JOHN VERITY - Interrupted Journey (1983)

John Verity's info can be found on a previous post (his 2nd solo album) HERE
This is his first album, a guitar oriented collection of songs, some new, some unfinished from other projects.

UK artist, but this music is commercial and melodic, specifically oriented to the US market: big arena guitars, anthemic choruses and good doses of keyboards.
A great blend of powerful guitar hard rockers with american AOR.

My favorites are the AOR oriented tracks:
'Just Another Day (In The Life Of A Fool)', a mix of american / british sound.
The best song here; 'Love Is Blind' sounds like the americans BALANCE, pure AOR tune.
'It's Coming Right' is another classic mid-tempo AOR track with huge choruses.
A very melodic side can be heard on 'In The Arms Of Someone Else' (written by Mike Rutherford), nice harmonies and keyboard laden.

The sharper, hard rockin' songs: 'Are You Ready For This' (Y&T comes in mind), the urgent opener 'Rescue Me', 'You're The Loser' (a powerful guitar rocker with live audience overdubs in the mix) and the really cool 'Chippin' Away At The Stone'.
The album closes with a very good guitar power ballad: 'Fallin'

A perfectly balanced album, skillfully produced, and pretty unknown to the big audience.
Highly Recommended
Hard to find Remastered CD version only available at JV website.


01 - Rescue Me
02 - Just Another Day
03 - Stay With Me Baby
04 - Love Is Blind
05 - Are You Ready For This
06 - Your The Loser
07 - It's Coming Right
08 - Chippin' Away At The Stone
09 - In The Arms Of Someone Else
10 - Fallin'


Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars : John Verity
Bass : Terry Uttley, David Wintour
Bass Pedals : Mike Rutherford
Drums : Bob Henrit, Steve Rodford
Keyboards : Rod Argent, Andy Clark, Richard Cottle
Backing Vocals : Rod Argent, Russ Ballard,
Chris Norman, Alan Silson, Terry Uttley



GOOD ROCKIN' AOR

AOR TREASURES - The Seminal Years 80 - 83

Already it has been three years since I did my first compilations for this site.
The aim was to introduce some uncommon AOR / Melodic Rock bands and encourage readers to explore this genre.
But I'd only covered the years 1986 to 1993 across two volumes.

Well, I have taken up the idea and it's fair completing the circle with all those who 'started all' at the beginning of the glorious decade (1980-1983), also with a forthcoming volume covering the 84-85 period.
Again, no major acts like Survivor, Journey, etc.

Years have passed and today it's pretty easy to get material from these bands browsing the web.
But not always ripped at highest CD quality and most of them from remastered reissues.
DVC was never officially released on CD, but this rip is from the bootleg edition that sounds really good.
Other bands difficult to find on CD are CALL ME and VERITY's debut.

As said, absolute classics, 320K CD rips, the vast majority remastered.
Load your iPod or your car stereo with these wonderful songs and rock 'til you drop!


01 - Aldo Nova - Fantasy (1982)
02 - Balance - I'm Through Loving You (1981)
03 - ArcAngel - Tragedy (1983)
04 - Preview - Open Your Heart (1983)
05 - Prism - Wired (1982)
06 - Hughes-Thrall - The Look In Your Eye (1982)
07 - Call Me - Running Out Of Love (1981)
08 - Alliance - Make It Right (1982)
09 - Shelter - On The Line (1983)
10 - Le Roux - Lifeline (1983)
11 - Harlequin - Innocence (1980)
12 - Grand Prix - Give Me What's Mine (1982)
13 - i-TEN - Time To Say Goodbye (1983)
14 - Thrills - You Don't Remember Me (1981)
15 - D V C - Let Me Be Your Fantasy (1981)
16 - RPM - Firestarter (1982)
17 - Streets - So Far Away (1983)
18 - Verity - Love Is Blind (1983)


Back Tray preview, CLICK HERE:




AOR TREASURES - The Seminal Years
.

JOHN VERITY - Truth Of The Matter (1985)

Born in Bradford, England, John Verity has been in the musical business for five decades, fronting his own band and as part of numerous groups, recording and producing.

At the beginning of the '70s John was contacted by Rod Argent who was looking for new lead vocalist for his band ARGENT following the departure of Russ Ballard.
After 2 albums (produced by John) and intense touring, along with Bob Henrit and Jim Rodford from Argent, he formed PHOENIX.
The band recorded three successful albums (again, produced by him) and toured Europe supporting major acts.
In 1980, John and Bob joined CHARLIE, to record and produce their landing into the US market; 'Good Morning America'.
The next years were spent in recording studios, producing, playing guitar, or doing backup vocals with various acts including Motorhead, Saxon, Ringo Starr, Russ Ballard, Colin Blunstone.

With his own studio ready, the John Verity Band was reactivated, and with the former members of Argent and Charlie aboard, the result was 'Interrupted Journey', a guitar fueled rockin' album released in 1982, highly acclaimed in the UK.
After extensive tours in Europe & Scandinavia, they went into studio for the new album; 'Truth Of The Matter', described by John as "a mix of 'Live in the studio' material & standard studio creations".

Sounding more polished than debut, but still retaining the guitar driven AOR rock vibe, the good thing is the increased keyboard presence and mid-80's commercial songwriting style.
'Roll the dice' won't be out of place in a CHARLIE's or any LOVERBOY album of that era, while 'Lookin' for love' sounds like a song that FOREIGNER will be proud of.
'Keep a little love in your heart' has a WHITESNAKE-ish hard rock splendour, 'Honesty & emotion' again a LOVERBOY stamp (great keyboards & chorus), and 'Only in a dream' is an impressive mid-tempo AOR tune.

With some stellar guests (Mike Rutherford of Genesis wrote three songs) and solid production, this is a well rounded power AOR album, a highly recommended listen.
Rare CD edition completely remastered.


1 - Roll the dice
2 - Lookin' for love
3 - Hold on to love
4 - Keep a little love in your heart
5 - Who d'ya think your foolin'
6 - Honesty & emotion
7 - Only in a dream
8 - Ride the wind
9 - Stompin' ground
10 - No pretending


Guitars, Vocals : John Verity
Keyboards : Rod Argent, Andy Wells
Keyboards, Bass : Steve Thompson (Tygers Of Pan Tang)
Guitar, Backing Vocals : John Neil
Bass : Terry Uttley, Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
Drums : Bob Henrit, Steve Rodford, Paul Smith
Backing Vocals : Alan Silson, Chris Norman (Smokie)



ROCKIN' AOR