Dawn Thomas, Julia Tillman Waters & Maxine Willard Waters



JOE PASQUALE - Riccochet [Japan only]

JOE PASQUALE - Prey (1991)

Who is this guy with a latin name?
Joe Pasquale is an accomplished producer and songwriter, and better than that, a terrific singer and keyboardist.
This complete musician of French origins has been playing and recording since the mid eighties as sessionist on various albums, in example; Mark Winkler works.
Prior to 'Prey', was the lead singer of "Boys Club", a great and unknown duo / band, releasing a wonderful album.

Seems Joe has some connections (and played for important names), as he managed to come up with an all star line-up to his debut (on a major label btw).
Teamed with master BRUCE GAITSCH in the songwriting of most of the songs (also a couple penned by Dianne Warren), we have here a bunch of terrific songs to boot.

Opener 'Circle Of Love' is pure Hi-Tech AOR heaven featuring awesome rhythm guitars by Gaitsch.
'Believin´ ' focuses on fantastic vocal harmonies ala NELSON's Because They Can era.
'Paint It Blue' ... what a song! Dianne Warren's trademark, top class chorus and unbelievable arrangements.
'Faith Of An Age' is another highlight, typical Gaitsch style. Great, Great one!
'On My Own' is a laid back acoustic, think the best EAGLES.
Title track is pretty atmospheric, TOTOished song with guitars by MICHAEL THOMPSON.
Balancing the album, 'Love And Medication' gets rockier, thanks to STEVE LUKATHER's impeccable guitar job.
'This Could Take All Night' goes to the poppy-westcoast style, great vocals.
And the last one... another gem. 'Deep In The Night' is a classic, classic, classic soft AOR tune. This is AOR guys, pure soft AOR.

Needless to say: Top notch production & recording job.
I love this album, a smooth, elegant, perfectly written and performed piece. Soft - AOR masterpiece if you ask me.
A Must Have in this style.
Highly Recommended.


01 - Circle Of Love
02 - Believin'
03 - Paint It Blue
04 - Faith Of An Age
05 - On My Own
06 - Prey
07 - Fool If You Think It's Over
08 - Love And Medication
09 - This Could Take All Night
10 - Deep In The Night


Joe Pasquale : vocals, bass, piano, synths, organ, drums
Bruce Gaitsch : guitars, songwriting
Steve Lukather : guitars
Michael Thompson : guitars
Vinnie Colauita, Art Wood : drums, percussion
Randy Waldman : bass
Randy Jackson : bass
Neil Stubenhaus : bass
Paulinho DaCosta : percussion
Dave Boruf : sax
Janey Clewer, Martika, Maxine Walters, Julia Waters, Susan Boyd, Lada Boder : backing vocals
... and many more ...



JOE PASQUALE - Prey